Grass stains, wellies, extortionately priced water, outdoor toilets and intermittent sunshine… It can only be festival season! Wales and its surrounding English regions are chocked full of more and more of them each year, from wellbeing retreats to comedy weekenders to circus shows to even piratical celebrations. As you’ll find in this bumper guide curated by Elizabeth Morris and Emma Way.
Browse by month or just keep scrollin’
APRIL
WALES INTERNATIONAL HARP FESTIVAL
Returning for its fifth year, the Wales International Harp Festival will be celebrating harp music from many cultures and countries, bringing people together through the many sounds of one instrument.
Galeri, Caernarfon, Wed 5-Tue 11 Apr.
Info: here
THE BIG SESH
Beer, food, free entry and live music. The bank holiday weekend of all bank holiday weekends returns as The Big Sesh at The Westgate Hotel in Newport features south Wales’ finest musicians across three stages.
Westgate Hotel, Newport, Fri 7-Sun 9 Apr.
Info: here
SOUTH WALES COMEDY FESTIVAL
Formerly Merthyr Comedy Festival, now newly rebranded (er, excepting the URL below), South Wales Comedy Festival features family shows, Welsh language shows and more. A weekend ticket holder can attend the family show with children, however there is an 18+ age restriction in place for acts.
Various venues, Merthyr Tydfil, Thurs 20-Sat 22 Apr.
Info: here
STATION 18 FESTIVAL
Get ready for the ultimate celebration of New Wave Of Classic Rock, as Station 18 Festival launches with 16 of the very best such acts around, As December Falls and Bad Touch among them.
Hangar 18, Swansea, Fri 28-Sun 30 Apr.
Info: here
MACHYNLLETH COMEDY FESTIVAL

Set in the eponymous small Powys market town, this might seem like an odd place for a comedy festival, however the location allows for experimentation with a different, more relaxed approach to comedy overhead. Expect to find some of this era’s sharpest British comedians – Mike Wozniak, Phil Wang, Jen Brister, Rosie Jones, James Acaster, oh about 100 others – performing in more-intimate-than-usual spaces.
Various venues, Machynlleth, Fri 28-Sun 30 Apr.
Info: here
LLANDEILO LITERARY FESTIVAL
Taking place across theCarmarthenshire town, the festival features a programme of live music, sports stars, myths and legends, pottery, creative writing and poetry workshops, all while celebrating Welsh culture.
Various venues, Llandeilo, Fri 28-Sun 30 Apr.
Info: here
LYRA POETRY FESTIVAL
An annual Bristol based event showcasing poetry in its widest form, Lyra includes workshops, surgeries, panels and online events from multiple corners of Bristol and the UK.
Various venues, Bristol, Sat 22 Apr-Mon 1 May.
Info: here
MAY

FOCUS WALES
Kicking off its 12th edition with a lineup of 250+ acts, FOCUS Wales is spread across a whopping 20 stages. There’s something for everyone, from indie rock to electronica, folk to punk, as well as interactive industry sessions, arts events, and film screenings.
Various venues, Wrexham, Thurs 4-Sat 6 May.
Info: here
ATMOSPHERES
This four-day run of 12 concerts in and around the RWCMD arguably showcases this establishment at its best, on the music side of things: a showcase for and celebration of new music / modern composition, much of it devised and performed by students at the College. It opens on Thurs 4 May with a performance by the Manchester Collective in collaboration with forward-thinking Scottish guitarist Sean Shibe, continues with a selection of mini-operas, piano recitals and sound installations and finishes on Sun 7 with Oliver Trigg’s Colourscape.
Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff, Thurs 4-Sun 7 May
Info: here
TREDEGAR HOUSE FOLK FESTIVAL
Enjoy a weekend of folk music and dance performances in the Tredegar House and its gardens, with all paid tickets allowing access to tour the house and several free events to just turn up and take in.
Tredegar House Park, Newport, Fri 5-Sun 7 May.
Info: here
SOUTH WALES CAR FESTIVAL
Raising money for St David’s Hospice, expect a showcase of various vehicles, plus additional food stalls, bars, kids area, live music, local produce, craft areas and entertainment.
Chepstow Racecourse, Sun 7 May.
Info: here
CONWY PIRATE FEST
With an HMS Wales appearance, plenty of stalls, and musician Tom Mason joining the lineup for this year’s Pirate themed festival, you won’t need to find buried treasure to attend because you can hop onboard for free.
Conwy Quay, Sun 7 + Mon 8 May.
Info: here

