A freak show is an exhibition of rarities, "freaks of nature"--such as unusually tall or short humans, and people with both male and female secondary sexual characteristics--and performances that are expected to be shocking to the viewers. Heavily tattooed people have sometimes been seen in freak shows, as have fire-eating and sword-swallowing acts.

Freak shows have often been associated with circuses and amusement parks. One of the last remaining freak shows in the United States is in Coney Island.