EVENTS LISTINGS | DECEMBER 2019-JANUARY 2020
EVERY MONDAY
R Escape Reality Cardiff Escape Reality, John Street, Cardiff. Mon-Fri + Sun 1.30-9pm; Sat 12-9pm, £16-£20 per player. Info 029 2132 3120 / [email protected]. Escape room setup where players have an hour to solve puzzles and exit the room in question. Offers each day for hen/stage parties, corporate events etc.
R NoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Four Elms Road, Adamsdown, Cardiff. £1-£15 per class. Info 029 2022 1330 / www.nofitstate.org. Classes for various age groups on every day; check the website for full details.
Qi Gong Tai Chi Carnegie House, Bridgend. 1.30-2.30pm, £3. Info 01656 815757. With tutor Geoff Cheetham.
R Up Side Down Circus Classes Cave Venture Workshops, Tremorfa Industrial Estate, Cardiff. Info 029 2048 8854 / [email protected]. Classes for various skill levels on every day; check the website for full details.
EVERY TUESDAY
R Adult Give It A Go Climbing Session Boulders, St Catherine’s Park, Cardiff. 6.30-7.50pm, £15. Info 029 2048 4880. Every Tuesday to Thursday.
Beginners Ballet Dance House, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.15-7.30pm, £6. Info 029 2063 5614. Covering key ballet principles including developing core strength, improving posture, basic steps, flexibility and coordination. Hosted by National Dance Company Wales.
Beginners Contemporary Dance Dance House, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30-8.45pm, £6. Info 029 2063 5614. Exploring the basic principles of contemporary dance through a set of exercises. Hosted by National Dance Company Wales.
Caban Sgriblio Brecon Library. 4-6pm, free. Info 01873 811579. Drop-in creative writing sessions led by Uschi Turoczy. Running throughout summer but with no set finish date at present.
English Conversation Group For Beginners M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 11am, free. Info 029 2047 3373. Led by a qualified English language teacher.
Mid Wales Dance Academy Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. Info 01874 623219. With Lesley Walker. Also on Thursdays, Fridays aand Saturdays.
Open Mic Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info [email protected].
R Organised Kaos Circus Classes Cwmaman Church Hall, Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen. Info 07799 266505 / [email protected]. Inclusive community circus offering an environment for young people and adults alike to develop circus skills, promoting self confidence and community. Various classes from Tuesday to Friday; find the timetable at www.organisedkaos.org.uk.
Uplift Singing Sessions Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 12.30-1.30pm, £5/£4. Info 01874 611622.
EVERY WEDNESDAY
Circus Academy Carnegie House, Bridgend. 6.30-8pm, pay by donation. Info 01656 815757. Open to all ages.
EVERY THURSDAY
Carnegie House Samba Band Carnegie House, Bridgend. 6.30-8pm, pay by donation. Info 01656 815757. Open to all abilities.
FAN Group Meeting Cardiff Central Library. 5.30pm, free. Info www.thefancharity.org. Meet new people, make friends and get to know your neighbours.
Learn To Roller Skate Cardiff Central Youth Club, Cardiff. 6-7.30pm, £4/£40 for eight weeks at two sessions per week. Info www.brawlers.co.uk. With Cardiff roller derby team Tiger Bay Brawlers; fully coached and with veteran skater lead. Also on every Sunday.
Mid Wales Dance Academy Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. Info 01874 623219.
Singing For Lung Health Bridges Centre, Drybridge House, Monmouth. 11am-12pm, £3. Info 03000 555555. New singing group set up by the British Lung Foundation and open to anyone living with a lung condition.
Yoga First Floor, 3 Assembly Square, Britannia Quay, Cardiff Bay. 12.30-1.15pm, £5. Info [email protected]. With Mat Roblin.
EVERY FRIDAY
English Conversation Group For Advanced Adult Learners M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 11am, free. Info 029 2047 3373. Led by a qualified English language teacher.
Mid Wales Dance Academy Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. Info 01874 623219.
Rhiwbina Farmers Market The Butchers Arms, Rhiwbina. 10am-1pm, free. Info 029 2022 7982.
EVERY SATURDAY
Mid Wales Dance Academy Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. Info 01874 623219.
Roath Real Food Market Mackintosh Sports Club Car Park, Roath, Cardiff. 9.30am-1pm, free. Info 029 2022 7982.
EVERY SUNDAY
Come Down Sundays Quiz Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm, £1 to play. Info [email protected].
Draw Somebody’s Sunday Body Little Man Coffee Co, Cardiff. 1.30-3.30pm, £7.50. Info 07830 381930. Hosted by Cardiff Life Model.
