IT'S WALES' biggest party - and this year it's in Wales' newest city.

The Eisteddfod, which every year alternates between North and South Wales, last came to Newport in 1988.

This summer's festival will be in the same location at Tredegar House, but the event itself promises to be much bigger and much better.

The official ceremonies, such as the crowning of the bard and awarding of the prose medal and chair will all take place in the main Pavilion between July 21 and August 7.

And there are also going to be plenty of evening concerts during the festival dates to make the 2004 Eisteddfod one to remember. It all begins on the evening of Friday, July 30 with Gorfoledd Gwent, an evening of entertainment from the best and the brightest of local artists and musicians straight after the opening ceremony.

On August 1, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Julian Lloyd Webber will perform Hoddinott's Celebration Dances, Elgar's Cello Concerto and Dvorak's popular Symphony No. 9.

The next evening, Aled Jones joins his voice with the winners of last year Wales Choir competition, Ysgol Cerdd Ceredigion, conducted by Islywn Evans. On August 3 there's Welsh theatre in Ffatri Freuddwydion, scripted by Gareth Evans and featuring pupils from two local Welsh schools.

The play is the story of a young Welsh girl fleeing to Hollywood to find fame and fortune and getting more than a few surprises.

The Eisteddfod Choir and Orchestra, featuring soloists Jason Howard, Timothy Richards, Eirian James and Jennifer Rhys Davies, perform Dvorak's Stabat Mater on August 5 and the following day sees a celebration of Wales' longest-running soap opera, Pobol y Cwm.

And it all concludes at the weekend with Saturday's Gala of Competitions and Sunday's traditional evening of congregational hymn singing.

For more information call the Eisteddfod office on 0845 120 9555 or visit www.eisteddfod.com