The best Christmas events in Cardiff
Make sure you don't miss a thing with our ultimate guide to the best of what's on in Cardiff this Christmas.
25 Nov - 8 Jan
Christmas Festival in the Spiegeltent
Cardiff Castle
The Christmas Festival in the grounds of Cardiff Castle hosts three incredible shows in a traditional Spiegeltent. Built from wood, cut mirrors, canvas and leaded glass the beautiful venue is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas. Book tickets now for the family shows, Santa’s Wish or The Nutcracker - or enjoy a night out with friends at Castellana.
13 Dec - 14 Jan
Les Misérables
Wales Millennium Centre Returning by popular demand following a sell-out run, Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Boublil and Schönberg’s musical Les Misérables returns to Cardiff. This brilliant new staging has taken the world by storm and has been hailed “Les Mis for the 21st Century”. With scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, the magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the songs I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Bring Him Home, One Day More, Master Of The House and many more. Seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 52 countries and in 22 languages, Les Misérables is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals. Storm the barricades for a ticket!
1 Dec – 8 Jan
The Cardiff Bay Gingerbread Trail
Cardiff Bay
This Christmas, Cardiff Bay will be transformed into a jolly gingerbread jamboree with sculptures of the festive treat appearing at everyone’s favourite hotspots across the Bay.In total there will be nine ‘sweet’ gingerbread statues spread around the Bay and a gingerbread sleigh which will take centre stage in Roald Dahl Plass.
29 Nov - 3 Dec
Blood Brothers
Wales Millennium Centre Willy Russell’s legendary musical tells the captivating and moving tale of twins separated at birth, who grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences. Few musicals have been received with such acclaim as the multi-award-winning Blood Brothers.
15 Nov - 8 Jan
Ice-skating at Cardiff Castle
Cardiff Castle
Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland Ice Rink and Ice Walk returns to Cardiff Castle, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Norman Keep. Whether it’s skating with friends or a day of family fun (complete with penguin skate-aids for smaller guests), the undercover rink is suitable for all ages and abilities.
15 Nov - 8 Jan
Cardiff's Winter Wonderland
City Hall Lawns, Cardiff
Enjoy all the fun of the fair, with festive food & drink and back again are the sub-zero temperatures in the Ice Bar, making Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland the coolest place to chill out this Christmas. With an Ice Bar that is really made entirely out of ice (even the shot glasses!) and temperatures of minus 10, make sure you wrap up warm to enjoy a drink with your friends!
27 - 28 Dec
Elf
Cardiff International Arena
The hit Hollywood blockbuster movie has been supersized into a live arena spectacular for this Christmas with a massive stage featuring amazing film backdrops on a huge LED screen plus a mobile stage that travels the auditorium, so everyone gets a close-up view of the action.
24 Nov - 1 Jan
Christmas at Bute Park Bute Park, Cardiff
The award-winning Christmas at Bute Park light trail is back for its second year with a host of new sights in tow. The mesmerising 1.4km trail will take visitors on a ‘hypnotic laser journey,’ including an epic light orb experience, and a ‘liquid sky,’ and promises to be an unforgettable experience for the whole family to enjoy.
17 - 21 Jan
Bugsy Malone
Wales Millennium Centre
Prohibition era, New York. A city full of mobsters, showgirls and dreamers. Rival gangster bosses Fat Sam and Dandy Dan are at loggerheads. The custard pies are flying and Dandy Dan’s gang has gotten the upper hand since obtaining the new-fangled “splurge” gun. Now, Fat Sam and his bumbling buffoons are in real trouble! Enter Bugsy Malone, a penniless one-time boxer and all-round nice guy. All Bugsy really wants to do is spend time with his new love, Blousey, but will he be able to resist seductive songstress Tallulah and stay out of trouble long enough to help Fat Sam to defend his business?
25 Nov - 30 Dec
Bingo Lingo - Step Into Christmas
Depot, Cardiff
One for the Adults - Cardiff’s most popular BINGO LINGO Christmas events return to the city’s favourite venue The DEPOT. Brace yourselves as we take you on a journey through time with all of your favourite Christmas classics as you Step Into Christmas! Running over 9 events, each selling out every year we’ll bring you an unmissable night of BINGO LINGO mayhem. Prepare yourselves for an unrivalled experience of dance offs, twerk offs and the chance to win festive prizes that will change your life forever!