Learn To Roller Skate Cardiff Central Youth Club, Cardiff. 12-1pm, £3/£40 for eight weeks at two sessions per week. Info www.brawlers.co.uk. Uncoached session hosted by Tiger Bay Brawlers.
Riverside Farmers’ Market Fitzhammon Embankment, Cardiff. 10am-2pm, free. Info 029 2022 7982. Always worth a trip.
Sunday Board Games Cardiff Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 3pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Weekly session featuring a mixture of competitive and co-operative games.
SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER
R A Child’s Christmas In Wales Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free (£3 suggested donation). Info 01792 463980. Self-led activities for kids. Every Saturday and Sunday in December, plus New Year’s Eve.
R After Dark Light Trail Margam Park, nr Port Talbot. 4.45-8.30pm, £12/£8 kids. Info luminatewales.com. A mile-long light trail around the gardens of this park, with various other interactive elements for families, on every day in eight slots for a month. (Until Mon 23)
Canton Book Festival Chapter Arts Centre / St Canna’s Ale House, Cardiff. 10am-7pm. Info 029 2030 4400. The final day of an event which began on Fri 29 Nov, but no-one told me was happening last month. 10-11:30am, Chapter: Make Your Own Zine with Printhaus and Wales Arts Review Book Club; 12-1pm, St Canna’s: Story Sharing: Nanowrimo Writer’s Surgery with Parthian Books; 3-5pm, Chapter: poetry showcase feat. Mab Jones, Hanan Issa, Robert Walton and Amelia Unity; 5:30-7pm, St Canna’s: book launch for Daryl Leeworthy’s A Little Gay History Of Wales.
Cardiff Storytelling Circle Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7pm, £5. Info 029 2030 4400.
R Cheeky Elf Trail National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Kids’ activities running all December and then a bit more. (Until Sun 5 Jan)
Christmas Craft Fayre St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 10.30am-4.30pm, free. Info 01446 799100.
Christmas Market The Queens Hall, Narberth. 4-8pm, free. Info 01834 861212.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 4pm, free. Info 029 2087 7959.
Depot Christmas Market The Depot, Cardiff. 11am-5pm, £1. Info www.depotcardiff.co.uk. Local traders, food live music and arts and crafts for kids.
R Dinky Donkey Walking Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £35/£25 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Spend a couple of hours with a pair of Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys. Also on Sun 8, Sat 14, Sat 21 and Sat 28 Dec, then, Sat 4, Mon 6 and Sat 25 Jan.
Etsy Made Local Swansea Winter Fair Patti Pavilion, Swansea. 10am. Info [email protected]. Showcase/market for Swansea-area Etsy sellers.
Glazing Techniquyes In Pottery Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 2-4.30pm, £45. Info 029 2048 4611. With Billy Adams.
Hay Festival Winter Weekend Various locations, Hay-On-Wye. Info hayfestival.org. Annual miniature, chillier version of infamous early-summer arts’n’slebs fest in bookish town. Go to the website for the full listings; today is the final day and features the play Unicorns Almost and Sarah-Louise Young.
R Interwoven: Annie Fenton / Heledd C. Evans Shift, Cardiff. 3-5pm, free. Info [email protected]. Two Cardiff-based artists working with movement and sound respectively. Today they’re discussing their work in the afternoon with Claire Vaughan from Shift; tomorrow, from 6-10pm, people can come and engage with the work and there’ll be some live activity generally.
Oh So Festive Market Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 11am-6pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. On tomorrow also.
R St Fagans Christmas Weekends National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-5pm. Info 029 2057 3500. Every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas, a chance to meet Santa, shops at the Makers Market and go on a traditional fairground.
R Stifyn Parri Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2089 0862. Comedic spoken word show by Welsh celeb gadfly. This one’s performed in Welsh I think. In Aberystwyth on Fri 13 Dec; Ammanford on Fri 17 Jan; Llanelli on Sat 18 and at this venue again on Sun 19.
R Track The Reindeer Trail National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3070. Kids’ activities across Christmas. (Until Sat 4 Jan)
Xmas Fair Llanover Hall Arts Centre, Canton, Cardiff. 11am-3pm, free. Info [email protected].
TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER
R Art Club Carnegie House, Bridgend. 6.30-8.30pm, £8 per class/£10 annual membership. Info 01656 815757. Open to all abilities and ages; every Tuesday until 17 Dec.
Art History Lectures: Painting Winter Penarth Pier Pavilion. 6.30-9pm, £15. Info 029 2071 2100. Presented by Stella Grace Lyons. Price includes a glass of wine.
