Yes readers, festival season is back in 2024, and what with Buzz’s bumper guide covering the period from April to November some might wonder if it ever really leaves. Debate among yourselves as Emma Way and Rhys James do the honours with informative, snappy rundowns of indoor, outdoor, musical, culinary, literary, sporty and posh festivals all across Wales and sometimes a wee bit beyond too.
MUSIC
ALL ROADS FESTIVAL
The King Arthur, Glastonbury, Fri 3-Sun 5 May
Unlike Glastonbury festival itself, which in fact takes place in nearby Pilton, this weekender takes place at the very heart of the town. Acts and audiences alike pack up for three days away in the beautiful Somerset countryside. The festival and camping experience feature some of the busiest acts in the Welsh music scene – many of whom have featured in Buzz’s monthly One To Watch feature, including Nookee, Dactyl Terra and Pigeon Wigs.
Who: HMS Morris, Mellt, Mari Mathias
How Much: £79.50 with camping/£48.15 without
Info: facebook.com/allroadsfestival
FOCUS WALES
Various venues, Wrexham, Fri 9-Sun 11 May
Part international festival, part music industry conference, FOCUS Wales features experts from multiple areas of the music industry, over 300 live sets from international established acts and rising Welsh artists, plus film screenings and panel talks. The event has something for both aspiring musicians who are looking for something interactive, and live music lovers.
Who: Spiritualized, Deerhoof, CVC
How Much: £75 weekend/£100 priority pass/£160 delegate pass; day tickets £40-£45
Info: focuswales.com
TREDEGAR HOUSE FOLK FESTIVAL
Tredegar House, Newport, Fri 10-Sun 12 May
Hosted in Newport’s quaint Tredegar House and gardens, this festival includes a lineup of more locally known folk artists as well as a farmers’ market, ale and cider bar, songwriting competition, workshops and sing-a-rounds and folk dance teams.
Who: The Young’uns, Huw Williams, Lindisfarne
How much: £115
Info: tredegarhousefestival.org.uk
ABERTILLERY ROCK & BLUES FESTIVAL
The Met, Abertillery, Sat 18 May
The award-winning blues faves Catfish (not the ones with the Bottlemen) are the ones to watch at this year’s Rock & Blues Festival, nestled in the dramatic foothills of Abertillery. “They have one of the greatest young guitarists on the scene today,” says Blues Matters magazine, and who are you to argue? They follow in the footsteps of past headliners, The Zombies.
Who: Catfish, Jerry Jablonski Band, Dead Man’s Whiskey
How Much: TBC
Info: Facebook
GŴYL FACH Y FRO
Barry Island, Sat 18 May
Organisers Menter Iaith Bro Morgannwg promise a day of ‘cultural immersion’ as this Welsh language bonanza takes over the Barry promenade again. Performances will vary from school choirs to the likes of rapper Sage Todz and folk artist Bethan Nia, showcasing the breadth of Cymraeg musical talent. To that end, the festival will also debut a newly commissioned Vale of Glamorgan anthem sung by a massed choir with dancers this year.
Who: Sage Todz, Lowri Evans, Fleur De Lys
How Much: FREE
Info: menterbromorgannwg.org
BALTER FESTIVAL
Chepstow Racecourse, Thurs 23-Sun 26 May
Ten years since it all began in a secret south Wales location, the legendarily high-octane Balter parties on, now in a slightly less secret location. Dance music, most often with hefty BPMs and crater-causing basslines, is its bread and butter: junglists, free party heads, garage shufflers and probably a few punks and metal maniacs will converge for four days at the races. Just say neigh!
Who: Kurupt FM, Henge, Andy C
How Much: £180
Info: balterfestival.com
DEVAUDEN FESTIVAL
The Hood Memorial Hall, Devauden, Fri 24-Sun 26 May
Family-friendly mini music weekender set just outside Chepstow, and described by BBC News last year as “Glastonbury meets Vicar Of Dibley”. Running since 2010, the festival looks very different today but remains family-friendly, community-focused and accessible: a small village alternative to the bigger UK festivals you might usually book.
Who: Skerryvore, Laid Blak, Melin Melyn
How Much: £52/£26 kids
Info: devaudenfestival.com
IN IT TOGETHER
Old Park Farm, Port Talbot, Fri 24-Sun 26 May
What do you get when you mix Port Talbot, the world’s biggest bouncy castle, Billy Ocean and Dick & Dom? Only In It Together Festival. This family-friendly focused weekend features big names Sugababes, Dizzee Rascal and Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, as well as three dance tents, an Abba singalong, and recognisable names from TV of yore from Kevin and Perry to the bungalow boys themselves.
