La Strada

Founded in 1998, La Strada turns Graz's squares, parks and streets into open-air stages each summer for an international festival of street performance, community art, contemporary circus and puppet theatre. Shows unfold across landmark spots in the city such as Hauptplatz and the Augarten, and most public-space performances are free to attend. Since 2008 the festival has extended its spirit into winter with Cirque Noël, a Christmas-season contemporary circus event.