Spread the festive joy in Barry! Our guide has all the top events and activities that make this season special. From Barry natives to wandering souls, our guide is your key to holiday magic.
Popular events throughout the season include the enchanting Christmas at Bute Park and Arboretum, where illuminated trails and festive markets create a serene winter paradise. With delightful ice skating and a festive atmosphere, Caerphilly on Ice offers a charming experience for all ages. And the Luminate Wales is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it transforms the landscape with stunning light installations. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Barry
- Coral Welsh Grand National (Chepstow)
- Nos Galan Races (Mountain Ash)
- Luminate Wales, Margam Park (Port Talbot)
- Caerphilly on Ice at Caerphilly (Caerphilly)
- Christmas at Bute Park and Arboretum (Cardiff)
- Cardiff Santa Dash (Cardiff)
- Gower Fresh Christmas Trees and Swansea Winter Wonderland (Swansea)
- Mince Pie Special Trains at Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway (Welshpool)
- Christmas Celebrations at Tredegar House & Gardens (Newport)
- Portmeirion Food & Craft Fair (Portmeirion)
See these and even more events listed below!
Barry Holiday Light Displays
Christmas at Bute Park and Arboretum
What to Expect:
World-class light trail with immersive visuals and dynamic choreography.
Description:
Christmas at Bute Park features a reimagined light trail with original audio compositions, dynamic choreography, and jaw-dropping illuminations across 15 distinct zones. The event includes a Christmas Village with local artisan traders and offers an inclusive celebration for all ages.
Where: Cardiff | More Info: Christmas at Bute Park and Arboretum
Caerphilly on Ice at Caerphilly
What to Expect:
Ice sculptures in a winter wonderland setting.
Description:
Caerphilly on Ice is a spectacular winter event in Caerphilly, featuring beautifully crafted ice sculptures and festive atmosphere.
Where: Caerphilly | More Info: Caerphilly on Ice at Caerphilly
Luminate Wales, Margam Park
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations in a historic garden setting.
Description:
Explore the illuminated trail at Margam Country Park, featuring stunning lighting installations and interactive elements set to music, with tasty treats and hot mulled wine available along the way.
Where: Port Talbot | More Info: Luminate Wales, Margam Park
Barry Holiday Markets and Shopping
Winter Food & Craft Fair 2023 at Bargoed Town Centre
What to Expect:
Local food and craft vendors with family entertainment.
Description:
The Winter Food & Craft Fair at Bargoed Town Centre features a variety of local food stalls, craft vendors, and family entertainment, making it a vibrant community event.
Where: Bargoed | More Info: Winter Food & Craft Fair 2023 at Bargoed Town Centre
Portmeirion Food & Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Showcase of local Welsh produce and crafts.
Description:
The Portmeirion Food & Craft Fair is a family-friendly event celebrating diverse local food and crafts. It features artisan stalls exhibiting the best Welsh produce, along with a full program of entertainment to suit every taste.
Where: Portmeirion | More Info: Portmeirion Food & Craft Fair
Barry Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Santa Specials at the Teifi Valley Railway
What to Expect:
Train rides with Santa and festive treats.
Description:
Join the Teifi Valley Railway for a festive celebration featuring train rides, visits to Santa's grotto, and delightful treats like tea, coffee, sherry, sausage rolls, and mince pies. Enjoy a special day out with family and friends.
Where: Newcastle Emlyn | More Info: Santa Specials at the Teifi Valley Railway
Barry Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Celebrations at Tredegar House & Gardens
What to Expect:
Historical mansion with 500 years of Christmas traditions.
Description:
Celebrate 500 years of Christmas traditions at Tredegar House, featuring over 80 decorated trees, festive lights, and period decorations.
Where: Newport | More Info: Christmas Celebrations at Tredegar House & Gardens
Brunch with Santa at Llandegfedd Lake
What to Expect:
Brunch with Santa in a picturesque lakeside setting.
Description:
Brunch with Santa at Llandegfedd Lake offers a delightful meal amidst stunning lake views, perfect for families to enjoy quality time together.
Where: Cwmbran | More Info: Brunch with Santa at Llandegfedd Lake
Speedboat Santa’s Festive Feasts at Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs
What to Expect:
Speedboat-themed holiday celebration with festive feasts.
Description:
Join Speedboat Santa at Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs for a fun-filled event where speedboats and festive feasts come together in a unique celebration.
Where: Lisvane | More Info: Speedboat Santa’s Festive Feasts at Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs
Mince Pie Special Trains at Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway
What to Expect:
Steam-heated carriages with mince pies.
Description:
Enjoy a delightful post-Christmas journey with your loved ones aboard the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, complete with mince pies in the steam-heated carriages.
