Christmas 2016: 85 family-friendly events in and around Cardiff
From where to see Father Christmas, to festive theatre and traditional carol concerts, and even outdoor activities, there is so much going on for families this festive season in and around Cardiff. A massive 85 events so far – and more to be added as they are announced, so do save this post and keep coming back.
All events are subject to change, so check ahead with the organisers to avoid disappointment.
The events are categorised as follows: Charity, Christmas lights switch-ons and festivals, Where to see Father Christmas, Pantomime, Theatre and performances, Carols, classical and Christmas Music, Other events, with each category arranged in date order.
Follow Cardiff Mummy Says on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more ideas of local family-friendly ideas for days out.
This guide is sponsored by Pugh’s Garden Village in Radyr, Cardiff, where there is so much going on for families this festive season.
Santa’s Elf Kingdom is a 30-minute adventure little ones will love this festive season, a behind-the-scenes look at life for Santa’s little helpers, before meeting the man himself. Children cost £12 and adults £3 – tickets are selling fast, so do book quickly to avoid disappointment.
Following the success of their Little Green Fingers workshops, Pugh’s are running a festive version of their family nature and gardening workshops. Little Green Fingers Christmas workshops will take place on Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st December. Tuesday is Ring a Ring a Wreath, where children can create a door wreath. Wednesday is Dingle Dangle Decorations, where they will make traditional decorations. Workshops take place in the Woodland Lodge, which will be transformed into a cosy Christmas cabin. Tickets cost £7 per child, with no adult tickets required and will also include a Deco-Dash Christmas tree hunt and Get Ready for Santa pack to take home, including a mince pie for Sabta, a carrot for Rudolph, a Dear Santa letter to write to leave with his gifts for when he visits, and some magic reindeer food. Booking is essential.
Pugh’s are also offering workshops for the grown-ups too, with a Festive Table Decor Workshop at 2pm on 18th December (priced £40), where you’ll make a stunning Christmas table centre-piece.
Pugh’s Garden Village Radyr is also an ideal shopping destination for Christmas gifts, with the garden gift centre department and Ty Nant Farm Shop both brimming with inspiration for high quality, value for money gifts. As well as loads of Christmas decorations, books and other gifts, Pugh’s is also an official retailer of Elf on the Shelf. The village itself also offers more than 10 on-site concession stores to suit all tastes and budgets.
Charity
Whitchurch Village
Saturday 3rd December, 5.30pm-11pm
Registration – adults £15, children under 16 £10, under 5s £5
A one-mile festive fun run hoping to raise £10,000 for Cancer Research Wales. As well as the run, the night will include family entertainment, including an outdoor cinema, a visit from Santa and his reindeer sleigh, plus a chance to pet the reindeer. Register by 1st December.
Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay
Sunday 4th December, 12pm-2pm
Dress up as Santa, an elf, a snowman or even a turkey in this family-friendly 5K run (or walk/jog/dash) in aid of Welsh Hearts. £9 registration includes a t-shirt, water and certificate. Or if you don’t want to take part, go along and show your support – last year saw more than 2,000 runners in seasonal fancy dress.
Christmas lights switch ons, launches and Christmas festivals
FREE Step Into Christmas
Cardiff city centre
Thursday 10th November, 4.30pm-7.30pm
The official start of Christmas in Cardiff’s city centre sees appearances from The Gruffalo on The Hayes, reindeer pulling Santa on his sleigh, leaving Central Library at 4.30pm and then in their pen on St Mary’s Street, festive street theatre, Christmas markets, Santa’s Grotto on Queen Street and the opening of Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland and ice rink (see below).
Winter Wonderland with Admiral Ice Rink
City Hall Lawn, Cardiff
Thursday November 10 to Tuesday January 3
The Civic Centre is once again home to Winter Wonderland. Expect fairground rides and games, festive food and drink – plus, for the first time, the famous ice rink will this year have a roof, meaning the weather won’t dampen your skating plans. Winter Wonderland is free to enter. Cost of rides varies. Advance booking is advisable for skating; from adults £9.50, children 3-7 £6.50, 8-16 £7.50, family (2+2) £30.
