Comedy, music and gin – 20 ideas to make the most of the long weekend
There’s a lot going on over this Mayday Bank Holiday weekend. While there are lots of alcohol-related events, there are also plenty of others such as foraging classes and comedy shows. Here’s a selection of what’s going on in Wales...
1. Gin Bingo – Buffalo, Cardiff With more than 60 gins on offer, customers are given a card to use over a long weekend.
You get a stamp for each different gin you try and if you get a ‘house’ you win a cocktail sharer. When: Today until Monday. Where: Buffalo, Windsor Place, Cardiff. 2. Machynlleth Comedy Festival This hidden gem of the comedy world will see stars such as Stewart Lee, Ian Smith and James Acaster.
With all the unique venues in the town, it’s an event that’s growing in popularity. When: Today, tomorrow and Sunday. Where: Various venues. 3. The Big Sesh – Riverside, Newport An all-day event, which starts at 12noon and finishes late, 20 musical acts will be performing to crowds at the recently refurbished Riverside.
To honour a city steeped in artistic creativity, Riverside presents a day jam-packed full of some of the finest artists in the south Wales area. When: Sunday. Where: Riverside Sport Bar and Kitchen, Clarence Place, Newport. 4. Cardiff 5k It’s too late to take part now if you haven’t already registered, but that’s OK. The runners all need your support.
The race will be taking place in the evening, starting at 7pm from Merthyr Road and there’ll be live music as well as lots of tasty food and drink stalls. Where: Whitchurch village. When: Sunday. 5. Celebrating Gin – Mojo, Newport The fine-dining and food venue will be helping its customers experience some quality spirits.
They’ll be celebrating gin with a selection of Mojo’s signature gin cocktails and their very own Newport Gin by Eccentric. When: Today. Where: Mojo, Clarence Place, Newport. 6. Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza Packed full of Victorian musical instruments, costumes and shows, the extravaganza is taking place over the weekend.
There’ll be a range of traditional music being performed at various stages, too. When: Tomorrow, Sunday and Monday. Where: Llandudno. 7. Llangollen Walking Festival There’s a choice between short, medium and long walks, which are all lead by professional guides.
The guides are clued up in local history and folktales too and will impart their knowledge as you take in the stunning scenery. Find out more at www.llangollenwalkingfestival.co.uk/ When: Tomorrow, Sunday and Monday. Where: Llangollen. 8. Clog dancing – Swansea Held between 12noon-4pm, you can celebrate May Day with an afternoon of live music with bands and performers from across Wales – you can even have a go at some clog dancing. When: Monday. Where: National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 9. Popland part 1 – Popworld, Cardiff Being held on Sunday, this club night event is back - playing your favourite pop classics.
For more information visit Popworld’s Twitter page. When: Sunday. Where: St Mary’s Street, Cardiff. 10. Medieval Mayhem – Caerphilly Castle Not only are dragons and their eggs on show at the site, there will also be medieval-themed activity going on.
Along with two archery shows and a weapons display, you can learn archery and sword skills. When: Sunday and Monday. Where: Caerphilly Castle.
11. Anniversary celebrations – Treetops adventure golf, Cardiff The indoor mini-golf site is turning two – and is holding a special event to celebrate.
There’s going to be free face painting, as well as giveaways and treats to enjoy. And there’s cake. When: Monday. Where: St David’s Shopping, Cardiff. 12. Spring foraging course – Cardiff Held in a city centre park, this course will look to help you identify edible spring shoots and plants, flowers and maybe even some mushrooms.
A standard ticket for the course, which starts at 12noon, costs £35 and a junior ticket (for under-16s) is £17.50. When: Saturday. Where: Bute Park, Cardiff. 13. Mayday Bank Holiday – St Fagans As part of the 2017 Year of Legends, the May Day event is steeped in history.
It has marked the start of summer for hundreds of years in Wales and, of course, there’ll be music, dancing and the raising of the Maypole.
Each day will see events run from 11am-4pm and it’s free to attend. When: Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Where: St Fagans National History Museum. 14. Rough & Tumble – The Flora, Cardiff There’s free entry to this Bank Holiday bash – which will include music, a barbecue and plenty of cocktails. It’s on from 5pm-3am. When: Sunday. Where: The Flora. 15. Year of Legends – Harlech Castle You can discover what life was like in the 1460s, while learning about the longest siege in UK history at the castle.
As part of Cadw’s Year of Legends, this event will be fun for all the family – visit Cadw’s website for more details. When: Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Where: Harlech Castle. 16. Mayday Carnival – Cardiff Now in it’s fifth year, Cardiff ’s favourite May Day Carnival is back at a new venue.
It’s a fun-filled day – running from 11am-4pm – planned with stalls, fun fair rides, face painting, BBQ, beer tent, entertainment throughout the day and lots more. When: Monday. Where: Llandaff Rowing Club. 17. Sailing Open Day – Llyn Brenig Llyn Brenig Sailing Club is holding an open day on May Day, running from 10am-3pm.
All you have to do is turn up and try out sailing in one of the club’s rafts, with a qualified instructor, all for free. When: Monday. Where: Llyn Brenig Sailing Club, Llyn Brenig. 18. Bank holiday activities – Kidwelly Castle In what’s being described as a jampacked weekend of activities, the whole family can get involved here.
There’s all sorts of activities on over the two days, starting from 10.30am, including archery. When: Sunday and Monday. Where: Kidwelly Castle. 19. International TableTop Day – Cardiff International TableTop Day is a worldwide gaming phenomenon, and the biggest day of the year in board gaming for families, students, or groups of mates.
There will be 12 hours dedicated to gaming and you can take part in tournaments, demo games and there is a family kids zone too.
It’s £5 for adults and free for under-16s. Where: The Angel Hotel, Cardiff. When: Saturday, 10am-10pm. 20. Epic – Margam Park Go and see something epic.
The sign is the latest project from Wild Creations – also known as the people behind Cardiff’s Ball in the Wall and it’s currently at Margam Park. Where: Margam Park When: Until Tuesday.