Big Splash set to wow the crowds in Newport this weekend

The three day festival, starting on Friday and running until Sunday, will feature street theatre, live music, cabaret performances and indoor cinema screenings.

Funding from Newport City Council, the Arts Council of Wales and sponsorship from Friars Walk are making it happen with the Maindee Festival joining forces with the Big Splash for the first time.

The city is to be divided into three zones, Urban Edge, Fun of the Fair and the Ultimate Usk, with activities along the riverbanks including international street theatre artists and the Sunset Spectacular.

In the Urban Edge section the Newport Centre will celebrate local talent and showcase urban arts; Fun of the Fair there will be a selection of funfair rides between the Riverfront Theatre and the University building; and in Ultimate Usk there will be performances from international street theatre artists including Geraghty and Thom, The Weirdy Beadies and Babs and Stella’s Intergalactic Spectacular.

On Friday, May 29, the event will kick off with free live music on The Riverfront Cafe Terrace from 8pm until 11pm and a fun cabaret show in the main theatre by Montreal comedy gold award winners Slightly Fat Features, with tickets costing just £1.50 each.

On Saturday, May 30, entertainment will begin at 12pm with street theatre artists, Shaun the Sheep and Big Hero 6 film screenings, drop in workshops, the Red Wave community stage, the BBOY breakdance competition at Urban Edge in the Newport Centre and more live music on the Cafe Terrace.

The Maindee Festival, which is also holding free workshops at Maindee Primary school between 10am and 4pm today (May 27) and tomorrow, will run from 12pm until 7pm on Saturday. The Maindee Festival Street Parade will assembles at Rodney Parade at 11am and departs at 12pm to arrive at the Festival site at 1pm

Throughout the whole weekend the Danters Fairground will also be on the Big Splash site between The Riverfront and the university.