FREE Santa’s Elf Kingdom Grand Opening
Saturday 12 November, 10am-2pm
Pugh’s Garden Centre, Radyr
A meet and greet with the man himself, inside the Elf Kingdom. There will also be friendly donkeys, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts plus a children’s fairground ride on site throughout the day. (Tickets for the Santa’s Elf Kingdom experience itself must be booked at the usual cost.)
Cwmbran Shopping Centre
Wednesday 16th November, 5pm-8pm
Celebrate local talent with fantastic stage acts from in and around Cwmbran, as the town’s lights are switched on. The event also marks the start of late night shopping and the new Santa’s Grotto.
FREE Whitchurch Lights Switch On
Whitchurch Cardiff
Sunday 20th November, from 4pm
The annual lights switch on will see craft stalls, reindeer and a light parade, plus a 6m Christmas tree on Whitchurch roundabout.
FREE Penarth Christmas Festival
Penarth Town Centre
Sunday 20th November, 2-5pm
Watch the lantern parade, enjoy the fairground rides (costs apply) and food stalls, as well as the lights switch on.
FREE Llandaff North Lights Switch On
Llandaff North, Cardiff
Thursday 24th November, 6.30pm-8.30pm
Details yet to be announced, but expect festive fun to celebrate switching on the lights.
FREE Launch of Santa’s Post Office and Christmas Lights Switch On
Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay
Sunday 27th November, times to be confirmed
Live entertainment, music and festivities throughout the day, with a special Christmas lights celebration in early evening, in partnership with Tenovus Cancer Care. Santa’s Post Office will also open once again. Write a letter to Santa in the magical post office, post it, and get a response from the big man himself. Santa’s Post Office will also be open on Saturdays and Sundays 3rd and 4th, 10th and 11th, 17th and 18th December.
FREE Lights Switch On
King Square, Barry
Saturday 26th November, 5pm
Barry has gained quite a reputation for its Christmas light switch ons over the past few years, with this year expected to be no different. This year also sees the town getting an undercover ice rink for the first time, opening after the lights switch on, and running daily until Sunday 4th December.
FREE Reindeer Parade
Cowbridge
Sunday 27th November
Meet Santa in his grotto (1.30pm-4pm, free but donations appreciated to support the work of the Lions); the parade starts at 12, plus lights switch on and fireworks from 5.15pm.
FREE Rhiwbina Christmas Festival
Rhiwbina Village
Saturday 3rd December, 4pm-6.30pm
Details still to be announced, but expect live entertainment, craft and gift stalls, a Christmas tree lights on with carol singing and more.
FREE Christmas Fun Day
All Nations Church, Sachville Avenue, Heath
Saturday 3rd December, 1pm-4pm
The family-friendly afternoon sees a craft activities for children, a bouncy castle, Santa, a visit from Elsa in Wales, plus a craft fair.
Christmas Craft Fayre
St Donats Art Centre
£6 per car, or £2 per person on foot
Sunday 4 December 10.30 – 4.30
St Donats annual Christmas Craft Fayre features more than 50 stalls, festive entertainment, children’s craft workshops, face painting, food and drink, plus the chance to meet Santa.
Where to see Father Christmas
Santa’s Elf Kingdom
Pugh’s Garden Village, Radyr, Cardiff
Weekends from Saturday 5th November, daily from Friday 25th November until Christmas Eve
Children £10, adults £3
Santa’s Elf Kingdom is a 30-minute adventure, a behind-the-scenes look at life for Santa’s little helpers, before meeting the man himself. Tickets are selling fast, so do book quickly to avoid disappointment.
Santa’s Grotto
Queen Street, Cardiff
Open from Thursday 10th November
£6 per child, including two adults.
Visit Father Christmas in his log cabin and listen to Rudolph sing
Breakfast, Lunch or Tea with Santa
Wyvale Garden Centre, St Mellons
12th November to 24th December
Meet Santa at a festive breakfast, lunch or tea. Prices vary.
