Celebrate the festive magic of Cardiff with our holiday event guide. From Cardiff residents to wandering spirits, this guide ensures you catch every moment of seasonal magic.
Step into the festive spirit at the Cardiff Christmas Market, where a delightful array of handmade crafts and seasonal treats awaits. Bright lights and charming displays can be found at the Cardiff Christmas Lights, transforming the city's streets into a twinkling wonderland. And the Cardiff Winter Wonderland is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring an ice rink and festive rides for all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Cardiff
- Cardiff Winter Wonderland
- Cardiff Christmas Festival
- Cardiff Christmas Lights
- Cardiff Christmas Market
- Christmas at Bute Park and Arboretum
- Caerphilly Christmas Market (Caerphilly)
- Caerphilly on Ice (Caerphilly)
- Reindeer Lodge (Swansea)
- Swansea Winter Wonderland and Grotto (Swansea)
- Luminate Wales, Margam Park (Port Talbot)
See these and even more events listed below!
Cardiff Holiday Light Displays
Cardiff Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
World-class light installations with immersive audio compositions.
Description:
Cardiff Christmas Lights feature 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 festive music, making it an inclusive celebration for all ages and abilities.
Where: Cardiff | More Info: Cardiff Christmas Lights
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, offering top-quality food, drinks, and festive music. It is designed to be inclusive for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Where: Cardiff | More Info: Christmas at Bute Park and Arboretum
Caerphilly on Ice
What to Expect:
Ice rink in a historic town setting
Description:
Caerphilly on Ice is an annual event featuring an ice rink and festive activities in the historic town of Caerphilly. Enjoy ice skating, live music, and seasonal treats in a charming winter setting.
Where: Caerphilly | More Info: Caerphilly on Ice
Luminate Wales, Margam Park
What to Expect:
Interactive lighting installations and ambient music.
Description:
Explore the spectacular, illuminated trail at Margam Country Park and Castle, featuring stunning lighting installations and interactive elements set to ambient music. Enjoy tasty treats, hot mulled wine, and marshmallow toasting by the fire pits.
Where: Port Talbot | More Info: Luminate Wales, Margam Park
Cardiff Holiday Markets and Shopping
Cardiff Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique handmade crafts and local food producers.
Description:
The Cardiff Christmas Market is a 30-year-old event featuring original, handmade work from talented makers, including bespoke jewelry, textiles, and ceramics. It offers a vibrant atmosphere with seasonal food and drink producers.
Where: Cardiff | More Info: Cardiff Christmas Market
Caerphilly Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday market with street theatre and funfair rides.
Description:
Caerphilly Christmas Market is a traditional holiday market in the old market town of Caerphilly, featuring over 100 stalls selling festive treats, crafts, and gifts. The event includes street theatre, funfair rides, and a wide selection of food and drink.
Where: Caerphilly | More Info: Caerphilly Christmas Market
Portmeirion Food & Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Celebrating diverse local food and crafts in a unique village setting.
Description:
Portmeirion Food & Craft Fair showcases the best local Welsh produce and crafts in a picturesque Italianate village setting, featuring artisan stalls, live music, cookery demonstrations, and a variety of entertainment.
Where: Penrhyndeudraeth | More Info: Portmeirion Food & Craft Fair
Winter Food & Craft Fair 2023 at Bargoed Town Centre
What to Expect:
Local food and craft vendors with family-friendly activities.
Description:
The Winter Food & Craft Fair at Bargoed Town Centre features a variety of local food and craft stalls, children’s funfair rides, and family entertainment.
Where: Bargoed | More Info: Winter Food & Craft Fair 2023 at Bargoed Town Centre
Cardiff Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Cardiff Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Immersive live entertainment in a unique Spiegel Theatre setting.
Description:
The Cardiff Christmas Festival at Sophia Gardens features a unique Spiegel Theatre with dazzling sights and sounds, offering a totally immersive range of live entertainment for all.
Where: Cardiff | More Info: Cardiff Christmas Festival
Santa Specials at the Teifi Valley Railway
What to Expect:
Train rides with Santa and festive refreshments.
