NEWPORT LIVE is proud to reflect on an incredible year of holiday activities in 2025, which saw thousands of children, young people, and families take part in fun, affordable, and confidence-building experiences across the city.
Throughout the year, more than 11,000 participants joined swimming lessons, family swims, and free swim sessions – helping children develop water confidence and safety skills while having fun. Beyond the pool, Newport Live welcomed almost 3,000 cinema-goers to The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre, 1,000 creative workshop attendees, and over 2,000 visitors to Sport in the Park at Rogerstone Welfare Park and Beechwood Park during the Summer Holidays.
Over 3,000 families and children enjoyed various theatre shows during the year, while the Big Splash, Wales’ largest free outdoor arts festival attracted over 30,000 visitors in the city centre and the record-breaking pantomime Rapunzel drew an incredible 27,000 attendees including, 13,000 enthusiastic school children.
Other School Holiday highlights included:
- February Half Term: Over 400 swim participants, plus 50 children attending Football for All and with opportunities for children to try racquet sports, and basketball camps.
- Easter Holidays: Over 400 swim participants, 18 children learning to cycle, 60 enjoying Football for all and enjoying activities like Crafty Cinema Club and tennis.
- May Half Term: Newport Live welcomed nearly 200 swimmers, 15 children attended a fun and engaging tennis and cycling camp, and over 40 young footballers of all skill levels enjoyed Football for All.
- Summer Holidays: 9,000 swimmers, 114 cycling participants, 29 playing tennis, and 500+ in Community Sport & Wellbeing sessions including Girls Takeover and Welly Walks.
- October Half Term: Over 1,000 swimmers, 127 creative workshop attendees, 300 cinema-goers, and more than 500 visitors to The Riverfront’s events.
Andrea Ovey, Director of Business Development at Newport Live, said: “We’re incredibly proud of what we achieved in 2025 alongside our regular year-round programme.
“From Learn to Swim and Learn to Ride to tennis coaching, junior fitness memberships, and creative workshops, our goal is to keep children active, entertained, and engaged.
“Many of our activities are free or affordably priced to ensure families can enjoy them during school holidays.
“As a charitable trust, Newport Live has a huge impact on peoples lives in terms of accessing sports, arts and cultural activities across their city – supporting mental and physical wellbeing enabling them to lead happier and healthier lives”.
Looking ahead, Newport Live is excited to announce its next holiday activity schedule, running February 16–20, 2026, across multiple Newport Live sites. Full details are available at the Newport Live Holiday Activities page.