BALTER
The small but mighty Balter festival is returning to Chepstow Racecourse for all of your boogieing needs – from drum’n’bass to techno and reggae to punk.
Chepstow Racecourse, Thurs 25-Sun 28 May.
Info: here
CARDIFF PSYCH & NOISE FEST
By now a fixture in the Cardiff city centre calendar for folks that like their music to be on the fringes, the Psych & Noise Fest’s lineup will run to dozens of acts over three days and three stages, with psychedelia and noise only the start of it style-wise.
The Moon & Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Fri 26-Sun 28 May.
Info: here
HAY FESTIVAL
HOWTHELIGHTGETSIN
This is the world’s largest music and philosophy festival, with a weekend full of inspiring talks and debates from the likes of Slavoj Žižek and Esther Freud and a music line up including the Brit Award-winning Belle & Sebastian.
Newport Street, Hay-On-Wye. Fri 26 – Mon 29 May.
Info: here

Literature, entertainment, live music, workshops – nothing is off limits at the foundational event of the Hay Festival brand as it nears its 40th birthday. This year, even Stormzy and Dua Lipa are in attendance!
Various venues, Hay-On-Wye, Thurs 25 May-Tue 4 June
Info: here
FISHGUARD FOLK FESTIVAL
This event is almost entirely free with concerts, workshops and walks to fill your May bank holiday with fun.
Market Square, Fishguard, Fri 26-Sun 28 May.
Info: here

IN IT TOGETHER
This festival is all about peace and love with a showstopping set of headliners including The Kooks, Anne-Marie and James. It’s also family-friendly, to the point of stating you can bring your granny along for free!
Old Park Farm, Port Talbot, Fri 26-Sun 28 May.
Info: here
LET’S ROCK WALES
This festival from Let’s Rock Radio will be bringing the sounds of the 1980s (and probably many people clad in 80s fancy dress) to Bute Park for a day of partying to Soft Cell, Wet Wet Wet, Heather Small and more.
Bute Park, Cardiff. Sat 27 May.
Info: here
JUNE
THE BIG RETREAT
Usually leave a festival feeling exhausted and in need of rest? This is the opposite. The Big Retreat is a rest and relaxation getaway to reconnect with yourself and nature with specially curated wellness activities such as yoga, crafts, talks and live music.
Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire, Thurs 1-Sun 4 June.
Info: here
WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL
With free tickets for under-10s, a full music lineup, comedy, plenty of activities to keep all the family engaged and enough street food stalls to get your stomach growling, Wychwood Festival seems to have something for everyone.
Cheltenham Racecourse, Fri 2-Sun 4 June.
Info: here
FIRE IN THE MOUNTAIN
This festival has its roots in folk music but with a modern approach, sharing the folk music that is both ancient and new and from many countries and cultures and claiming that they unapologetically love a fast fiddle tune.
Cwmnewidion Isaf, Aberystwyth, Thurs 1-Mon 5 June.
Info: here
GOTTWOOD
A boutique ravers’ sesh nestled in the Welsh woodlands of Anglesey, this unique and intimate independent festival celebrates the best of underground electronic music in an idyllic setting.
Carreglwyd Estate, Holyhead, Thurs 8-Sun 11 June.
Info: here

OUT & WILD
The UK’s only ‘wellness festival’ specifically curated for LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people, Out & Wild offers a range of activities from live music to hiking and spoken word to paddleboarding to enjoy within a likeminded and inclusive community.
Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire, Sat 10-Tue 13 June.
Info: here
UNEARTHED