Who: Dizzee Rascal, Feeder, Craig David
How Much: from £189 (weekend)/from £65 (per day)
Info: inittogetherfestival.com
UNORTHODOX PARADOX
Wormelow, Herefordshire, Fri 24-Sun 26 May
Psychedelic, electronic and noise sounds in the Herefordshire countryside, Unorthodox Paradox claims to focus on the diverse and usual amongst us, featuring a distinctive range of art, music and performance art especially for adventurous souls. This festival also promotes its “stupidly cheap bar”, “strange happenings” and beautiful surroundings, with free camping also included with the price of your ticket.
Who: Perhaps Contraption, AK/DK, Chemtrails
How Much: £100
Info: unorthodoxparadox.co.uk
HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN
Various venues, Hay-On-Wye, Fri 24-Mon 27 May
Philosophy, science and music combine in its regular May bank holiday slot for HTLGI, which promises over 250 speakers, musicians, comedians, debates and talks across 12 stages. Wellbeing is also an important feature of the festival, with HTLGI advertising massages, treatments and cleanses for those needing a little TLC – what chance you end up queuing for an invigorating rubdown with the likes of Slavoj Žižek, Peter Singer or the guy who used to play the banjo in Mumford & Sons?
Who: Sea Power, Mad Professor, Richard Dawson
How much: £218 with camping/£178 without
Info: howthelightgetsin.org
WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL
Cheltenham Racecourse, Fri 31 May-Sun 2 June
Gloucestershire’s Wychwood features music, comedy, literature and interactive activities, priding itself on its homely and family-friendly environment. Having previously hosted the likes of Happy Mondays and Eurovision’s Sam Ryder, this year’s incarnation lists Welsh talent in CVC, Melin Melyn and Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, as well as headliners Sister Sledge, Texas and Ocean Colour Scene.
Who: Sister Sledge, Texas, Seasick Steve
How Much: £169.50 with camping/£154.50 without
Info: wychwoodfestival.com
FESTIVAL OF THE SEA
Various venues, Barry Island, Sat 1 + Sun 2 June
After Wellerman became a TikTok sensation a few years back, it’s not surprising to see the increased popularity of the sea shanty singing style. Barry has the first ever festival dedicated to it: it’ll feature over 40 singers to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI, the largest lifeboat service operating off the coasts of the UK, Ireland, the Isle Of Man and the Channel Islands.
Who: Bois y Bryn
How Much: TBC
Info: festivalofthesea.wales
AMSERJAZZTIME FESTIVAL
Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff, Thurs 6-Sat 8 June
The RWCMD’s yearly jazz festival once again blends student and established talent for a long weekend of sublime summertime sounds. Opening with the college’s Head Of Jazz, Andrew Bain, leading BA and MA students in the foyer (for free!), genre-pushing performances from Welsh regular Tomos Williams, London’s celebrated saxophonist Binker Golding Quartet and an album launch from Swedes Claire Martin with the Martin Sjöstedt Trio follow in the Dora Stoutzker Hall.
Who: Binker Golding Quartet, Claire Martin
How Much: events priced individually
Info: rwcmd.ac.uk
WESTIVAL
Manorbier, Pembrokeshire, Thurs 6-Sun 9 June
A low-key Welsh festival success story, Westival debuted on the Pembrokeshire coast in 2018, now has a capacity of 1500 and is likely to sell out again in 2024. It’s one for the clubbers who like their sounds a little more refined, favouring deep house, disco and globally-sourced rhythms for the most part, and entices punters from all over the UK to venture out west. Manorbier is also the perfect holiday spot if swimming and paddleboarding in the Welsh sea sounds cushty.
Who: Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King, Crazy P Soundsystem, Eris Drew
How Much: £139
Info: westival.wales
GOTTWOOD FESTIVAL
Carreglwyd Estate, Anglesey, Thurs 13-Sun 16 June
Another rave weekend in the Welsh extremities which draws the bulk of its clientele from beyond the border, Gottwood takes place in an imperious northern forest but is ultra-dedicated to good vibes in its soundtracking. House and techno in multiple forms and offshoots thereof, to the tune of around 100 DJs from the UK, Europe, the States and probably elsewhere, make for a fairly stacked four-day bill, and there’s also boutique camping.
Who: El-B, Peach, Sonja Moonear
How Much: £227.30
Info: gottwood.co.uk
BRISTOL SOUNDS
Canons Marsh Amphitheatre, Bristol, Sat 22-Sun 30 June
Bristol’s picturesque Harbourside is the backdrop for this inner-city concert series, running across seven evenings in late June. Newport’s Skindred, who’ve stepped up to ‘arena band’ level as of this year, kick us off on Sat 22, while on Sun 30 there’s an alt-rock alldayer topped by a highly rare UK show from The Breeders. In between those dates, Gentleman’s Dub Club, James Arthur, Busted, Placebo and Annie Mac are your headliners.
