THE 45th Salisbury International Arts Festival gets underway tomorrow (Friday, May 26) bringing Québécois culture to the city.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will open the festival at Salisbury Cathedral, 7.30pm.

Under the baton of young Danish conductor Christian Kluxen, the orchestra performs Mendelssohn’s music for A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The programme of music also includes Tchaikovsky Symphony No 6, Pathètique.

And over the bank holiday weekend, there will be a two-day programme of free street entertainment that will fill every coroner of the city centre.

The City Encounters programme takes place on Sunday and Monday, 11am to 6pm and features a range of street theatre, dance, circus, music and family activities. These will take place in the Guildhall Square and Market Place as well as other locations around the city.

The festival’s Play Day is also back on Monday offering a free afternoon of activities from tots to teens.

Illyria will be at the Wardrobe Museum Gardens on Saturday for an outdoor performance of The Emperor’s New Clothes, 3.30pm. Join magic Morgan and West at Salisbury Arts Centre on Sunday, 8pm and on Tuesday Cas Public perform Symphonie Dramatique at Salisbury Playhouse, 8pm.

There will also be live music in venues across the city as part of Salisbury Live on Friday and Saturday.

On Sunday there will be something for all the family with Live@The Farm at Riverbourne Community Farm, 3pm-10pm.

The 16-day festival runs until June 10.

For the full line-up of acts and tickets go to salisburyfestival.co.uk or call 0845 241 9651.