Grease – Mon 24 – Fri 28 July
The West End production of the classic musical, starring boy-band The Wanted’s Tom Parker as Danny Zuko and BBC’s Over The Rainbow winner Danielle Hope as Sandy, comes to Wales Millennium Centre. With all the loved songs and characters, this is bound to be a treat for the whole family.
Tickets: ÂŁ13-44
Royal Welsh Show – Mon 24 – Thu 27 July
Builth Wells is the home of the biggest agricultural show in Great Britain. Not only does the Royal Welsh showcase the Welsh livestock and high quality food and drink produced in Wales, there are a range of activities and entertainment on each day.
Tickets: Adults ÂŁ26 / Children ÂŁ5
Drawing Workshop – Tues 25 July
Artist Christine Mills is hosting this drawing workshop at the Oriel Davies Gallery where a variety of tools and mediums, including ink, pencil, charcoal and more, will be used to create drawings of different objects.
Tickets: ÂŁ5 per person.
The Tale of the Cockatrice – Wed 26 July
Mumblecrust Theatre and Peafrog Puppetry are putting on this performance at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Following the story of a brave nun and a hideous creature, the storytellers use puppetry and live music, making this an exciting adventure for everyone in the audience.
Tickets: ÂŁ8 / Concessions ÂŁ6
The Comedy of Errors – Wed 26 July
Illyria, a group of five actors who are known for putting their unique spin on Shakespeare’s plays, are bringing one of Shakespeare’s earliest comedies to Oystermouth Castle in Swansea. If the weather stays on your side, this beautiful location, along with this unique play, will make an extremely enjoyable evening.
Tickets: ÂŁ6-38
A Night at the Movies – Fri 28 July
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, along with Classic FM’s John Suchet and Owain Arwel Hughes, will be celebrating John Williams’ 85th birthday in the most spectacular way. Performing some of the all-time favourite Hollywood blockbuster soundtracks, this is the perfect night for any film fanatic.
St David’s Hall, Cardiff. Tickets: £7.50-32
The Big Cheese – Fri 28 – Sun 30 July
The town of Caerphilly is famous for its cheese so The Big Cheese festival always attracts a huge crowd, including families from all over the country. As well as lots of food, there will be an array of music, dancing, a funfair and lots of other entertainment.
Tickets: Free entry
Shaf Huse – Sat 29 July
Hedone are putting on this night of underground house and techno. Bringing some of the most respected names in the genre to The Duke in Neath, this night is sure to make your weekend one to remember (or to forget…) Alongside Shaf are DJs such as Dean Morgan, Sean Morris and Nathan Lazda.
Tickets: ÂŁ8
Steelhouse Festival – Sat 29 – Sun 30 July
Held at the stunning Hafod y Dafal Farm in Ebbw Vale, this is a rock festival like no other. With this year’s headliners being Skindred and Saxon, the line-up doesn’t disappoint, and for “The UK’s best value Rock Festival,” that’s pretty good.
Tickets: ÂŁ50 per day / ÂŁ85 for weekend / ÂŁ20 per person for camping
Miners’ Fortnight at the Beach – Sat 29 – Sun 30 July
Miners’ Fortnight returns this summer with the opening of the ‘Urban Beach’ at the Rhondda Heritage Park, the Welsh Mining Experience. Alongside the deckchairs and the beach will be a craft fayre, refreshments and a children’s funfair.
Tickets: ÂŁ4 per child / ÂŁ2 per adultÂ
words CONNIE MATTHEWS