DETAILS have been announced for a brand-new music festival taking place in Irvine this summer.

The Making Waves Festival will take place at the Harbourside and Beach Park on Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24, with  live music and outdoor activities both on and off the water.

The weekend festival is being arranged by North Ayrshire Council in partnership with local groups and organisations.

It has received funding from Event Scotland and the Scottish Government.

Local volunteer group Freckfest, which has brought over 120 shows to the area over the last nine years, will bring live music performances to the Beach Park across the weekend on an open-air stage that can be enjoyed by an audience of up to 3,000.

The main music event on Saturday afternoon and evening, brings popular bands – due to be announced soon – to the Beach Park and on Sunday afternoon there will be family-friendly music performances where tribute acts will dominate the stage.

Tickets for both days will go on sale soon.

Residents and visitors will be encouraged to enjoy the promenade along the Maritime Mile, with its range of bars, restaurants and cafes.

People can also explore the many paths and routes around the area with a focus on being outdoors, healthy and appreciating the beautiful setting against the backdrop of Arran.

A major highlight of the weekend will be an aerobatic display by the Red Arrows on Saturday afternoon.

There will be free entry to the Scottish Maritime Museum, with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities, a family fun fair and a ‘makers market’.

The Harbour Arts Centre will offer a range of arts and crafts and drama activities, and the Courtyard Studios will hold an Open Studios weekend – a chance to visit the studios and see the work produced by local artists.

Stalls and exhibits will be dotted along the Harbourside offering additional activities, opportunities to join in wildlife-spotting and the chance to find out more about the many clubs and organisations in North Ayrshire.

There will also be taster sessions of water- based activities like paddle boarding.

Announcements on the music line-up, event schedule and ticket sales will go live soon.

Keep an eye on www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/MakingWaves for more information.

The event was originally planned for July 2020 as part of Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters, however, this had to be cancelled due to Covid.

The ambition is to build on Making Waves Festival for future years.

Karen Yeomans, NAC's director of growth and investment, said: “We are delighted to finally bring Making Waves Festival to Irvine Harbourside and Beach Park.

"It offers both residents and visitors the opportunity to experience a fantastic range of activities after a hugely challenging couple of years.

“Many residents will have fond memories of live music at Irvine Harbourside from years past.

"The festival aims to attract music-lovers once again to Irvine and showcase the beauty and potential of the Beach Park which will hopefully attract commercial event promoters to consider using the facilities in the future.

“If a weekend of entertainment in a stunning location is something you are interested in, we would encourage you to start planning now with your friends and family – as more announcements and tickets sales will go live in the coming weeks.”

READ MORE: RAF display team to take part in Irvine’s Making Waves Festival