Through The Wardrobe
Pugh’s Garden Centre, Wenvoe
Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November, then daily from Saturday 3rd December until Christmas Eve
Children £8, adults £2
The white witch has cast a frozen enchantment over the land and it has been winter for 100 years. Brave explorers in groups of 12 mst step through the wardrobe, past the jungle of hanging coats, and into the winter wonderland for a journey of fun and adventure to break the spell to bring Christmas back.
Santa’s Grotto
Cardiff Castle
Saturdays and Sundays 26th and 27th November, 3/4/10/11/17-23 December
£10.95 per child ( including 2 accompanying adults ), £12 additional adult
See Santa in his magical Grotto in the Black Tower, one of the oldest and most historic parts of the Castle. Includes a gift. Limited availability.
Meet Father Christmas at Hamley
Hamleys Toy Store, St David’s 2 Shopping Centre, Cardiff
Saturday 26th November-Thursday 24th December
Children will get up to one hour with Santa at breakfast, brunch, lunch and tea events (not all events available on all dates), take part in seasonal activities, sing festive songs and listen to stories, enjoy snacks and receive a special gift bag from Father Christmas to take home.
Christmas at Tredegar House
Tredegar House, Newport
Saturdays and Sundays 26th and 27th November, 3rd, 4th , 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th and 19th December, 10.30am-5pm
Usual entrance fees apply plus £2.50 per child to see Father Christmas
It’s A Christmas Carol themed festive period at Tredegar House, with traditional crafts, games and activities on offer around the house. You can stir the Christmas pudding in the Great Kitchen, make a pomander and hang your wish on the Christmas tree. Father Christmas will be visiting – but beware as Scrooge might be lurking around the corner!
Dyffryn Gardens
Free event, but usual entrance fees apply to get into the House
From Saturday 26th November to Wednesday 4th January
Find French hens, turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree as the Twelve Days of Christmas trail with its unique interpretation marks the start of the holiday celebrations at Dyffryn Gardens. You can also have breakfast or afternoon tea with the elves and meet Father Christmas.
Glanfa Foyer, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Saturdays and Sundays 26th November-18th December
Every day, Monday 19th-Friday 23rd December
10.30am-2.30pm (last entry 2.15pm) and 4.30pm-5.30pm (last entry 5.15pm)
Father Christmas has returned to his grotto in Wales Millennium Centre, where children can meet him for free. No need to book, just turn up on the day.
You can also book Afternoon Tea with Father Christmas in Ffresh restaurant on Sundays 27th November, 4th and 11th December; and daily from Saturday 17th-Friday 23rd December, at 3pm; £15 for adults, £8 for under 12s.
Father Christmas and his Reindeer
Cefn Mably Farm Park
Every weekend from the end of November.
Booking essential and prices to be confirmed
Celtic Manor
24th November to 24th December
£12.50 Monday-Thursday, £16 Friday to Sunday, £18.50 19th to 24th December
As well as meeting Santa, children will watch a video message from Santa’s Chief Elf, decorate gingerbread, write a letter to Santa and post it in his North Pole postbox, as well as meet his reindeer who will be resting up at Celtic Manor ahead of their busiest night of the year. Afternoon tea with Santa is also available, starting at £26 for adults and over 6s, and £12.50 for 5s and under – plus ice skating in the Winter Wonderland.
Santa Specials
Brecon Mountain Railway
November 26th, 27th, December 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd
Adults £14.75, children 15 and under £12.50, babies under 36 months free (but must be booked). Booking essential.
Now in its 30th year, families can travel by steam train from Pant Station to Santa’s Grotto where everyone will received a present from Father Christmas.
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Thursday 1st December-Saturday 24th December
Children £11.50, adults £6
Did you know that the grass on the pitch is grown an inch longer each December and that the roof is left open so Santa can touch down and restock his sleigh in Cardiff, while his reindeer have a quick graze on the pitch? A festive highlights tour of the stadium, visiting the press suite, dressing rooms, players’ tunnel and pitch.
