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?

April 4-7 at Coney Island USA’s Sideshows by the Seashore Theater and House of Yes.

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 have closed. Check back in October for applications to the 2025 weekender!

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.