• Welcome to OutdoorArtsUK 

    OutdoorArtsUK is the home for performance in outdoor spaces! We support everything from street acrobats to national parades and celebrate work that exists outside buildings reaching the widest audience possible.

    From circus to carnival, from music to mela, from processions to puppetry and street dance to street theatre – if you want to see or make outdoor performances, you’re in the right place.

    Image: ‘Oystercatchers’ by Red Herring [Photo: Jim Wileman]
  • OAUK is an Arts Council England-funded support organisation that actively works to underpin the talent and achievements of the individuals, companies and organisations working in Outdoor Arts – one of the most accessible of art forms.

    Image: ‘Bonded’ by Alleyne Dance at Norfolk & Norwich Festival [Photo: Lidia Crisafulli]
  • OAUK advocates for Outdoor Arts to cultural bodies, national and local government organisations and various funding arenas. We support the sector by providing practical information on good working practices and offer advice and guidance for new and experienced practitioners.

    Image: Solomon Hunter performing at Derby Caribbean Carnival [Photo: Adaptive Media]
  • OAUK Members are individuals and organisations who actively participate in Outdoor Arts in their professional work. Our membership includes agents, artists, artistic companies, development organisations, festivals, funding bodies, higher education institutions, independent producers, local authorities, production companies, programmers and venues.

    Image: ‘Tape That!’ by Hands Down Circus at Hat Fair [Photo: Adrienne Photography]
  • OAUK is a professional network which facilitates creative and beneficial connections between our members. We keep them up-to-date with funding, commissioning, training and networking opportunities. We visit numerous festivals to hold a comprehensive knowledge of the latest national and international work and to keep an eye out for emerging artists.

    Image: ‘Frock’ by Stopgap Dance and ‘Robot Selfie’ by Kaleider at SO Festival [Photo: Jake Lewis Photography]
  • The Outdoor Arts sector, joyously liberated from buildings, offers high-quality performances in many different styles. The work is hugely accessible and is key to effecting social change and opening up culture to a wide audience with challenging, engaging and sometimes confrontational performances. And we do really great fireworks.

    Image: Cecil Green Arts at Saltaire World Heritage Day [Photo: Mark Ellis Photography]

Listings: Festivals & Performances

Want to see Outdoor Arts in action? This is your national and international ‘what’s on’ guide to festivals, performances and public events featuring Outdoor Arts.

Listings: Professional Opportunities

Working in the sector? Check out the latest conferences, symposiums, training and networking events for anyone working in Outdoor Arts.

The OutdoorArtsUK Member Directory

Who’s who in Outdoor Arts? The OAUK membership includes performers, producers, festivals, artists, venues, agencies and theatre companies.

Carnival Pyrotechnics Dance Walkabout Dance Circus Street Theatre Mela LightNights Carnival Pyrotechnics Dance Installation Dance Circus Street Theatre Mela LightNights

Festival & Performance HighlightsView all listings

Stockport Town of Culture

Mar 23, 2024 – Mar 24, 2024

Stockport’s Town of Culture Weekend is 23 to 24 March 2024. A free weekend of music, …

Location: Stockport


Now Northwich 2024 (Programme Announced)

Apr 27, 2024 – Apr 27, 2024

Watch in amazement as performers take to the streets, stopping you in your tracks with visually …

Location: Northwich


City of Wings Ypres

Apr 12, 2024 – Apr 14, 2024

The Winged City of Ypres is an international promotional festival for the street arts: circus, theatre, …

Location: Belgium


Latest NewsView all news

DOCA Devizes Hat Fair GDIF Green Man Out There Surge Manchester Day SIRF Bedlam Fair Freedom Festival Surge Hat Fair GDIF Green Man Out There Boomtown Fair Manchester Day SIRF Bedlam Fair Freedom Festival

Pro Listing HighlightsView all listings

How Can Outdoor Arts Help Address the Climate Crisis? (Articulation)

Mar 21, 2024 – Mar 21, 2024

The link between outdoor arts and the natural environment is clear but how can outdoor arts …

Location: Online

Away Days: Allies in the Arts Sector (Deaf Explorer)

Mar 26, 2024 – Mar 28, 2024

Join Deaf Explorer for 3 days of seminars, workshops, and activities exploring the ‘allyship’ between deaf …

Location: Birmingham

FRONTLINE Arts Festival – Legacy Event

Mar 28, 2024 – Mar 28, 2024

FRONTLINE Arts Festival – Legacy Event! (#FAF2024) Join us at the wonderful Catalyst Building, Staffordshire University’s …

Location: Stoke-on-Trent