THE Whirligig Festival of Outdoor Arts is back in Weston this weekend.

The much-anticipated event will take place at the Italian Gardens on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10.

Presented by Super Culture, the festival includes a stunning programme of outdoor arts alongside local talent, community activities and crowd-pleaser parades.

On Saturday, September 9, there will be a Climate Carnival parade, complete with musicians, performers and stilt-walkers, which will make its way from the Tropicana along the seafront.

On Sunday, 10 September, Paraorchestra will bring a technicolour explosion of music and dance to Weston’s seafront with SMOOSH! The ensemble of disabled and non-disabled musicians will be joined by a troupe of dancers and local players.

Local artists include Weston & Worle Win Band, musicians from North Somerset Music Service, Weston College students and young people from South Ward.   

The parades will start out on the seafront at 11am every day and will arrive at the Whirligig Festival site around midday.

The festival will finish each day at 6pm.

Other highlights include:

  • Belgium’s Collectif Malunés.
  • Acts from Without Walls.
  • Alleyne Dance, Motionhouse and Simple Cypher.
  • Super Wonder Shrine stage.
  • Eye-catching walkabout acts on the High Street.
  • You Shrine pop-up photo installation.
  • Luke Jerram’s immersive artwork Crossings at Marine Lake. 

The full programme of events can be found HERE.

The creative director of Culture Weston, Fiona Matthews, said: "Whirligig is much loved for the continental vibe that it brings to the Italian Gardens and this year’s programme of international, national and local acts is no exception. 

“Mix up high octane performances, serious fun factor and artists who want to say something about society, and you’ve got an exhilarating weekend in store.” 

Whirligig Festival is supported by funding from Arts Council England.