Newport Now BID is again sponsoring one of the zones for this weekend's Big Splash, ensuring the city centre benefits from the largest free outdoor arts festival in Wales. The Big Splash festival is an annual event organised and delivered by Newport Live that energises the streets of Newport with festivalgoers who come in their thousands to be immersed in the fun and excitement of theatre and arts. The festival brings the city to life with its extraordinarily talented and captivating programme of events. It's the perfect family day out! The programme starts at 11am on Saturday and 11.30am on Sunday. The Big Splash promises a weekend jam-packed full of free activity for all ages, including theatre, live music, workshops, arts and crafts and several surprises. The Newport Now Zone will be based in Commercial Street, with some acts also roaming parts of High Street, Bridge Street and Cambrian Road. There will also be performances and activities at a number of city centre businesses, including Le Pub on High Street, The Place on Bridge Street, Waterstones on Commercial Street, and Gallery 57 on Upper Dock Street. The BID is also sponsoring the Big Splash Busk in partnership with Le Pub. Listen to an array of live music by fantastic local artists from 12pm-5pm on Saturday on Commercial Street (at the junction with Charles Street).
The other Big Splash zones are: Splashtonbury: This zone covers in and around The Riverfront Theatre, including the Terrace Stage, the Celebrate Stage, Big Splash Boulevard and the Newport Pride bus. The River Walkway: Lots of acts will be roaming the River Walkway between University of South Wales and The Riverfront. University of South Wales: Right outside the University will be a big bell tent which will be home to the literary stage for Connor Curates on Saturday 22nd and there will be workshops running all day on Sunday 23rd. Other acts will also be popping in and out with lots of Big Splash festivities. John Frost Square: Acts will be performing in two areas in John Frost Square – directly outside H&M and in front of the Monmouthshire Building Society building.
Usk Plaza: Acts will be performing on the greenery outside TGI Fridays, Prezzo and Wagamama. Full details of all the acts, shows and zones are available by clicking here. Please note that from 7am until 10am on Saturday, Commercial Street will be closed from its junction with Charles Street to its junction with Stow Hill at Westgate Square to allow setting up of the event. At 10am, the usual pedestrianisation of the street will come into force. If you have any queries concerning the Big Splash, please contact the Riverfront Theatre on 01633 656757.