Who: Skindred, Placebo, Busted
How Much: events priced individually
Info: bristolsounds.co.uk
LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL EISTEDDFOD
Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen, Tue 18 June-Sat 13 July
Held annually since 1947, Llangollen’s International Eisteddfod has secured some of its biggest concerts ever for 2024 – spanning nearly a month, with Bryan Adams and Madness the two bookending acts. In between, highlights include Tom Jones’ first-ever performance in the town (Tue 2 July), a returning name in Gregory Porter (Fri 5 July), a Manic Street Preachers / Suede double-header (Fri 28 June) and plenty more high rollers.
Who: Katherine Jenkins, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Tom Jones
How Much: events priced individually
Info: international-eisteddfod.co.uk
TONNAU TROPICAL GARDEN PARTY
Carreglwyd Estate, Anglesey, Fri 5-Sun 7 July
A few weeks after Gottwood, Carreglwyd Estate again gears up for a dance party. Tonnau shuffles between live acts and DJs – seven stages listed, one being a floating cocktail bar on the lake – and favours what you might call global grooves or similar: dub, reggae, Afrobeat, salsa, cumbia (watch out for a set honouring the memory of late Peruvian guitarist Manzanita Y Su Conjunto) and no doubt more.
Who: Benin International Musical, Busy Twist, Channel One Sound System
How Much: £140/£80 ages 13-17/free under-13s
Info: tonnaufestival.uk
THE WEEKEND RUMBLE
Great House Farm, Llansoy, Fri 5 + Sat 6 July
Independent barn-based festival situated in the Usk countryside, The Weekend Rumble is spread across two days, so get together with family and friends and enjoy multiple bands, spoken word artists, poets, DJs, street food, and performers. Past talent that has taken to the festival stage include Dub War, Goldie Lookin Chain and a Gay Elvis. The event raises money for mental health and suicide support charities.
Who: Panic Shack, The Lovely Eggs, The Darling Buds
How Much: £68-£88
Info: theweekendrumble.com
BIG LOVE FESTIVAL
Cwm Cayo Farm, Usk, Thurs 18-Sun 21 July
With over 140 acts, DJs and performers, Big Love have gone family-friendly as of 2024, introducing a brand new children’s area after partnering with volunteer-based charity Teddy Trust. With conscious hip-hop stalwarts Arrested Development the first big headliner out the traps, the four days are also set to see jazz, disco, dub and breaks soundtracking your field shenanigans. Big Love’s Big Top, wherein circus and cabaret happens, will also return.
Who: Arrested Development, Molotov Jukebox, Plump DJs
How Much: £140/£60 ages 13-17/£5 ages 5-12/free under-5s
Info: biglovefestival.co.uk
CLASSIC IBIZA
Singleton Park, Swansea, Fri 19 July
Summertime Live is putting deck to string around the UK with its Classic Ibiza concert series, giving dance music fans in Swansea a one-day taste of the ‘festival experience’ (in their words) backed up by a 32-piece orchestra and live singers. Peripheries include glitter makeup stalls, street food and plenty of bars. If you want low commitment and maximum sweat‘n’sun, head to Singleton Park this July.
Who: Classic Ibiza Orchestra
How much: £35/£29.50 per person for group of 8+/£69.50 VIP
Info: summertimelive.co.uk
COLOUR CLASH
Tredegar Park, Newport, Sat 20 July
Originally a concept thought up in a Toby Carvery, Newport’s Colour Clash is a day-long multi-genre feast drawing on high-ranking names from the UK’s r’n’b, rap, trance and drum’n’bass scenes. Now in its seventh year, Colour Clash will again be welcoming 10,000 festival goers to cut a rug to a bill that bounces from Ben Nicky to Arrdee, Nathan Dawe to DJ Luck & MC Neat.
Who: Arrdee, Nathan Dawe, Shy FX
How much: £41.50
Info: colour-clash.co.uk
LET’S ROCK WALES
Singleton Park, Swansea, Sat 20 July
If you were to choose 80s music as your Mastermind subject, this festival might be right up your street. Let’s Rock Radio are the people behind this UK-wide retro festival series, Wales’ edition moving to Swansea for 2024. Originating as a festival in 2009, Let’s Rock highlights its retro fun, quality and family-friendly ethos; the event hosts the Ali Campbell version of UB40, Bob Geldof’s Boomtown Rats, ABC, Go West and many more.
Who: The Boomtown Rats, ABC, Go West
How much: £47.25
Info: letsrockwales.com
STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL
Hafod-Y-Dafal Farm, Ebbw Vale, Fri 26-Sun 28 July
Classic and contemporary rock collide at 2024’s Steelhouse, much as they have done for over a decade now. Whooping it up on the side of a Blaenau mountain – the organisers reckon they’re “the UK’s highest music festival”, their words not ours – Steelhouse has previously welcomed the likes of Thin Lizzy, The Darkness and Europe, while this year’s variation ushers in the local-ish Skindred and Scotland’s King King. There’s only one stage, so you can ensure you’ll see everyone on the lineup.
