An estimated 100,000 people are expected in Waterford over the weekend when the 12th annual Spraoi festival takes place.
Some 300 acts from all over the world will entertain the crowds along the streets and quays of the historic city.
According to Spraoi director TV Honan, the festival has always been committed to producing and showing the best street theatre. This year was no exception, with some highly acclaimed international groups bringing their shows to Waterford.
"Transe Express from France have performed their production Les Maudits Sonnants in Sydney a couple of months ago, and it went down a treat - it's an ensemble of harmonised bells that are played by an orchestra of bell ringers lifted skywards by telescopic crane."
He said Bangditos Theatre from Germany was putting on a pyrotechnic show entitled The Guardian Angels, while Les Zanimos puppet company from France was staging its highly-acclaimed Les Marfand de Fables.
Snatch Comedy from Cork was an improvisation troupe which had proven popular all over Ireland, while Corpus from Canada had a hilarious show entitled Flock of Flyers.
Honan said Cosmic Sausages from England should also prove highly popular with a repertoire of more than 70 songs. They take their audience on a madcap musical tour of the world, meeting James Bond, Serge Gainsbourg and the Mafia among others. The festival concludes tomorrow night with Spraoi's own parade, The Oz that Woz, which promises to prove every bit as spectacular as other Spraoi parades along the quay.