Mario the Maker Magician throws red clown noses and large balloons from stage to the kids in the audience.

Children's Shows

Mario the Maker Magician

Mario the Maker Magician returns for a limited season only! Bringing his robot magic live from New York, Mario returns to Edinburgh with a show full of original magic, handmade robots and modern slapstick. Fast-paced, interactive and full of heart, Mario leads you through a romping explosion of contagious energy and belly laughs. For kids, adults, families, everyone! As seen on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Sesame Street, Universal Kids and live on tour with David Blaine.

30 July - 17 August 2025, 10:30 am

Underbelly George Square

In the picture, a smiling, white-haired clown sits with his body tied under a railway track. Next to him is a colourful barrel representing a locomotive.

Children's Shows

The Mequetrefo

In this family-friendly show created by Parlapatões, a renowned Brazilian theatre and circus company, four clowns, called 'Dias' (Portuguese for 'days'), embark on a journey through the day, filled with laughter and surprises. They break the rules of everyday life, discovering endless possibilities. Inspired by Edward Lear, the poet and illustrator who coined the term 'nonsense'. This show blends pantomime and clowning, featuring a performance rich in visuals and sound effects. The Parlapatões Group is an incredibly successful and long-standing theatre group with an impressive history of 34 years. Over the years, they have produced no less than 70 shows, including plays, street theatre, circus and children's shows, always with an original and unmistakable language. The group operates from its base at Espaço Parlapatões, a significant cultural venue situated in the heart of São Paulo. Since it opening its doors in 2006, this venue has produced and hosted a huge number of annual shows, festivals and events, and has become a real icon in the city of São Paulo. It's a place where theatre and circus artists from all over the country come together. As well as premiering new shows and running seasons, the group also tours its repertoire of shows throughout Brazil, bringing its vibrant energy and originality to audiences across the country.

30 July - 10 August 2025, 11:20 am

Underbelly Bristo Square

Darryl is crampped into a large pink box, he is holding a small dog. surrounding darryl, who is a smily white male with a pink suit on and a bright orange wooly hat is a selection of objects that have cascaded out of the box, including toothbrushes, a ru

Children's Shows

Out of the Box

This family-friendly comedy show is packed with surprises as Darryl and his mysterious box take you on a whirlwind of wonder. Every time the box opens, it's a new adventure: trick shots, circus performances and laugh-out-loud moments that invite everyone to join in the fun. Darryl's mission is to make you the star of the show (no embarrassing moments here, just pure joy!). With Darryl's gentle, non-verbal clowning, everyday objects transform into the extraordinary. This show is a joyous celebration of play throughout your life, whatever your age, bringing generations together through seriously skillful silliness.

30 July - 25 August 2025, 11:30 am

Underbelly Bristo Square

A purple background, in the centre a woman is holding up a cardboard blue whale on sticks. The woman has her mouth open and eyes wide with enthusiasm.

Children's Shows

The Tale of the Loneliest Whale

“I can hear someone out there. They’re singing to me.”   Whale sings his heart out into the deep blue sea... but nobody sings back. Is he the only one like him in the whole ocean? Just when he’s about to give up, a mysterious voice echoes through the waves. Determined to find the singer, Whale embarks on an unforgettable adventure—diving through glowing coral caves, dodging wibbly jellyfish, and facing wild-eyed sea monsters! But will he ever find a friend who hears his song? Join Hoglets Theatre for an exciting deep-sea adventure packed with huge, beautiful puppets, hilarious sea creatures, original songs, and lots of audience interaction! The Tale of the Loneliest Whale is a magical, interactive show that celebrates friendship, difference, and the beauty of being yourself. A beautiful new play from the makers of Wood Owl And The Box Of Wonders (Ed Fringe 2024). Hoglets Theatre creates exciting theatre and storytelling experiences for children and families. Our productions are filled with energetic performances, original songs and music, puppets and immersive storytelling techniques. They are designed to be rich and engaging, whilst being flexible enough to perform almost anywhere. www.hoglets.org.uk

31 July - 10 August 2025, 11:25 am

Underbelly Bristo Square

Peter and Lloyd wearing yellow shirts with Mr Bing robot head between them, against a red background with bingo balls suspended from the ceiling.