Castell Coch, Cardiff
Saturday 3rd (10am-4pm) and Sunday 4th (11am-4pm) December
Usual admission prices apply, plus £3 per child to see Father Christmas, including gift.
Booking required
Meet Santa in Castell Coch’s historic Christmas grottoes £3 per child to enter the grotto including gift. You can also make traditional Victorian Christmas decorations, including paper garlands, pomanders or decorate your own bauble.
Greenmeadow Community Farm, Cwmbran
Normal admission applies, plus additional charges for Father Christmas to be confirmed
Saturdays and Sundays 3rd & 4th, 10th & 11th December and Friday 16th-Friday 23rd December, 10am-4pm.
A magical time of year at the farm when everyone’s favourite visitor takes up residence in his cosy farm grotto.
Christmas Festival Market, Memo Arts Centre, Barry
Saturday 3rd December, 10am-4pm
£6.50, including a gift
Pre-booking for the grotto is advised.
Meet Santa and his elves provides a lovely photo opportunity at the grotto, including a stop-off at Santa’s Post Office where you can discuss wish lists, and stamp and post your letter in the North Pole post box.
The grotto is part of the Christmas Festival Market, which sees 30 craft, gift and food stalls, as well as festive films.
Cwmcarn Forest Drive
Saturday/Sunday December 3rd/4th, 10th/11th and 17th/18th
£6 per child
Journey through the snow covered valleys to Santa’s secret hideaway and tell him your Christmas wishes.
Christmas weekend and meet Father Christmas
Caerphilly Castle
Saturday 10th (10am-4pm) and Sunday 11th December (11am-4pm)
Meet and greet Father Christmas and his real live reindeer, experience a medieval Christmas, and taste a selection of festive treats and refreshments, including a traditional hog roast, mince pies and mulled wine. Usual entrance fees apply, with a £3 additional charge per child to see Santa (including a gift).
Blaenavon Ironworks
Saturday/Sunday 10th/11th, 17th/18th December, 11am-4pm
Usual entrance fees apply plus £3 per child to see Santa, including a gift
Meet a traditional Father Christmas at Blaenavon Ironworks.
Barry Tourist Railway
Saturday/Sunday 10th/11th, 17th/18h December
£7
A chance to meet Santa on Barry’s famous steam train.
Tea Party with Father Christmas
St Fagans National History Museum
Saturday 17th–20 December 2016, 11am, 1pm & 3pm
£14
Enjoy a tea party with Santa and Mother Christmas, listen to their amazing stories, and receive a gift. Welsh and English language sessions available.
Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon
Sunday 18th December, 10,30am-4pm
£5 per child to include a gift. No booking necessary.
Father Christmas arrives at Pit Top at 10.30am, travelling 300ft UP from underground on his way to Lapland. Once he’s arrived (and found his elves!), there’ll be an opportunity to visit him in his cottage, until 4pm, and tell him what’s on your Christmas list. Music will also be provided by Blaenavon Town Band.
Pantomime
The Riverfront, Newport
Tuesday 29th November – Monday 2nd January
£6-£20
Join Cinderella and the ugly sisters for a traditional family pantomime with slapstick mayhem, music, laughter and romance – all with a sprinkling of fairy dust.
Paget Rooms, Penarth
Thursday 1st, Friday 2nd December, 7.30pm; Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December, 2.30pm
£8-£10
Join PODS (Penarth Operatic and Dramatic Society) for this family friendly story of a tale of pirates, treasure, true love and sea sickness.
The Gate, Keppoch Street, Cardiff
Saturdays 3rd (11am) and 10th December (2pm and 6pm)
Family ticket £25, adult £8.50, concessions £6.50
The seventh annual Christmas show at The Gate from Black Rat Productions brings to life the classic tale of Pinocchio. Good old fashion fun and popular music combine in a show specially created for the venue’s unique theatre space.
Sleeping Beauty
Swansea Grand
Friday 9th December- Sunday 8th January
£12.50-£26
Britain’s Got Talent winner, Lance Corporal Richard Jones will be making magic in this year’s Sleeping Beauty. Coach Trip favourite Brendan Sheerin is King Brendan, and making his 19th consecutive panto is Swansea’s Grand Dame of pantomime Kevin Johns MBE.
