Parents News Forum
The Big Bahooey is back with a bang at Hampton Court Palace
Quote from Beth Ashton on May 24, 2026, 4:51 pmThe Big Bahooey at Hampton Court Palace has become an annual event for our family.
It is a circus and street arts festival in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace, organised by Historic Royal Palaces with circus company Cirque Bijou. The aerial acts were the standout for us this year, there's something really special about watching people perform in the air against the backdrop of the palace.
For us, the schedule is one of the things that makes it work so well as a family day out. Each act runs several times across the day, so there is no pressure to be in the right place at the right time. You can wander, eat your picnic, wander some more. We brought our own food this year and there is plenty of space to sit in the shade and watch whatever is happening nearby.
Your ticket also covers the palace itself, which is worth remembering on a hot bank holiday. Henry VIII's apartments and kitchens are cool (literally) and genuinely interesting to walk around, and it makes a nice change of pace from the festival. The Magic Garden and the maze are included too, there's just so much to do you can fill a day.
The Big Bahooey runs until Monday 25 May, 10am to 6pm. Included in standard palace admission, free for members. Book here.
The Big Bahooey at Hampton Court Palace has become an annual event for our family.
It is a circus and street arts festival in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace, organised by Historic Royal Palaces with circus company Cirque Bijou. The aerial acts were the standout for us this year, there's something really special about watching people perform in the air against the backdrop of the palace.
For us, the schedule is one of the things that makes it work so well as a family day out. Each act runs several times across the day, so there is no pressure to be in the right place at the right time. You can wander, eat your picnic, wander some more. We brought our own food this year and there is plenty of space to sit in the shade and watch whatever is happening nearby.
Your ticket also covers the palace itself, which is worth remembering on a hot bank holiday. Henry VIII's apartments and kitchens are cool (literally) and genuinely interesting to walk around, and it makes a nice change of pace from the festival. The Magic Garden and the maze are included too, there's just so much to do you can fill a day.
The Big Bahooey runs until Monday 25 May, 10am to 6pm. Included in standard palace admission, free for members. Book here.