Latest news with #BigSplash
South Wales Argus
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Big Splash arts festival takes over Newport for 2025
As Wales' largest free outdoor arts festival, Big Splash sees thousands of people visit the city to take part in workshops and craft activities and watch live music, street theatre and dance performances. Described as 'a slice of Covent Garden in Newport', it turns the streets of Newport into a giant stage for all to enjoy. Tiny Circus gets ready for a big show (Image: NQ) The main hub that is situated in the Riverfront Theatre provides a range of different events and stalls that allow visitors to get creative and join in with the fun. From an arts & crafts room to circus trick classes to skateboarding with No Comply, there is something for everyone under one roof. Elsewhere across the rest of the city centre, visitors can watch performances in the lively street theatre in Usk Plaza, catch live performances and play games on Big Splash Boulevard, and take in the vibrant showcase of local art and culture in the Creative Quarter. Audiences watch performances from the top of John Frost Square (Image: NQ) The two-day event itself is completely free of charge, making it the perfect family friendly experience for all ages. Evan Elias, 22, is a member of staff at the Riverfront and is spending the day manning the 'imagination station' arts & crafts area. He said: 'I love making creativity accessible and seeing the impact free art can have on local people.' Staff members like Evan Elias get stuck right in (Image: NQ) A lot of the attendees and staff milling around Newport today share similar sentiments. The festival brings the city together, helping to make art accessible to those who wouldn't experience it otherwise – visitors are allowed to pick their poison in this sense and decide whether they'd like the adrenaline rush of watching a circus performer juggle blades, or through the more peaceful act of story times in Waterstones. Big Splash runs Saturday June 19 to Sunday June 20 and closes with a DJ set from Newport legend Benji Webbe on the Celebrate Stage on Big Splash Boulevard at 4:20PM Sunday.
South Wales Argus
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Gwent's weekend packed with events for every age group
The popular Big Splash festival will return for 2025, transforming the city into a bustling arts hub on Saturday, July 19, and Sunday, July 20. Organised by The Riverfront, the annual festival is expected to draw thousands to the city, with a line-up of live music, street theatre, dance performances, workshops, and family-friendly activities. Big Splash returns to Newport this weekend (Image: Newport Live) The event is free and open to people of all ages. It has been described as "a slice of Covent Garden in Newport." They will play classics from the Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, and other 80s favourites. The Place on Bridge Street will be running a Silent Disco City Tour on Saturday, July 19. (Image: Supplied) This family-friendly activity involves donning headsets and exploring the city and Big Splash Festival in a unique way. The tours will be held from 1pm to 1.30pm and from 2pm to 2.30pm, but booking is essential. Tredegar House will also be hosting a "Summer of Play" starting from Saturday, July 19. Tredegar House's 'Summer of Play' launches this weekend (Image: Supplied) This is an Edwardian-inspired event with a giant sand pit, colourful beach huts, and sensory tents filled with sea sounds and textures, aimed at neurodivergent visitors. The event is sponsored by Starling Bank and is designed for all ages. Children can enjoy building sandcastles, dressing up in Edwardian seaside fashion, and make-believe play. Visitors can even pose in a traditional seaside cut-out or take a family photo on a giant deckchair. There are also 90 acres of grounds to explore, with shady picnic spots for enjoying an ice cream. No pre-booking is required for the Summer of Play. Normal admission charges apply, but National Trust members can enjoy free entry and parking. The National Trust Cymru has promised a "joyful day out" for families at the event. They said: "Whether you're chasing that classic holiday feeling close to home or looking for a fun day out with the family, Tredegar House promises an adventure that will last all summer long." For more information, visit the National Trust website. With such a variety of events on offer, Newport promises a weekend full of fun and excitement for all ages.
South Wales Argus
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Cllr Batrouni on 'amazing' activities in Newport this summer
Last summer, more than 1,000 children and young people took part in free activities over the summer holiday organised by the council's youth and play service. The teams are delivering another action-packed line-up over the six weeks at venues across the city, for children of all ages and all abilities, with everything from cooking to slime making, stay and play sessions to movie nights. See the council website for more information and to sign up. This weekend sees the return of Wales' largest free outdoor arts festival to Newport city centre. Big Splash features two days of live music, street theatre, dance performances, workshops, craft and activities for all the family. As well as this, Newport Live also offer a wide range of summer activities with swimming, sports, arts and crafts, shows and more. The Newport Medieval Ship visitor centre's annual medieval summer fayre is back on Saturday, July 26. From craft workshops and demonstrations to family activities, there will be lots to see and do throughout the day. Another favourite to return this year is the National Play Day in Rodney Parade on Wednesday, August 6. Hundreds attended last year, and with the theme of 'spaces for play' there's so much fun to be had this year. Don't forget, you can show your ticket on any Newport Transport Bus to gain free family transport to this event. In the heart of the city centre, Newport's urban beach will be back, and Friars Walk and Kingsway have lots planned too. We'll be making some extra special announcements very soon about exciting family-friendly activities and attractions coming to the city centre over the summer – keep an eye on our socials for the latest. Splash 'Port at Tredegar Park is open for refreshing fun and don't forget that many of our play areas and sports courts have been upgraded over the last couple of years, so make sure you visit your local facility. Some of our parks have great event line-ups too – Beechwood Park has their summer sessions later this month with live music and activities. Not forgetting Tredegar House, Newport's very own 17th century mansion set in a beautiful 90 acre park. Their summer of play is bringing the seaside to Newport with a joyful, sensory-rich experience for all ages. Wondering what the best way to get to all these amazing activities is? Check out Newport Bus for their 'families for a fiver' offer, or throw on your trainers or grab your bike and head for Newport's ever-improving active travel networks. So, think there's nothing going on in Newport? Then think again! There's so much more to say about what's happening across the city, but you can find out about all of the above and loads more at Councillor Dimitri Batrouni is leader of Newport City Council.
