Hupstate Circus Festival: Four Days of Circus Arts in Ithaca for Labor Day Weekend 2026

Labor Day weekend brings something genuinely unexpected to Ithaca: a full-scale circus festival that fills the city with performers, workshops, and free outdoor shows. The Hupstate Circus Festival — a four-day celebration organized by a local nonprofit — draws circus artists from across the country to the Cayuga Lake community for performances, skill-building workshops, and accessible events designed for everyone from longtime fans to first-time attendees. Free outdoor performances run throughout the weekend; ticketed indoor shows offer more intimate experiences.

Date: September 4–7, 2026 (Labor Day Weekend) Time: Varies by event — see full schedule at hupstatecircus.org Location: Ithaca, NY (Cayuga Lake) Cost: Mix of free outdoor performances and ticketed indoor shows

Browse the full festival schedule and buy tickets at hupstatecircus.org. Outdoor community shows are free and need no reservation — just show up.