R Contemporary Conversations Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 1-3pm, free. Info 01792 516900. Meeting up twice a month (also on Tue 17 Dec, Tue 7 Jan and Tue 21 Jan), this group discuss ideas and themes from current and recent art exhibitions.
Kumihimo Jewellery Making Workshop M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 10.30am-12.30pm + 6.30-8.30pm, £25 per session. Info [email protected]. Hosted by Lark Design Make.
Mick Foley Walkabout, Cardiff. 5pm, £25/£60 VIP. Info 029 2072 7930. Retired wrestler turned raconteur (of sorts). Presented by Inside The Ropes.
Music Networking: Introductions, Collaborations, Advice The Moon, Cardiff. 7-9pm, free. Info [email protected]. Register via Eventbrite. uPiggy Walking With A ‘Pig-Nic’ Senni Valley, Brecon Beacons. £30/£20 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Take a pair of friendly Kune Kune pigs (from New Zealand, look a bit like Ewoks) for a walk, then return to the smallholding for refreshments. Also on Sun 8, Sun 15, Mon 16, Sun 22, Mon 23 and Sun 29 Dec, then, Sun 5, Sun 12, Sun 19 and Sun 26 Jan.
WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER
R Adult Workshops Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 1-3pm, free. Info 01792 516900. A class for people of all abilities to create art in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Every Wednesday in December and January, apart from Christmas and New Year’s Days.
Bedwellty Christmas Market Bedwellty House & Park, Tredegar. 6-9pm, free. Info 01495 355945.
Bingo Lingo The Depot, Cardiff. 6pm, £5. Info www.depotcardiff.co.uk. Features street food, a wheel of fortune and “rubbish prizes”.
R Creative Textiles Club Carnegie House, Bridgend. 10am-12pm, £8. Info 01656 815757. Every Wednesday until 18 Dec; open to all abilities.
Leather Journal Making Workshop M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 10.30am-12.30pm + 6.30-8.30pm, £25 per session. Info [email protected]. Hosted by Lark Design Make.
Reminiscence Monthly Museum Of Cardiff, The Hayes, Cardiff. 11am-1pm, free. Info 029 2034 6214. Come to the museum and share your memories of Cardiff, on the first Wednesday of every month.
THURSDAY 5 DECEMBER
R Art Class Carnegie House, Bridgend. 10am-12pm, £8. Info 01656 815757. Open to all abilities and ages; every Thursday until 19 Dec.
Bridgend Writers’ Circle Carnegie House, Bridgend. 7pm, £8 for a year’s membership. Info 01656 815757. Meeting here on the first Thursday of every month.
First Thursday Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £3. Info 029 2030 4400. New poetry and fiction, this month from Eoghan Walls and Tammar Yoselof.
Kemi’s Storytelling Suppers Kemi’s, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 6-9pm, £20. Info 029 2037 2055. Featuring guest storytellers Robin and Bina Williamson; price includes a two-course meal.
Open Mic Poetry Night Imperial Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil. 7.30pm, £5. Info 01685 722555. Featuring guest poets Alun Rees, Sally Roberts Jones and Herbert Williams.
R St Fagans Museum Ghost Tours National History Museum, St Fagans. 8-10pm, £16. Info 029 2057 3500. Hosted by Dark Wales Tours. Also on Fri 6, Wed 11 and Wed 18 in December; Thurs 9, Fri 10, Thurs 16, Fri 17, Fri 24 and Fri 31 Jan.
Words Art Music Workers Gallery, Ynyshir, nr Porth. 7-9pm, free. Info 01443 682024. Words from James Piper, art from Gayle Rogers and music from Jeff Japers.
R Yin Yang Yoga: Lunchtime Yoga Class Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff. 1.10-2pm, £5. Info facebook.com/victoriauceleyoga. Also on Thurs 12 and Thurs 19 Dec, then every Thursday in January.
R Yin Yoga Urban Zen Yoga & Movement Studio, Swansea. 7.45-9pm, £7. Info facebook.com/
victoriauceleyoga. Also on Thurs 12 and Thurs 19 Dec, then Thurs 9, 16, 23 and 30 Jan.
FRIDAY 6 DECEMBER
Bauble Wreath Workshop M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 10.30am-1pm + 6.30-8.30pm, £28 per session. Info [email protected]. Hosted by Lark Design Make.
Cardiff Inter Varsity Club Meeting Park Plaza Hotel, Cardiff. 8.30pm, £5 (three-month trial membership). Info 07526 141392 / www.cardiffivc.org.uk. Meeting here on the first Friday of each month.
