The Royal Welsh Winter Fair arrives for its two-day annual festivities on Mon 27 and Tues 28 Nov this year. Joe Prescott takes a look ahead.
The Royal Welsh Showground is the venue for this year’s fair, the annual festive primestock market nearing an impressive 30-year tenure, and a sure-fire way to get your Christmas bells jingling. The British agricultural show will offer a huge display of livestock, showcasing the best in British farming along with farming demonstrations such as Equine and Farriery. Expect a farmer’s market mixed with Crufts and some winter spices thrown in.
Be sure to check out the market stalls as well, with over 300 trade stands offering a range of local and British produce over 4 pavilions as well as local services and societies showcasing their own products and display stands. For the foodies there will be a plethora of artisanal Welsh produce to try, no doubt Christmas-themed and winter-warming. Those with itchy fingers can wander the handicrafts and cookery demonstrations for inspiration to keep their hands warm during the colder months. There’s floral arts and antiques along with Christmas gifts so you might find last minute gift ideas that you can’t get elsewhere.
A family based event at Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a Grotto, and sure enough jolly old Santa will be in attendance as well. Live music will be performed over the two-day event with the musicians signing copies of their work, along with charities and societies selling items and raising funds.
It’s all for the family and offers a comfortable setting in which to wander and feel relaxed in the build up to the Xmas madness, so it’ll be worth a trip if you fancy something a bit more grounded in your festive period. And for an extra bit of sparkle in the Yuletide doings, there’s a free fireworks display on Monday 27th to start the advent off with a bang. Gates open from 8am.
Admission: Gate prices per day – Adult: £15. Children (5-16): £5. Children under 5 free of charge when accompanied by a full paying adult. Info: www.rwas.co.uk/winter-fair/