Everyone's favourite festival of circus, laughs, creativity and belief-defying acts is returning to grace the streets of Christchurch this summer.

After an enormously successful event earlier in 2021, next year's festival promises to be even bigger and bolder, running across three weekends from Friday 14 to Sunday 30 January. All your favourite attractions will be back, from the world-famous busking pitches and free outdoor performances to must-see ticketed events.

Festival Director Scott Maidment says, "We are some of the luckiest people in the world right now that we can get together and celebrate. The arts can create that bit of magic energy through shared experience. This is what makes experiences like Bread & Circus so special."

Expressions of interest are now open, and performers of all talents with all kinds of ideas are encouraged to apply. There have been hints that festival favourites of the past will return, and some world premieres are already in the works.

A landmark event and staple of the Christchurch summer event calendar, next year's Bread & Circus will be the world-class festival of entertainment that locals and visitors alike have come to expect. Says ChristchurchNZ General Manager of Destination and Attraction Loren Heaphy, "Bread & Circus has become one of our city's favourite events, an annual celebration of talent, vibrancy and diversity."

"It brings life to the city's streets and venues and elevates Ōtautahi Christchurch as a centre for arts and culture."

breadandcircus.co.nz