Jacksons Lane Launches Jacksons Juniors With a Bold New Season of Live Performance

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Jacksons Lane has announced its new Autumn/Winter 2026 season, introducing Jacksons Juniors, a refreshed family programme featuring more performances than ever before, reduced ticket prices and an exciting mix of circus, theatre, dance, puppetry and live performance.

The new season marks the first programme curated by Angus MacKechnie, the venue's new Creative Director, and signals an exciting new chapter for Jacksons Lane as it continues to build on its reputation as the UK's leading home for contemporary circus.

Based in North London, Jacksons Lane will welcome international artists, acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe productions, family favourites and opportunities for community participation throughout the season.

Introducing Jacksons Juniors

One of the biggest highlights of the new season is the launch of Jacksons Juniors, a dedicated family programme created to inspire the next generation to discover the magic of live performance.

The programme brings together an exciting range of performances spanning contemporary circus, puppetry, dance, ballet and immersive theatre, with shows designed for children and young people from babies through to teenagers.

Families can look forward to performances including SPLAT!, Alice in Wonderland, Mr Sleepybum's Dream Machine, Lip Sync Brawl and Super Spooky Cabaret for Kids.

Older children aged 13 and over can also enjoy Simile by Highly Sprung and Bones in the Desert by Half Moon Theatre.

Making the programme even more accessible, family tickets are now £12.50, with a limited allocation of £10 tickets available for every show.

For families looking for affordable things to do in London with children, Jacksons Juniors offers a chance to experience live performance without the usual high ticket prices.

Circus Takes Centre Stage

Jacksons Lane has long been recognised for its work supporting contemporary circus, and the new season continues that commitment with an exciting line-up of artists from the UK and around the world.

The season opens on Sunday 6 September with the acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe production By a Thread from Australian company One Fell Swoop.

Featuring seven acrobats, 30 metres of rope and two pulleys, By a Thread is an exhilarating contemporary circus performance that explores trust, connection and the relationships between performers and their ever-changing environment. The show is suitable for all ages, making it a great choice for families as well as circus fans of all kinds.

The autumn programme will also feature Thrown Together, London's Juggling & Flow Arts Festival, alongside the new Mixed Doubles series. The series brings together curated double bills celebrating circus, dance and physical theatre, giving audiences the opportunity to experience two outstanding companies in one programme.

With a wide range of circus performances throughout the season, audiences can discover shows for different ages and interests. Individual age recommendations can be found on the website's dedicated page for each performance.

Theatre, Puppetry and International Performance

The season goes beyond contemporary circus, with Jacksons Lane bringing a diverse range of international performance to its North London stage.

Mochinosha's Space Hippo offers a visually inventive Japanese shadow puppetry adventure, adding another unique experience for audiences to discover.

Across the season, Jacksons Lane will showcase artists from Australia, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Germany, Japan, Portugal and across the UK, reflecting the venue's commitment to bringing innovative international work to London audiences.

The programme also includes community participation, giving local audiences opportunities to engage with the arts beyond simply watching a performance.

Storytelling for Families and Adults

Jacksons Lane will also welcome Storytelling with the Crick Crack Club, bringing traditional tales, contemporary storytelling and world folklore to the venue.

Three family performances form part of Jacksons Juniors, giving children the opportunity to experience the timeless art of live storytelling.

The programme will also feature a specially curated 18+ storytelling evening, offering adults the chance to experience stories from around the world in an intimate setting.

A Festive Season for the Whole Family

Families can also look forward to a packed programme of festive entertainment this December with the Jacksons Lane Christmas Cracker.

Six productions will take over the venue, including:

The Elf Factory
The Three Little Pigs
Pinocchio
A Christmas Wish
There's a Monster in Your Christmas Show
The Ultimate Bubble Show, starring Guinness World Record holder Ray Bubbles

With a mix of theatre, storytelling, comedy, circus and visual spectacle, the Christmas programme offers plenty of options for families looking for festive entertainment in London.

A New Chapter for Jacksons Lane

Speaking about the new season, Creative Director Angus MacKechnie said:

"If circus is the greatest show on earth, then Jacksons Lane should be the best place to experience it."

He added that the new season will build on Jacksons Lane's commitment to contemporary circus while introducing Jacksons Juniors and the Mixed Doubles series.

The venue is also making its wider programme more accessible with £10 tickets available for every show, with the aim of encouraging more people to experience contemporary circus and live performance.

Visit Jacksons Lane

Located at the top of Archway Road, directly opposite Highgate tube station, Jacksons Lane has been a leading centre for innovative circus, physical theatre, performance and community engagement since 1975.

The venue is housed in a Grade II-listed former church that recently underwent a £5 million refurbishment, including the creation of The Freedom Studio, following a gift from The George Michael Estate.

With its new Jacksons Juniors programme, international performances and festive family shows, Jacksons Lane's Autumn/Winter 2026 season offers something for audiences of all ages.

Whether you're looking for family theatre in London, contemporary circus, children's performances or something completely different to do with the kids, Jacksons Lane has plenty to discover this season.

Jacksons Juniors and the full Autumn/Winter 2026 programme are now available to explore and book.

For the full programme and tickets, visit Jacksons Lane.