One of Poland’s most spectacular cultural events is just around the corner—Carnaval Sztukmistrzów 2026. From July 23–26, Lublin will once again transform into the ultimate capital of contemporary circus arts. While the city will be buzzing with free events, this year’s program features an extraordinary lineup of ticketed shows at the Centre for the Meeting of Cultures (CSK). Tickets are on sale starting TODAY at carnavallublin.eu and stage24.pl.
For the first time in festival history, we are inviting you into the magnificent CSK Opera Hall, which seats nearly a thousand spectators. This new location opens up a world of possibilities, allowing us to present large-scale, breathtaking performances that were previously out of our reach. We are certain that the shows selected for this year’s edition will deliver unforgettable thrills and plenty of surprises.
Here’s what’s waiting for you on the Carnaval stages this year:
Sébastien Wojdan | „Blanc”
FRA | 60 min | Age: 12+ | French with Polish translation
In this raw solo performance, Sébastien Wojdan bares his soul, confronting universal fears: hypochondria, the persistent shadow of death, and the anxiety of falling short. It’s a journey through the dread of rejection, the fear of being ridiculed, and the quiet ache of loneliness.
The show begins long before the lights go up—before every performance, the artist completes a 10-kilometer run through the city. Only then does he step into the center of a sterile white space. The stage transforms into a laboratory where the human body and the complexities of the world are dissected using everyday objects: coffee, oranges, nails, and knives, all woven together with video projections and live music.
“Blanc” is a powerful exploration of taming one’s demons and embracing fragility, blending high-intensity movement and circus performance into a deeply physical stage experience.
Showtimes:
July 23 (Thursday) – 8:00 PM
July 24 (Friday) – 4:00 PM
Tickets:
Reduced: 60 PLN (Cat. II) / 70 PLN (Cat. I)
Regular: 70 PLN (Cat. II) / 80 PLN (Cat. I)
Note: Prices increase by 10 PLN starting July 1.
Julian Vogel | „Ceramic Circus”
FRA/CHE | 60 min | Age: 7+ | Non-verbal
Swiss artist Julian Vogel smashes the boundaries between contemporary circus, visual arts, and performance. The tension builds to the beat of a snare drum, pulling the audience into a world of constant anticipation—wondering exactly what will happen next.
At its heart, “Ceramic Circus” is a high-stakes game of contrasts: noise vs. silence, chaos vs. order, and lightness vs. danger. The performance unfolds as a series of hypnotic images where precision meets peril and control dances with the unpredictable.
Surrounded by ceramic plates wobbling on thin rods, Vogel builds a world entirely his own—a place governed by its own logic, where every tiny detail matters and the smallest movement feels like a monumental event. It’s so beautifully unpredictable that you’ll quickly forget what you even expected to see. Your only moment of “calm”? A ceramic sphere spinning wildly over the artist’s head, serving as both a mesmerizing centerpiece and a pulse-pounding counterpoint.
Showtimes:
July 25 (Saturday) – 8:00 PM
July 26 (Sunday) – 5:00 PM
Tickets:
Reduced: 65 PLN
Regular: 75 PLN
Pro tip: Prices increase by 10 PLN starting July 1, so grab yours early!
Get Your Tickets!
The wait is over—ticket sales are officially open! We want everyone to experience the magic of the circus, so we’ve put together a wide range of discounts and perks to make the festival as accessible as possible.
Early Bird Special: Buy before June 30 and save 10 PLN on every ticket!
Who Qualifies for a Discount?
Reduced Tickets: Available for students, pupils, seniors (65+), and disability pensioners. Please remember to bring your valid ID to the show, as our team may check it at the door.
Accessibility First: We offer a 30% discount (off the base price) for people with disabilities and their assistants. To get your discount code, simply fill out the [ACCESSIBLE TICKETS FORM].
Industry & Local Partners: We also have special rates for our peers in the creative world:
Culture Professionals: Working in the festival or arts industry? Apply here: [PRO TICKETS].
Lublin Culture Workers: Part of a local cultural institution? Grab your discount here: [LubKultura TICKETS].
Where to Buy
Seats are limited, so don’t wait! You can purchase your tickets via:
Quick Show Schedule
| Show | Date | Time |
| “Blanc” (Sébastien Wojdan) | July 23 | 8:00 PM |
| “Blanc” (Sébastien Wojdan) | July 24 | 4:00 PM |
| “Ceramic Circus” (Julian Vogel) | July 25 | 8:00 PM |
| “Ceramic Circus” (Julian Vogel) | July 26 | 5:00 PM |
Carnaval Sztukmistrzów
The largest festival in Poland showcasing contemporary circus arts. For years, the event has drawn crowds of residents and tourists, attracted by top-tier circus acts and the festival’s magical atmosphere. The programme includes clowning, acrobatics, and juggling, illusion and emotional circus theatre, attractions for children and live concerts. The festival is also joined by Urban Highline, the world’s oldest and largest highline festival in an urban setting. While most of the program is free and takes place in streets and squares, select events are ticketed and held in theaters and concert halls.
“Ceramic Circus”
“Blanc” is one of two main stage productions featured this year. Last week, the festival announced “Ceramic Circus” by Julian Vogel. In this solo show, the Swiss artist pushes the boundaries between contemporary circus, visual art, and performance. Surrounded by plates dancing on thin rods, Vogel creates a world governed by its own logic, where every gesture becomes an event.
Carnaval Sztukmistrzów
July 23–26, 2026
Lublin: Old Town and Błonia near the Castle
Free admission. Selected events require tickets.