It’s Father’s Day this Sunday 18th June and there’s lots going on around South Wales for families on Saturday and Sunday. Some of the events listed below are specially-themed for dads, including many offering free entry for dads. However, I know not all families will be celebrating Father’s Day, so I’ve also included lots of other more general events.

As always, all events are subject to change and cancellation, so do check ahead with organisers to avoid disappointment. Clicking on the event name will take you to the organiser’s website for more information.

Do share with other local families you know – it helps me massively if you give this post a like, share or comment on any of my social media channels. Thank you! Have a great weekend.

For more ideas of days out in South Wales, see the Cardiff section of Cardiff Mummy Says, follow Cardiff Mummy Says on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Charity and community events

FREE Sing for Water

The Oval Basin, Cardiff Bay

Sunday 18^th June, 3pm

Hundreds of singers from choirs all over Wales and beyond will gather together to sing a shared repertoire in glorious four part harmony. The performance begins at 3pm wit busking taking place in surrounding areas from 12.30pm. The event is free but donations to WaterAid are appreciated.

FREE The Great Get Together

Maes-y-Coed Community Centre, Heath, Cardiff

Saturday 17^th June, 1pm-3pm

The Great Get Together is inspired by Jo Cox, the MP who was killed on 16 June last year. The events, which are taking place nationwide, bring communities together and celebrate all that unites us. Maes-y-Coed’s event will feature live music, refreshments, stalls, build a bug hotel, children’s sports, drumming workshop, bouncy castle, police car, and lots more! Everyone is welcome!

FREE The Great Get Together

St John’s Churchyard Garden, The Hayes

Saturday 17th June, 10am to 3pm

Celebrate our communities and that we have more in common at this fun event for all the family.  Activities all day include craft, colouring and trails. The event will be held in the Cardiff Story Museum if the weather is bad.

FREE NHS Roadshow

St Fagans National Museum of History

Saturday 17^th June, 11am-4pm

The NHS is a huge part of our lives yet no single museum tells the story of this incredible institution. Historians from the University of Warwick, and curators from St Fagans National Museum of History need your help to create a virtual museum of the NHS. They are asking members of the public to bring along their NHS-related stories, memories and objects to this NHS Roadshow – baby tags, NHS glasses, false teeth, prescription pads, pill bottles and more to photograph and add to the museum. There will also be craft activities for the kids.

Live Music and Festivals

FREE Gŵyl Fach y Fro 2017

Barry Island Promenade

Saturday 17^th June, 11.30am-7pm

Menter Bro Morgannwg presents a mini Welsh language festival with live music from Bryn Fôn a’r Band, Band Jazz Rhys Taylor, Band Nantgarw and DJ Bethan Elfyn among others, plus performances from local schools, Iolo Morganwg Family Show, arts and crafts, and food and drinks stalls.

FREE FfiliFest

Caerphilly Festival

Saturday 17^th June, 11am-7pm

A Welsh language festival of arts, language and music, in partnership with Menter Iaith Caerffili. Activities include Dawnsio Gwerin, arts and crafts activities, sports Urdd activities, food and local stalls.

Big Fish Little Fish Father’s Day Family Rave

The Tramshed, Cardiff

Sunday 18th June, 2pm-4.30pm

A heroes and villains-themed rave, with Goldie Lookin Chain’s Rhys and Eggsy DJing. Families can enjoy a multisensory dance floor with club visuals , glitter cannons, bubbles, giant bouncy balloons as well as the legendary parachute dance. There’s also arts and crafts for children, a baby chill out area with soft play, Wendy houses and castles for older kids to play in, plus free glowsticks and transfer tattoos, photo booth, cake stall, face painting and a licensed bar and restaurant.

Trains, boats, cars and bikes

FREE Cold Knap Model Boat Club Regatta

Knap Lake Gardens, Barry

Saturday 17^th June

An open day from Cold Knap Model Boar Club featuring model boat regatta and boat show on the Knap Lake, including displays, stands and refreshments.

