03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Maindee Festival 2025 at Maindee Primary School in Newport
The festival has become a significant part of Newport's annual calendar, following the forming of Maindee Festival Association in 1997. Their goal? Celebrate the diversity of the people who live and work in this marvellous part of Newport.
This year's theme is 'Future Maindee' with the activities being shaped by the young people of Newport – including a youth team who have programmed the main music stage.
Along with an exciting line-up on the main stage there will be a secondary stage, The Youth Stage, which will host dance acts and much more. Plus, there will be more young voices in the 2025 spoken word than seen in previous years. Returning for 2025 will be the Tent of Intent with a focus on sustainability and, of course, the annual carnival parade will return – this year featuring many stunning silk flags.
The community will come together on July 5 for a day full of live entertainment (on stage and via walkabout performers – including Tin Shed Theatre's The Artists), fun activities, and stalls offering food, drink and much more.
MAINDEE PARADE
Maindee Festival's 2025 parade will feature beautifully made silk flags created especially for this community event. Organisers have thanked individuals and groups who've helped make these creations – including thanks to Age Alive, Coffee and Laughs, Greening Maindee, Maindee Primary School, and YMCO Newport.
The parade will assemble on the school grounds at 12pm and descend from 12.30pm. The parade will travel along Millenium Walk, across the footbridge, and to the Riverfront. Here some extras will join the parade which will return for the festival opening at 1pm.
Whether you've made a flag or not, are young or old, are a Maindee Festival veteran or first timer – all are welcome to the parade.
MAINDEE FESTIVAL
Following the parade there will be an opening ceremony (1pm – 1.30pm) featuring a performance by Maindee School Choir.
There will be a whole host of entertainment on the main performance stage, hosted by Newport City Radio, including duo Milk Slice (1.30pm-2.15pm), Bryn Geary (2.30pm-3pm), Bowen Barklam (3pm-3.30pm), Maindee Youth Arts (3.30pm-4pm, 4pm-4.30pm) and Operasonic (4.30pm-5pm).
Maindee Festival will also include a community dance space where festival goers can join in and have fun with Maindee Youth Arts.
There will be an epic line-up at the Spoken Word tent (1.15pm-4.30pm) at Maindee Festival 2025. Visit to hear from poets, writers, and spoken words artists from Newport and further afield. Expect special guests and an open mic session – contact the festival team if you'd like to perform.
And don't miss out on the large green activities tent. At The Tent of Intent, you can find out how to borrow household and outdoor items from the Newport Circular Economy Library of Things. Bring clothes you no longer want to swap in Newport Youth Council's clothes swap.
The council's climate team will be there to share what they're doing and what we can to mitigate against the impact of climate change. Newport City Council's air quality will help visitors understand odours in the air – try out their detectors and the climate team's solar cell powered fan.
Be sure to visit Greening Maindee's plant stall where you can see their bee-rilliant creation for the parade (it will be buzzing!) and see designs and builds from Newport Makerspace. Plus take part in large outdoor games from Newport's Re-Make store.
Organisers of Maindee Festival have thanked the National Lottery Community Fund and #NationalLottery players along with Welsh Government Local Air Quality Management Fund, Newport City Council Prosperity Fund for making this project possible. They also pass on their thanks to supporters, volunteers, performers and visitors.
