THE BIG Splash is returning and preparing to make waves in Newport city centre this July.

It kicks off on Friday, July 13 and runs until Sunday, July 15, containing live music, family friendly entertainment, BMX flatland, a circus, theatre shows, street entertainers and a ‘sunset spectacular’.

There will be seven fun zones called the Admiral Soundwave Stage, Riverfront Free House, Urban Edge, Square Tastic, Fun Of The Fair, Ultimate Usk and Parklife.

The weekend of fun, spectacle and entertainment follows on from the success of the last two years and will see Newport being taken over with a host of indoor and outdoor events on both sides of the River Usk, John Frost Square, The Riverfront, Newport Centre and Rodney Parade.

Kicking off the weekend’s activities at 6pm on the Friday will be a Bhangra (riff-oriented music associated with Punjabi culture) pop-up dance off with live band RSVP on the Admiral Soundwave Stage.

The public will be invited to join other dancers in a massive pop-up dance by learning the choreographed routine from a pre-recorded video before the live event or by attending free workshops.

The live music from a host of local and UK bands will continue on the outside stage near the Red Wave sculpture late into the night on the Friday and throughout the day and night on the Saturday.

For the latest updates on all the events, sign up to facebook.com/bigsplash or follow @newportfestival #bigsplash2012 on Twitter.