Children's Shows

Foxdog Studios: Robo Bingo Kids

Ages 8 to 8,000: the thrills of bingo, robot frogs and low-cost prizes for the whole family. The UK's #1 IT consultants, Pete and Lloyd, present the perfect all-ages, interactive quirky bingo-based experience. Play using your (charged!) phone, but in a fun way! From the comfort of your seat, control the show, steer a robotic shopping bag and attempt to draw a perfect circle. Just bring your phone. There's no app to install, it works in your normal browser. No technical skill required; we'll get everyone connected before it starts.

31 July - 24 August 2025, 12:55 pm

Underbelly Cowgate

A sketch style illustration of three golden ducks walking up a hill, one is juggling while standing on one hand, one is balancing three balls on its beak, one is hula hooping. Behind them a grey duckling has fallen over and dropped their juggling balls.

Children's Shows

The Ugly Duckling

It was a bright and sunny day at the circus when the Ugly Duckling waddled up to their trapeze... Wait. Are we really still using the word 'ugly'? Aren't we rewriting this story to be about belonging and celebrating difference? A reimagining of the classic coming-of-age tale with an acrobatic twist! Bringing together the best of circus and storytelling to produce an energetic and hilarious yet heartwarming family-friendly experience focusing on celebrating difference and finding your tribe.

2 - 23 August 2025, 11:00 am

Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows

Three performers are dressed as bin men in grey dungarees with two of them wearing hard hats. They are in front of a black and yellow striped and paint-splattered background, with two of them in wheelie bins and the other one balanced with their hand on

Children's Shows

Trash Test Dummies Circus

Everyone put your rubbish out, tonight's bin night and the Trash Test Dummies are on duty! This award-winning, side-splitting, slapstick comedy, circus routine retakes the household wheelie bin to new heights and delivers a dump truck full of hilarity! Returning after delighting audiences in 2024 and winners of the Best Children's Presentation at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2016 and 2015, the Trash Test Dummies are as full of laughs as their bins are full of surprises.  

2 - 23 August 2025, 12:05 pm

Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows

Maxwell the Bubbleologist is flying in the air making millions of bubbles

Children's Shows

The Flying Bubble Show

Dive into a magical world where dreams and reality blur in a breathtaking fusion of bubble magic and aerial flight. Maxwell the Bubbleologist soars above the stage, creating millions of shimmering bubbles with every leap and twirl. This dazzling spectacle captivates children and adults alike, with interactive moments, joyous laughter and awe-inspiring visuals. It's the perfect family outing – playful, poetic and filled with wonder. After the show, the enchantment continues as children chase and pop bubbles outside, carrying the magic into the air. A heart-opening experience that will leave audiences smiling long after.

2 - 23 August 2025, 3:10 pm

Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows

A multi coloured background. In each corner of the screen are 4 different circus performers doing stunts. In the middle of the screen there is a sign with light bulbs all around it which reads 'All Star Circus'

Children's Shows

All Star Circus

Winner of the best children's show award Adelaide Fringe 2025 weeklies. Experience world-class circus talent performing extraordinary feats right before your eyes! Amazing backflips, one-arm handstands, incredible human pyramids, graceful aerialists and more inspiring acts from this award-winning cast of performers. All Star Circus has something for everyone, with plenty of laughs for both young and old, and incredible physicality that can be appreciated by all! The incredible cast is all talent from Australia. Showcasing the unique and cheeky humour of Australian artists with the sheer brilliance, athleticism and talent of Australia's best circus performers.

2 - 23 August 2025, 5:15 pm

Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows