The ultimate guide to festive fun in Cardiff
THE LIGHTS ARE UP, THE FESTIVE TREATS ARE ON THE SHELF AND THE DECORATIONS ARE APPEARING – IT’S TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT CHRISTMAS, WRITES STEPHANIE COLDERICK
CARDIFF is already showing that the festive season is around the corner and there is more to come. From Christmas markets and funfairs to light walks and meeting Santa, there is plenty to enjoy in the capital this festive season.
Some of the festive events are already up and running while others will open soon to help you celebrate the run-up to the big day.
If you are feeling slightly overwhelmed with so much going on, or simply can’t decide which events to choose, here is our handy guide to the festive season in the capital.
■ BELIEVE CHRISTMAS GROTTO
Believe, the enchanted Christmas experience, is returning to St David’s shopping centre in Cardiff for 2022.
The Christmas grotto launched at St David’s Cardiff for the first time in 2021 and, due to popular demand, is set to make a return this year.
Believe will open daily from today right up until Christmas Eve.
Believe invites guests into a mystical cavern to meet McJingles, one of Santa’s most trusted elves, along with Norbert, his magical reindeer friend.
After hearing Norbert’s story, the children take part in a craft activity, decorating their own bag of magical reindeer food to take home with them.
Families will then be invited into Santa’s grotto where little ones will meet Santa before receiving a gift, as well as having the opportunity to capture the memorable moment on camera. Tickets cost £6 for children and £13 for adults. Book your tickets on the St David’s shopping centre website (https://stdavidscardiff.com).
■ CHRISTMAS AT BUTE PARK
The spectacular light show is returning to Cardiff’s Bute Park.
Last year the park with lit up with many dazzling light displays and now the stunning trail is back.
You can enjoy the light trail from Thursday, December 1 to Sunday, January 1, 2023.
Tickets are on sale now for £19.50 for adults and £13.95 for children aged three to 16. Children under three go free. Buy your ticket at https://christmasatbutepark.com
■ CARDIFF CASTLE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
Known for hosting the seasonal ice skating, there will be more festive fun at Cardiff Castle this year.
The grounds will play host to a specially-made Spiegeltent which will show a Christmas ballet, family musical, comedy cabaret and burlesque.
Cardiff Castle Christmas Festival will present three shows from today to Sunday, January 8.
Tickets start at £19.68 and you can book them at www.thecastle.wales
■ CARDIFF CHRISTMAS MARKET
Cardiff Christmas Market is open! Home to craft stalls, gift stalls and food and drink vendors, there is plenty to enjoy at the Christmas market which is running until Friday, December 23.
■ BALLET AT ST DAVID’S HALL
Christmas is the perfect time to enjoy some ballet and there is plenty at St David’s Hall in Cardiff for Christmas 2022.
Three separate ballet performances will be performed and shown at the hall, including Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.
Tickets start at £10.25 for under-16s and £20.50 for adults.
You can book your tickets at www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk/whats-on/ballet-2022
■ CARDIFF SANTA AND ELF DASH
Set in Cardiff Bay, the Cardiff Santa and Elf Dash is raising money for Calon Heart Screening which will go towards heart screening in Wales, putting defibrillators in Welsh communities and providing CPR and defibrillator training.
The dash is taking place on Sunday, December 4 and tickets cost £15. You can book your ticket at www.santadash.wales
■ ELF AT MOTORPOINT ARENA
Another show to enjoy this Christmas is Elf at Motorpoint Arena.
The hit Hollywood blockbuster movie has been super-sized into a live arena spectacular for this Christmas.
There will be a massive stage featuring amazing film backdrops on a huge LED screen plus a mobile stage that travels the auditorium.
The show is running on Tuesday, December 27 and Wednesday, December 28. Tickets start at £25 and you can book your tickets at https://cardiffinternationalarena.co.uk/ whatson/elf
■ CARDIFF WINTER WONDERLAND
A must-visit for anyone in or around the capital is Cardiff Winter Wonderland.
The much-loved fairground and ice skating made its comeback on November 15 and will run until Sunday, January 8.
You can book the ice skating now and prices start at £11.50. Grab your tickets at https://cardiffswinterwonderland.com/buy-tickets
■ THE LION, THE B**CH AND THE WARDROBE AT THE WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE
The Wales Millennium Centre has not announced a specific Christmas show – however, The Lion, The B**tch and The Wardrobe will be running from Thursday, December 8 to Saturday, December 31.
A more adult treat, you can enjoy this X-rated take on a Christmas classic.
Tickets start at £15 and you can book your tickets at www.wmc.org. uk/en/whats-on/2022/the-lion-thebtch-and-the-wardrobe
■ THE BIG MUSEUM WINTER TRAIL
Running at Amguedddfa Cymru sites across Wales, the Big Museum Winter Trail is taking place at National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans National Museum of History, National Waterfront Museum, Big Pit National Coal
Museum, National Wool Museum, and National Roman Legion Museum.
On the trail you will find the museum elves to complete the snow friend, which can be used as a decoration for your Christmas tree.
The trail costs £1.50 and you can book your tickets at https://my.museum.wales
■ CAROLS IN THE CHAPEL AT ST FAGANS NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY
Carols are a staple of Christmas and you can enjoy Christmas carols at Pen-rhiw Chapel at St Fagans National Museum of History.
There will be traditional tunes and some more contemporary Christmas classics.
The carols are running on Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18 and tickets cost £6. You can book at https://museum.wales/stfagans/whatson/11683/Carols-inthe-Chapel
■ CHRISTMAS WILLOW WREATHS AT ST FAGANS NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY
Using traditional willow weaving techniques, you can learn how to make beautiful, natural Christmas wreaths at St Fagans National Museum of History.
The course is running on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4 and tickets start at £40. You can book your tickets at https://museum. wales/stfagans/whatson/11698/Christmas-Willow-Wreaths
■ CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE AT FORAGE FARM
Forage Farm will be running its Christmas experience on selected dates in December.
There will be a Christmas show with a cheeky Christmas elf and the chance to meet Father Christmas.
Tickets cost £10.50 for adults, £12.50 for children and £2 for children aged under three. You can book your tickets at https://foragefarmshop.co.uk/christmasexperience
■■ THE ROYAL MINT CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE
The Royal Mint is hosting its own
Christmas experience. At the Royal Mint Christmas Experience, visitors will take a tour of the festive coin factory and all children will meet Santa and have the opportunity to have their photo taken, before leaving with a special gift to take home.
Running from tomorrow to Saturday, December 24 tickets cost £10 for adults and £15 for children. You can book at https://royalmint.digitickets.co.uk
■ CHRISTMAS AT FONMON CASTLE
Fonmon Castle in Barry is hosting many activities this Christmas.
There will be Santa Shows every 30 minutes, a chance to meet Mrs Claus and the Crazy Elf, a Festive Story Trail, live music, 32 acres of festive lights and illuminated gardens, an up-close owl experience, Christmas magicians and even more.
Tickets start at £10 and those under three go free. The events are running at Fonmon Castle from tomorrow to Saturday, December 24. You can book at https://fonmoncastle.digitickets.co.uk