This Pembrokeshire shindig, formerly the less wieldly Unearthed In A Field, talks of consciousness expansion through creative means. Its 2023 bill is its highest-rolling to date, with Dawn Penn, Mad Professor and Aleighcia Scott holding it down for reggae/dub heads and funk/jazz coming from Get The Blessing and TC & The Groove Family. Talks on lucid dreaming, spirituality and sustainability sit alongside yoga, art, meditation and comedy; you can also expect a range of kids’ activities, performing arts and vegetarian food.
Yurt Field, Solva, Haverfordwest, Fri 16-Sun 18 June.
Info: here
BRISTOL SOUNDS
We all love a day out by the harbour don’t we folks? And in the pantheon of Bristolian music festivals that are the unique selling point of Bristol Sounds. Come June you can alternate your gaze between seafaring vessels and popular music acts over four days, starting on Thurs 22 June with a set from genre-flipping jazz-pop polymath Jacob Collier. Moving into the weekend we get Manc indie veterans James on Fri 23, an all-dayer featuring the Levellers, The Selecter and Black Grape on Sat 24, and Self Esteem on Sun 25.
Bristol Amphitheatre, Thurs 22-Sat 25 June.
Info: here
PUB IN THE PARK
The biggest food and music festival in the UK returns with headlining acts Example, Badly Drawn Boy, McFly and Gabrielle, plus some of the country’s finest chefs whipping up delicious food and drink.
Royal Victoria Park, Bath, Fri 16-Sun 18 June.
Info: here
CARDIFF OPEN AIR THEATRE FESTIVAL
South Wales theatre company Everyman – founded during World War II, believe it or not – is returning to its annual haunt of Sophia Gardens to host six weeks of open-air theatre shows from Shakespeare (Macbeth, tackled by Everyman’s youth wing, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream) to film/TV adaptations (The Addams Family kick us off at the end of June; Matilda finishes proceedings in late July) plus cinema and standup evenings.
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Thurs 22 June-Sat 29 July.
Info: here

UNORTHODOX PARADOX
This festival prides itself in all things unorthodox or unique, celebrating the best of unusual art, music, and performance for adventurous people to enjoy. It’s also just a 10-minute walk from the beach!
Caerau, Anglesey, Sat 24-Mon 26 June.
Info: here
JULY
LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL EISTEDDFOD
This festival offers a week of family fun to explore cultures from all over the world through music and performing arts in the town of Llangollen. This year there will be evening concerts including one night only with Alfie Boe and the Choirs Of The World competition.
Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen, Tue 4- 9 July.
Info: here

GOWER FOLK FESTIVAL
This festival takes place across the Gower Peninsula in a variety of ancient churches to ensure that the internationally acclaimed artists have a magically acoustic atmosphere for their performances.
Various venues, Gower, Swansea, Tue 4-Sat 15 July.
Info: here
LOVE TRAILS GOWER
This festival encourages you to run wild with a long weekend of non-competitive trail running, beach trips, adventure activities and live music.
Weobley Castle Farm, Gower, Swansea. Thurs 6-Sun 9 July.
Info: here
TONNAU TROPICAL GARDEN PARTY
Another weekender taking advantage of the rolling prettiness of Anglesey’s Carreglwyd Estate, Tonnau follows up a successful 2022 bash with three days of groove-centric music with a global outlook. British dub innovator Mad Professor and Ghanaian gospel band Alogte Oho & His Sounds Of Joy top the bill.
Carreglwyd Estate, Holyhead, Fri 7-Sun 9 July.
Info: here
DEPOT IN THE CASTLE
This Cardiff festival is becoming a modern classic as it enters its sixth year, with a fantastic location in the grounds of Cardiff Castle and alumni acts in Foals, The Kaiser Chiefs and Clean Bandit. This July’s edition offers festival favourites including multi-award winners Bastille, Example and rising TikTok sensation Cat Burns, paired with plenty of local street food traders, entertainment from local acts and an iconic location. It really is looking to be a great time in the peak of summer.
Cardiff Castle, Sat 8 July.
Info: here