Blackwood Miners Institute
Friday 9th-Friday 30th December
£7-£16
Welsh funny man Owen Money stars in the classic tale of a young girl who falls in love with the prince-turned-beast who has kept her captive is given the panto treatment. The thrills and romance of the fairy tale combine with singing and dancing in this family festive show.
New Theatre, Cardiff
Saturday 10th December – Sunday 17th January
£14-£35
David Hasselhoff stars as the dastardly Captain Hook in the annual panto offering from the New Theatre. The Hoff will be joined by Cardiff’s regular panto Dame Mike Doyle as Mrs Smee. Expect spectacular special effects, stunning costumes and scenery, show-stopping songs plus plenty of humour.
Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl
Saturday 10th-Saturday 31st December
From £11
The panto classic Jack and the Beanstalk comes to Porthcawl in this all-singing, all-dancing festive family performance.
Memo Arts Centre, Barry
Thursday 15th-Sunday 18th December
£13/£11, family £45 (four with at least one child)
The traditional pantomime of Snow White is brought to the stage by Barry amateur dramatic society, Billboard Ensemble. Expect comedy, flamboyant costumes, an all-singing-all-dancing cast, accompanied by a live orchestra.
Theatre and performance
Sherman Cymru, Cardiff
Friday 25th November-Saturday 31st December
£15-£25; previews £12-£20; age guidance 7+
The secret world of Pod, Homily and Arrietty is brought to the stage in this musical adaptation of Mary Norton’s 1952 story book about the little people living below the floor boards. Following a dangerous encounter “above the floorboards”, the Borrowers go on a magical journey that shows the littlest of people can make a big difference.
FREE The Christmas Story
Tabernacl, The Hayes, Cardiff
Mondays 28th November-Thursday 22nd December (Mondays to Saturdays)
Free 20-minute nativity play, running throughout the day with performances in English and Welsh.
New Theatre, Cardiff
Tuesday 29th November- Sunday 3rd December
7.30pm, with 2.30pm matinees on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday
£10-£22
Charles Dickens’ classic tale of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is given the full festival musical treatment in this production by Cardiff’s Orbit Theatre. Falling snow, flying ghosts and a trip through the Dickensian streets of London combine as Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmases past, present and future.
Memo Arts Centre, Barry
Thursday 1st December, 1pm
Adults £9, child (with gift) £8.50, child (without gift) £8
Join Santa and his friends in this fun-filled family musical complete with games, giggles and favourite Christmas songs. Santa will be available after the show to meet little ones and give them a present.
Weston Studio, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Thursday 1st-Saturday 3rd December
£8; age guidance 6+ (no under 2s)
A new adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen sees the circus arrive without warning, with the infamous Snow Queen altering Kai’s world permanently and launch Gerda on a quest of self-discovery. It’s staged by Odyssey, Hijinx Theatre’s Community group, which features a case of disabled and non-disabled performers from Odyssey, as well as Woodlands High School.
Roald Dahl’s Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Sunday 4th December, 4pm
£8.50-£20.50’ age guidance 4+
Ballet Cymru celebrate the centenary of the famous Cardiff-born author by staging two of his Revolting Rhymes. A perfect opportunity to introduce children to the wonders of dance and classical ballet.
The Snowman
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff
Sunday 4th December 2pm, and Monday 5 & Tuesday 6 December 10am & 12pm
£10, £8 concessions
Raymond Briggs’ classic animated adventure is accompanied by a live orchestra in an event for the whole family.
The Emperor’s New Clothes / Dillad Newydd Yr Ymerawdwr
Sherman Cymru, Cardiff
Monday 5th-Saturday 31st December
£8; age guidance 3-6 years
Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale is brought to the stage in the Sherman’s annual offering for young theatre-goers, with a relaxed seating environment and a running time of around an hour. When the Emperor demands the coolest of clothes, two weavers concoct a cunning plan to help him rediscover his joy and silliness.
