• Experience over 25 categories and divisions.
• Win cash prizes for the top three overall winners
• The Professional category has two divisions: Performers and Coaches.
• Participants age 45 and above can join the newly adjusted Senior division.
• Enjoy an exciting awards ceremony featuring a showcase/performances.
• Full Pass participant will receive a T-shirt, a swag bag, and a participation medal.
• Trophies and medals will be awarded to the top three places in every division.
• Special Awards will recognize Creative Choreography and Stage Presence.
• Judges’ comments will be provided in a digital format.
• Participants’ assigned photographer/ videographer will have access to a designated seat during the participant’s performance.

LOCATION

When: Saturday – Tuesday, November 8 – 11, 2025

Where: Fairmont Private School 

Address: 1557 W Mable St, Anaheim, CA 92802

Competition will be on Nov. 9 & 10, 2025.
Workshops, Auction, Scholarship Audition and more will be spread out during the entire four (4) days. 

A detailed schedule will be posted as the festival closes in. 

The minimum age requirement to register for the festival is 7 years old. A contestant’s age is determined by the person’s age by December 31st, 2024.

There are up to 26 categories and divisions clustered according to age, discipline, and skill available for competition entry. Each year, the categories slightly change based on the composition of the attendees, as the demographics shift and we adapt to the times.

This year, we have redefined and renamed the amateur and semi-professional categories to provide a more equitable playing field. We now have four (4) categories: Novice, Amateur, Elite, and Professional. These categories are further divided according to age group and apparatus.  

All apparatuses are welcome. However, the 3 fundamental aerial apparatuses will be their own categories. Any other apparatuses will fall under our OPEN category.

1. Aerial Silks also known as Tissu, Fabric, Chiffon and Ribbon
2. Aerial Hoop aka Lyra
3. Single or Double Point Trapeze; and
4. Other standard and inventive apparatus

Novice:  One who, on November 1 of the event year, has had aerial arts training of up to one (1) year or 155 hours of training, whichever is longer.   

Amateur: 
One who has had aerial arts training between one (1) to three (3) years, or up to 465 hours, AND has not received compensation related to any aerial performance or for instructions. 

Elite: One who has had aerial arts training over three years or over 465 hours, AND/OR has received compensation as an aerial performer or instructor. Only available to ages 7-17.

Professional: One who, whether intermittently or regularly, receives compensation for aerial arts instruction and/or performances.

Check out our Registration page for step by step instructions. See you there!

Package details and pricing options:

• EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $225 (until Aug. 1, 2025)
  • Participation in one division + 1 Workshop +  Souvenir T-Shirt + 1 Audience Ticket* + Swag Bag
  • *Audience Ticket is limited to the day/time of your participant’s scheduled appearance.
• Full Pass: $275 (until Oct. 1, 2025)
  • Participation in one division + 1 Workshop +  Souvenir T-Shirt + 1 Audience Ticket* + Swag Bag
  • *Audience Ticket is limited to the day/time of your participant’s scheduled appearance.
• Basic: $225 (until Oct. 1, 2025)
  • Participation in one division
• Basic w/ Late Fee: $325 (from Oct. 2 –  20, 2025)
  • Participation in one division
• Any additional entry is $115 each

Generally, we do not entertain refunds.  However, for application fees, refunds are only allowed within two (2) weeks of your purchase date.  If for any reason beyond these period, you are not able to participate in any way, you may transfer the payment to another participant for this year.  Alternatively, we can apply your payment to the following year, with fees and administrative costs deducted base on the time of your withdrawal.  To request a refund of your application fee, please notify us in writing via email

YES! If you want to compete in Hoop as well as in Silks, go for it! If you want to compete in a group piece in addition to your solo piece, the more the merrier! There’s no limit to how many categories you want to join.

For any additional entry, you only have to pay $90.

Please Click Here for In-Depth Insights Regarding our Judging Criteria

Since the first WCAA Festival in 2013, we have taken the judging system seriously.  It is our priority that our judging criteria be fair and competent and aimed to promote safety and awareness in the aerial arts community.

The criteria for judging will be based on technical skills, choreography and transitional interpretation, artistic elements and overall interpretation of the act as it relates to musicality, rhythm and dynamics.  The judging will be as follows:

Technical & Execution:  60% :::  Choreography: 20%  ::::  Artistry & Presentation: 20%
Total Score: 100

Consistent with our commitment to safety, the first, and primary judging criteria is Technique.  A judge is able to recognize if a contestant has “shortcut” their training, by displaying a degree of difficulty that is beyond one’s abilities.

The panel consists of three (3) judges, carefully selected based on their master credentials as teachers/educators and as professional aerial artist.   One is disqualified to judge if he/she has or is a coach to a contestant, excluding workshop instructors.  Contestant and judges are obligated to disclose any potential biases or relationships that may affect impartial judgment.

Compliance of competition rules is strictly observed.   Any non-compliant action shall be penalized against the contestant’s score regardless of the wrongdoer’s knowledge/ignorance of the rules.   Non-compliance in the following areas shall result in as much as a 10 point score deduction:

• Costume compliance
• Duration of act
• Any presence of props
• Skill Compliance
• Others as noted in the Judging Criteria webpage deemed unsafe, including entanglement and falls.

If there is a tie, the score for the technical criteria shall prevail. The judges are required to score according to movements that are above the ground or skills exhibited with aerial discipline.  To ensure uniformity and objectivity of judging, all judges are provided with a score guidelines (see Judging Criteria webpage)

Final scores shall comprise of the judges score, less infractions.

The fundamental categories (Silks – Lyra – Trapeze) shall have at least 3 contestants per age group.

All other categories shall have at least five (5).   If the required number of entrants have not been met, the organizer will make a judgment call to either move the applicant to the nearest category/ division by age, apparatus and status or open the category based on emerging necessity.

Aerial Arts poses many risks including slips and falls that may result in injury or death. The organization prioritizes in safety and shall enforce any and all precautions and safety measures in order to make the event a safe place.  Mat is required.  Contestants should only perform skills that they have mastered.   If for any reason, any part of your act is considered unsafe (including any resulting entanglement), the organization has the right to end your act in order to prevent injury. 

Since 2013, one of the highlights of the WCAAF is the Culminating Concert that features performances by 1st place winners and last year’s 1st place overall winner.  Schools and coaches can also prepare in advance, a short routine for their group to present.  The Culminating Showcase is normally scheduled a few hours after the Awards ceremony.  

Please check back. We shall keep everyone posted and will be announcing updates on this website as well as in our newsletters and social media

Each category will have an award consisting of a trophy/ medal and more from our sponsors.  We also have prize money for the Top 3 Overall Winners. In addition, the Overall Winner will be the featured guest artist at the subsequent WCAAF and will be one of Aerial Arts America’s ambassadors.

All participants shall be provided with participation medals.  Those who purchased a FULL PASS shall additionally receive a souvenir T-shirt, a swag bag, one (1) Free Workshop, access to audition for a scholarship grant,  and one (1) Free audience seat for one day. 

Aerial Arts America is also raising funds and gathering sponsors for non-monetary prizes.  Information on how to get involved or donate can be found in our Sponsor/ Donor Link 

Sonesta Anaheim Resort 1915 S. Manchester Avenue Anaheim, CA 92802 (3.4 miles) Group Rate: $169./per night De Luxe Double, 4 occupancy  

Deadline: October 10.  We have a limited number of reserved rooms, so book early. 
Event Name/ Code: Aerial Arts America

There are several hotels and AirBnB accommodations around the area.  Simply search Anaheim and neighboring cities,  Orange and Buena Park