Essex, East of England

Sideshow & Daredevil Acts for Hire in Harlow

Old-time sideshow and daredevil acts, from sword swallowers and knife throwers to whip crackers, snake handlers and comedy strongmen. Booked across Harlow and Essex, including Epping and Bishops Stortford.

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Living statues
Stilt walkers
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Sideshow & Daredevil Acts in Harlow at a glance

Booking sideshow and daredevil acts in Harlow

Last updated 6 October 2026

County: Essex
Postcodes: CM5, CM17, CM18, CM19, CM20, CM21 +1
Location: 22 miles north-east of central London
Venues on our list nearby: 3
Largest nearby venue: The City Pavilion, up to 1200 guests

Booking sideshow and daredevil acts for a Harlow event

Our venue list around Harlow includes 2 hotels, 1 country house and 1 event venue, with The City Pavilion the biggest at up to 1200 guests. That range matters when you book sideshow and daredevil acts: a ballroom, a marquee and a private dining room each need a different set-up.

Harlow is 22 miles north-east of central London, and we book sideshow and daredevil acts into every part of East of England, from Epping Forest, Chipping Ongar and Shelley outwards.

A tip for Harlow bookings: some venues have rules about blades or live animals. We ask before confirming.

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From real events

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Themes

Sideshow & Daredevil Acts in a themed package

Book this act on its own, or as part of a full themed line-up.

Circus Showman in Harlow
Ringmasters, aerial, contortion and big-top spectacle for a night of pure showmanship.

How it works

Booking is easy

1
Tell us about your event
Your date, venue, guest numbers and the feeling you want. A theme in mind, or just a blank canvas. It takes a minute.
2
Get your line-up and quote
We suggest the acts that fit your space, timings and budget, and send one clear quote with everything included.
3
We bring the wow
We plan arrival, set-up and timings with your venue and event team, then the performers do what they do best.

The guide

Booking sideshow and daredevil acts in Harlow: the complete guide

Written by The WowActs team, Event entertainment specialists

· Last updated 6 October 2026

The short answer

WowActs books sideshow and daredevil acts in Harlow, Essex, 22 miles north-east of central London, covering the CM5, CM17, CM18, CM19, CM20, CM21 and CM92 postcode districts. There are 3 event venues on our list within 10 miles, the largest being The City Pavilion for up to 1200 guests. Every event is different. Prices depend on the acts, the number of performers, timings, travel and location, so we quote each booking individually.

Hand-picked
professional performers only
Fully themed
costumes styled to your event
Essex
every postcode covered
Corporate ready
briefed to your run of show
Single act or package
mix and match freely
One clear quote
usually the same day

What is a sideshow act?

Sideshow acts come from the travelling fairs and circuses of the past: sword swallowing, knife throwing, whip cracking, snake handling, foot archery and comedy strongman feats. They are part skill, part showmanship, and they get a big reaction from any crowd.

Every act is performed by specialists with their own safety routines, and the more dangerous elements are planned with the venue in advance. Sideshow works best as a short, staged spot or as part of a circus or vintage showman theme.

Where it works best

Awards nights
A daring spot between categories.
Launches
Daredevil skill for a bold brand.
Festivals
Short shows that draw a crowd.
Halloween parties
Dark, theatrical old-time acts.
Circus and showman themes
The thrill of an old travelling fair.
Christmas parties
Something guests will still be talking about in January.

Tips from our team

1
Use a compere
A host or ringmaster to introduce each act builds the tension and the payoff.
2
Plan a safe viewing area
Knife throwing, whips and archery need a clear zone between the act and guests. We agree it with the venue.
3
Check the venue rules
Some venues have rules about blades or live animals. We ask before confirming.

Frequently asked questions

Which venues near Harlow can host a large event?

On our list, The City Pavilion (up to 1200 guests) and Manor of Grove Hotel (up to 400 guests) can take 400 or more guests. Tell us your venue and numbers and we will plan sideshow and daredevil acts around the space.

Do venues around Harlow have rules for performers?

Many hotels and country houses have rules on ceiling rigging, fire, access times and changing space. Tell us your venue when you enquire and we will check everything before we confirm.

How much do sideshow and daredevil acts cost in Harlow?

There is no fixed price. Every event is different. Prices depend on the acts, the number of performers, timings, travel and location, so we quote each booking individually. Travel is part of the quote, and Harlow is 22 miles north-east of central London. Send us your date and venue for free, no-obligation options.

Which postcodes around Harlow do you cover?

All of CM5, CM17, CM18, CM19, CM20, CM21 and CM92, including Epping Forest, Chipping Ongar, Shelley, Fyfield, Moreton and Roydon, plus the rest of Essex and nearby Epping, Bishops Stortford, Loughton and Hertford.

Are sideshow acts safe?

They are performed by experienced specialists with their own safety routines, and we plan the space and viewing distance with your venue.

Can we book snake handling indoors?

Usually, yes, subject to the venue's rules. The handler manages the animals and guests can choose whether to get close.

Is it suitable for every audience?

Some acts are more intense than others. Tell us about your guests and we will suggest the right mix.

How far ahead should we book?

As early as you can. Friday and Saturday dates in December and the summer months go first, often months ahead. Short notice is sometimes possible, so it is always worth asking.

Can the performers match our theme or brand colours?

Usually, yes. Tell us your theme, colours or brand guidelines and we will suggest the costumes and acts that fit best.

Do you work with our venue and event team?

Yes. We agree access, changing space, timings and any venue rules before the day, and work to your run of show.

Still have questions?

Tell us about your event and we'll come back with options.

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Local to Harlow

Sideshow & Daredevil Acts across Harlow and nearby

Postcodes we cover

CM5
CM17
CM18
CM19
CM20
CM21
CM92

We book sideshow & daredevil acts in Harlow and every address in the CM5, CM17, CM18, CM19, CM20, CM21 and CM92 postcode districts, including Epping Forest, Chipping Ongar, Shelley, Fyfield, Moreton, Roydon, Roydon Hamlet and Sawbridgeworth. We also travel across Essex and the rest of East of England.

Also covering nearby

Venues near Harlow

4 venues on our list are in or near Harlow, mostly hotels, country houses and event venues. Tell us your venue when you enquire and we will check access, ceiling height, timings and any rules for performers before we confirm.

Manor of Grove Hotel
Hotel up to 400CM21 0JU
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Down Hall Hotel
Country House
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Hilton London Stansted
Hotel up to 250CM24 1SF
Albury Suite
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The City Pavilion
Event Venue up to 1200RM5 2BH
Ballroom, Manhattan Suite
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