This is My Circus

The This is My Circus festival takes place on 18-19 October in and around Castle Circus.

The aim is to revitalise the area through creative expression, community pride, and cultural collaboration — transforming underused spaces into hubs of activity, storytelling, and connection.

This is My Circus Festival: Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October

Locations: The Strand, Fleet Walk, Union Street, Union Square Shopping Centre and Castle Circus, Torquay

Friday 17 October (soft launch)

10pm to 4pm - inDISPOSABLE gallery open

10am to 12pm and 12pm to 2pm
Led by Nexus Games & Cabbage Tree CIC, Fantasy Foundry invites participants to unlock their creativity through the art of storytelling and world-building, using the power of games and imagination. Meet at Nexus Games Café.

Saturday 18 October

10am

Gather on the Strand near the new Agatha Christie sculpture by Brixham based artist, Elisabeth Hadley (if it's raining, you'll find us under the old Debenhams canopy, just across the road). 

10:15am to 11am

Devon based The Hummingbirds Trio will perform the first of two sets of modern vintage swing from the 1920s – 1950s.

People are encouraged to admire the new murals by Paignton based artist, Zoe Curley on the hoardings outside the old Debenha ms site and the old Mambo building.

They can then parade together towards Union Street.

10am to 2pm

Pop in for a friendly cuppa, a nice lunch, and a chat with the team. It’s the perfect place to pause, connect, and enjoy some community spirit in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Everyone’s invited — come as you are and feel at home! Ellacombe Community Café

12pm to 4pm Internationally-renowned Torbay-based mural and graffiti artist Szabotage runs a stencil making workshop, free to attend and open to all. Union Square shopping centre

12pm to 3:45pm

Live music by  The Hummingbirds Trio (their second set), and local musical talent arranged by Sound Communities. Union 

Union Square shopping centre

• 12pm – Julia – Acoustic guitar and singer
• 1pm – Hummingbirds Trio
• 2pm – Cara - Funky DJ
• 3pm – Lewis Jackson – Acoustic guitar & singer songwriter

Sunday 19 October

Continue to immerse yourself in a vibrant celebration of creativity at Union Square Shopping Centre.

12pm to 4pm

A Kick up the Arts leads a dynamic range of free, hands-on workshops, suitable for all ages and skills. Urban sketching, floral painting, all sorts of artistic endeavour! Mark and Sarah Bell bring their creativity for this fun drop-in session! Materials provided. No booking required — just drop in!

12pm to 3:45pm – Live music by local talent arranged by Sound Communities 

• 12pm – Serena – Cover Singer
• 1pm – Dan – DJ
• 3pm – Issy Carlisle – Singer songwriter

On both Saturday and Sunday, from 10.30am to 4pm, two empty shops will be transformed into emporiums of community creativity! Pop by to experience art, culture, and heritage!:

75 Union Street (the old ‘Game’ shop) will host: 

SPACE

SPACE is all about helping people shine. Commissioned by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, SPACE supports individuals with learning disabilities and autism to plan the lives they want — from finding the right activities to exploring job opportunities and creative projects in the community.

During the celebration weekend, SPACE will be creating their own merchandise, and visitors can bring along their selfie station photos to have them printed onto a mug to take home. It’s a chance to meet the team, see their creativity in action, and learn more about how they support inclusion and independence across Torbay. 75 Union Street (the old ‘Game’ shop)

A Stitch in Time

Led by artist Sam Doyle, A Stitch in Time invites everyone to take part in creating a beautiful, collaborative quilt-map of Castle Circus and Torquay. Each fabric square tells a story — of place, memory, and imagination — stitched together to celebrate the area’s heritage, geology, and community spirit.

Through foraging, natural dye-making, and storytelling workshops, participants of all ages and skill levels can add their voice to this evolving artwork. The creative process will unfold in local shop windows, offering passers-by a glimpse into the making of a “map of belonging” for Torquay. The finished textile piece will be showcased during the celebration weekend, accompanied by a digital archive linking stories and memories through QR codes.

Ellacombe Youth Group – Petal Power

Young people will design and run a creative pop-up shop, Petal Power, showcasing handmade items and artwork inspired by themes of growth, community, and positivity. The project builds skills in enterprise, teamwork, and self-expression.

Combe Pafford School – Future Frames

Students from Combe Pafford have stepped into the spotlight as young artists and entrepreneurs, creating and selling their own artwork. Their creativity and confidence have shone throughout a project that champions inclusion, self-expression, and community pride.

Come and see their brilliant work on display – and pick up a piece for yourself – at the pop-up shop during the celebration weekend!

Torquay Museum – Castle Circus Time Machine

A visual timeline of Castle Circus' history, geology, and archaeology, drawing on the museum’s internationally-significant collections.

This showcases key past moments – from civic ceremonies to its music scene – while inviting people to add memories and future visions.

A pop-up exhibition hub offers interactive displays and creative workshops inspired by local heritage.

Welcome to the Circus – Reimagining the River Fleet
Led by It’s About Time, Welcome to the Circus invites

 everyone to join a creative community adventure celebrating Torquay’s hidden River Fleet. Through art, storytelling, and hands-on making, participants will help build a collective 3D river scene, reimagining the flow of this lost waterway through colour, texture, and imagination.

The space offers a welcoming hub where creativity, wellbeing, and connection come together. Visitors can drop in to contribute artwork, poetry, and small creations that will form part of the final river installation and street celebration — a joyful reminder of how community and creativity can bring hidden stories back to life.

77 Union Street (old O2 shop) will host:

The empty shop will host a photographic exhibition called inDISPOSABLE, co-produced by artist Jamie Lewis Hadley, street attached people from the Castle Circus area and students from South Devon College.

This public art project uses disposable cameras to capture daily life and perspectives of Factory Row/Castle Circus residents, including unhoused people.

Inspired by My London (2016), participants become the artists, documenting experiences, challenges, and pride. It ends in an exhibition shifting perceptions and celebrating creativity.

Other things to see and do between the Strand and Castle Circus between 10am and 4pm on both days include:

Selfie trail and art installations

People are invited to explore new art installations and selfie stops displayed in empty shop windows along Fleet Walk and Union Street.

Local historian Kevin Dixon has visited Combe Pafford and Cockington Primary Schools, whose students enthusiastically took up the challenge of designing artwork for the shop windows.

Art students from South Devon College, in partnership with Kick Up The Arts, have interpreted these designs to create the selfie stations you can enjoy along the route.

How many selfie stops will you find and share online? 

Don’t forget to tag in Torbay Council!

Creative Writing Workshops at Nexus Games, 2pm to 3.30pm
Join local author Mark D. Gane for a free, friendly, and inspiring writing workshop designed to help you unlock your creativity and transform ideas into words.

This informal afternoon session will introduce practical tools and techniques to enhance your writing skills, boost confidence, and spark imagination. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced writer, you’ll leave with new insights and inspiration to express your unique voice.

The Castle Pub, Castle Circus: new mural

Stroll up to the Castle Pub to see the new mural inspired by Castle Circus’ rich industrial and social history and heritage. The mural was co-designed and painted by Szabotage and participants from the Leonard Stocks homeless hostel, St Mary Magdalene’s church, and Endeavour House.

The Old Pharmacy, Castle Circus: new trompe l’oeil

Enjoy peering into the ‘windows’ of the Old Pharmacy where Torquay artist, Mark Williams, has made trompe l’oeil images that celebrate this listed building’s former use.