Father’s Day Special

Blaenavon Heritage Railway

Sunday 18^th June

(also open Saturday 17^th June but without the offer for dads)

Adults £9, children £5, family £23

Dad’s travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying child as the steam and diesel engines transport visitors around Blaenavon World Heritage Site. Travel from the main station at Furnace Sidings to the Big Pit National Mining Museum for an underground tour*. Or to Coed Avon and Blaenavon (High Level) where you can alight to explore the Heritage Town and Ironworks. (Read our review of Big Pit and Blaenavon Ironworks here.) Dads will also be entered into a prize draw to win a Heritage Railway Experience.

Vintage Motorcycles

Caerphilly Castle

Sunday 18^th June, 10am-4.30pm

Celebrate Father’s Day with a day of classic motorbikes, courtesy of the South Wales Vintage Motorcycle Club. For more of what to expect at Caerphilly Castle, see our review here.

Italian Passion for Speed

Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay

Sunday 18^th June, 10.30am-3pm

‘Italian Performance Machines’ come to the Bay in this event celebrating fast and fancy cars.

MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL

FREE Agatha Christie: A Life In Pictures

National Museum Cardiff

Saturday 17^th June-Sunday 3^rd September

An exhibition of photographs, letters and personal belongings from the most widely published author of all time. Rarely seen photos of Agatha Christie taken throughout her life, from her own personal collection, are accompanied by a quote in Christie’s own words, drawn from both published works and unpublished personal correspondence, beautifully capturing her thoughts and feelings from early childhood, through both marriages and her international adventures, to her years as a world famous author.

NYC: A New Musical Revue

Memo Arts Centre, Barry

Sunday 18^th June, 2:30pm

Monday 19^th June, 7.30pm

Adults £12, concessions £10

An afternoon of songs from Rent, Avenue Q, Annie and more, as audiences are transported to the heart of the Big Apple, where a group of young hopefuls are fighting their way to success.

HISTORICAL

FREE ENTRY Father’s Day FEASTival

Big Pit National Coal Museum

Sunday 18^th June, 11am-4pm

A selection of local food and drink stalls, demonstrations, special tours – as well as the museum’s underground mine tour (read our review here).

Father’s Day Special

Blaenavon Heritage Railway

Sunday 18^th June

(also open Saturday 17^th June but without the offer for dads)

Adults £9, children £5, family £23

Dad’s travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying child as the steam and diesel engines transport visitors around Blaenavon World Heritage Site. Travel from the main station at Furnace Sidings to the Big Pit National Mining Museum for an underground tour*. Or to Coed Avon and Blaenavon (High Level) where you can alight to explore the Heritage Town and Ironworks. (Read our review of Big Pit and Blaenavon Ironworks here.) Dads will also be entered into a prize draw to win a Heritage Railway Experience.

FREE Clore Explorers

National Museum Cardiff

Saturdays and Sundays during term time, 2pm

Free workshops give families the chance to find out more about objects from the museum and take part in a crafty activity.

Dinosaur Babies

National Museum Cardiff

Saturday 27^th May-Sunday 5^th November, 10am-4.45pm

Adults £7, children £3, £17 family 2+2, £13 family 1+3

Coming to Wales for the first time: an exciting family-friendly exhibition bringing together some of the world’s most amazing finds of dinosaur eggs and embryos. The display includes full size dinosaur skeletons and replicas, touchable models of dinosaur embryos and eggs, and even a huge 2.5 metre model dinosaur nest. Read our review here.

FREE Super Saturdays

National Roman Legion Museum Caerleon

Saturdays from, 11am-4pm

Every Saturday, visitors can discover what life was like for a soldier in the Roman army. Visit the reconstructed barrack room and learn more about the weapons and armour, as well as try on some replica armour. Families can also dress up and play games in the Capricorn Centre, a relaxed hands-on area of the museum. Both areas are closed on Sundays but are open during some school holidays. Read our review of the National Roman Legion Museum plus other Roman sites in Caerleon here.

FREE Discovering Ancient Egypt

Newport Museum

Until 13^th September

A temporary exhibition displaying the highlights of Newport Museum’s Egyptology collection, including artefacts excavated by famous Egyptologist Flinders Petrie.

Brother Thomas, the Cellarer

Tintern Abbey

Saturday 17^th and 24^th June, 10am-4pm

Adults £6.50, children £4.20, family £19.30 (2+3)

Brother Thomas will tell you all about his life as a monk at Tintern Abbey in the 14^th century, including his daily duties, eating, habits and hygiene. Learn about the daily life of the monks at the abbey, including their monastic duties, hygiene and eating habits, as well as the numerous religious services they would have to attend throughout the day. Brother Thomas will give tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

Get Crafty

Caerleon Roman Baths

Saturday 17^th and Sunday 18^th June, 11am-4pm

Masks played an important part in Roman theatre; actors wore them to show their mood. Decorate a Roman mask to take home. Craft activity is £1.50 per child, although the museum is free to visit. Read our review here.

Muskets and Mayhem

Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Nelson

Adults £8, children £6.95, under 5s free, family (2+3) £25

Free entry for dads accompanied by family as the historical house celebrates muskets and mayhem.

CRAFT

FREE Dinosaur Bookmarks!

Glanfa Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Saturday 17^th June, 11am-4pm

Dinosaur-themed drop-in creative arts as part of Wales Millennium Centre’s regular Family Saturdays free craft sessions

Felt Making Workshops

St Fagans National Museum of History

Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th June, 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm

£2 per child; entry to the museum is free

Age guidance: 4+

Join Emma Bevan from Ffolkyffelt for a chance to try your hand at the traditional craft of felt making in these family friendly workshops. See also Woolly Weekend and NHS Roadshow.

Father’s Day Fun

Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall, Neath Port Talbot

Saturday 17^th and Sunday 18^th June, 10.30am-4.30pm

Adult £5.50, child £2.75, family £13.75

Free entry for dads accompanied by their child (no matter what the age of the child is). Make a father’s day card, picnic by the waterfall or spot the wildlife on the river.

Outdoors and nature themed

Pick Your Own

Hendrewennol Fruit Farm, Bonvilston, Vale of Glamorgan

Daily during summer, 10am-6pm

£1 for adults, including picking basket and punnets, £2 for children including punnets, Haybale Hill and the Village

Strawberries and gooseberries £6.85/kg, raspberries £11.95/kg. Fruit picking plus outdoor play for children.

Woolly Weekend

St Fagans National Museum of History

Saturday 17^th and Sunday 18^th June, 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm

Entry to the museum is free but there’s a small charge for some activities

Visit Llwyn yr Eos farm to see the flock of sheep get their annual haircut and learn about the journey from fleece to fibre. Meet the sheep, see some expert spinning in action and have a go at some simple family friendly activities. Pop over to Esgair Moel Woollen Mill to meet the museum’s resident weaver. See also Felt Making Workshops and NHS Roadshow, details above.

Treehugger

Margam Country Park, Port Talbot

Saturday 27^th May-Saturday 1^st July, 10.30am-4pm

Adults £5, children £4; group ticket £16

Age guidance 6+

Experience the breath-taking beauty of the world’s most imrepssive tree, the Giant Sequoia of California. With the aid of a virtual headset, you can place your head into the trees knots, discover the tree’s hidden inner structure, follow a single drop of water as it moves from root to canopy. The experience lasts for 30 minutes with a maximum of four per session. Booking advisable. Entry to Margam Park itself is free (read our review here); parking charges apply.

Dads Go Free

Greenmeadow Community Farm, Cwmbran

Sunday 18^th June

Free entry for dads when accompanied by a family. A full programme of events will run, including tractor rides, animal feeding and grooming. Read our review of what else to expect at the farm here.

Weekend Activities

Mountain View Ranch, Caerphilly

Saturday 17^th and Sunday 18^th June

£6 per person aged over 18 months; family of 4 £23, family of 5 £28

Over 100 acres of fresh air and free range adventure, with a Gruffalo trail, fairy woods, hobbit houses, a roly poly hill and more. Plus daily half term events inclusive in admission including a goat walk, archery, The Gruffalo Story, campfire and marshmallows and a space hopper race. Read our review here.

FREE Wriggle – The Wonderful World of Wormsfollow

National Museum Cardiff

Until June 2018

A fascinating look into the weird and wonderful world of worms, this has plenty of interactive exhibits, perfect for children. Read our review here. Please note the museum is not open on Mondays.

FREE Get a Wriggle on!

National Museum Cardiff

Saturday 17^th June, 11am-4pm

Dig for earthworms around the museum with the Earthworm Watch team and Earthworm Society. Handle, charm and learn about earthworms and their cousins and help scientists with Earthworm Watch – a scientific research project studying the diversity and role of earthworms to create healthy soils. Take part in fun outdoor activities and find out more in the exhibition Wriggle: The Wonderful World of Worms, see above.

FREE Great Moth Get Together

Newport Wetlands

Sunday 18^th June, 9am-11am

In support of the Great Get Together, nature lovers are invited to the Great Moth Get Together. Find out more about different species of moths and how they got their name, as well as celebrating the diversity of the wildlife found at the reserve. Read our review of Newport Wetlands here.

Science-themed

Lights In The Sky/Pawprints in the Summer Sky/Destination Space

Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

Saturday 17^th and Sunday 18^th June

Adults £8, child 4-15 £6.50, 3 and under free; family £28 (up to 2+3); entry after 3pm £3.30 per person. Planetarium shows £1.50 extra per person

As well as more than 100 hands-on science exhibits, science shows this weekend include Lights In The Sky, for 7s and over, finding out about shooting stars, planets, rainbows and more, familiar constellations; Pawprints in the Summer Sky, encouraging imagination to find dot-to-dot creatures in the night sky (both in the Planetarium); and Generation Game, a live science show hoping to generate enough electricity from everyday items to power the show. Read our review of Techniquest here.

Family Fun and Games

Family Fun Day

Hollywood Bowl, The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

Saturday 17^th-Sunday 18^th June

Face painting, glow bowling, balloons and treasure hunts for all those bowling, from 12pm-4pm.

PLUS Dads eat free at lunch and half price for dinner at Spice Route when dining with their family; Dads get a free pint of Menabrea when dining at Bella Italia.

Dads Bounce Free

Go Air Trampoline Park, Llanishen, Cardiff

Sunday 18th June

Book for one or more children and dad can go free.

Dads Play Free

Escape Reality, St John Street, Cardiff

Monday 12^th-Sunday 18^th June

Escape Reality is a fully immersive live escape game experience. Dad will have the opportunity to dress up and together with his team solve a series of brain-twisting challenges and puzzles to escape before time runs out! Use the code ILOVEDAD to get £20 off when booking. All dads will also receive a free drink either before or after the game. No age restrictions apply, although best for older children. Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult.

Cinema

I’m focusing on special film events and cheap family screenings at holidays and weekends here, rather than regular cinema screenings.

Odeon Kids

Odeon Cinema, The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff Bay

The 10am weekend and school holiday showings are £2.50 per person. Films to be announced; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.

Movies for Juniors

Cineworld, Mary Ann Street, Cardiff

The 10am weekend and school holiday Movies for Juniors showings are just £1.75 per person. Check online for schedule; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.

Mini Mornings

Vue Cinema, Millennium Plaza, Cardiff

The 10am weekend and school holiday Movies for Juniors showings are just £1.99 per person. Check online for schedule; films are usually a few months old rather than new releases.

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff

Family friendly film screenings of classic films, every weekend and during school holidays. See website for full listings.

Red Turtle (PG)

Saturday 17^th June, 3pm

Sunday 18^th June, 11am

PLUS Crafty Pictures (ages 7-12)

Saturdays, 1.50pm

£6 including ticket to the 3pm film