Events

Here's a selection of just some of the festivals and events taking place in Wales.

January - March

See in the New Year in Cardiff, Calennig, which is Welsh for "New Year celebration/gift", with lots of bands and a great funfare.

In February and March it's the Six nations rugby internationals Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

1 March is St David’s Day (Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant), when we celebrate our Patron Saint at events around the country. 

April

Laugharne Weekend Festival - Enjoy Literature, music and comedy

Focus Music Festival, Wrexham

May/June

Big Walk Wales 4 - 6 May 2013
Enjoy a walk in the beautiful Welsh countryside or coast this bank holiday.

Kaya Festival
Celebrating diversity, music and arts in beautiful north Wales. Takes place from 25 – 26 May.

Diffusion
Cardiff International Festival of Photography 1-31 May 2013. A month long festival of exhibitions, discussions, screenings, performances, events and celebrations in both physical and virtual spaces and places.

Hay Festival of Literature
Britain’s ‘town of books’ is the ideal setting for this literary festival with an international reputation. 23 May - 2 June 2013.

Urdd National Eisteddfod (Youth Eisteddfod)
Europe’s largest youth arts festival. Pembrokeshire from 27 May to 1 June.

Pembrokeshire Fish Week.
Around the coast of Pembrokeshire with cookery demonstrations, fishing and boat trips, children's workshops, fishing competitions and much more. Taking place 22 - 30 June 2013.

Go to the Speedway Grand Prix for lots of great biking action at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. 1 June 2013.

International Cricket: The ICC Champions Trophy takes place this June, with many of the matches taking place in Cardiff.

July

Beyond the Border in St Donats, Vale of Glamorgan, Welsh International Storytelling Festival. 

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is one of Wales’s major annual events - a truly international festival of music, dance and song. 9 - 14 July 2013.

Sesiwn Fawr (Big Session) in Dolgellau, a weekend of Celtic bands, rock, pop and beer. 19 - 21 July 2013.

Wakestock in Abersoch, Llŷn Peninsula, Europe’s largest wakeboard music festival. 12 - 14 July 2013.

Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells, Britain’s most popular agricultural show. 22- 25 July 2013.

The Big Cheese in Caerphilly is one of the largest free gatherings of re-enactments, entertainers, music and folk dancing. 26 - 28 July 2013.

St Davids Folk Festival Enjoy a friendly family occasion, this year’s festival is located in the grounds of the medieval Bishop’s Palace in the Close of St Davids Cathedral. 27 July 2013.

August

National Eisteddfod of Wales, this cultural gathering is dedicated to Welsh, Britain’s oldest living language but non-Welsh speakers are very welcome. 2 - 10 August 2013.

Brecon Jazz Festival is an International festival attracting the top names from the world of jazz. 9 - 11 August 2013.

Anglesey County Show another great agricultural Show. 13 - 14 August 2013.

The Green Man Festival is an alternative 3 day folk festival in the Brecon Beacons. 15 - 18 August 2013.

World Bog Snorkelling Championship in Llanwrtyd Wells, competitors snorkel the length of a peaty murky trench in a Mid Wales bog. 25 August 2013.

September

Open Doors events - in September many buildings in Wales not normally accessible to the public will be throwing open their doors to visitors. Takes place throughout September. Programme available in August.

Abergavenny Food Festival with local produce and international delicacies, celebrity chefs, masterclasses, tastings and street stalls. 21 - 22 September 2013.

Elvis Festival in the seaside town of Porthcawl is the biggest Elvis festival in Europe, attracting Elvis tribute acts from all over the world. 27 - 29 September 2013.

October/November

Swn Festival in Cardiff, a 3 day music festival showcasing the best of new music coming in and out of Wales.

Dylan Thomas Festival in Swansea, talks, performances, exhibitions, readings and music with a Dylan Thomas theme. The festival takes place each year from 27 October - 9 November at the Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea.

WOMEX 13 - the world music expo is coming to Cardiff, capital city of Wales 23 - 27 October 2013.

November

 Wales Rally GB final round of the World Rally Championship. 14 - 17 November 2013 in north Wales.

The Soundtrack International Film and Music Festival for Wales in Cardiff, a distinctive film festival, celebrating the most creative, inspired and exciting use of music in film. Takes place in November. The programme will be announced in October.

Victorian Christmas in Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey, entertainment from Victorian performers, warm mulled wine and roasted chestnuts and get your Christmas shopping done while soaking up the yuletide atmosphere. 30 November 2013.

December

Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland - Outdoor ice skating and family entertainment on Cardiff’s City Hall Lawn.

Swansea Winter Wonderland - Visit Santa and his reindeers and soak up the festive atmosphere.

Events take place throughout the year at Cadw sites throughout Wales, that include many of our castles.

Check our Musical Festivals and Events page and our Literary and Arts Events page for more events in Wales.

Events given for general information. Please check with the official sites for details.

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