English and Welsh-language performances are available.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Wednesday 14th December-Saturday 14th January
£22.50-£57.50; age guidance 5+ (no under 2s) 27
The world’s most famous nanny comes to Wales Millennium Centre in this magical production from Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, featuring all the classic songs from the musical film, impressive choreography and incredible special effects.pm.
Bert and Cherry’s Christmas Plum Pudding
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Saturday 17th, Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th December, 10.30am and 12.30pm
£7.50
This special performance from the Tiddly Prom team brings Bert, Cherry and many of their musical friends back together for fun and frivolity. Featuring songs from Bert’s three popular Tiddly Proms alongside festive favourites, this interactive live musical show features classical instruments and is an ideal way for the under 5s to re-introduce the adults they look after to Christmas.
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Tuesday 20th December-Monday 2nd January
La Fille Mal Gardée
Tuesday 20 December, 7.00pm
Wednesday 21 December, 2.00pm
Wednesday 21 December, 5.30pm
The Nutcracker
Thursday 22 & Friday 23 December, 2pm & 5.30pm
Saturday 24 December, 2pm
Tuesday 27 & Wednesday 28 December, 2pm & 5.30pm
Swan Lake
Thursday 29 December, 2pm & 7pm
Friday 30 December, 2pm & 5.30pm
Saturday 31 December, 2pm
Monday 2 January, 2pm & 5.30pm
£15-£37.60; children £7.50-£18.75; family £41-£105
See website for discounts when you book more two or three ballets together.
Carols, Christmas songs and classical
Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral Choir
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Tuesday 29th November, 1pm
£6-£7£6- 29 November, 1.00pm
Kick-start the festive season with a beautiful selection of traditional carols and music for Christmas, with members of the Concert Orchestra from St John’s College.
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Saturday 3rd December, 7.30pm
£27
The chart-topping Welsh choir present an evening of performance, featuring traditional Christmas favourites and rock and pop classics. They will be supported by their young protégées, Only Kids Aloud.
The Gate Arts Centre, Keppoch Street, Cardiff
Saturday 3rd December, 7pm
£8/£6
Cardiff and Vale Music Service present a night of Festive Music and Carols for all the family. The Young Persons Training Orchestra will be joined by the Gwaelod y Garth Primary School Choir for a programme of popular classics and Christmas favourites, followed by the CAVMS Youth Jazz Orchestra with a mixture of Big Band Classics and Festive Swing.
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Sunday 4th December 3pm
£22.50 (concessions £17.50)
A festive programme of choral work includes everything from Renaissance masterpieces, classic carols and traditional favourites.
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Monday 5th December, 7pm
£7-£9
A celebration of the talent of Caerphilly youth music, featuring ensembles and choirs from throughout the county. The night will include a wide variety of Christmas music from big bands, ukuleles, choirs and orchestras.
Cardiff County and Vale of Glamorgan Music Service Christmas Showcase
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Wednesday 7th December, 7.00pm
The talents of eight of the county’s ensembles plus a massed choir of 250 junior school children come together for a wonderful Christmas evening. The night includes performances from the Youth Brass Band, High Schools’ Wind Band, Junior Jazz, High Schools Orchestra and other groups.
The Gate Arts Centre, Keppoch Street, Cardiff
Wednesday 7th December, 7.30pm
Festive favourites from the string quartet, from Corelli to Bing Crosby, including a seasonal singalong.
St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff
Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th December2016, 6pm & 7.30pm (allow half an hour for pre-drinks)
£5.50 per person
Carol singing in the Museum’s 18th century Pen-rhiw Chapel, Expect lots of traditional tunes plus contemporary Christmas classics too. Must be pre-booked.
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Festive Brass
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Friday 9th December, 1pm
£5-£7
A family-friendly lunchtime concert combines traditional carols and festive favourites to get you singing along.
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff
Friday 9 December 7.45pm
£15, £13 concessions
The college’s orchestra and performers team up with David Mahoney form Only Men Aloud to perform such classics as Santa Baby, Let It Snow and timeless classics such as White Christmas.