Where: Welshpool | More Info: Mince Pie Special Trains at Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway
Christmas Celebrations at Erddig
What to Expect:
Traditional Christmas decorations and unique reverse grotto supporting a local foodbank.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas at Erddig with beautifully decorated rooms inspired by "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Enjoy festive storytelling, Christmas crafts, and seasonal treats. Meet Father Christmas for breakfast or supper, and support the local foodbank by donating essentials.
Where: Wrexham | More Info: Christmas Celebrations at Erddig
Gower Fresh Christmas Trees and Swansea Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas scenes with live reindeer and Santa's Grotto.
Description:
Gower Fresh Christmas Trees and Swansea Winter Wonderland offer a festive experience with a vast array of Christmas trees, live reindeer, and Santa's Grotto. Visitors can wander through fields of trees, feed reindeer, and enjoy interactive scenes with elves and polar bears. The event includes a large walkthrough area with various Christmas scenes and the opportunity to meet Santa.
Where: Swansea | More Info: Gower Fresh Christmas Trees and Swansea Winter Wonderland
Cardiff Santa Dash
What to Expect:
5K festive run with free T-shirt and prizes.
Description:
Join the Cardiff Santa Dash, a 5K festive run around Cardiff Bay, starting at 10am with registration and 12pm race start. Tickets are £12 per person or £40 for a group of four, with children under five free. Enjoy a free T-shirt and prizes for best dressed.
Where: Cardiff | More Info: Cardiff Santa Dash
Halloween Fancy Dress Children’s Disco at Penarth Pier Pavilion
What to Expect:
Spooky tunes and Halloween treats for kids.
Description:
Join us at Penarth Pier Pavilion for a spooky Halloween disco, featuring spooky tunes, party games, and a delicious Halloween cupcake. Enjoy a fun-packed afternoon with your little ones, accompanied by a maximum of two adults.
Where: Penarth | More Info: Halloween Fancy Dress Children’s Disco at Penarth Pier Pavilion
Halloween Creepy-Crawlies at Dyffryn
What to Expect:
Interactive nature-based event with insect-themed activities.
Description:
Explore the fascinating world of creepy crawlies at Dyffryn Gardens with seven minibeast-themed activities, including throwing spots on a ladybird and using insect goggles to see like an insect.
Where: St. Nicholas | More Info: Halloween Creepy-Crawlies at Dyffryn
Nos Galan Races
What to Expect:
Unique blend of athletic competition and festive celebration.
Description:
The Nos Galan Road Races are an annual 5km event held in Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, celebrating the life of local athlete Guto Nyth Brân. The races attract over 1,700 competitors and 10,000 spectators, featuring a mystery runner, children's races, and a festive atmosphere.
Where: Mountain Ash | More Info: Nos Galan Races
Ghost hunt, Gwrych Castle
What to Expect:
Immersive ghost hunting experience in a historic, Grade I-listed castle.
Description:
Join Haunting Nights for an overnight ghost hunt at Gwrych Castle, exploring its haunted history and encountering paranormal activity.
Where: Abergele | More Info: Ghost hunt, Gwrych Castle
Coral Welsh Grand National
What to Expect:
Historic and challenging long-distance horse racing event.
Description:
The Coral Welsh Grand National is a prestigious National Hunt event held at Chepstow Racecourse, featuring a demanding 3 miles and 6½ furlongs steeplechase with 23 fences. It attracts top-quality horses and jockeys, offering a thrilling day of racing with high-quality food vendors and live entertainment.
Where: Chepstow | More Info: Coral Welsh Grand National
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Penarth (5 miles)
- Cardiff (7 miles)
- Caerphilly (12 miles)
- Weston-super-Mare (14 miles)
- Pontypridd (14 miles)
- Coity (14 miles)
- Bridgend (15 miles)
- Risca (16 miles)
- Burnham-on-Sea (17 miles)
- Tonypandy (17 miles)
- Newport (18 miles)
- Clevedon (19 miles)
- Rhondda (19 miles)
- Cwmbran (21 miles)
- Bridgwater (22 miles)
- Nailsea (23 miles)
- Portishead (23 miles)
- Aberdare (23 miles)
- Pontypool (23 miles)
- Merthyr Tydfil (24 miles)
- Ebbw Vale (26 miles)
- Taunton (28 miles)
- Briton Ferry (28 miles)
- Neath (29 miles)
- Bristol (30 miles)
- Mendip (31 miles)
- Swansea (32 miles)
- Kingswood (34 miles)
- Mangotsfield (34 miles)
- Gorseinon (38 miles)
- Yate (38 miles)
- Chipping Sodbury (39 miles)
- Bath (40 miles)
- Barnstaple (40 miles)
- Ammanford (41 miles)
- Yeovil (42 miles)
- Llanelli (42 miles)
- Frome (43 miles)