The festival promises to be an explosive artistic and cultural extravaganza consisting of bands from across the globe, the best of British street theatre, breathtaking circus, late-night cinema, art installation, dance, club nights and mind-blowing spectacle. There will be a multitude of cultural influences and special events for families, including a family day on July 16th. A full schedule is available but see below for festival breakdown:

Music -- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday early evenings and selected late night Saturdays.
Al fresco gigs on the band stage with leading contemporary musicians providing the best in upbeat live music. With Cool Jazz on Mondays, Celebrating Africa on Tuesday, World Rhythms on Wednesday and Dance Grooves on Saturday. Highlights include: the urban gospel sounds of Citizen K (9 July); African reggae legend Pax Harare Dread (12 July); and the East/West soundclash of Trickbaby (23 July); and the Ghanaian / Nigerian high life blend of Abdul Raheem (23 August).

Street theatre -- Thursday, Friday and Saturday lunchtimes and early evenings and selected late night Saturdays.
The finest street performance and installations including theatre, dance, acrobatics, circus, cabaret, comedy and clowning. Highlights include: the enchanting Crystal Vita from Heir of Insanity featuring skilful stilt-walking and acrobatics (1 & 2 July); Sienta La Cabeza's stunning hairdressing show (29 & 30 July); and slapstick hilarity from the Bureau of Silly Ideas performing The Hole Job (11 August).

Waterloo Sunsets -- Every Saturday 10.30pm -- midnight.
Brilliant events ranging from world music extravaganzas to theatrical spectaculars. Highlights include: Spanish troupe Producciones Imperdibles who dancers appear to dance on air (25 June); Les Grooms' joyous mélange of music and comedy (2 July); the Angel Brothers Anglo-Asian chill out sounds (16 July); and new wave bossa nova from Sirius B (13 August).

Dance Week -- 15 -20 August.
Your chance to dance in Theatre Square. From ballroom to belly dancing, jive to Tango and  Bollywood to salsa and influences from India, Turkey and Egypt and sub-Saharan Africa.

Late Lounge -- Every Friday and Saturday night from 10.00pm -- 1.00am in the Terrace Café.
The return of the National's stylish late-night chill out bar overlooking Theatre Square and the River Thames. DJ Wood, this year's resident DJ, will be filling the rooms with an eclectic mix of sounds from around midnight to 1