August is here and it’s the perfect time to experience & discover Wales & its rich and varied heritage. This year the Welsh Government has planned a whole lot of events which caters to people of all genres. Whether you’re a fun seeking family, a chilled out couple, or anything in-between, there are plenty of things to do in Wales during these events. Choose from a slow paced day seeing castles, museums and tasting their wonderful local produce, or get lively with some outdoor activities or even a music festival or a sporting event. Rest assured , you won’t be bored in Wales!!!
September 2013
Ironman Wales – 8th September 2013
Pembrokeshire, Wales.
The bike course for Ironman Wales is a two loop course totalling 180 kilometres of spectacular coastal views through idyllic towns giving rides over 2,000 metres of altitude difference throughout the course! The first loop is longer, extending west from Lamphey to Angle peninsula and Pembroke, returning through Lamphey before turning north through Carew and Templeton to reach Narberth. From Narberth the course travels south through Saundersfoot to return to Tenby via St Brides Hill. On the second lap, cyclists turn east in Lamphey to repeat the same route through Narberth and Saundersfoot to reach the transition in Tenby.
Roald Dahl Day Portmeirion Festival No. 6 – 13th – 15th September 2013
Portmeirion Village, Gwynedd, North Wales.
The official Roald Dahl Day takes place every year on 13 September, on the birthday of the World’s No. 1 Storyteller. This year’s Roald Dahl Day will see fans from all over the world come together to celebrate this most splendiferous of occasions. The swizzfiggling Big Friendly Giant ( BFG ) is famous for catching, creating and making dreams come true. So this year we’re inviting you to Dream BIG with the BFG.
13th – 15th September 2013
Portmeirion Festival No. 6 – 13th – 15th September 2013
Portmeirion Village, Gwynedd, North Wales.
Portmeirion is a unique and magical site, offering nature and eccentricity in equal measures. It perfectly reflects our vision of an intimate boutique music and arts festival, sculpted for those who enjoy life’s finer things. A festival which is a scene but not a herd, which explores and embraces individual expression and offers you the chance to put reality on hold for a few days. Lose yourself in your own fairytale in the iconic setting where ‘The Prisoner’ was filmed.
Glyndwr Day – 16th September 2013
Corwen , Denbighshire ,Wales
It was on September 16, in 1400 that the Welsh rebel leader started his revolt by torching the town of Ruthin. Schools, businesses, and community groups in Corwen and Harlech and other places will celebrate Owain Glyndwr Day tomorrow. There will be red and yellow bunting, balloons, services, dancing and lectures in Corwen as well as the launch of a new community bus service. This special patriotic day will also be celebrated in Harlech with children joining workshops and a torchlight procession and everybody encouraged to dress up for the occasion.
ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL – 21st – 22nd September 2013
The festival was founded in 1999, by two local farmers, Chris Wardle and Martin Orbach. Over the years the festival has grown to become one of the leading food events in the UK, attracting visitors from all over the country and from abroad. It has remained true to its founding principles. Brewin Dolphin Ltd is the sponsor of the Abergavenny Food Festival. The event now comprises of Around 220 stalls spread across several indoor sites in the centre of Abergavenny and throughout central streets. Around 50 individually ticketed events: Master Classes, Tutored Tastings, Talks, Forays and Debates – featuring some of the brightest lights of the food world. Children’s Food Academy at The Castle (family-friendly venue) – featuring interactive workshops for all ages inspiring the next generation of chefs. ‘Rude Health’ Speakers Corner: soapbox rants from celebrity guests and food luminaries. Rolling programme of Chef Dems in The Market Hall and in the Fish Market at The Priory Centre featuring the region’s finest Restaurant Tasters at St Michael’s Centre where top chefs and restaurateurs from across Wales cook their signature dishes.
Party at The Castle: An evening of wild music and fabulous food – capacity: 1,000.
Tenby Arts Festival – 21 st September 2013
Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Tenby is lovingly protected from the outside world by an embrace of 13th-century stone walls, which, ironically, attract—not repel—visitors from all over the world. The town is simply adorable, teeming with the archetypes of pubs and shops one would expect to find in a U.K. city. Theatrical and literary events and Sand Sculpture building on the beach colourful Town Parade exuberantly making its way through the streets of Tenby.
Great British Cheese Festival – 21st – 22nd September 2013
Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, Wales
The Great British Cheese Festival has made its home, slap bang in the middle of the beautiful setting of Cardiff Castle. Gather your foodie friends together, and make your way here, to try, taste and buy from the finest selection of Great British cheeses. And with samplings and tastings, masterclasses and demonstrations, you will get a real insight into the subtle art of cheese making.
Porthcawl Elvis Festival – 27th – 29th September 2013
Porthcawl, Wales
Every September thousands of Elvis fans descend on the Welsh seaside town of Porthcawl for a unique celebration of The King. The feature events are the Official Shows taking place in the magnificent Grand Pavilion. These include The Elvies, the World’s leading award Show for Elvis Tribute Artists.In addition, The Hi Tide host over 100 shows over the weekend, many with free admission. Finally, over 20 venues in & around the Town form the Fringe Festival, making Porthcawl the largest Elvis event in Europe.
October 2013
Neath Food Festival – 4th -5 th October 2013
Neath Port Talbot, Wales
The festival will be a celebration of local produce and Neath’s historic market town atmosphere. There will be lots going on for all the family including cookery demonstrations, children’s activities, produce shows, live music and community projects. Themes of cooking, nutrition, health & well being and community involvement will be evident throughout the town. Local Neath restaurants, cafe’s, hotels and bars will be hosting food & drink themed events during the festival. There will also be a programme of musical entertainment in Victoria Gardens and fitness demonstrations in Angel Square.