Who: Skindred, The Almighty, Mr. Big
How much: £157.50
Info: steelhousefestival.com
MADRUGA FESTIVAL
Baskerville Hall, Herefordshire, Fri 26-Sun 28 July
This three-day, day-to-night electronic music festival debuted last year and is situated on the grounds of a 19th-century mansion, overlooking the Black Mountains of Wales. With London bass music don Joy Orbison this year’s headliner, the festival is aimed towards dance music enthusiasts – other names announced including Shy One, Papa Nugs, Anthea, Anna Wall and A For Alpha. There’s also a swimming pool, immersive visual art and yoga.
Who: Joy Orbison, Anna Wall, A For Alpha
How much: £120
Info: madrugafest.com
GLASTONBARRY JUNIORS
Romilly Park, Barry, Fri 26 July
The kiddie-friendly spinoff of Glastonbarry, the junior version pays tribute to the most recognisable names in pop music – Taylor Swift, Harry Styles etc. As well as providing live entertainment, there’ll be rides, special guest performers, workshops, a disco, character mascots and a magic show.
Who: tributes to George Ezra, Harry Styles and Taylor Swift
How much: £15/£50 family ticket
Info: glastonbarry.com/glastonbarry-juniors
DEPOT IN THE CASTLE
Cardiff Castle, Sat 27 July
Celebrating six years of summer evening showcases, Depot has organised another strong lineup for Depot In The Castle 2024. Held at the significant historical location of Welsh heritage, Cardiff Castle, this alldayer’s previously secured names like Bastille, Kaiser Chiefs and Craig David; this year they welcome Anne-Marie, Tom Walker, Jax Jones and Artful Dodger as well as CVC, Ben Ellis and Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.
Who: Anne-Marie, Tom Walker, Jax Jones
How much: £61.60
Info: depotinthecastle.com
GLASTONBARRY
Romilly Park, Barry, Sat 27 + Sun 28 July
Mack Events’ annual summer tribute weekend near the sea returns with 11 live acts each day: simulacra of Abba, Blur, Foo Fighters, Tina Turner, Arctic Monkeys, AC/DC, Madness, ELO and Dua Lipa, plus many more. Having started in 2013 with a capacity of 600, now Glastonbarry can expect to get around 14,000 punters through the gate per weekend.
Who: tributes to Foo Fighters, Abba, Tina Turner
How much: £60/£100 VIP/£45 per day
Info: glastonbarry.com/glastonbarry-festival
ANOTHER WORLD FESTIVAL
Rock The Park, Wrexham, Fri 2-Sun 4 Aug
Debut year for a fest advertising itself as family-friendly, and which you can arrive at on the Thursday and leave on the Monday despite only Friday and Saturday having acts announced at the time of writing. To that end, Fri 2 is a day for lovers of trance, pop-dance and happy hardcore – Billy Gillies, David Rust, Andy Whitby, Dougal – while Sat 3 sees Scouting For Girls headlining over a bill of mostly tribute acts.
Who: Andy Whitby, Alex Kidd, Scouting For Girls
How much: £112
Info: anotherworldfest.co.uk
GREEN MAN
Glanusk Park Estate, Crickhowell, Thurs 15-Sun 18 Aug
The mountain awakens for another year of music, literature, science and art. Intimate and family friendly, you can expect exciting up-and-comers – the Green Man of 2024 is the sort of fest that showcases proverbial Next Big Things – and established names over its four-day duration. It sells out without anyone needing to know who’s playing these days, too, but to their credit they don’t seem to rest on their laurels and still seek out acts divergent from their indie/folk bedrock.
Who: Big Thief, The Jesus And Mary Chain, Sampha
How much: £260/£235 NUS/£190 ages 13-17/£45 ages 6-12/£32 ages 3-5/free under-3s (sold out)
Info: greenman.net
BETWEEN THE TREES
Merthyr Mawr Nature Reserve, Bridgend, Thurs 22-Sun 25 Aug
Intertwining science, art and nature into its trademark woodland atmosphere, Between The Trees is a not-for-profit indie-folk festival set within a 100-acre woodland site. Being just a short walk from Merthyr Mawr beach allows you to profit further by reconnecting with the sea and sand. Talks, walks, food and drink vendors, workshops, activities, and plenty of music and spots to explore are also on offer.
Who: Rona Mac, Ellie Gowers, The Deep Blue
How much: £150/£55 ages 4-17/free under-4s
Info: betweenthetrees.co.uk
TALBOT THRASH
Murphy’s Main Stage, Port Talbot, Fri 23-Sun 25 Aug
Metal on a budget! Punk Ain’t Dead Promotions presents Talbot Thrash, where for just £5 you get to see all of these metal bands: Neon Empire, Horrenda, Excursia, State Of Deceit, Cremulation, DangerProne, Suicidal Ritual, Exaust, Virology, Graces Secret, Cranial Separation and Jared Fear.
