Pickett, 27, and his English girlfriend Emma Price, 34, have been "live-in nannies" to Pickett's four-year-old nephew, explored unseen holiday destinations and been mistaken for backpackers.

But the duo will be part of a troupe doing tricks under a Helensburgh gumtree for Circus by Candlelight on December 18 and 19.

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"I spent this whole year living in the unknown, it's very difficult and it's all short term ... but we're so lucky to be here and the fact I've been able to have gigs and things is incredible," Pickett said.

Charlie Truscott runs The Burgh Healthy Hub with her husband Ben, following a successful career as a full-time performer.

Owning a fitness centre and circus training facility has meant work didn't completely dry up for them while it also allowed more family time after the birth of their first child.

Truscott said the Illawarra was "really lucky" to have two training facilities (the other being Circus Monoxide) where out-of-work performers could take refuge with teaching as their fallback.

"We lost a lot of gigs anyway in January because of bushfires then into COVID-19," she said.

"It's like a year of no work."

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On the upside, work has been picking up for all of them, pandemic restrictions are easing to allow organised seated events full capacity and Santa will be making an effort to visit from the North Pole.

"It's not a choice to be stuck here, but it's definitely the preferred option," Pickett said.

Circus by Candlelight is a family friendly outdoor event at The Burgh on December 18-19. Limited tickets will be on the door, or can be purchased online: www.burgh.com.au