Don’t Miss This Jaw-Dropping Beach Performance Coming to Cornwall This July

WILD dance-circus show lands at Watergate Bay for a free weekend spectacle

A gravity-defying performance is set to transform the golden sands of Watergate Bay this summer, as Motionhouse brings its hit show WILD to the beach for the very first time on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July.

Audiences can expect aerial acrobatics, breathtaking synchrony, and a towering forest of poles as the internationally acclaimed dance-circus company takes over the beach with six free performances over the weekend.

A show like no other – in a setting like no other

Set against the dramatic backdrop of cliffs, wide skies and the Atlantic’s roar, WILD explores our relationship with the natural world through jaw-dropping choreography and raw physicality. The company’s performers will leap, swing, climb and move through a vertical forest on the sand – delivering what’s promised to be an unforgettable experience for all ages.

The show, which has been seen by more than 100,000 people worldwide since its premiere in 2019, makes its Cornwall appearance possible thanks to event partners Cornwall Airport Newquay.

WILD marks Motionhouse’s return to Watergate Bay, two decades after their original performance on the beach. Back in 2004, they collaborated with local schoolchildren and professional dancers for The Edge, a massive one-day performance that famously included four JCB diggers dancing on the sand.

This time around, WILD carries a strong ecological message – drawing attention to how we interact with the world around us. Through dance and acrobatics, it delivers an emotive story underscored by powerful sound scores.

Laura Smith, head of events and programming at Watergate Bay Hotel, said:

“We’re thrilled to welcome Motionhouse back to the beach here, two decades after they first wowed Cornish audiences. After taking this brilliant show all over the world, it feels very fitting that our local communities and guests will be able to experience their unmissable performances, with a choice of six show times across the weekend.”

Josie Hutt, marketing manager at Cornwall Airport Newquay, added:

“We’re firm believers in access to the arts for all, and this promises to be a unique experience on one of Cornwall’s most beautiful beaches. We can’t wait to settle in on the sand (which is quite literally at the end of our runway!), and watch the show with everyone.”

📷Wild - Brighton May 19 - photo credit Dan Tucker

Performance schedule and Summer Social

• Saturday 5th July: Free performances between 11.30am and 5pm, followed by the Summer Social from 6–8pm with a silent disco, local street food, and a fully stocked bar.

• Sunday 6th July: Performances run from 11am to 4pm.

The performances are 45 minutes long and free for everyone to attend – no booking required.

For more details about the show, visit Motionhouse’s website. To find out what else is happening at Watergate Bay this year, check the events schedule here.

Looking ahead to 2026

Watergate Bay’s Arts on the Beach festival will be taking a break in 2025 but is set to return in summer 2026. In the meantime, the beach will host a full programme of summer activities in 2025, including artist residencies, surfboat and volleyball tournaments, and the English National Surf Championships.

📷Wild- Credit Dan Tucker

📷WILD. Image by Dan Tucker

📷Photo credit Dan Tucker