Maindee Festival 2026

Maindee Festival takes over the neighbourhood for one Saturday every July, and for that day Maindee belongs to everyone. The parade winds through the streets, the music starts up, and a community that already knows itself well turns out to celebrate together. Held at Maindee Primary School, the festival brings live music, dance, spoken word and family activities to the heart of the area, with local performers and school pupils performing alongside some of Newport's brightest emerging talent. I photographed the 2026 festival as a volunteer, which meant seeing the day from the inside.

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Colorful outdoor display with a large puppet or statue representing a character with a star-shaped hat, surrounded by signs saying 'Welcome', 'Festivals' and other messages, set in a wooded park area.
Group of older women wearing red shirts and colorful lei necklaces, holding musical instruments, outdoors with green trees in the background.
A wall display features a collage of artwork and photographs, including a cut-out paper doll of a girl with wings decorated with flowers and buttons, three ceramic or plastic bird figurines, a printed photo of a smiling woman labeled 'Natasha', and s
Person smiling outdoors, wearing colorful pom-pom jacket and sunglasses, holding a rainbow umbrella.
Crowd of people participating in a parade or festival, many holding colorful umbrellas and wearing vibrant costumes and accessories, including leis, flowers, and face paint, outdoors on a sunny day.
A woman smiling and holding a colorful umbrella at an outdoor event or rally, surrounded by other people. The sky is partly cloudy with trees in the background.
Children holding a painted art piece with a pink character wearing a hat, blue background, and flowers, at an outdoor event.
People marching in a parade, holding colorful flags and banners, with a cloudy sky and modern buildings in the background.
A group of people participating in a parade or festival, walking outdoors on a sunny day. Many are wearing red shirts with a green and white emblem, playing drums, and some are carrying umbrellas and flags with bright, colorful patterns.
Person creating a fossil rubbing of a dinosaur skeleton on a piece of paper outdoors, surrounded by art supplies and grass.
Group of people at an outdoor event, some holding colorful umbrellas and flags, one woman wearing a bright green hijab and black face covering, holding a pink water bottle.
Group of people participating in a parade or celebration, some wearing colorful leis and red T-shirts, playing drums and walking outside under a cloudy sky.
A young man wearing yellow sunglasses and a sleeveless shirt with a dog graphic is playing drums at an outdoor event, with a drum set and a tent in the background.
A crowd of people in colorful costumes and accessories participating in a parade or festival, waving flags, playing drums, and enjoying the outdoor event.
Child's hand holding a paintbrush while creating watercolor art with various paints on paper.
Colorful fabric banners hanging from a tree with green leaves and sunlight filtering through.