Christmas in Cardiff

With Christmas just around the corner we can all start thinking about our festive faves, like hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows. Visit Cardiff tells us why a trip to the Capital should be top of our wish list this Christmas.

Cardiff Light Trail at Bute Park

A magical walk through a park filled with lights

Christmas at Bute Park is back, and Wales’ premiere seasonal lights trail promises to be bigger, brighter, and even more festive. Look out for a host of enchanting illuminations, including ‘Light of the Night’, featuring 500 LED orbs creating a harmonious play of light and sound. Visitors can also enjoy live music on selected evenings, plus a mouth-watering selection of artisan cuisine with the newly expanded Christmas Village.

Ticketed event: 24 November to 1 January

Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland Ice Rink

Ice-skating in the Castle

Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland Ice Rink and Ice Walk returns to the historic Castle. Located in the Public Square, it boasts 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. Even without a ticket, visitors can still enter the Public Square and discover a selection of festive food and drink stalls, plus the Castle Café and Gift Shop.

Ticketed event: 16 November to 2 January

Cardiff Christmas Market

Pick out the perfect handcrafted gift

You will find the established Cardiff Christmas Market, with its familiar traditional wooden huts, in the heart of the shopping area. Home to bespoke silver jewellery, original artwork, beautiful fused glass work, hand thrown ceramics, handmade quilts and textiles, seasonal food and drink, and much more. Chat to the talented makers and soak up the uniquely festive atmosphere as you browse the variety of stalls.

Dates: 9 November to 23 December

Experience the magic of a Spiegeltent show

The Christmas Festival returns with a new home in Sophia Gardens. Choose from three entertaining shows, Santa’s Wish, Castellana, and a concert by Welsh of the West End: all in the unique setting of The 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 show, Santa’s Wish - or enjoy a night out with friends at Castellana.

Ticketed events: 01 December to 24 December.

Chill-out at the ice bar

On City Hall Lawns, amidst all the fun of the fair, the sub-zero temperatures in the Ice Bar at Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland make it the coolest place to chill out this Christmas. It really is made entirely out of ice (even the shot glasses!) so, with temperatures of minus 10, make sure you wrap up warm to enjoy a drink with your friends!

Ticketed event: 16 November to 2 January

For everything you need to know about Christmas in Cardiff, head to www.visitcardiff.com/christmas