BIG LOVE
The clue is in the name, this festival is a big party with love at the heart. Although the lineup has not yet been announced, previous years would suggest that it’ll be extremely varied and lots of fun.
Cwm Cayo Farm, Monmouthshire. Fri 14-Sun 16 July.
Info: here
COLOUR CLASH
This Newport festival has got you covered for a day of electronic, rap, hip-hop and r’n’b with headliner Bugzy Malone joined by Ben Nicky, Chip and Yung Filly, plus a brand new electronic arena.
Tredegar Park, Newport, Sat 15 July.
Info: here
WESTIVAL
Celebrating underground club culture in a stunning farm location in Pembrokeshire, Westival still somehow feels like a house party. With 1500 punters and shuttle buses to the beach, this festival is both intimate and spacious and boasts a vast lineup of electronic music.
Shipping Hill Farm, Pembrokeshire, Thu 20-Sun 23 July
Info: here

STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL
With rock legends Airbourne and Black Stone Cherry gracing the Welsh hills, Steelhouse 2023 is set to be a big one.
Hafod-y-Dafal Farm, Ebbw Vale, Fri 28-Sun 30 July.
Info: here
GLASTONBARRY JUNIORS
An alternative (or addition) to the original Glastonbarry (see below), Glastonbarry Juniors is the jam-packed, all-day equivalent for all the family. Featuring tribute acts to Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry and Dua Lipa, special guest performances, rides and magic shows, this promises something for everyone, especially the young’uns.
Romilly Park, Barry, Fri 28 July.
Info: here
GLASTONBARRY
Toasting its 10th year, for 2023 Glastonbarry packs in 22 acts across two stages from the UK live tribute circuit, including tributes to Queen, Beyonce, Elton John, The Killers, Fleetwood Mac, Adele and more. And like any festival there will be an array of food and drink vendors, DJs, activities and stalls.
Romilly Park, Barry, Sat 29 + Sun 30 July.
Info: here
THE GOOD LIFE SOCIETY SUMMER CAMP
During four weekends in July, The Good Life Experience are hosting micro-festivals full of music, wellness, workshops, feasts and adventure. You can expect a nurturing escape to relax and refresh in the outdoors.
Hawarden Castle, Flintshire, every Friday to Monday during July.
Info: here
August
THE GREEN GATHERING
Head to the Green Gathering for a few days of low-impact living in a naturally beautiful location. You can expect live music on solar-powered stages and a community that shares both wisdom and skills.
Piercefield Park, Chepstow, Thurs 3-Sun 6 Aug.
Info: here
NEW QUAY
The New Quay Festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year! Head to Cardigan Bay for a weekend of music including Boomin and the Meat Loaf tribute, Maet Live.
New Quay Football Club, Cardigan Bay, Fri 4-Sun 6 Aug.
Info: here
THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD
Celebrating the culture and language of Wales through music, dance, spoken word, visual arts and more, this festival has been running since 1176… pretty mindblowing! Traditionally a competition-based festival, the Eisteddfod is now a showcase of the arts and culture in Wales.
Boduan, Pen Llŷn, Sat 5-Sat 12 Aug.
Info: here

LLANGWM LITERARY FESTIVAL
The idyllic location of a beautiful former fishing village lends itself to this Pembrokeshire festival’s showcasing of the best writing on a variety of themes. Expect reading and spoken word sessions, and writing workshops for all ages.
Village Hall, Llangwm, Fri 11-Sun 13 Aug.
Info: here
GREEN MAN
Plonked cheerfully in the Brecon Beacons as ever, Green Man’s lineup seems to get more diverse every year: Devo are the arguable marquee name for 2023, with folk sisters First Aid Kit and the cosmic Spiritualized joining them as main stage headliners. Other than music you can look forward to performance art, comedy performances, film screenings, nature education, plenty of food and drink, book interviews and opportunities to feel right at home in the great outdoors; as a celebration of nature and advocate of sustainability, it’s no slouch either.
Glanusk Park, Crickhowell, Thurs 17-Sun 20 Aug.
Info: here

