What is the Sideshow Hootenanny?

The Sideshow Hootenanny (or The Hoot as it’s affectionately called by regulars) is the only annual gathering of it’s kind dedicated to preserving the legacy of this great American artform and educating the future generations of performers. You can find out more in our About page.

When is the Sideshow Hootenanny?

In 2025 the Hoot is presenting two events!
Congress of Curious Peoples is April 24-27 in Coney Island USA.
Our annual reunion weekend is in November in New Orleans.

What kinds of performances can we expect to see?

Each year The Hoot features fire eaters, sword swallowers, human pin cushions, human blockheads and all other sorts of sideshow daredevils. In addition to that, we showcase magic, traditional circus and aerial arts, live music, burlesque, puppetry and more.

I’m a performer- how can I be considered for a showcase slot?

Applications for this year’s Hoot will open in the spring.

Wasn’t this called The Southern Sideshow Hootenanny? Why the name change?

The answer to that is twofold. First, we’ve always been a festival that represents all of the sideshow community so it makes more sense to not name ourselves after one region. Second, we’re excited to share that The Hoot is now a traveling festival! Each year our main gathering will take place in a different city that holds some significance to circus & sideshow history.