Who: Neon Empire, Horrenda, Excursia
How much: £5
Info: here
THE BAY SERIES
Alexandra Head, Cardiff Bay, Thurs 22 + Sat 24 Aug
There are six shows set to be announced for this year’s Bay Series, which ran for four days in 2023 and featured N-Dubz, The Streets, Scooter and the Chemical Brothers, but only two locked in at press time. New Order visit on Thurs 22 Aug – it’s their first Cardiff show since 1983 – followed by dance-pop colossus Becky Hill on Sat 24 and stadium-filling Dutch trance DJ Tiësto on Sun 25.
Who: New Order, Becky Hill, Tiësto
How much: £55/£49.50/£95 VIP (New Order), £39.50-£47.50 (Becky Hill); £49.50/£45/£89.50 VIP (Tiësto)
Info: bayseries.co.uk
SHALL NOT FADE
Baskerville Hall, Herefordshire, Fri 30 Aug-Sun 1 Sept
Three-day manor house party and camping festival held in the grounds of Baskerville Hall, 30 minutes from Hereford train station and overlooking rural Welsh countryside with cooked breakfast provided each morning. All of which might be why Bristol house and techno imprint Shall Not Fade wanted to invite a selection of their artists and 500 ravers here…
Who: 1-800 Girls, Bakey, Cinthie
How much: £190.10
Info: shallnotfadefestival.com
FORWARDS
Clifton Downs, Bristol, Sat 31 Aug + Sun 1 Sept
The grassy open space north of Bristol city centre gets glammed up again for the third edition of Forwards: following Jamie XX and the Chemical Brothers’ headline sets in 2022, and Erykah Badu and Aphex Twin following suit last year, this time we’ve got Loyle Carner and Four Tet to see out August; LCD Soundsystem and Jessie Ware to welcome September. Floating Points, Yussef Dayes, Yard Act and CMAT are among the best of the rest over both days.
Who: LCD Soundsystem, Loyle Carner, Four Tet
How much: £102.90/£42.40 ages 5-17/free under-5s (weekend); £67.20/£21.20 ages 5-17/free under-5s (per day)
Info: forwardsbristol.co.uk
QUEEN OF THE CASTLE
Fonmon Castle, Vale Of Glamorgan, Sun 15 Sept
An all-dayer dedicated to the music of the band Queen, in a suitable setting – it is left mysterious whether Mack Events, the Vale-based promo company behind it, worked the venue into the concept or vice versa. Suffice to say that attendees will be served up the bombastic hits of Freddy, Brian, John and Roger (and Adam Lambert) in multiple forms: longrunning Queen tribute band Flash, an opera rendering of their infamous pomp, and the ’85 Live Aid set done orchestral style.
Who: The Rhapsody Rock Orchestra, Adriano Graziani, Flash
How much: £25/£50 VIP
Info: fonmoncastle.com
PORTHCAWL ELVIS FESTIVAL
Parkdean Trecco Bay Showdome, Porthcawl, Fri 27-Sun 29 Sept
Toasting its 20th birthday this year, the Elvies – as this fan-service festival is also known – is a staple of early autumn in Porthcawl. Although its usual main venue the Grand Pavilion is closed for extensive refurb, the organisers have actually been able to expand the competitive element as a result. A litany of Elvis tribute acts, or ETAs as you may wind up calling them for short, will both entertain and compete; the Elvis Gospel Show returns in its usual slot early on Sunday too.
Who: Elvis Tribute Acts
How much: £10-£25 per event
Info: elvies.co.uk
OTHER VOICES
Various venues, Cardigan, Thurs 31 Oct-Sat 2 Nov
This Cymro-Hibernian alliance very much feels like a growing concern year on year. Not in size, as such – it’s still based in Cardigan’s St Mary’s Church, where its headline acts play to holders of weekend passes who got lucky in a ticket lottery – or in price, which remains remarkably cheap given the calibre of acts Other Voices lure to Ceredigion. Its mixture of alehouse gigs and other spontaneous sessions, spoken word/debates under the Clebran banner, and livestreams of its marquee sets have made it a bona fide hit, though.
Who: TBC
How much: £35/£10 under-18s (earlybird prices until Mon 1 July)
Info: othervoices.ie
ARTS & LITERARY
LYRA BRISTOL POETRY FESTIVAL
Various venues, Bristol, Fri 12-Sun 21 Apr
Events, workshops, discussions and competitions with the option of watching through livestreams. This year’s Lyra Bristol Poetry Festival is centred around the theme of ‘Poetic Futures’ and brings together local, national and international poets and speakers.
Who: Salena Godden, Simon Armitage, Jackie Kay
How much: events priced individually
Info: lyrafest.com
LLANDEILO’S LIT FESTIVAL
Various venues, Llandeilo, Fri 26-Sun 28 Apr
A weekend stocked with authors, poets, playwrights, storytellers, music, talks and hands-on workshops, in both Welsh and English, with the addition of Llandeilo’s first children’s literature festival featuring Aardman Animation model-making.
