SWINDON FESTIVAL SEASON: There's no time to get bored with no less than three festivals running in Swindon during the summer. ALEX EMERY checks out the action.

A dazzling array of international theatre, comedy and music will be hitting our town at this year's Swindon Festival.

The five-day free extravaganza will include daredevil acrobatics, a carnival parade, thousands of sequins, and the odd glimpse of bare flesh.

The town's biggest social event, organised by Swindon Artscape, promises to be more spectacular than ever this year, thanks to the addition of a magical Luminarium.

The giant inflatable structure, sponsored by Swindon-based household product manufaturer Reckitt Benckiser, uses sunlight to create a plethora of colour throughout its maze of chambers.

Toby Rathbone, performing arts officer for Swindon Artscape, said: "We are absolutely thrilled that Reckitt Benckiser are sponsoring the Luminarium. It will be a fantastic addition to this year's festival. It's like entering another world.

"We have included a whole programme of acts never before seen in Swindon, while old favourites will be making a welcome return.

"There is a strong multi-cultural theme running through it, and definitely something for everyone."

The fun begins on Wednesday, July 16, at various locations throughout the town.

The Luminarium, in Faringdon Road Park, from July 16 to 20:

The Luminarium, the only event which charges an entrance fee, is a wondrous landscape of columns, a maze of passages and soaring domes, all shining with radiant colour.

The inflatable structure, which measures 128 feet long by 104 feet wide, stands 26 feet tall.

Its glowing interior colours are generated by nothing more complicated than daylight.

Tickets: adults, £2.50, concessions £2, families comprising two adults and two children, £7.

One person is admitted free per group of 10 or more.

Opening times: Wednesday, July 16 to Friday, July 18, 1 to 6pm. Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20, from 11.30am-7pm.

Last admission is 15 minutes before closing. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult

Visit www.architects-of-air.com for more information.

Wednesday, July 16, outside Debenhams on the Parade, from noon until 2pm

Swervy World, a cabaret band with a difference, including jump jive, swing, rockabilly, ska, surf instrumentals, film themes, cheesy kitsch, comedy, cabaret and chaos.

Mr Bright Sparks, the enormous gorilla, provides a fun, interactive performance of mime and improvisation.

Natural Theatre provides a blend of visual comedy and fertile inventiveness coupled with a large pinch of total absurdity.

Thursday, July 17, from noon until 2pm

Siyaya is an exuberant 15-piece a capella group who sing and dance the southern African way. Come along for a joyous and uplifting time.

Electric Cabaret, a new contemporary outdoor physical theatre troupe, will also be on hand to entertain crowds.

Friday, July 18, from noon until 2pm

Mukka, a full-on seven-piece band with dancer Beatrice Parvin, who gracefully steals the show with her sensuous Maghreb and Middle Eastern shimmers and swirls.

Artizani will bring Hollywood to Swindon, with look-alikes of John Travolta and Al Capone visiting the town on stilts.

The Big Weekend

Three performance areas running from noon until 4pm each day at the Parade, near the crossroads of Canal Walk and Regent Street, and at Regent Street, outside Portman Building Society.

Saturday, July 19:

Carnival Parade at 10.30am from the Town Hall.

Thirteen schools and community groups, comprising nearly 300 children and young adults, are currently working with professional artists to create carnival costumes, music and masks for the carnival parade. Based on a Back to the Future theme, activities will include stilt walking, carnival costume making, carnival mask making, samba drumming, street music and African dance

Paul Morocco, from Ol, combines music with comedy for a fun and invigorating performance. A Virtuoso Andalusian guitar, spitting ping-pong balls, juggling fruits and eggs thrown by the audience, are just a part of the performance.

Real Macaws. Prepare for a street party with one of the UK's most popular festival bands. A brassy blast of Rio Carnival, New Orleans Mardi Gras and Spanish Fiesta.

Nachda Sansaar and Dholblasters. A colourful display of Indian music and dance. The UK's top Bhangra and freestyle dancers accompanied by the Dholblasters, a group of traditional folk drummers from Birmingham, playing irresistible North Indian dance rhythms on the traditional Dhol drum.

Black Eagles. A troupe of totally stunning acrobats from Tanzania combine a series of powerful and graceful acrobatic and dance routines.

Cyberstein. A truly amazing eight foot robot accompanied by his mad creator. Cyberstein is looking for love. To impress he has learnt to sing opera and impersonate Elvis.

Bernie Bennet with heart-stopping tightrope skills and comic buffoonery including a sudden transformation into a superhero.

Stickleback Plasticus. Sequinned to the hilt and ready to rumba, Barry and Yvonne bring the world of ballroom to the streets with the most unique version of the Pasa Doble ever seen.

Pear Shaped Beatles. A magical mystery tour with the Fab Four sing their greatest hits on stilts.

Mischief le Bas. The Elvis cleaning company and other characters run riot through the streets.

Sunday, July 20

Skate Naked. Stunning acrobatics, explosive fire blowing and exuberant comedy all performed with the aid of G-strings. Winners of the 2000 street performers world championships in Tokyo, Skate Naked present one of the most talked about street shows around.

Samba Paraiso. A massive Brazilian experience with 20 drummers and four dancers playing thunderous samba batucada rhythms. Complete with spectacular carnival costumes, Samba Paraiso will bring a guaranteed Rio vibe and sensational finale to the festival.

Zehara, a 16-piece dance troupe accompanied by exotic North African music, perform their very own tribal belly dance with colourful costumes.

Mike and Maynard present Bravo, depicting two policemen attempting to improve community relations with the aid of ukuleles, handcuffs and Morris dancing.

Martinez and Fabrega present The Brothers Juan, a herd of highly trained bulls that leap through a ring of fire before being hurled headlong into space from exploding cannons.