Penarth Summer Festival

words: ANGHARAD BISHOP

For science and fun lovers alike, Cardiff Science Festival (Mon 9-Sun 15 July, check website for individual event admission prices) is back with a range of exciting activities for all the family. Most events throughout the week are free, spanning science in the supermarket to Techniquest After Hours. There’s even a session for science sceptics at the pub!

The Wales Millennium Centre plays host to Chicago, (Mon 9-Sat 14 July, 7.30pm, tickets: £11-37.50) in what’s sure to be a fabulously sassy 1920s musical starring Ali Bastian (The Bill, Strictly) and Stefan Booth (Eastenders, Hollyoaks).

If you fancy yourself as the next Lewis Hamilton, or just a bit of a wacky racer, Penarth Summer Festival (Thurs 5-Sun 15 July, free admission) is the perfect place to show off. Construct your own cart for the downhill derby, watch a live band, soak up the festival atmosphere or simply enjoy the fancy dress parade.

Jolly Totz Festival (Sat 14 July, 10am-5pm, tickets: £7.50/£28 for a family of four) welcomes all families to Margam Country Park this weekend to be inspired by storytellers, artists, musicians and on-site circus, theatre and graffiti workshops.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Everest, The Eiger & More (Wed 11 July, St David’s Hall, 7.30pm, tickets: £18) is the inspirational story of the vertigo-suffering legend that conquered his fears, as well as some of the highest peaks and challenges the world has to offer.

Then And Now (Sat 14 July-Sat 11 Aug, free admission) opens this Saturday at the Attic Gallery, Swansea, with a retrospective exhibition, featuring the best Welsh art from the 1960s and today side-by-side as part of their 50^th Anniversary celebration.

Bionic celebrates their twelfth birthday with a shindig at Cardiff Students Union (Sat 14 July, 8pm, tickets: £20/VIP £30) featuring Aussie first-timers Toneshifterz, alongside other acts Activator, Hixxy and Kutski to name a few.

Soul-rockers Vintage Trouble and The Zombies grace Abertillery Park for the Abertillery Blues Rock Festival (Fri 13-Sat 14 July, tickets: £40-weekend, £20-Fri only, £30-Sat only) for a weekend of brilliant live music. Camping is available on site for hardcore rock ‘n’ rollers.

Caerphilly Castle is coming to life with film, dance, music and drama, as part of Awen (Wed 11 July-Fri 13 July, 6.30pm, tickets: free, but must be booked in advance) a poetic celebration of what heritage means to us.

And if you can only do one thing…

Head down to Pontypool Carnival (Sat 14 July, 12-6pm) for a hoard of Olympic delights, including arts & crafts, fair rides, climbing activities and a grand parade throughout Pontypool Park and town centre.