Who: Kate Humble, John Devereux, Ben Wildsmith
How much: events priced individually
Info: llandeilolitfest.org
HAY FESTIVAL
Hay-On-Wye, Powys, Thurs 23 May-Sun 2 June
The UK’s preeminent literature festival, albeit with a purview far beyond the written word, at Hay ‘24 you’ll find a range of interactive events and guest speakers talking art, sustainability, politics, history, science, and everything in between. There’s live music and DJ sets, reams of comedy, hands-on morning sessions, plenty for your kids… and a fastidious commitment to “different perspectives” manifesting in, among other things, a conversation between Theresa May and Samira Ahmed.
Who: Ruby Wax, Theresa May, Lenny Henry
How much: events priced individually
Info: hayfestival.com
MONTY LIT FEST
Various venues, Montgomery, Fri 7-Sun 9 June
Convened around the historic Town Hall, this annual celebration of Welsh and borders literature descends once more on mid-Wales’ Montgomery. Get a weekend pass or individual event tickets for its three-day roster of book-based talks, which this year includes authors who’ve written about subjects as diverse as a history of the countryside through 100 objects, the rise of Henry Tudor, and Wrexham’s ongoing brush with Tinseltown.
Who: Tim Pears, Ian Herbert, Delyth Badder
How much: £114.60 weekend; events also priced individually
Info: montylitfest.com
ESSENCE CHRISTIAN CREATIVE FESTIVAL
The St Madoc Centre, Swansea, Fri 21-Sun 23 June
Since holding its first evening in 2015 and weekend gathering in 2017, Essence continues to connect people with God, bringing together artists, craftsmen, and creatives from diverse backgrounds and empower them to be creative and take the same creativity back home with them.
Who: TBC
How much: £20
Info: essencefest.org
WELSH TANGO NUEVO FESTIVAL
Swansea University, Fri 2 + Sat 3 Aug
Urban Tango Nights, the people behind this weekender, reckon this is the UK’s first festival dedicated to the ‘nuevo’ and ‘neo’ tango dance styles. It will comprise an abundance of workshops for both beginner and advanced dancers; live music from Cabaret Tango; a clutch of DJs playing sounds varying from ‘trad’ tango to more alternative fare; and select spaces for private lessons from guest teachers.
Who: Ali Pickard, Chirs Storey, Lorenzo Salzano
How much: £60.29
Info: urbantangonights.com
FOOD & DRINK
SWANSEA STREET FOOD FESTIVAL
Museum Park, Swansea, Fri 29 Mar-Mon 1 Apr
This Easter weekend four-day celebration is back, bigger than ever and promising a variety of traders; there’s Indian cuisine and seafood options, Sri Lankan and desserts, plus entertainment to wash it all down.
Who: Ceylon and Beyond, Barbican Bao, Dulse Street Food
How Much: £3 per day
Info: streetfoodwarehouse.co.uk/swansea
GIN & RUM FESTIVAL
Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union, Sat 20 Apr; Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, Sat 31 Aug
Gracing Wales not once but twice, this event is bound to leave you in high spirits, not to mention boozy. With over 120 brands of gin and rum available, samples and tasters onsite and entertainment in the form of live music and DJs, we hope you’ve got your lift sorted.
Who: House Of Boe, Toca Vida Gin, Love Delhin Gin
How Much: £16
Info: ginandrumfestival.com
FOODIES FESTIVAL
Bute Park, Cardiff, Fri 10-Sun 12 May
Can you handle your heat? Always wondered how they make such spectacular showstoppers on Bake Off? In Bute Park you can celebrate tasty food and talented chefs at the top of their game with music guests, a brand new cook school, visiting Bake Off stars, Michelin-starred chefs and Masterchef champions… and a chilli eating contest to spice up the weekend.
Who: Peter Andre, Example, Ibiza Philharmonic
How Much: £42/£38
Info: foodies.seetickets.com
VEGAN QUEEN FESTIVAL
The Queen Inn, Cwmbran, Sat 15 June
The Queen Inn is a country pub which has stood out in its field with a vegan menu that’s made it a destination venue for those whose diets swing that way: a plant-based steakhouse, if you will, with judiciously asterisked b*ef, ch*cken and f*sh also served up. Once a year they also do the Vegan Queen Festival, which brings more meatless vendors to its beer garden and throws a full programme of live music in to boot.
How much: £17.80
Info: facebook.com/thequeeninncwmbran
CARDIFF WINE FESTIVAL
Marriott Hotel, Cardiff, Fri 28 + Sat 29 June
The third edition of this walk-around festival takes place at the recently refurbished Marriott Hotel and showcases over 300 wines, more than 50 winemakers plus spirits, and food pairings produced from all around the UK and the rest of the world. Wine tastings are included in the price of your ticket.
