Are you still harboring unfulfilled childhood fantasies involving hiding away in a circus wagon and disappearing from home on a grand adventure in the company of lions and tigers and bears? Live the dream at Belfast Community Circus School. Founded in 1985 as a community project to help unite young people from different religious and cultural backgrounds through a mutually shared affirmative life experience, the circus has since expanded to become a celebrated venue for international artists and teachers and host to the annual Festival of Fools street festival, held in city center.

Along with programs suitable for children between the ages of 2 and 7 and older kids ages 8 to 18, adult circus classes and short courses are also available — plus workshops for groups and master classes for professional performers. Two-hour Wednesday night adult circus classes explore skills such as juggling, acrobatics and the art of trapeze. If you’d rather watch than do, the circus website lists details on upcoming performances and events. Guided tours of the facilities can be scheduled upon request. The Belfast Community Circus School is located on Gordon Street in the arts district of Cathedral Quarter.