ESCAPE FESTIVAL
An all-day one-day dance music event across multiple stages arranged by subgenre, Escape Festival features a variety of DJs, live performances, and immersive art experiences for over-16s.
Singleton Park, Swansea, Sat 19 Aug.
Info: here
BETWEEN THE TREES
Venture to Merthyr Mawrfor a weekend of music, spoken word, art, science, wellbeing and dance, reconnect with nature, take part in workshops and take in a great lineup of traditional, indie and contemporary folk music, The Dunwells and Seth Lakeman only two among many. Restore yourself through mindful meditation, yoga and massage, join a masterclass in watercolour painting and listen to the minds of conservation academics as you discover varied flora and fauna.
Merthyr Mawr National Nature Reserve, Fri 25-Sun 27 Aug.
Info: here
SKADIFF
Glastonbarry promoters Mack Events take a month-long break before skanking back to work with Skadiff: a one-day festival held in the 1000-capacity Tramshed on August bank holiday weekend. Ska, its comparably sharp-suited sibling mod and its looser-fitting cousin indie are variously represented here: tributes to Bad Manners, The Jam, The Stone Roses and The Police all feature, as do original-material types Captain Accident & The Disasters and Simmer Down.
Tramshed, Cardiff, Sat 26 Aug
Info: here
SEPTEMBER
COWBRIDGE MUSIC FESTIVAL
This festival focuses on the genres of classical, jazz and folk music with concerts from international artists in the small but beautiful market town of Cowbridge. They aim to make classical music more accessible and uplifting.
Various venues, Cowbridge, Fri 15-Sun 24 Sept.
Info: here
THE WELSH ROCKABILLY FAIR
This retro festival covers all bases with a programme of 12 rock bands, vintage fairground rides, vinyl and retro clothing stores and a convenient location next to a huge coastal campsite.
The Hi Tide Inn, Porthcawl, Fri 15-Sun 17 Sept.
Info: here
PORTHCAWL ELVIS FESTIVAL
The largest European festival celebrating the late Mr Presley, expect fans to be clad in Elvis attire, with sideburned wigs and white collared suits in abundance. Official tribute shows will crop up for all your singalong needs, and competitions to crown new Elvis Tribute Act winners as ever.
Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl, Fri 22-Sun 24 Sept.
Info: here

ABERYSTWYTH COMEDY FESTIVAL
From Little Wander, the people also behind Machynlleth Comedy Festival, their Aberystwyth branch features stand-up comedy, improv, and more for comedy fans who love being near the seaside. This will be the event’s fourth year, with confirmed acts so far including comedian Bridget Christie and the family-friendly show WIFI Wars, hosted by comedian Steve McNeil from Dara Ó Briain’s Go 8 Bit.
Various venues, Aberystwyth, Fri 29 Sept-Sun 1 Oct.
Info: here
OCTOBER
IRIS PRIZE
With 25 partners in 20 countries, Cardiff’s annual LGBTQ+ film festival the Iris Prize returns to celebrate the best short films and features LGBTQ+ makers have to offer. With a winning prize of £30,000 – the largest figure for short films in the world – and winners in its British Shorts category eligible for BAFTA nominations, Iris’ 17th edition will have specific details confirmed in the coming months, but promises a range of panel discussions on filmmaking and LGBTQ+ experiences, networking opportunities for creative minds, filmmaker Q&As – and plenty of films to lose yourself in, of course. Not forgetting the legendary parties into the wee hours…
Various venues, Cardiff, Tue 10-Sun 15 Oct.
Info: here

SŴN FESTIVAL
As a firm festival favourite in Wales, this one doesn’t need much introduction. With both up-and-coming and established artists filling the bill, Swn is back for another weekend of music across your favourite Cardiff venues. Keep an eye on the website for line-up announcements.
Various venues, Cardiff, Fri 20-Mon 23 Oct.
Info: here
BOIA FESTIVAL
This autumnal indoor feat launched last year under the name Cwtch and has returned with a rebrand, specifically matching up with Boia Gigs, the main promoters behind it. It leans towards the guitar-based and melodic: The Magic Numbers, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard and Lisa O’Neill topped 2022’s bill.
Various venues, St. Davids, Fri 27-Sun 29 Oct.
Info: here
words ELIZABETH MORRIS / EMMA WAY
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