Who: Sordo Wine, Cygnet Gin, Vinchio Vaglio
How much: £26
Info: cardiffwinefestival.com
FANTASTIC FÊTE
St Donat’s Castle, Fri 2-Sun 4 Aug
Street Food Circus is reimagining the classic summer fête – remixing folk traditions with the unexpected – from magical morris dancing to the world’s biggest bouncy castle. Food and feasting will take centre stage, with a street food lineup bringing cuisines from around the world alongside a farmers’ market, pop-up pub and a lido swimming pool, all set on the beautiful Glamorgan coast.
How much: TBC
Info: streetfoodcircus.co.uk
WELSH VEGAN FESTIVAL
Tramshed, Cardiff, Sun 4 Aug
Farplace Animal Rescue-organised food festival with around 70 vegan stalls serving delicious meat-free alternatives for everyday staples. The latest animal-friendly fashions from accessories to bags and cosmetics will also be on sale. All profits made by the event will go towards the organisers, who are also an animal rescue centre.
Who: Cardiff Vegan Action
How much: £4/£15 VIP
Info: welshveganfestival.co.uk
AMGUEDDFA CYMRU FOOD FESTIVAL
St Fagans, Cardiff, Sat 7 + Sun 8 Sept
Festival showcasing 80 small, local and independent Welsh producers and food businesses, plus cooking demos and interactive foodie-based activities. Other than food, the event also features entertainment in the form of circus performances, live music, a fairground and talking shop to get your chin wagging. The event is now open for traders to apply.
Who: TBC
How much: TBC
Info: museum.wales/whatson/food-festival
WALES WHISKY FEST
St. Georges Hotel, Llandudno, Fri 1-Sun 3 Nov
The first of its kind, apparently, and playing host to a few dozen UK and international brands: Wales is represented by the likes of Penderyn and Aber Falls, accompanied by others from the length and breadth of the rest of Britain, plus most corners of the world from America to India. Whet your whistle with tastings and food pairings and your brain with masterclasses. There’ll also be the launch of a mystery new Welsh whisky, too.
Who: Penderyn, Aber Falls, Larkfire, Henstone
How much: £50-£55 per session
Info: waleswhiskyfest.co.uk
COMEDY
MACHYNLLETH COMEDY FESTIVAL
Various venues, Machynlleth, Fri 3-Sun 5 May
This small yet mighty comedy festival, run by Little Wander, welcomes famous and up-and-coming comics to try out new ideas and experiment across May Day Weekend. Held in the market town of Machynlleth – with its population of little more than 2,000 – venues are in close proximity to each other and the capacity of each venue is around 300-500 seats, making it an intimate experience.
Who: James Acaster, Kiri Pritchard-Mclean, Stephen Bailey
How Much: events priced individually
Info: machcomedyfest.co.uk
ABERYSTWYTH COMEDY FESTIVAL
Various venues, Aberystwyth, Fri 4 + Sun 5 Oct
Building off the same format that Little Wander’s Machynlleth festival has adopted, this newer autumnal spinoff showcases dozens more comedians out west. Taking place after the Edinburgh Fringe, LW hopes Aberystwyth will be the perfect place for comedians to showcase finished works and deliver them to understanding, fun audiences.
Who: Rob Auton, Larry Dean, Mark Simmons
How Much: events priced individually
Info: abercomedyfest.co.uk
WELLNESS
GO GREEN WEEK
Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea, Mon 22-Fri 26 Apr
Local to Swansea and want to lead a greener lifestyle? Go Green Week 24 has expanded on last year’s event, with 18 events currently billed across five days in Swansea Uni’s Taliesin Arts Centre and Fulton House locations. Highlights include the Go Green Week Fair, which features over 30 stalls of sustainable items provided by students and the local community, and workshops teaching you to build a bug hotel.
How Much: FREE
Info: taliesinartscentre.co.uk
THE BIG RETREAT
The Old Castle Site, Lawrenny, Thurs 24-Sun 27 May
A feelgood festival of activities in the Pembrokeshire National Park to get you feeling present. With wild swimming, yoga and self-care workshops, cookery demonstrations, mindfulness speakers and live music from the likes of Lucy Spraggan, Kimberly Wyatt and The Feeling, this camping festival truly has everything you need – you’ll be relaxed in no time.
Who: The Feeling, Gok Wan, Sunbirds
How Much: £220/£80 ages 6-15/free under-6s
Info: thebigretreatfestival.com
OUT AND WILD
The Old Castle Site, Lawrenny, Fri 31 May-Sun 2 June
The UK’s biggest LGBTQ+ festival for women and non-binary folk, Out And Wild – on the same site as The Big Retreat the previous week – pride themselves on delivering a welcoming retreat which allows its guests to share, connect with likeminded individuals and focus on themselves. This year’s O&W features workshops, hikes, walks, wellness practices, music, comedy, talks and, new for 2024, a treatment village.
