THIS year’s Big Splash festival looks to be bigger and better than ever before as the latest programme of events is released.

The Big Splash which will be taking over Newport from May 30 to June 1, will provide families with great fun with events including international street theatre, drop in workshops, and a Sunset Spectacular.

On Saturday, May 31, there will be a range of free drop-in workshops throughout the day at the the Riverfront Theatre.

This will include balloon costume making running from 10am to 1pm at Project Space, where children can make balloon costumes and instruments to join in with the samba band during the parade.

Throughout the whole weekend, the Danters Fairground will also be on the Big Splash site between The Riverfront and the University buildings. International street theatre artists will then be entertaining the crowds along the riverside throughout the day on Saturday.

Meanwhile on June 1, Parklife take over Rodney Parade, with plenty of sports and games, bouncy castles, Spider Mountain, Scramble Net Challenge and street entertainment. Face painting and a host of other council service areas will be getting involved, showcasing some of the great things on offer in the city 365 days a year.

The highlight of the weekend, the Sunset Spectacular will then kick off at 9pm on the Saturday, featuring stunning acrobatics, pyrotechnics, hula hoops, hip-hop and classical music, and finishing with a spectacular firework finale.

Another highlight will be The Big Splash Parade. Featuring balloon costumes, and samba drumming it will leave from the Project Space at 1pm on Saturday, May 31, and progress through Newport City Centre, ending up at the Community Stage near the Red Wave.

For the latest updates on the events, sign up to facebook.com/bigsplashnewport or follow @newportfestival #bigsplash2014 on Twitter. A full diary of the weekend can be downloaded from the website: www.newport.gov.uk/theriverfront