Viva Vertical has unveiled Viva Circus Festival 2026, a five-day celebration of aerial arts, circus performance, and immersive public experiences taking place from 15th to 19th April at Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC), 1 Utama E.
Marking two decades of building Malaysia's aerial movement community, the festival reflects Viva Vertical's journey from a training studio into a platform that nurtures talent and connects Malaysian performers to regional and international opportunities.
"Viva Circus Festival is not just about aerial as fitness. It is about how performance transforms people, physically, mentally and emotionally," said Nana Shan Liew, Director of Viva Vertical. "For the past 20 years, we have seen how aerial arts build confidence, discipline and self-expression. This festival brings that journey from the studio to the stage."
Bringing Aerial Arts From Studio to Stage
Viva Circus Festival 2026 returns with a programme that brings together performances, competitions and public experiences, showcasing Malaysia's growing aerial arts scene. Highlights include the 2026 Viva Circus Festival Awards Malaysia (VCFA), immersive aerial experiences for the public, as well as the original Viva Vertical production "Alice Lost in Wonderland", an original show that blends storytelling, choreography, and aerial performance.
"Alice Lost in Wonderland is a celebration of imagination and transformation," said Noah Yap, Show & Artistic Director of Alice Lost in Wonderland. "The production brings together seasoned performers and emerging talents, creating a space where experience guides new voices. It reflects what Viva stands for, using performance to nurture growth, creativity and confidence."
Additionally, for the first time, the VCFA will exclusively celebrate local aerial and pole talent who are Malaysian or residing in Malaysia, spotlighting homegrown performers and strengthening the local aerial arts community.
New this year is the introduction of the "Safe to Fly" experience, which expands the festival beyond stage performances and invites the public to explore aerial movement in a safe and guided environment.
Festival Highlights
"Safe to Fly": Public Aerial Experiences
One of the festival's key components is "Safe to Fly", an experiential zone under Nero Space designed to introduce the public to aerial movement in a safe and guided environment. Running from 15th to 19th April at PJPAC (Nero Space), the programme allows participants to explore aerial disciplines such as aerial hoop, hammock, and bungee-based movement.
Original Production: "Alice Lost in Wonderland"
The festival will also premiere Viva Circus Production's "Alice Lost in Wonderland", an original contemporary circus show that blends storytelling, choreography, and aerial performance. Public performances will take place on 18th April at 2pm and 7pm. Featuring over 60 cast members, the production brings together experienced performers and emerging talents in a collaborative format that reflects Viva Vertical's philosophy of mentorship and growth. The production is led by main cast members Noah Yap, Show & Artistic Director, alongside choreographers Kitt Woo and Sheila Yew.
2026 Viva Circus Festival Awards Malaysia (VCFA)
The festival will culminate with the 2026 Viva Circus Festival Awards Malaysia (VCFA) on 19th April, celebrating excellence in aerial arts performance. The competition will be evaluated by an international panel of aerial arts and circus experts:
- Tracy Mak – President of the Singapore Pole & Aerial Federation and Head Judge of VCFA since 2024
- Leng Rajanikara – International aerial performer and winner of Thailand's Got Talent Season 2
- Shayna Swanson – Award-winning circus artist and founder of Aloft Circus Arts, Chicago
The awards aim to spotlight both athletic discipline and artistic expression, highlighting emerging talents within the aerial arts community.
Beyond the competition, VCFA also creates space for the four emerging studios: Aerial Fitness Malaysia, Pin Jie Yoga Studio, Eleve Aerial Art & Yoga Studio, and Race Fit Studio to present short showcases during the break ahead of the award ceremony, offering them exposure and valuable stage experience. This reflects Viva Vertical's commitment to growing the aerial arts ecosystem by supporting not only its own talent, but also uplifting the wider community and creating opportunities for smaller studios to be recognised.
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