Theatre shows to see in and near to Cardiff for half term February 2026

It’s almost February half term for schools in Cardiff, with local kids off the week of Monday 16 to Friday 20 February. If you’re looking for ways to entertain them, then how about a trip to the theatre? There are shows for all ages, from toddlers to teens, at theatres in Cardiff and surrounding areas. A few highlights include a stage adaptation of the much-loved Emily Gravett book Tidy/Taclus at the Sherman Theatre, The Dinosaur That Pooped a Rock Show at the Riverfront in Newport, and for teens (or if you fancy a child-free night out), 2.22 A Ghost Story at the New Theatre, Cardiff and Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at Wales Millennium Centre.

Full details for 10 amazing shows are below. Let me know any I’ve missed. I’ll be publishing my full February half term listings, filled with loads more great ideas of family-friendly events and activities, very soon… watch this space!

For more ideas of family days out in and around Cardiff, follow Cardiff Mummy Says on Instagram, on Facebook, or on TikTok.

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Tina – The Tina Turner Musical

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

Tuesday 10-Saturday 28 February

From £20,

Age guidance 14+

The West End hit comes to Cardiff as part of its first ever UK and Ireland tour. Featuring iconic hits including The Best, What’s Love Got To Do With It?, Private Dancer and River Deep, experience Tina’s inspiring story live on stage as this exhilarating celebration reveals the untold story of a woman who dared to dream fiercely, shatter barriers and defy the bounds of age, gender and race to conquer the world against all odds. Very limited availability, tickets have been selling fast for this one.

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Tidy/Taclus

Sherman Theatre, Cardiff

Wednesday 11-Saturday 14 February

Age guidance 3-7; approx 45 minutes

£12

Pete the badger likes everything to be neat and tidy: the flowers, the leaves, even the other animals. But, when autumn comes, he gets a little bit carried away with cleaning up the forest and accidently destroys his own home!

Based on the much-loved children’s book by author and illustrator Emily Gravett, Tidy and Welsh-language version Taclus is a gentle but cautionary tale about the value of the world around us and what happens if we don’t look after it.

With beautiful puppets, original music and a touch of silliness, this playful story will delight young audiences, as it explores how everyone needs a little bit of wild chaos in their lives.

Separate English and Welsh performances.

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Cry Baby: The Musical

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff

Saturday 14-Thursday 19 February

£8-£16

Age guidance 12+

From the writers of Hairspray comes John Waters’ cult classic rebellion, bursting onto the stage with guitar riffs, bad behaviour and deliciously twisted 1950s satire. Meet Wade ‘Cry Baby’ Walker, Baltimore’s baddest good boy, and Allison, the society sweetheart who falls hard for him and his crew of leather clad outcasts. As the clean cut squares declare war on the rock and roll misfits, this gloriously unhinged musical ignites into a high camp riot of romance, rebellion and rockabilly. With its sharp wit and tongue in cheek humour, this is not your typical squeaky clean teen musical, it’s a joyfully anarchic ride for audiences who like their shows packed with whip smart comedy and outrageous numbers like “Girl, Can I Kiss You With Tongue,” get ready for a wild ride through America’s glossy façade and the delicious chaos underneath.

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Gaby Gulliver’s Travels – Shadow Puppet Theatre

Memo Arts Centre, Barry

Saturday 14 February, 10am and 2pm; optional shadow puppet workshop 12pm

£12 adults, £10 children

Age guidance 5+; 45 minutes plus time to meet the puppets

Step into a world of wonder with Gaby Gulliver’s Travels, a magical shadow puppet theatre show for children and adults. Follow eight-year-old Gaby as she journeys through fantastical parallel worlds, discovering what it feels like to be big or small. Through immersive shadow puppetry, original live music, and engaging storytelling, Indigo Moon Theatre present a contemporary reimagining of Gulliver’s Travels.

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Gwen yr Arth Wen

Riverfront Theatre, Newport

Saturday 14 February, 11am and 2pm

£8-£10

Blackwood Miners’ Institute

Friday 20 February, 1pm and 3pm

£6-£8

Age guidance 6+

This Welsh language production follows Gwen, an anxious polar bear, who wakes up on a broken icecap hundreds of miles away from her family. On her perilous journey through the Arctic Ocean, she will have to find her courage, as well as her way home.

Centred on themes of climate change, home and confidence, Gwen yr Arth Wen fuses puppetry, music and visual storytelling to form a rich and exciting show about finding confidence in yourself.

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2:22 A Ghost Story

New Theatre, Cardiff

Monday 16-Saturday 21 February

£33-£49

Age guidance 12+

Fresh from record-breaking seasons at five West End 2:22 A Ghost Story is a brilliantly funny and adrenaline-filled night where secrets emerge and ghosts may or may not appear… What do you believe? And do you dare discover the truth? This supernatural thriller stars James Bye (Eastenders), Natalie Casey (2 Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps), Jenny believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn’t having any of it. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben. Can the dead really walk again? Belief and scepticism clash, but something feels strange and frightening, and that something is getting closer, so they’re going to stay up… until 2:22… and then they’ll know.

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Dwrgi/Otter

Blackwood Miners’ Institute

Tuesday 17 February, 10.30am

£5-£12

Age guidance 0-5

Follow Dwrgi the otter as she explores rivers and streams, finding magic and mischief along the way. This bi-lingual multi-sensory theatre experience is perfect for under 5s, focussing on storytelling, language and rewilding ourselves. Seamlessly intertwining Welsh and English, it’s perfect for Welsh speakers, English speakers and learners of both.

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The Dinosaur That Pooped A Rock Show

Riverfront Theatre, Newport

Wednesday 18 February, 12.30pm and 3.30pm

£20

60 minutes, no interval

When Danny and Dino’s favourite rock band are playing their last ever concert, they go on a quest to get the last two tickets. But with a villainous band manager lurking, nothing goes to plan. Adapted from the number one best-selling books by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter, the whole family will have a poopy good time enjoying a brand, new story for the stage. Featuring new songs by Tom and Dougie, a lot of laughs – and a whole lot of poo! 

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Out of the Box

Theatre Brycheiniog, Brecon

Friday 20 February, 2pm

Adults £12.50, children £9.50

Age guidance 4+; 60 minutes running time

A family-friendly circus comedy show, which sees an unlikely character and his box bring audiences together through joyful awe, never knowing what to expect next.

With every opening of the box comes new trick shots, mini acts, and even a chance to take part in the show. Delivered through, non-verbal clowning, ordinary objects become extraordinary in the hands of Darryl – and you won’t believe the reaction he gets from a toothbrush in the finale!

Performed by Darryl Carrington from Newport, Out of the Box has been performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and is a celebration of play throughout your life, whatever your age, bringing generations together through seriously skilful silliness.

For more ideas of family days out in and around Cardiff, follow Cardiff Mummy Says on Instagram, on Facebook, or on TikTok.