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. Unlock a land of myths and legends, vibrant history and culture, stately homes, mighty castles and great gardens, all enveloped by rugged coast and dramatic landscapes.
Rest assured , you won’t be bored in Wales!!!
June 2014
The 5th Seafair Haven Festival – 7th to 14th June 2014 – Pembrokeshire, Wales
Seafair Haven is a maritime festival which takes place biennially, for traditional and classic vessels and long boat rowing to celebrate the magnificent Milford Haven Waterway in Pembrokeshire. From the sheltered upper reaches, to the dramatic scenery of St Ann’s Head, there will be opportunities to meet up with old friends and make new ones whilst enjoying the heritage, culture and welcome of the picturesque Host Ports. http://www.seafairhaven.org.uk/
Gregynog Festival – 13th June 2014 – Powys in Mid Wales
Gregynog Festival is the oldest festival of its kind in Wales and one of the UK’s premier classical music events. Located in the beautiful countryside of the Welsh Borders, it brings the finest international artists together in a house-party atmosphere to perform programmes inspired by an annual curatorial theme. http://gregynogfestival.org/festival-2014/
Snowdonia Arts Festival – 14th to 15th June 2014 – Betws-y-Coed, Wales
Betws-y-Coed and the Conwy Valley have retained a strong connection with the arts ever since the original artists’ colony. Many artists and craftsmen live and work in the area, and The Snowdonia Arts Festival has been organised to celebrate the artistic heritage of the area, the artists currently working here, and the artistic endeavours of local schoolchildren through workshops and competitions.
Swansea International Jazz Festival – 20th to 22nd June 2014 – The Dylan Thomas Centre, Wales
Swansea Jazzland, in conjunction with Swansea Metropolitan University, Swansea City Council and Arts Council Wales will be presenting Swansea International Jazz Festival. A full and varied programme of jazz over the weekend with a combination of ticketed and Free events. http://www.sijf.co.uk/
Glastonbury – 25th to 29th June 2014 – Somerset, Wales
In many ways, Glastonbury is like loads of different festivals converging on the same gorgeous countryside for the weekend. Each area of the Festival has its own character, its own loyal fans and its own special attractions: so Silver Hayes (formerly the Dance Village) is as distinct from the Green Fields as the Circus & Theatre fields are from The Park. http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/glastonbury/2014
Pembrokeshire Fish week – 28th June to 6th July 2014 – Pembrokshire, Wales
If you love good food, enjoy beach and out door activities or just great family fun, then you will definitely enjoy thePembrokeshire Fish Week Festival and there is plenty for non fish lovers too. There are also lots of opportunities for keen cooks to learn how to get the best out of their fish and shellfish in a variety of demonstrations and master classes with top chefs. http://www.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk/
Swansea Pride – 28th June 2014 – Swasea , Wales
Raising awareness about the issues and difficulties affecting the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Cultivating a sentiment in favour of equality and diversityin particular through celebrating the diversity of the LGBT community. Staging an annual LGBT festival and smaller events throughout the region. http://www.swanseapride.com/
The Dylanathon – 28th June 2014 – Dylan Thomas Birthplace, Swansea, Wales
The Dylanathon is a photographic competition with a twist. It’s not just for the professional but anyone with a digital camera, smartphone or tablet looking for a fun and challenging day out. This competition is not just for the technically proficient. We are looking for inspired interpretations of the subjects – one photo of each of ten Dylan related subjects over an eight hour period.http://www.dylanathon.com/
All Wales Boat Show – 30th May to 1st June 2014 – Conwy Quay Marina, Wales
The All Wales Boat Show is a celebratory festival of all water-based activities & is unique to the Region with a catchment. The All Wales Boat Show, WYA will again be offering you the opportunity to refresh your boating skills and gain top tips from expert’8 instructors at the All Wales Boat Show. FREE on-the-water and shorebased workshops in partnership with Celtic Cruising & Snowdonia Sailing School. http://www.onthewater.co.uk/events/event_items/all_wales_boat_show_2014.aspx
NoFit State Circus – 23rd May to 7th June 2014 – Cardiff, Wales
Wales’ own NoFit State Circus returns home with award-winning BIANCO, a show that has set audiences alight throughout the world. BIANCO is a tale of beauty and transformation, with death defying circus skills set to intoxicating live music in a non-stop two hour celebration of life. It is an all-consuming experience where the audience is at the heart of the action. http://www.nofitstate.org/shows/bianco/boxoffice
Woodfest Wales – 27th to 29th June 2014 – St Asaph, Wales