Festival Of Light Pendre, Cardigan (starting point). 7-8pm, free. Info 01239 615952. Annual Giant Lantern Parade, said lanterns having been made in workshops during November, hosted by Small World Theatre. The parade finishes at Cardigan Castle.
HOW TO: Correctly Connect A Three Way Gang Switch Gentileza, Cardiff. 6-10pm, free. Info
[email protected]. Experimental art show with an amusingly lolrandom title. Exhibiting artists: Maria Paraschidou, Jamie Lee Walton, Thomas Lloyd, Megan Woodward-Hay and Aron Nelson; guest artists: Heledd Evans, Miss.HD and Quintrelle.
Hugh St Clair Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny. 8pm, £10 adv. Info 01873 852690. Talk on his art biography, A Lesson In Art And Life – The Colourful World Of Cedric Morris And Arthur Lett-Haines.
Little Mice Club: Santa Special National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10.30am-12pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Monthly event for preschool children and their parents/carers.
Wine Tasting Talk Evening: Antipodean Wines For Christmas National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 7pm, £15/£12.50. Info 029 2057 3600.
R Yin Yoga & Mindfulness Urban Zen Yoga & Movement Studio, Swansea. 7.30-9pm, £10/£6 unwaged/£5 trial class. Info facebook.com/victoriauceleyoga.
SATURDAY 7 DECEMBER
A Big Waterfront Christmas National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Various kid-friendly festive attractions.
Big Bones, Big Politics, And High Culture: How Dippy Became The Poster Child Of Peace (And War)National Museum Cardiff. 7pm, £6. Info 029 2039 7951. Talk by Ilja Nieuwland.
R Brecon Craft Fair Market Hall, Brecon. 9am-4.30pm. Info 01495 753782. Also on Sat 21 in December; it’s normally every third Saturday of the month.
Christmas At The Wool Museum National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre. 10am-4pm, free (charges apply for some craft activities). Info 029 2057 3070. Kids’ activities.
R Christmas Fair Penarth Pier Pavilion. 10am-5pm, free. Info 029 2071 2100. On tomorrow also.
Christmas Market Le Public Space, Newport. 12pm, free. Info [email protected]. Local traders and craftspeople showcased.
Christmas Ornament Embroidery M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 10am-1pm, £25. Info [email protected]. Hosted by Lark Design Make.
Christmas Vintage Fayre The Gate, Cardiff. 10am-5pm, free. Info 029 2048 3344. Featuring live music from Reverend James And The Swingtown Cowboys, lindy hop sessions. vintage stalls, hula hooping and more.
Community Art Exhibition Celebration Volcano / GS Artists, Swansea. Info 01792 464790.
Craft Fair St David’s Church, Neath. 10am-3.30pm. Info [email protected].
Drawing Dinosaurs From The Inside-Out National Museum Cardiff. 1-3pm, £8. Info 029 2039 7951. Hosted by illustrator/modeller Bob Nicholls, who is also giving a similrly-titled talk after this event (see below).
Enfys Craft Fair St. Francis Millennium Centre, Barry. 10am-4pm. Info 01446 792149. Every first Saturday of the month.
Festival Farmers’ Market Caerleon Town Hall. 10am-4pm, free. Info [email protected].
R M.A.D.E Festive Weekend M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2047 3373. Live music and general season-appropriate niceness, in addition to the Lark Design Make workshops already listed. On tomorrow also.
Memo’s Speakeasy Christmas Bash Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. 7pm, £40. Info 01446 738622. Blah blah Gatsby blah Peaky Blinders zzz gin joint snore live swing music.
No, I Don’t Make It Up! How To Build Dinosaurs From The Inside-Out National Museum Cardiff. 5pm, £5/£4. Info 029 2039 7951.
Outdoor Christmas Market The Otter, Newbridge. 10am-8pm, £10 to set up a table. Info 01495 240936.
R Pig Street Craft Fair The Queens Hall, Narberth. 10am-4pm, free. Info [email protected]. Selling original arts and crafts here until Christmas; also on Sat 14 this month.
Revue Lindyhoppers Dance Class Carnegie House, Bridgend. 4-6pm, £5. Info 01656 815757. Open to all abilities; every first Saturday of the month.
Saturnalia National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon. 11am-4pm. Info 0300 1112333. Celebrate the Roman festival of Saturnalia via various activities, games, demonstrations, talks etc. The Caerleon Farmers’ Market is also on here today.
Sing-A-Long-A The Greatest Showman Grand Theatre, Swansea. 6pm, £15. Info 01792 475715. Screening of the movie plus carte blanche for you to hoot away.
R Swansea Winter Vintage & Makers Market National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. On tomorrow also, from 10am-4pm.