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Saturday 10th December, 3pm and 7.30pm
£11-£13, concessions £10-£12, under 12s £5
A performance of festive favourites from Cambrensis Choir and Orchestra, St David’s Praise Choir, Promise of Christmas Youth Choir. Expect festive songs, Christmas carols and orchestral show pieces. Guest soloist is Katy Treharne, star of musical theatre.
City Voices Cardiff present Christmas
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Sunday 11 December, 3.00pm
£13, concessions £10, under 12s £5
The Cardiff choir present an afternoon of popular and well-loved carols and seasonal music, plyu a singalong and audience participation.
City Hall, Cardiff
Sunday 11th December, 7pm
Classical singer Lesley Garrett headlines a Christmas concert at City Hall, featuring favourite songs from the musicals and a festive flavour. Now in its fourth year, the concert raises money for the charity Welsh Hearts.
Christmas Celebrations – BBC National Orchestra of Wales
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Saturday 17th December, 7.30pm
£15-£37; family ticket (2 adults plus 1-4 children, £20)
Start your Christmas countdown with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with festive classics and seasonal sing-alongs – perfect for all the family.
Carols for Christmas – BBC National Chorus of Wales
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Sunday 18th December, 3pm
£5
The annual BBC Wales festive event sees the BBC National Chorus of Wales joined by a massed choir of primary school pupils from across Wales. Popular carols, combine with secular and sacred readings by some of BBC Wales familiar faces in aid of Children in Need.
Affinity Female Voice Choir presents Dreaming of Christmas
Chapter, Cardiff
Sunday 18th December
£6-£8
This 40-strong Cardiff-based choir perform a feast of festive favourites in aid of local charity Llamau.
Glanfa Stage, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
Wednesday 21st December, 5.45pm
City Voices Cardiff choir host a singalong carol concert, including festive treats such as mince pies and mulled wine. The event is free – just turn up on the day.
Other Christmas events
FREE Coca Cola Truck
Queen Street, Cardiff
Thursday 24th November, 1pm-9pm
“Holidays are coming” with the infamous red truck stopping in Cardiff as part of its UK tour.
Cwmcarn Forest Drive
Saturday 26th November – Festive Yule Logs
£4.50, booking advisable, age 4+
Sunday 27th November – Festive Clay Snow Man Prints
£4.50 per child, booking advisable ages 3+
Sunday 18th December – Mince Pie Walk
£5 per Adult, £3.50 per child, booking advisable
Tuesday 20th December – Winter Welly Walk
£1 per adult, £2 per child, booking advisable, age 3+
Friday 23rd December – Doggy Tinsel Walk
£4 per adult, £2.50 per child
Big Pit Coal Museum, Blaenavon
Sunday 11th December, 11.30am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-2.30pm
£5 per child; must be pre-booked
A chance for younger visitors to meet Mother Christmas and find out what’s been happening in the Christmas household. Has Rudolph been a good reindeer this year? Has Father Christmas finished painting the sleigh?
St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th December, 12-4pm
The museum is free to enter but there will be a small charge to cover materials for some activities
A chance for families to get in the mood for Christmas in these hands on drop-in activity sessions. There’ll be glitter and spice and all things nice. Make a decoration for your tree or a special wish as you help to stir the Christmas pudding.
Margam Country Park
Saturday/Sunday 10th/11th, Saturday 17th-Wednesday 21st December, 10.30am
£15 per car
Watch Santa feed the deer, then explore the rest of the park, including the adventure playground, farm trail and cafe.
FREE Christmas Holiday Art Activities
National Museum, Cardiff
Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th, Tuesday-Friday 20th–23rd & Wednesday 28th-Sunday 31st December, 10am-4pm
Spark-up your holiday creativity with art activities related to the national traditions of the Artes Mundi artists.
Cardiff Story Museum
Wednesdays 21st and 28th December; 10am to 3pm
Drop-in arts and crafts sessions with a festive theme. The museum is free to enter, but crafts will cost £1 per child.
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