Book now for The Snow Queen at Cardiff Christmas Festival – the city’s most magical family theatre experience

Paid collaboration with Cardiff Christmas Festival

Now in its third year, Cardiff Christmas Festival might be one of Cardiff’s newest festive events, but it’s certainly established itself as one of the most magical.

For six weeks in November and December, the beautiful Spiegel Theatre will be back at Sophia Gardens ready for a full programme of theatre and music performances.

We’ve been lucky to have attended the festival for the last two years and have loved how beautifully unique a venue the Spiegeltent is. One of only a handful left in the world, its name means ‘magic mirrors’ and it dates back to the late 1800s when it was used as a travelling dance hall across Europe.

With sumptuous red velvet fabric forming the circus style dome ceiling, glitterballs dangle from the ceiling, and mirrors reflecting the light, you really feel like you’re somewhere special. A capacity of 500 means you’re never more than a few metres from the stage and, with the performance space fully under cover and heated, you’re safe from the Welsh winter weather too.

The Snow Queen – a festive treat for families

For families, the undoubted highlight of the 2024 season will be The Snow Queen, an all-new magical tale suitable for all ages, which runs from Thursday 12-Tuesday 31 December.

The classic Hans Christian Andersen tale has been reimagined and given a Welsh twist as Gerda sets out on an epic adventure to try to break the spell of the evil Snow Queen.

This new production has been written especially for the festival and features local talents Melanie Stevens as The Snow Queen, and Cadi Mullane as Gerda and James as Kai, both up and coming young Welsh performers and recent graduates from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

The show also stars Bryn, a 7ft singing and dancing polar bear, who has already been out and about on the streets of central Cardiff entertaining shoppers and promoting the show. Plus there’s a guest appearance from Father Christmas – playing himself, of course.

With a running time of 75 minutes and no interval, the show is ideal for younger theatre-goers. Audiences can also expect brand new and original musical numbers – and you can get a sneak peak of one of them, Freeze This World, which will be sung by the Snow Queen herself, here.

The Snow Queen builds on the success of Santa’s Wish, which played the festival to sell-out audiences for the last two years. That show was an endearing tale of how a fairy called Snowflake became a part of Santa’s team, with underlying themes of looking after the planet, the difference little acts of kindness can make, and finding a sense of belonging.

This year, festival producers are inviting audiences to enter a world where flowers sing, animals talk, and friendship triumphs over all. Suitable for all ages, The Snow Queen is a fantastical family adventure as we join Gerda on a dangerous and whimsical quest to save her best friend Kai before he is trapped forever in the Snow Queen’s palace.

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A convenient location

Cardiff Christmas Festival takes place at Sophia Gardens, near the National Express bus station. With a big pay and display car park next door, it’s super convenient for families. Plus there’s a buggy park at the Spiegeltent for prams and pushchairs should you need it.

This year sees a slightly different set-up at the tent. The bar, selling hot chocolate, other soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, will be in an undercover entrance area, along with food stalls selling cinema-style hot dogs, popcorn and nachos, as well as proper toilets. There’s also a festive-themed entrance to the Spiegeltent this year, with Christmas trees, dry ice and a photo area perfect for festive selfies.

And if you find the run up to Christmas is too busy to fit in a visit, the good news is that performances run until New Year’s Eve, meaning you can book a trip in that quieter time post-Christmas. It could make a lovely gift for children, something to look forward to after the big day.

You can also book now for a range of other fantastic shows at the Spiegel Theatre, from tribute bands and stars of the West End to an adult-only cabaret night and performances from Welsh legends Dafydd Iwan, Aled Jones and a range of other fantastic entertainment.

Meet Bryn the Polar Bear

Bryn the Polar Bear is getting out and about around Cardiff and the Vale, meeting locals and posing for pics. You can find him here: chaos here:

Thursday 14 November, from 5pm

City of Arcades Christmas Launch Event (outside TKMaxx, The Hayes)

Saturday 16 November, from 10am

Little People Store, Rhiwbina

Post Your Letters to Santa Event

Sunday 17 November, from 5pm

Penarth’s Christmas Lights Event

The Snow Queen, as part of Cardiff Christmas Festival, is at the Spiegel Theatre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, CF11 9FH from Thursday 12-Tuesday 31 December, with 28 performances, afternoon and early evening. Tickets cost from £16.50-£22.50 for children and £25-£32.50 for adults. The performance is 75 minutes with no interval.

