It’s the split second before the show begins that excites Shoestring Circus co-owner Nicole Laumb the most, with the big top packed, the lights shift, and that collective hush right before the circus display bursts to life. “We spend months working on this, and that’s the moment it becomes real,” she says. “Then we’re off, and the tour has begun!”
With a tagline of “spectacle, skill, and enough twists to tie a shoestring,” Shoestring Circus returns in 2026 for an enchanting 4th season and all-new production under the big top! Don’t miss the spellbinding fun from May 29 to June 14 in their hometown of Bellingham.
Nostalgic Circus With a Modern Twist Born in Bellingham
Based in Bellingham, it’s electric when Shoestring Circus kicks off the season under the big top on Granary Avenue downtown. With equal parts nostalgia, pure adrenaline, and a modern twist, the performance is sure to delight returning guests and those new to the hometown circus.
“We know the audience, they know us, and there’s this shared history now that makes the tent feel just buzzy, fun, and warm,” says Laumb. “We’ve grown a lot over the years, and it’s really cool to talk to people who have attended every year and seen our small business take more steps.”
Shoestring Circus loves Bellingham and is endlessly grateful for a community that shows up, cheers loudly, and brings the love to the big top.
“Bellingham really shows up for the arts, and I hope people know how much it means to us,” says Laumb. “If they hadn’t sold out our first year of shows, we might not have been able to afford to try again. Then they sold out the next year and again last year. We try to show our gratitude by making the absolute best show we possibly can and continuing this tradition of coming together at the big top every summer.”
All New Show With a New Story: Shoestring Circus Brings Dreamland
In 2026, Shoestring Circus ushers the audience into Dreamland with a breathtaking performance of jaw-dropping circus acts, bold visuals, colorful characters, and surprises that feel like a dream.
“Shoestring Circus is more of a theatrical circus experience because the acts are woven into a story,” says Laumb. “Every year we write an all-new show, so returning guests always experience something new. If you’ve never been before, it will feel like a very different kind of circus!”
Featuring a mixture of old and new, the vintage big top tent, along with the look and feel of a classic circus, is an aesthetic everyone knows and loves. Yet Shoestring Circus pairs modern ideas with nostalgia, creating an enchanting experience for people of all ages.
“Our show is more contemporary because we don’t use animals,” says Laumb. “It involves a story, with modern and traditional circus acts,” says Laumb. “We also like to make our own props, and a lot of our costumes are made from reused objects, hence the name Shoestring.”
Shoestring Showcases High-Caliber Circus Artists
Shoestring Circus stacks the lineup with enchanting talent by bringing in standout new artists while welcoming returning favorites back with fresh acts.
While some of the performances are a surprise, the audience can look forward to contortionist Ilse Baryshnikov, fresh off a medal at Cirque de Demain (one of the world’s premier circus festivals). Keep an eye out for dynamic rope artist Nick Ng, whose credits include Cirque du Soleil. Also bringing both enchanting movement and vocals, Broadway dancer-singer Caroline Kane joins the ensemble.
Shoestring Circus Bellingham Showtimes and Dates
Enter the Dreamland of Shoestring Circus and get your tickets here to the hottest event in Bellingham now, as the show is only in town for a few weeks and fills up fast. Come as you are or wear your fanciest pajamas and dress up for a night to remember in a magical Dreamland.
Friday, May 29: 4 & 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 30: 1 & 5 p.m.
Sunday, May 31: 3 & 6 p.m.
Thursday, June 4: 4 & 7 p.m.
Friday, June 5: 5 & 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 6: 5 & 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 7: 3 & 6 p.m.
Wednesday, June 10: 4 & 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 11: 4 & 7 p.m.
Friday, June 12: 4 & 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 13: 3 & 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 14: 1 p.m.
Tickets to Shoestring Circus are $17 for kids ages 3 to 12. Children under 3 do not require a ticket but must share a seat with an adult ticket holder. Adult tickets are $35 for those 13 and up. All front row reserved seats are $55 each for all ages.
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