NEWPORT festival ‘The Big Splash’ returns for its seventh year on July, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17, and organisers Newport Live are revealing a stellar line up of free street theatre and family activities for the weekend.

Over twenty top class performing companies from across the UK and beyond will be bringing over fifty free street theatre shows to the city centre, from high wire, slapstick, dance, and fantastic walkabouts.

Performance companies including Stopgap Dance Company, Nofit State Circus, 2Faced Dance and Les Enfants Terrible, will entertain the crowds at Newport Live’s The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre, following the river down to the University of South Wales City Centre Campus, and at Friars Walk and Commercial Street.

A wide range of free workshops and activities will also take place throughout the two days, hosted at The Riverfront and Friars Walk.

Friars Walk and Western Power have also sponsored the annual event with core funding contributions from The Arts Council of Wales and Newport Live. Last year over 10,000 enjoyed the festival atmosphere in the city centre and organisers are confident that this year’s programme of high energy shows and colour will get the crowds in the perfect summer mood.

 “The Big Splash is now in its seventh year thanks to the fantastic support it’s received from the local community and funders,” said Steve Ward, Chief Executive of Newport Live. “The city centre is always buzzing during the festival, and we can’t wait to see what the fantastic group of performers has in store for us this year. We encourage the people of Newport to get involved and come and join in with the fun.”

To find out more about The Big Splash, including schedules for the day and details of the workshops and companies at the festival, visit www.bigsplashnewport.com.

You can also follow the festival on Twitter @BigSplashFest and like the Facebook page at facebook.com/bigsplashnewport