ParkPerPlex — Festival of International Street and Circus Arts

A Festival with a Hat and Pentecost Tradition

ParkPerPlex is the festival of international street and circus arts in the Stadtpark Norderstedt — and one of the most important open-air formats for contemporary circus arts in northern Schleswig-Holstein. Since 2017, the Stadtpark has invited artists from all over the world to transform the park into a walkable stage during Pentecost weekend. In 2026, it will be the 10th edition — the festival has already enchanted its audience nine times, and 2026 will be the anniversary edition.

Hat Contribution Instead of Admission — How the Concept Works

The festival is consistently open to everyone: no admission tickets, no wristbands, no VIP areas. Anyone who wants to can wander from venue to venue and see what's on. After each performance, the hat goes around — those who were moved give directly to the artists. The model is standard in the street art scene and deliberately keeps the barrier low for families, seniors, and anyone who just wants to drop by.

International Program

The program has been consistently international for years. In 2025, nine artist formations from six nations performed; in 2026, the programming will again bring together artists from several European countries and overseas. Expected performers include:

• Fraser Hooper (New Zealand) — master of non-verbal clowning, internationally known for absurd twists and fine humour
• Dulce Duca (Portugal) — juggling, balancing, and movement theatre with her own, very personal style
• Matthias Romir (Germany) — contemporary circus
• Imre Bernath (Hungary) — comedian and world-class acrobat, a regular guest in Norderstedt
• Duo Mio — Silent Comedy, acrobatics, and object play exploring closeness, friction, and togetherness
• further artists from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy

Hands-on Circus for Children

A fixed part of the festival is the hands-on circus, organized by the Lions Club Norderstedt. On both days from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., children and teenagers can try out acrobatics, juggling, and small circus acts themselves — many spend hours in the small, colourful circus tent that is specially set up for ParkPerPlex.

Stadtpark Norderstedt as a Stage

The Stadtpark Norderstedt, with around 90 hectares, is one of the largest city parks in the Hamburg metropolitan region and is located directly next to the Kulturwerk in the Mitte district. The lakeside promenade, the meadows around the lake, the Forum, and the stage locations at the Kulturwerk become venues for the festival — you can let yourself drift and will encounter ongoing performances or a walk-act that happens to cross your path everywhere. Food trucks along the lakeside promenade provide refreshments with sweet and savoury options; in past editions, a special "BierPerPlex" was even brewed for the festival.