Andy Howells visits Newport’s Big Splash Festival and captures some of the fun on camera in this Entertainment South Wales photo special.
A splashing time was guaranteed for all when Newport Live and The Riverfront’s Big Splash festival returned to the city centre across 5 locations on Saturday and Sunday.
Singer/songwriter Katie Lou performed original material as part of Big Splash Busk outside Westgate Hotel on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Andy Howells 
Hippochondriac roamed the streets of Newport and attracted much attention and affection from passers by. Photo: Andy Howells 
Crowds gather to be entertained at Newport’s Big Splash Festival. Photo: Andy Howells 
There was outrageous fun from Ceri-Ann Arian at Newport’s Big Splash Festival. Photo: Andy Howells 
Youngsters were entertained in and around The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre with a wealth of pop-up performances. Photo: Andy Howells 
Singer/songwriter Katie Lou performed original material as part of Big Splash Busk outside Westgate Hotel on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Andy Howells 
There was outrageous fun from Ceri-Ann Arian at Newport’s Big Splash Festival. Photo: Andy Howells 
Newport Transport donated a Bus to be decorated in Big Splash art for the weekend. Photo: Andy Howells 
More theatrical fun entertaining the crowds at Newport’s Big Splash in Friars Walk. Photo: Andy Howells 
Singer/songwriter Brightr performing at Big Splash Busk outside Westgate Hotel in Newport. Photo: Andy Howells 
Singer/songwriter Katie Lou performed original material as part of Big Splash Busk outside Westgate Hotel on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Andy Howells 
Taking Flight Theatre Company were out and about at Newport’s Big Splash Festival to ensure people were having lots of interactive fun! Photo: Andy Howells 
There was outrageous fun from Ceri-Ann Arian at Newport’s Big Splash Festival. Photo: Andy Howells 
More theatrical fun entertaining the crowds at Newport’s Big Splash in Friars Walk. Photo: Andy Howells 
Newport Transport donated a Bus to be decorated in Big Splash art for the weekend. Photo: Andy Howells 
Hippochondriac roamed the streets of Newport and attracted much attention and affection from passers by. Photo: Andy Howells 
Singer/songwriter Katie Lou performed original material as part of Big Splash Busk outside Westgate Hotel on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Andy Howells 
Youngsters were entertained in and around The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre with a wealth of pop-up performances. Photo: Andy Howells 
Newport Transport donated a Bus to be decorated in Big Splash art for the weekend. Photo: Andy Howells 
There was outrageous fun from Ceri-Ann Arian at Newport’s Big Splash Festival. Photo: Andy Howells 
Singer/songwriter Brightr performing at Big Splash Busk outside Westgate Hotel in Newport. Photo: Andy Howells 
More theatrical fun entertaining the crowds at Newport’s Big Splash in Friars Walk. Photo: Andy Howells
The event which had been absent for the previous two years attracted thousands to Newport. Visitors were entertained with a range of free music and theatre presentations including Newport’s Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre, Usk Plaza, Friars Walk, John Frost Square and Westgate Hotel.
Among the attractions was a wealth of local music talent performing on The Riverfront terrace and Big Splash Busk (sponsored by Le Public Space) including Katie Lou, Honest Poet, Act Happy and Mari Mathias.
Welsh singer/songwriter Mari Mathias performed original material with her band on the Riverfront Terrace for The Big Splash. Photo: Andy Howells 
Who wants to come to Newport in their honeymoon balloon? Hello Gary and Pel! The comedy performers delight at Newport’s Big Splash! Photo: Andy Howells 
Singer/songwriter Richard Forrest performing at Big Splash Busk outside the Westgate Hotel. Photo: Andy Howells 
Children were entertained at Newport’s Big Splash with a variety of dance activities. Photo: Andy Howells 
Music duo Act Happy played to an appreciative crowd as part of Big Splash Busk outside Westgate Hotel. Photo: Andy Howells. 
Welsh singer/songwriter Mari Mathias performed original material with her band on the Riverfront Terrace for The Big Splash. Photo: Andy Howells 
Who wants to come to Newport in their honeymoon balloon? Hello Gary and Pel! The comedy performers delight at Newport’s Big Splash! Photo: Andy Howells 
Music duo Act Happy played to an appreciative crowd as part of Big Splash Busk outside Westgate Hotel. Photo: Andy Howells. 
Pete Anderson heightened the excitement levels at the Big Splash festival with his performance. Photo: Andy Howells 
Frantastic had appeal to children and parents alike as part of her Big Splash Busk set in Charles Street. Photo: Andy Howells 
Honest Poet takes to the stage of The Riverfront Terrace Photo: Andy Howells 
Who wants to come to Newport in their honeymoon balloon? Hello Gary and Pel! The comedy performers delight at Newport’s Big Splash! Photo: Andy Howells 
Welsh singer/songwriter Mari Mathias performed original material with her band on the Riverfront Terrace for The Big Splash. Photo: Andy Howells 
Music duo Act Happy played to an appreciative crowd as part of Big Splash Busk outside Westgate Hotel. Photo: Andy Howells. 
Pete Anderson heightened the excitement levels at the Big Splash festival with his performance. Photo: Andy Howells 
Welsh singer/songwriter Mari Mathias performed original material with her band on the Riverfront Terrace for The Big Splash. Photo: Andy Howells 
Who wants to come to Newport in their honeymoon balloon? Hello Gary and Pel! The comedy performers delight at Newport’s Big Splash! Photo: Andy Howells 
Music duo Act Happy played to an appreciative crowd as part of Big Splash Busk outside Westgate Hotel. Photo: Andy Howells. 
Pete Anderson heightened the excitement levels at the Big Splash festival with his performance. Photo: Andy Howells 
Honest Poet takes to the stage of The Riverfront Terrace Photo: Andy Howells 
The Big Splash Busk featured many performers outside Newport’s Westgate Hotel. Photo: Andy Howells 
Frantastic had appeal to children and parents alike as part of her Big Splash Busk set in Charles Street. Photo: Andy Howells
Theatre fun for the family featured roving attractions and performances from Taking Flight Theatre, Gary & Pel, Hippochondriac, Ceri-Ann Arian and Frantastic.
The Riverfront was also transformed into family hub Splashtonbury complete with the Flying start under 5s zone, circus skills workshops, a baby rave and take arts and crafts activities. Several pop-up areas were dotted around the city centre to allow for creativity for those in attendance and Newport transport provided a bus to be decorated in Big Splash art for the weekend.