Summer in South Wales
South Wales comes into its own at Summer with an amazing choice of events from county shows to music festivals, so grab the SPF and head for some fun in the sun.
1) THE GOWER FESTIVAL
4-16 July
When you’ve got an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and talented musicians within reach of each other, why not combine the two for a spectacular classical musical experience. That’s exactly what the organisers of the Gower Festival do every year, taking acclaimed musicians to a different atmospheric venue each evening for the first two weeks of July. Join them to soak up the acoustics for yourself along the beautiful Gower Peninsular.
2) FAMILY FUN PARK
15 July-4 September
Open daily 11am-8pm, the Family Fun Park is heading to Roald Dahl Plass just in time for the Summer holidays and promises some much needed fun for all the family! An exciting line up of outdoor funfair attractions will fill the Roald Dahl Plass located in the heart of Cardiff Bay. Enjoy favourites such as ‘The Dodgems’ and ‘Pirate Party Fun House’, as well as various children’s rides and family game stalls. There will also be a selection of sweet and savoury treats on offer.
3) BIG LOVE FESTIVAL
15-17 July
Proving that party people run the best events, Big Love is a friendly three-day romp held at Cwm Cayo Farm in USK, Monmouthshire. Part festival, part house party, it’s always a great vibe. With over 130 DJs and live acts, highlights include d’n’b legend LTJ Bukem, performing his set on top of an old fire engine, festival essential Beans on Toast, local favourites Afro Cluster and dance pioneers Transglobal Underground. Fabric resident Bobby and DJ and producer Kepler are headlining the secluded forest dome stage.
4) ABERDARE PARK ROAD RACES
16-17 July
The Aberdare Park Road Races are a highlight of the summer for motorcycle fans who flock to Rhondda Cynon Taff for a weekend of speed and excitement in picturesque surroundings. Watch brilliant riders race around a Victorian Park on amazing machines from the classics up to some of the best superbikes of today.
5) MERTHYR FOOD FESTIVAL
16 July
If you love food, you’ll love Merthyr Food Festival. With a wonderful selection of food stalls, chef’s demonstrations, live entertainment, a popup vegan festival, children’s activities and much more, this promises to be a fabulous day out and entry is free.
6) ROYAL WELSH SHOW
18-21 July
The Royal Welsh Show is the pinnacle event in the British agricultural calendar with four-days of competitions, entertainment and attractions at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd.
The show provides a prime shop window for farming in Wales. The show attracts more than 200,000 visitors, up to 7,000 entries of livestock and over 1,000 trade stands. A perfect day out for the whole family, with the very best of Welsh produce, flowers, crafts, country pursuits and arena displays.
7) CARDIFF OPEN AIR THEATRE FESTIVAL
23-30 July
Wales’ largest outdoor theatre festival is back in the heart of Cardiff for six weeks of live theatre. Heading to the festival this summer is Blackadder Goes Forth - the conclusion of the much-loved British series, Shakespeare comedy Twelfth Night, sci-fi smash-hit musical Little Shop of Horrors and Disney’s High School Musical. The In the Park programme features Under Milk Wood and Stand Up in the Park returns in association with Amnesty International, Cardiff. The South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus and Affinity Female Voice Choir on the 10 July for an evening of memorable songs under the stars.
8) SINGLETON PARK CONCERTS
29-31 July
There is a fantastic concert series in Singleton Park this summer by award-winning Orchard Live. You can enjoy a bumper weekend of iconic music in Swansea kicking off with hitmaker Nile Rogers & CHIC on 29th July, pop sensation Anne-Marie on 30th July and the modfather himself Paul Weller on Sunday 31st July. For a weekend to remember book your tickets now.
9) STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL
29-31 July
Steelhouse Festival brings international classic rock music to its breath-taking mountain top location in South Wales. This year’s headliners will be Swedish Rock legends Europe, along with Michael Schenker Group, Ace Frehley and many more. Experience the UK’s highest music festival, this unique event will once again be held in the spectacular surroundings of Hafod-y-Dafal Farm situated on the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons.
10) SWANSEA OUTDOOR THEATRE
5 & 25 August
Pack a picnic and settle in for an evening of live theatre in the idyllic setting of Oystermouth Castle grounds. With wicked witches, lovable trolls, a fairytale Prince and miles of golden hair, Rapunzel is the perfect breath of fresh air for all ages, 5th August.
Then later in the month see Shakespeare’s classic comedy of love, intrigue, magic and mayhem, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 25th August
11) BRECON COUNTY SHOW
6 August
There is plenty for the whole family to enjoy at the historic Brecon County Show. The sheep shearing competition is always an exciting spectacle as the shearers compete in fast and furious contests throughout the day.
The main ring attractions includes The Grand Parade, The Regimental Band & Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh who will be thrilling the crowds, Broke FMX the UK’s leading motorbike display team performing breath taking stunts, vintage tractor parade, Inter-hunt relay team and parade of hounds.
There will also be Trade Stands with a wide variety on offer, Craft stalls to suit everyone, and a Food Hall to relish.
12) AFRICAN CELEBRATION DAY
11 August
A whole day dedicated to African Caribbean culture. Lots of workshops with entertainment from Butetown Carnival Performance and Troupe Djeliguine. (Booking essential)
13) FIM SPEEDWAY GP
13-14 August
Head to Principality Stadium for Cardiff’s biggest-ever speedway weekend.The FIM Speedway GP is back. It’s the 20th visit of this action-packed event, back after three years. On Saturday enjoy the fan zone in the city centre before the action in the stadium. On Sunday the stadium hosts the FIM SGP2 of Great Britain – the second round of the revamped FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship.
14) GREEN MAN FESTIVAL
18-21 August
Green Man Festival is always a whole heap of fun. It’s a wonderful family friendly affair that takes place on the Glanusk Estate, in the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park. The non-music entertainment includes comedy, talks, relaxation zones, food areas, exploration gardens – is arguably just as good as the stuff you can dance along to.
15) BETWEEN THE TREES
26-28 August
Between The Trees Festival aims to reconnect people of all ages with the natural world. It blends the enjoyment of contemporary folk music with nature, science and art. So, it’s far more than just a music festival, it’s an “encounter with nature” and an opportunity to relax and feel refreshed by the restorative qualities of a woodland environment. Uniquely, festival-goers get the opportunity to pitch their tents under the forest canopy in Merthyr Mawr Nature Reserve, Bridgend.
16) PRIDE CYMRU
27-28 August
Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend 2022 is Wales’s biggest celebration of equality and diversity. Over 2 days, 27th and 28th August bank holiday weekend. Pride Cymru hosts over 50,000 people in the Welsh capital to celebrate the LGBT+ community.
17) RUDE HEALTH WORLD BOGSNORKELLING CHAMPIONSHIP
28 August
The Rude Health World Bogsnorkelling Championship is another fun Green Event in Llanwrtyd Wells. People come from far and wide to compete in one of the Lonely Planet’s 50 ‘must do’ things from around the world.