An interactive festival, full of exciting things to do for all the family. Step back in time and see craftsmen and women carrying out traditional Crafts and skills – creating beautiful, facinating and functional art, sculptures, objects, buildings and more. Watch the latest high tech forest equipment demonstrated by working professionals. Woodfest has 7 different event arenas with exhilarating displays on constantly along with over 150 outside stands of demonstrations and trade, and 6 main marquees full of interesting and unique goods produced in this country. http://www.woodfestwales.co.uk/
Gower Folk Festival – 13th to 15th June 2014 – Gower Peninsula, Wales
Gower Folk Festival is unique, with fantastic music set amidst the scenery of Gower in an award-winning micro-brewery pub! Our atmosphere is legendary, both audience & performer are members of an exclusive musical party taking place in a very special location, the Gower peninsula. Camping is provided on site, so there will be nothing easier than sliding out of your tent into a workshop or concert. This is an area of outstanding natural beauty with sandy beaches, ruined castles & wild ponies, all within walking distance of the festival. http://www.gowerfolkfestival.co.uk/
JULY
Cardiff Bay Beach – 1st July to 30 Sept 2014 – Cardiff Bay, Wales
Cardiff Bay Beach will include a giant child-friendly beach, a shallow water play area, live music and entertainment from local music and dance groups and traditional seaside rides and stalls. For the more energetic amongst us, the beach will also have goalposts and volleyball nets for beach soccer and beach volleyball tournaments. And if beach sports aren’t your scene why not relax on a deckchair under our giant parasols. http://www.cardiffbaybeach.co.uk/
Beyond the Border Story Telling Festival – 4th to 6th July 2014 – St Donats Castle, South Wales, Wales
Beyond the Border is a magnificent three-day festival of stories and music from Wales and across the world. Join us as we celebrate our 21st birthday with a feast of storytelling, poetry, music, singing, theatre, circus, puppets, films and much more. http://www.beyondtheborder.com/festival/
The Caerleon Arts Festival – 4th to 13th July 2014 – Caerleon, Wales
During the Festival fortnight there will be literature on the lawn with ‘Meet the Authors’ at the Priory Hotel, laughter on the lawn with our Third All Wales Comic Verse Competition Finals, again at the Priory Hotel and the School Art & Music Awards at the Celtic Manor. There will be ‘A Regular Little Houdini’ to the Town Hall, a one man show written and performed by Daniel Llewelyn-Williams (following its sell out appearance at the Riverside). The Morriston Orpheus Choir with guest vocalist, Iona Jones (soprano), will perform at St Cadoc’s Church as will famed poet Roger McGough CBE, promoting his new book of poetry ‘As Far as I Know’.
Return Journey Promenade Performance – 5th to 6th July 2014
National Waterfront Museum to Cwmdonkin Park, Wales
A promenade production, in association with the Dylan Thomas Centre, through the streets of Swansea starting at the NationalWaterfrontMuseum and ending in CwmdonkinPark. Relive the author’s journey through blitzed Swansea surrounded by the sights and sounds of the city. The performance uses local performers and contains historical information about the Swansea of Dylan’s youth. The participants will also receive an information pack with excerpts from his works, history and maps of the period.
Stan Tracey’s Under Milk Wood Jazz Suite – 10th July 2014 – Reynoldston Village Hall, Wales
DT Jazz and the Gower Festival are delighted to present this special performance.
This special performance of Stan Tracey’s iconic jazz masterpiece which was inspired by Dylan’s play for voices sees professional actors and musicians from Thomas’ home town of Swansea combine for this multi-media presentation. http://dylanthomas100.org/english/events/stan-traceys-under-milk-wood-jazz-suite/
Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival – 11th to 13th July 2014 – Roald Dahl Plas, Cardiff , Wales
The foodie event of the summer returns to Cardiff Bay, with a glorious spread of farmhouse cheese, handmade chocolates, specialist liqueurs and much, much more to tempt the taste buds. With over 100 specialist food and drink producers and a beautiful waterfront venue it’s the perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy the free entertainment. Enjoy a varied programme of entertainment; music from the bandstand includes Soul, Jazz, Folk, Skiffle and Country and Western along with a cornucopia of hilarious walkabout entertainment. Come along to the Celtic Manor Food Theatre and join in a range of food demonstrations and hands-on workshops. Signature dishes and seasonal recipes will be prepared using local fresh ingredients many of which are available to buy on site. Plus don’t miss the daily children’s workshops where budding young chefs can create their own dishes. Please sign up for children’s workshops at the Information van on the day. http://www.game-fairs.co.uk/food-festivals/july-2014/
Cardigan Bay Seafood Festival – 13th July 2014 – Aberaeron Harbour, Wales
Over the years, the Cardigan Bay Seafood Festival has grown to be one of the highlights of the food calendar in Wales and several thousand people are expected to flock to the quayside this summer to see and taste the best of local seafood, fish and other produce.