Description:
At the Teifi Valley Railway, Santa Specials offer train rides, visits to Santa's grotto, and age-appropriate presents for children. Adults enjoy tea, coffee, sherry, and a sausage roll or mince pie. Large parties can travel together in their own carriage.
Where: Newcastle Emlyn | More Info: Santa Specials at the Teifi Valley Railway
Cardiff Other Holiday Activities
Cardiff Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Undercover ice rink and themed bars.
Description:
Cardiff Winter Wonderland features an undercover ice rink, themed frozen ice bar, Sur La Piste Alpine Bar, funfair with a giant wheel, and accessible sessions. Enjoy festive food and drink options amidst beautiful winter attractions.
Where: Cardiff | More Info: Cardiff Winter Wonderland
Swansea Winter Wonderland and Grotto
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas scenes with animatronic animals.
Description:
At Swansea Winter Wonderland, immerse yourself in a festive atmosphere featuring Santa's Grotto, animatronic polar bears, and interactive Christmas scenes. Families can enjoy feeding reindeer, exploring the snowy kingdom, and receiving presents from Santa.
Where: Swansea | More Info: Swansea Winter Wonderland and Grotto
Reindeer Lodge
What to Expect:
Interactive reindeer experience with festive farm activities.
Description:
Visit the Reindeer Lodge at Gower Fresh Christmas Trees to see real reindeer and enjoy a variety of festive activities, including feeding the reindeer and exploring the farm's Christmas scenes.
Where: Swansea | More Info: Reindeer Lodge
Christmas Celebrations at Tredegar House & Gardens
What to Expect:
Immersive exploration of Christmas celebrations through the centuries.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas at Tredegar House & Gardens with over 80 decorated trees, twinkling lights, and a rich history of festive traditions spanning 500 years.
Where: Newport | More Info: Christmas Celebrations at Tredegar House & Gardens
Christmas Celebrations at Erddig
What to Expect:
Traditional Christmas decorations and unique reverse grotto.
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 in the unique reverse grotto and support the local foodbank.
Where: Wrexham | More Info: Christmas Celebrations at Erddig
Brunch with Santa at Llandegfedd Lake
What to Expect:
Brunch with Santa in a picturesque lake 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: Pontypool | More Info: Brunch with Santa at Llandegfedd Lake
Speedboat Santa’s Festive Feasts at Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with special guests and festive feasts.
Description:
Join Speedboat Santa at Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs for a unique holiday celebration featuring festive feasts and special guests.
Where: Cardiff | More Info: Speedboat Santa’s Festive Feasts at Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs
Mince Pie Special Trains at Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway
What to Expect:
Steam train journey with festive treats.
Description:
Enjoy a post-Christmas journey with your loved ones aboard the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, complete with mince pies in steam-heated carriages.
Where: Welshpool | More Info: Mince Pie Special Trains at Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Penarth (3 miles)
- Caerphilly (7 miles)
- Barry (7 miles)
- Risca (9 miles)
- Newport (11 miles)
- Pontypridd (11 miles)
- Weston-super-Mare (13 miles)
- Cwmbran (14 miles)
- Clevedon (14 miles)
- Tonypandy (15 miles)
- Pontypool (16 miles)
- Coity (16 miles)
- Rhondda (17 miles)
- Bridgend (17 miles)
- Portishead (18 miles)
- Burnham-on-Sea (18 miles)
- Nailsea (18 miles)
- Aberdare (20 miles)
- Merthyr Tydfil (20 miles)
- Ebbw Vale (21 miles)
- Bristol (25 miles)
- Bridgwater (25 miles)
- Kingswood (29 miles)
- Mangotsfield (29 miles)
- Mendip (29 miles)
- Briton Ferry (29 miles)
- Neath (30 miles)
- Taunton (32 miles)
- Yate (33 miles)
- Chipping Sodbury (34 miles)
- Swansea (34 miles)
- Bath (36 miles)
- Gorseinon (39 miles)
- Ammanford (41 miles)
- Frome (41 miles)
- Trowbridge (43 miles)
- Yeovil (44 miles)
- Llanelli (44 miles)
- Hereford (45 miles)