Shoppers were met by sky ribbons and circus shows as the carnival rolled into Kingston.

Following the first International Youth Arts Festival performance on July 10, the town has featured two new stages and a daily mix of drama, music, circus and dance.

Youngsters dressed in fairytale costumes enjoyed the Enchanted Garden with artist Kay Galbraith before joining belly and hula hoop dancers at the IYAF carnival procession on Sunday.

Meanwhile circus acts took advantage of the sunshine on stage in Market Place and Eagle Brewery Wharf, and theatre troupes delivered their first shows at the Rose, Act and Tiffin Studios.

Festival director Jeremy Sachs said: “The shows are getting great feedback, which is really nice to hear, and we are even getting to see some of them, which has been even better.”

Impromptu shows have also been springing up around the town as a host of international acts set up shop in Kingston.

Collaboration was the name of the game when Mr Sachs delivered a surprise performance on the banjo.

Paired with a member of a German band, the duo was one many acts that took to the stage at the Rose Theatre and Cafe.

Mr Sachs said: “It was nice. A fellow called Axel with a German percussion group got on a drum and it was a sort of international gig for the tech crew and the guys who just came out of the main house.

“I’d gone for dinner by the riverside and was talking to these kids, one of them beatboxing and one of them doing hip hop, and we asked them to play at the Rose and they did a short set in the cafe before I got up with the banjo.

“And we have been talking to a few other companies about doing impromptu performances as ways of promoting their shows.”

The next week will see a medley of aerial, comedy, music, circus and dramatic performances, including a Royal Gala Night on the final weekend with a visit from Prince Edward.

For previews of some of the best shows visit: surreycomet.co.uk/iyaf

Highlights of next week:

Musical of Small Remains at the Rose Theatre - Friday July 19 at 7.30pm

Spinning Skills at Eagle Brewery Wharf – Saturday July 20 at 8pm

Boxed at act main house – Sunday July 21, at 3pm

She Grrrowls at Ram Jam Club – Monday, July 22 at 6pm

Persephone at the Rose Theatre – Tuesday, July 23 at 5.30pm

Tama on Ryosto – This is a Robbery at Tiffin studio – Wednesday, July 24 at 3pm

Royal Gala Night at the Rose Theatre – Thursday, July 25 at 7pm