South Wales Argus
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Newport Big Splash Festival 2025 to take place next weekend
The two-day event will transform Newport city centre with live music, street theatre, dance, and family-friendly activities. The festival will be held on Saturday, July 19, and Sunday, July 20. Since its launch in 2010, Big Splash has become a major free outdoor arts event in South Wales. This year, attendees can look forward to a variety of performances, including acrobatics, circus workshops, traditional Welsh folk, and more. There will also be writing workshops with Children's Poet Laureate for Wales Alex Wharton, and a closing DJ set from Benji Webbe on the Celebrate Stage at 4.20pm on Sunday. The festival will take place across four zones: Splastonbury at The Riverfront, Usk Plaza, Celebrate Stage, and the Newport Now Creative Quarter. The Riverfront has collaborated with four creative professionals to produce new works with local community groups and schools, which will be showcased throughout the weekend. All events and activities are free, with the festival also providing accessible performances with British Sign Language (BSL), audio descriptions, and Welsh language shows. The Riverfront is hosting a free arts and crafts workshop on Saturday, from 11am to 4pm, in preparation for their Mini Makers Parade on Sunday.
South Wales Argus
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Five great things on throughout Newport this summer
As the days get longer and the temperature is gradually soaring, this can only mean one thing – summer is right around the corner – and it's time for the anticipation of summer plans to begin. Whether you're gearing up for summer holiday plans with the kids, or looking for a fun weekend festival, here are some of the highlights of Newport's upcoming activities. Big Splash Festival Big Splash is returning to Newport for 2025 this summer (Image: NQ) Returning this Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July is Wales's biggest free outdoor arts festival – 'The Big Splash'. Organised by The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre, the festival turns Newport City centre into a bright and vibrant hub of live music, dance, theatre, and more across a range of performances throughout the day. These spectacles take place across The Celebrate Stage, The Dock Stage, and Usk Plaza Zone. Best of all, the event is free of charge! You can find out what to expect by reading about last year's Big Splash. The festival is also calling out to the local community, giving choirs, dance groups, musicians, storytellers, poets – even circus performers, or anyone with a creative flare a fantastic opportunity to perform, encouraging performers from a wide and diverse range of backgrounds. The deadline for submissions is Sunday 1st June, with more volunteering opportunities to come. Colour Clash Colour Clash will return to Coronation Park for 2025 (Image: Google) While Big Splash is the perfect festival feel for all the family, Newport's Colour Clash is one for the adults to look out for. This over 18s only event will take place in Coronation Park on Saturday 2nd August. The main stage lineup includes Bru-C, Bugzy Malone and Jax Jones with loads of other artists performing across the two stages – the Main and Logic stages. This one-day festival is still selling tickets, which you can book on the Colour Clash's official website. This includes general entry and exclusive VIP tickets if you want to upgrade your day! Events at Tredegar House Tredegar House (Image: Wales News Service) Aside from festival fun, Tredegar House is the place to be to entertain the little ones all throughout the summer holidays. The Blossom Spotter Trail runs from Saturday the 24th May to Sunday the 1st June, where you can explore the house and gardens while searching for blossom-inspired decorations. The mansion is also hosting a Summer of Play, bringing the joy of the seaside right into the heart of Newport. With a giant sandpit, colourful beach huts, the chance for performative play, and neurodivergent-friendly sensory tents, the kids can let their imaginations run wild. Both events are free additions upon the standard admission fee for Tredegar House. Make your own Welsh Spirit With the Spirit of Wales, you can make your very own Welsh gin or Welsh rum – this will run each week beginning Wednesday the 14th May. The experience starts with a welcome drink, followed by a masterclass in the spirit production including distilling, filtering, and bottling with a wax stamp and label. Before bottling, you are poured a drink with your newly created gin or rum. One still can be created between one, two, or four people – you can book tickets on Spirit of Wales's website. Events at the RSPB Newport Wetlands RSPB Newport Wetlands are hosting lots of events this summer (Image: Google) The RSPB are offering groups of up to five an exclusive, bespoke tour of the Newport Wetlands, which can be booked for up to one-and-a-half hours. The tours include general nature walks, as well as birding, historical and photography walks. If your kids want to explore the underwater world, the RSPB are also offering a unique pond dipping experience from Monday the 26th to Friday the 30th May. Equipment and spotting sheets will be provided. Finally, more geared towards adults, a bumblebee identification and guided walk will be running on Saturday the 28th June, Saturday the 12th July, and Saturday the 9th August. This particularly encourages those interested in the natural world and conservation. Tickets to all these events can be found on the RSPB website.