SWN Festival – 18th – 21st October 2013
Cardiff, Wales
Sŵn promotes and celebrates new music coming in and out of Wales. .
They put on gigs and events all year round, predominantly in Wales, from their base in Cardiff, which is where they host their annual multi venue Sŵn Festival from where this all began. They curate stages at other festivals and events when they’re invited too, sometimes bringing a Welsh flavour to an event, sometimes introducing new UK and international bands, sometimes bringing music to a non-music event. They’ve worked with events and organizations such as In The City, Camden Crawl, Stag & Dagger, Sounds From The Other City (Salford), HowTheLightGetsIn, Cardiff Admiral Big Weekend (and Cardiff Council), The Pierhead Sessions and FFresh (both via The Festivals Company), Artes Mundi (and the National Museum Cardiff) and Square Festival.
Dylan Thomas Festival – 27th October – 9th November 2013
Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea, Wales
Dylan Marlais Thomas (27 October 1914 – 9 November 1953) was a Welsh poet and writer whose works include the poems, “Do not go gentle into that good night“, “And death shall have no dominion“, the “play for voices”, Under Milk Wood, and stories and radio broadcasts such as A Child’s Christmas in Wales and Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog. He became popular in his lifetime, and remained popular after his death; partly due to his larger than life character, and his reputation for drinking to excess. There will be plenty to enjoy at this year’s Dylan Thomas Festival, as it showcases talent from Wales and beyond, in this multi-arts celebration of Swansea’s most famous son, his friends, contemporaries, and those he has influenced. Those already confirmed include the Stan Tracey Quintet performing their acclaimed interpretation of Dylan’s A Child’s Christmas in Wales, readings from Paul Durcan, Samantha Wynne Rhydderch, Ros Barber, Roshi Fernando and Kevin Barry. With launches by Menna Elfyn and Nigel Jenkins. We’ll also be joined by internationally renowned journalist, Graham Hunter, who’ll be discussing Barcelona FC and Swansea City.
Abertoir Film Festival – 31st October – 3rd November 2013
The Aberystwyth Arts Centre in Ceredigion, Wales
Abertoir is an annual horror and horror film festival. Abertoir is Wales’ only horror festival and is a member of the European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation. As well as screening new big-budget horror films, classics and independent films form a large and important part of the festival line-up. Each year a short film competition is held, which showcases horror and fantasy short films from around the world. In addition to film screenings, the festival regularly features concerts, theatre shows and masterclasses in its line up. The festival is closely linked with the Aberystwyth Arts Centre book shop, collaborating on events such as book signings and talks.
December 2013
Cardiff Winter Wonderland – 1st December 2013 – 3rd January 2014
Cardiff Civic Centre, Cardiff, Wales
The highlight of Christmas in the city has to be Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland. Cardiff knows how to do Christmas in style, with fantastic Christmas events and attractions citywide. Cardiff is illuminated from the 15th November, when the Christmas lights switch on ceremony is carried out. The ‘Step into Christmas’ event runs from 4pm to 8pm in the city centre. Not only will the city be counting down to the big switch on, but revellers will also be able to enjoy an exciting programme of family entertainment.
Cardiff’s iconic Civic Centre will be transformed into an amazing winter wonderland with lots to enjoy for the whole family. The open air Admiral ice skating rink on City Hall Lawn is open daily with sessions to suit every skater. If you don’t fancy taking to the ice yourself but would instead prefer to sit and watch with a mug or plate of something warm and tasty, head to the ice bar, offering hot drinks, mulled wine and a menu of seasonal Welsh produce. It’s a fine place to spend an hour watching the action on the ice. The Star Ride is a thrilling spinning chair ride that reaches 60m up high. Those brave enough for the ride will be rewarded with panoramic views of the city.
No city is complete without a Christmas market and the Cardiff markets offer an amazing opportunity to pick up gifts and treats. Trinity Street, Working Street, the Hates and the St John’s Church areas of the city will be lined with wooden huts and stalls selling all types of festive goods. Expect traditional Welsh produce to remind you of your stay in the Welsh capital, and lots of yummy foodie treats such as hot pancakes, mulled wine and hand made chocolates.
The Royal Welsh Winter Fair – 2nd – 3rd December 2013
Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells, Wales
Set in the heart of rural Wales & priding itself on being the best primestock event in the UK, Royal Welsh Winter Fair has something to offer everyone. The main attraction for the event is, of course, the tremendous display of livestock, with an average of 1400 entries in both the livestock and equine competitions each year, showing off the best of British farming. You may also want to take advantage of the 300 tradestands on site, or sample some of the displays and attractions programmed over the two days. So why not come and join the Christmas atmosphere in the extensive Showground Pavilions and Exhibition Halls. Whatever you are interested in, you are sure to enjoy the Welsh Winter Fair!
Caerphilly Castle Medieval Fayre – 7th – 8th December 2013
Caerphilly Castle, Wales
Enjoy a wonderful experience for the whole family and travel back in time to days of old. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of a town and castle preparing for Christmas. Listen to seasonal music and laugh at the hilarious frolics of the ‘Castle Jester’. Browse Caerphilly’s medieval market with over 150 traders around the event site selling food, replica medieval goods and traditional crafts. An offering of medieval acts and entertainment will entertain the young and old plus a variety of Christmas activities will keep the whole family entertained.