We had the pleasure of visiting Paulos Circus in Newquay this week for the 2024 “POP!” show, and it certainly lived up to its reputation as a fantastic family event. Having never been before, despite it being a regular summer fixture in Newquay for years, we were thrilled to finally experience it.

What made it even better was that we snagged half-price tickets earlier in the year, courtesy of Newquay Radio. We highly recommend following their Facebook page to stay updated on ticket deals for future shows.

Read on for my Paulos Circus review with lots of photos and video clips to get a taste of the experience for yourself!

Paulos Circus Review: A Family-Friendly Show for All Ages

Paulos Circus offers a variety of acts that cater to everyone, from young children to adults. The lineup included:

• Hamster wheel: A thrilling and high-energy performance that had everyone on the edge of their seats. At first, I thought it was quite an amateur act, but then he ramped up the difficulty skipping on the outside and using a blindfold! He fell when he first tried the blindfold, which I’ve seen in part of a circus act like this before, so I always wonder if it’s staged to make the audience gasp and to show how difficult the act is… maybe it was a real slip, but maybe staged! Anyway, it adds to the excitement and anticipation for the kids at least!

• Clown performance: Classic circus comedy that entertained the crowd and provided plenty of laughs. Not my favourite act, but perfect for the kids, especially the younger kids who enjoy all the silliness!
• Juggling acts: Showcased in an impressive display from a performer spinning different-sized barrels with her feet, to the clown showcasing some impressive juggling skills with multiple balls.

• Spinning rollerskaters: A crowd favourite, combining speed and acrobatics! The first time I’d seen an act like this in real life and not just on a talent show on TV and it was super impressive, especially when she was spinning around from the neck as the guy skates around in a circle – crazy! Maybe my favourite act.

• Crossbow stunts: An exciting and slightly nerve-wracking act as a guy and gal shoot at each other with crossbows, well, not at each other perse, but rather at the balloon or flower they are holding, sometimes in their mouths! They finished their act by setting up four crossbows to shoot automatically at each other and pop balloons. A tad worrying as I seemed to be directly in line to one of the balloons and crossbows should it miss the balloon slightly!

• Aerial performances: Stunning acrobatics that captivated the audience! I don’t know how they can spin so fast and not puke all over the place! There was a mesmerizing trapeze dance act, a hoop act and a rope act with crazy spins.

• Laser light show: A visually stunning spectacle, particularly mesmerising for children and even me! I really loved this, which was the last act of the circus show, as it was very different and I hadn’t seen it at a circus before. I can imagine there will be a lot more acts like this in the future. It was very clever using a drone and lasers to music and perfect timing.

• Giant slinky: A fun and unexpected addition that added some quirky entertainment, particularly for the children! I was expecting a little more, as an adult, from this act, like it would suddenly split into two or go really tall so we couldn’t work out how they did it… but the colourful slinky would have provided a feast for the eyes of the younger audience for sure.

Paulos Circus Length

The show lasted one hour and 20 minutes, which was just the right length for our youngest, aged 9, who became a little restless towards the end. It’s a perfect duration for families with younger children who may struggle to sit through longer shows.

Snacks and Light-Up Souvenirs

Although we didn’t grab any snacks (we arrived just as the show started), we noticed that many families enjoyed refreshments from the ticket booth. The light-up toys on sale were a big hit, and they created a magical atmosphere in the darkened tent, adding to the excitement.

A Perfect Day Out – Rain or Shine

Whether you’re a local or visiting, Paulos Circus is definitely worth a visit. It’s the perfect activity for a rainy day in Newquay or simply a fun way to spend an afternoon or evening with kids. Plus, there are no animals involved in the show, which is ideal for those, like us, who prefer circuses that focus solely on human performers.

Tips for Your Visit to Paulos Circus in Newquay

• Score Half-Price Tickets: Keep an eye on Newquay Radio’s Facebook page for announcements about half-price ticket sales.
• Seasonal Only: Please note that the circus is seasonal only and not an all-year-round event. In the Newquay location, it’s always on in the summer.
• Arrive Early: If you want to grab snacks before the show, arrive early as the ticket booth can get busy.
• Don’t Miss the Lights: Consider purchasing the glow-in-the-dark lights sold at the venue. They add a fun touch to the experience.
• Extra Comfort: the seats are a little uncomfortable, bring a padded cushion with you if you struggle on hard seats. I have a foam seat cushion from eBay which makes hard seats super squishy and comfortable!
• Ear Defenders: We completely forgot to bring our youngest’s ear defenders, so I spent most of the show covering his ears for him.  If I let go, he grabbed my arms to cover them!  It was a bit loud for him, so if your child struggles with loud noise and music, make sure you grab some ear defenders for the circus show. Our kids have the Snug Kids Ear Defenders which you can find on eBay by clicking here (new and preloved).

Final Thoughts

Overall, we had a brilliant time and would highly recommend Paulos Circus to families visiting Newquay over the summer. It’s a great family-friendly event that offers something for everyone and leaves a lasting impression. Whether you’re in the area on holiday or live nearby, it’s a must-see summer attraction.

What to read next…

Looking for more circus reviews? The last circus we went to before this was Circus Funtasia in Gloucestershire!

Need more fun things to do in Newquay with kids in the summer? How about the Bouncy Castle Fun Park or Little Western Railway?