Book online here.

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Also at Cardiff Christmas Festival 2024

Book online for all events here

Welsh Of The West End 

Friday 29 November 8pm, Saturday 30 November 2pm (both sold out), Sunday 22 December 8pm (selling fast, limited availability)

Welsh of the West End have become an online sensation with more than 20 million views and wowing audiences internationally by reaching the live semi-finals of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. This concert sees the musical theatre super-group perform Christmas classics and musical theatre favourites, with hit songs from musicals including Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and Wicked.

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Christmas at the Movies

Saturday 30 November, 8pm (selling fast, limited availability)

A night of festive music and songs from the movies in aid of Shelter Cymru and hosted by local celebrity duo Wyburn & Wayne. Expect a range of phenomenal performances from a variety of acts and special guests including Welsh TV presenter Matt Johnson, Phantom of the Opera legend Peter Karrie; star of The Snow Queen Melanie Stevens, The Voice Finalist Jolie Stevens, SJ Hill, winner of ITV’s Romeo and Duet, and Travis George, Britain’s Got Talent finalist.

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The Bohemians: The Ultimate Queen Show

Sunday 1 December, 8pm (selling fast, limited availability with single seats available only)

Billed as ‘the world’s most exciting Queen tribute’, The Bohemians re-enact the glory days of Queen including the craziness of the 70s and the magic of the 80s with a high-energy two hour show.  Expect hits including Killer Queen; Somebody To Love; Don’t Stop Me Now; You’re My Best Friend; I Want It All; We Will Rock You We Are The Champions and the award-winning Bohemian Rhapsody.

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My My Abba: The Christmas Show 

Saturday 7 (sold out) and Sunday 8 December, 8pm (selling fast, limited availability)

My My Abba return to the Speigeltent following last year’s sell out concert. Paying homage to the original Swedish sensation, capturing the Supergroup’s fabba-ulous sense of fun, recreating their incredible unique sound and combining this into a fun-filled evening of sing-along, dance-along magic, featuring hits such as Waterloo, Mamma Mia and Dancing Queen.

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Aled’s Christmas Songbook featuring The Snowman 

Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December, 2.30pm (selling fast, limited availability)
Join singer Aled Jones and the Welsh POPS Quartet as they perform The Snowman and other festive favourites. Aled will perform and narrate The Snowman in the first half of the show and in the second half perform some of his own favourite show and classical numbers, before leading a seasonal singalong, accompanied by the amazing Welsh Pops String Quartet.

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The Rat Pack: Swinging at Christmas
Friday 13 December, 8pm (sold out)

Tributes to Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr and Frank Sinatra take you on a journey through the Christmas version of the Great American Songbook with songs such as Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Rudolph The Red nosed Reindeer, Baby It’s Cold Outside, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and many more.

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Disco Inferno: 70s Disco Spectacular

Saturday 14 December, 8pm (selling fast, limited availability)

An all singing and all dancing celebration of everything D.I.S.C.O.  Get set for pitch perfect harmony, high energy, slick choreography and disco classics such as Blame It On The Boogie, Car Wash and It’s Raining Men from the ultimate UK disco tribute, singing hits from Earth Wind and Fire, Barry White, Donna Summer, The Trammps, and many more.

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Dafydd Iwan in Concert

Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 December, 8pm (selling fast, limited availability)

Welsh icon Dafydd Iwan raises the roof with two nights of storytelling and patriotic fervour. This is a rare opportunity to see one of Wales’ most beloved and respected artists, who has been at the forefront of Welsh culture and live music for more than half a century. On the first night he’ll be joined on stage by popular Welsh rock-folk band Bwncath.

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My Favourite Things Christmas Spectacular

Friday 20 and Saturday 21 December, 8pm, adults only (selling fast, limited availability)
Soho’s most mischievous diva, Heiress Blackstone, will host the season’s merriest night of international variety. This festive event features a dazzling all star line-up, blending sensational cabaret, breathtaking circus, joyous burlesque and raucous comedy. Join Heiress and her Christmas favourites for a night filled with laughter, glamour, and festive cheer.