Who: Molly Naylor, Bobbi Pickard, The Anchoress
How Much: £160 with camping/£140 without
Info: outandwild.co.uk
COED FFEST
Coed Hills, Vale Of Glamorgan, Fri 21-Sun 23 June
They love their seasonal milestones up at Coed Hills, a longrunning rural community project in south Wales, and for midsummer 2024 they’re making an extra effort with Coed Ffest. Workshops, drum circles and storytelling sessions will abound, with many community members on board to deliver such things, and there’s also an eclectic music programme over three days. Expect globally-sourced sounds encompassing Gambian kora pluckers, Brazilian funkers and flamenco guitar flourishes.
Who: Suntou Susso, Aleh Ferreira, Nancy Ackroyd
How much: £130/£55 ages 11-17/£30 ages 5-10
Info: coedffest.org
PARA SPORT FESTIVAL
Various locations, Swansea, Fri 21 June-Sat 13 July
Few sports events of this size can claim to be as inclusive as Swansea’s Para Sport Festival. Its wide range of activities, from rugby to boccia to shooting and more, varies between ‘Take Part’ and ‘Competitive’, giving newbies and pros alike a chance to participate. Past attendees can also look forward to some firsts this year: the European Judo Union’s Get Together tournament and the British Para Table Tennis Open.
How Much: FREE
Info: parasportfestival.co.uk
LOVE TRAILS FESTIVAL
Weobley Castle, Llanrhidian, Gower, Thurs 11-Sun 14 July
Whether you enjoy rock climbing, hiking, surfing or foraging, this gathering has everything you need to get back to nature – with live music and DJs against the scenic backdrop of the Gower Peninsula, the better to “fuel your runner’s high” as Love Trails themselves see it. In short, you spend your mornings and afternoons running and climbing around the locale before returning to base to party.
Who: Joy (Anonymous), Stornoway, AMA
How Much: £255
Info: lovetrailsfestival.co.uk
THE GOOD LIFE SOCIETY SUMMER CAMP
Hawarden Estate, Flintshire, Fri 19-Mon 22 July / Fri 26-Mon 29 July / Fri 2-Mon 5 Aug
Spread over three weekends, these three micro-festivals invite individuals and families, depending on the weekend you choose, to the historic setting of the Hawarden Estate for wild swimming, discussions, crafting, paddleboarding, yoga, workshops, food and drink tastings, cooking masterclasses and music.
Who: Mike Garry, Chris Roberts, Steven Lamb
How Much: £199 per weekend/£129 ages 5-15/free under-5s
Info: thegoodlifesociety.co.uk
GREEN GATHERING
Piercefield Park, Chepstow, Thurs 1-Sun 4 Aug
Rare example of an outdoor off-grid festival, the Green Gathering’s stages are solar-powered and they aim for low impact in other areas that matter. Though sustainable and health-focused, this is also a creative festival featuring music, arts, food and wellness themes with over 100 artists and performers also invited to keep the entertainment flowing.
Who: Indian Man, Mobius Loop, Bethan Lloyd
How Much: £150-£200/£100 ages 16-17/£65 ages 11-15/£30 ages 6-10/£10 ages 2-5/free under-2s
Info: greengathering.org.uk
OTHER
GWYL CRIME CYMRU FESTIVAL
Various venues, Aberystwyth, Wed 17-Fri 19 + Mon 22-Wed 24 Apr
Multi-day crime fiction festival with a Welsh focus. Being Wales’ first international crime fiction festival, this event brings writers to Wales, develops new writing talent and promotes Welsh culture. Books set to be discussed include The Hotel by Louise Mumford, Wilderness by B. E. Jones and Alison Layland’s Riverflow.
Who: Elly Griffiths, Llwyd Owen, Andrew Taylor
How Much: FREE
Info: gwylcrimecymrufestival.co.uk
CALON HEART’S MAY DAY CARNIVAL
Whitchurch Common, Cardiff, Mon 6 May
Cardiff-based May Day carnival with all the amenities you’d expect for a family event: fairground rides, food and drink stalls, live entertainment and games, all to support and raise funds for Calon Heart Screening, who offer heart screenings to all, helping to preserve the health and wellbeing of the general public here in Wales.
Who: Calon Heart Screening
How Much: £1 raffle ticket
Info: Eventbrite
VINTAGE FOR VICTORY
Library Gardens, Cardiff, Thurs 11-Sun 14 July
Now in its seventh year, take a trip back in time at Vintage For Victory, a nostalgic celebration of the 1940s, 50s and 60s. You’re invited to sport your signature period pieces, shop at Vintage Emporium and witness live re-enactors. There’s two stages and two dance floors of live entertainment, a revival cinema, a vintage carnival and plenty of vehicle showcases.
Who: The Satin Dollz, Rockin’em, The Boulevards
How Much: £60
Info: vintageforvictory.co.uk
words EMMA WAY / RHYS JAMES