Bi-Lingual Literature Festival – 18th to 20th July 2014 – Dylan Thomas Centre, Wales
A weekend celebration of bi-lingual literature and exciting events curated by Menna Elfyn , one of the most significant poets writing in Wales today and the author of over twenty books.
http://www.wherecanwego.com/event/758743-bi-lingual-literature-festival/events.aspx
Fishguard International Music Festival – 19th to 26th July 2014 – Fishguard, Wales
Fishguard International Music Festival goes from strength to strength with increased Arts Council of Wales & other support enabling the artistic director to provide a diverse range of orchestral, choral & chamber music featuring international artists. Musicians from across the world will be taking part in this year’s ‘Festival. http://www.festivalsforall.com/festival/fishguard-international-music-festival-2014
Royal Welsh Show – 21st to 24th July 2014 – Builth Wells , Wales
The role of the modern Royal Welsh Show is a rounded one. As well as its principal function of showcasing the cream of Welsh livestock & high quality food and drink produced in Wales, it encompasses the wider spectrum of farming & rural life and successfully bridges the gap between town and country. It provides something to interest everyone through its kaleidoscopic range of activities including forestry, horticulture, crafts, countryside sports, Sports Village and a 12 hour programme of exciting entertainment that continues throughout each of the four days of the event. http://www.rwas.co.uk/royal-welsh-show/
The Big Cheese Festival – 27th to 29th July 2014 – Caerphilly, Wales
The Big Cheese Festival is set in the historic town of Caerphilly. A variety of musical fanfair, falconry display, folk dancing, street acts, fire easting, food tasting & put on to entertain you throughout the weekend. You can also see the famous “Great Cheese Race. This friendly massive event attracts 80,000 tourists to celebrate the culture and hsitory of Caerphilly. All the entertainment is FREE so it won’t cost you a penny to experience this wonderful event. http://www.thefestivalcalendar.co.uk/festivals/food/The_Big_Cheese_Festival_2013
AUGUST
The National Eisteddfod of Wales – 1st to 9th Aug 2014 – Llanelli, Wales
The Eisteddfod is one of the world’s greatest cultural festivals, held during the first week of August every year. The Eisteddfod in Carmarthenshire will be held on Festival Fields, Millennium Coastal Park, Llanelli from 1-9 August, with the town’s new theatre, Y Ffwrnes, and we hope to welcome around 150,000 visitors to the area for a wonderful week to celebrate the Welsh language and the culture of Wales. http://www.eisteddfod.org.uk/english/2014/
Round Anglesey Race – 9th to 10th Aug 2014 – Menai Bridge, Wales
The Round Anglesey Race is a legendary sailing race that has been gracing Anglesey’s shoreline since 1966. The annual race is exciting and sometimes even hair-raising but the chance to sail around the Island’s beautiful coastline in demanding sea conditions is what makes this a race sailors wouldn’t miss for the world!
http://www.angleseywatersport.com/sailing/
Conwy River Festival – 9th to 17th Aug 2014 – Conwy, Wales
CRF runs for a full week and offers an array of water-based activities plus shoreside entertainment for all the family. The racing attracts boats from all over North Wales and the North West as well as entries from further afield, with enthusiastic participation from the two local marinas at Conwy and Deganwy. (Berthing for competitors is provided free at one of the marinas, see race entry forms for details). The emphasis is on racing for fun and to improve your skills (rather than an endurance test), so races are short – no more than 3 hours – and courses are set out in the open waters of Conwy Bay where there’s plenty of room and little tide. http://www.conwyriverfestival.org/
Glass Butter Beach – 15th to 16th Aug 2014 – Llanbedrog, Wales
Whether you’re in to great live music & DJ’s, comedy & films, surfing, skateboarding, wakeboarding, BMX, beach volleyball or latest craze of Stand Up Paddle Boarding, then this new Welsh festival is perfect for you. You can watch top live bands & DJ’s on one of the 3 stages including an open air main stage overlooking St Tudwal’s islands, be entertained by some stand up comedy whilst enjoying a drink at the various bars including a cool beach bar, or marvel at some of the sports best athletes in the world of surf, wake, skate & BMX as they compete for their respective titles at festival. http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/glassbutter/2014
The Presteigne Festival of Music and Arts – 21st to 26th Aug 2014 – Presteigne, Wales
Situated in an intimate town nestling on the Powys/Herefordshire border, the Presteigne Festival has become a mecca for those seeking musical nourishment and artistic discovery in the idyllic surroundings of the Welsh Marches. With a truly forward looking commissioning policy, the organisation works closely with composers and artists to create and curate inspiring programmes and events for an ever-widening Festival community. The Festival has a long tradition of supporting young artists and specialises in the promotion and presentation of contemporary classical music. https://www.presteignefestival.com/
Swansea Bay Beer Festival – 21st to 23rd Aug 2014 – Brangwyn hall, Wales
There will be over 100 Real Ales along with Welsh Ciders and Perry. Live bands will also be playing at the Brangwyn Hall main stage. Food will be available to purchase. We welcome all to try a taste of the new, unusual, or just your favourites! There are new breweries opening up and we can showcase the brewers art. Please don’t forget, this is a BEER festival, no spirits will be available! We encourage responsible consumption. http://www.thefestivalcalendar.co.uk/festivals/food/Swansea_Bay_Beer_Festival_2012