It attracted more than 34,000 visitors last summer and outdoor arts festival Imagine Watford will return this year to transform the streets with spectacular theatre, circus, dance and music performances.

Audiences can expect the biggest line-up to date with amazing acrobatics, high-energy hip-hop dance, enchanting children’s theatre, a strong lady, life-size jenga blocks, a wacky weather machine, a tiny town brought to life, a heavy metal marching band, a story shed and all kinds of quirky characters roaming along The Parade. The Friday evening finale promises to wow audiences with breath-taking visual spectacles - this year's will see large-scale puppetry and live music in spirited processional event Sense of Unity that will bring communities together in celebration of their town.

Programmed by Watford Palace Theatre, the festival brings world-class acts to the streets of Watford as well as supporting local artists to create new shows.

Watford Palace Theatre’s artistic director Brigid Larmour said: "Come along and join the crowds for Imagine Watford, our festival of extraordinary free performances on our streets.

"We’ve got another amazing line-up. We hope you and your family and friends will join us this year, and make Imagine Watford a regular part of your summer."

In 2011 Watford Borough Council and Watford Palace Theatre initiated Imagine Watford. It was the first major collaboration of the Watford Cultural Leaders Group: Arts Council England, Watford Borough Council, Watford Palace Theatre, West Herts College, Warner Bros. Studios, Watford Colosseum, Watford for You, BBC Concert Orchestra, Hertfordshire County Council and Watford Football Club.

She added: "The festival helped to transform perceptions of the town, kick-starting a process of partnership working between Watford’s cultural organisations, and drove forward a broader agenda of cultural renewal."

The festival is funded by Arts Council England, Watford Borough Council. Headline sponsored by GS8 and NL Property and sponsored by Warner Bros. Studios (Leavesden), Kier Group, West Herts College, Veolia, Watford For You."

Events take place on The Parade, Watford. All events are free and do not require a ticket.

Visit imaginewatford.co.uk for full details, and follow @ImagineWatford on Twitter for live updates.