The Goods Xmas Market St Catherine’s Church Hall, Cardiff. 10am-5pm, free. Info www.hard-lines.co.uk. Independent/local makers and food types, hosted by Hard Lines.
The Little Vegan Christmas Market 2019 Swansea Market. 10am-3pm, free. Info 07707 320442. Hosted by Brontosaurus Vegan Lifestyle Store and with produce by 17 companies at last count.
Urban Sketching Workshops Barnabas Arts House, Newport / Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran. 10am-12pm (Newport) / 2-4pm (Cwmbran), £15 per session. Info 07876 014902. Two sessions in different towns, both hosted by Julian Merriman. New workshop showing how to apply a few simple techniques.
Wood Engraved Christmas Cards Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am-1pm, £45. Info 029 2048 4611. With Kath Littler.
World’s Big Sleep Out – Cardiff Cardiff Castle. £15 to register. Info 029 2087 8100. Welsh capital’s contribution to global solidarity/fundraising drive for those experiencing homelessness and displacement.
R Yin Yoga Class Natural Health Service, Swansea. 9.15-11am, £8/£4 for your first class. Info facebook.com/victoriauceleyoga. Quiet, mindful yoga open to all. Also on Sat 14 and Sat 21 Dec, then every Saturday in January.
SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER
Carols Around The Fire National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 2pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600.
Christmas At Insole Insole Court, Llandaff, Cardiff. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2116 7920. Featuring craft stalls, food and drink, live music, activities and workshops.
Dinosaurs And Deserts In Wales National Museum Cardiff. 12, 1.30 + 3pm, £2 per session. Info 029 2039 7951. Family-friendly talks by Cindy Howells.
Festive 5K Fun Run Ebbw Vale Sports Centre. 9am, £8 entry/£4 under-12s. Info 01495 357777.
Fooling Masterclass NoFit State, Four Elms Road, Adamsdown, Cardiff. 10am. Info 029 2022 1330 / www.nofitstate.org. Hosted by Bianca Bertalot.
Marina Market Dylan Thomas Square, Swansea. 10am-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Monthly event selling handcrafted goods and fresh food.
Quiet Times With Dippy National Museum Cardiff. 9-10am, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Sessions aimed at visitors with autism, learning disabilities or sensory disorders.
The Supermarket Creatives Fair The Moon, Cardiff. 10am-4.30pm, free. Info [email protected].
Wales’ Biggest Christmas Fair LC2, Swansea. 10am-3pm. Info 07772 111797. Featuring over 100 stalls and various kids/family activities.
Welsh Vegan Winterfest City Hall, Cardiff. 10.30am-4pm, £3/free under-16s. Info welshveganwinterfest.org. Featuring over 60 vendors, an outdoor bar, talks, festive cookery demos, a kids’ craft room and free face painting.
MONDAY 9 DECEMBER
BBC Writersroom Wales Festival National Museum Cardiff. 9.30am-7pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. According to this very issue’s Roundup section, Ruth Jones and Rob Brydon are at this, but no other details seem to have been announced as I write. Anyway you have to register in advance.
TUESDAY 10 DECEMBER
Angels – Messenger Or Missile The Queens Hall, Narberth. 10.30am. Info 01834 861212. West Wales Decorative And Fine Arts Society lecture.
Cardiff Left Bookclub Beelzebub’s, Cardiff. 7-8pm, free. Info facebook.com/cardiffleftbookclub. This takes place on the second Tuesday of each month and talks about a book which is left-wing in its outlook or has relevance to that ideology. This month it’s The Vegetarian by Han King.
Magical Night-Time Christmas Gift Fayre Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6-9.30pm, free. Info 029 2087 7959. With music, singing, mulled wine and mince pies as well as all the stalls.
The Origins Of Our English Christmas Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 2pm, £8. Info 01874 611622. Brecknock Art Society lecture by Roger Askew.
WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER
Macramé Wreath Workshop M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 12.30-3pm + 6.30-9pm, £25 per session. Info [email protected]. Hosted by Lark Design Make.
Pallet. 004 Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30-11.30pm, free. Info [email protected]. Independent art and music in an informal setting. These guys are always very vague about the content beyond that.
Richard Eyre Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny. 8pm, £11 adv. Info 01873 852690. Chat with respected UK theatre/TV/film/opera director.
R Scriveners Writers’ Group The Badminton Club, Ebbw Vale. 8pm. Info 01495 309863 / [email protected]. Also on Wed 8 Jan and Wed 22 Jan.
THURSDAY 12 DECEMBER
Abergavenny Flower Arrangers Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7pm, £12. Info 01873 850805.
An Evening With Iolo Williams Canolfan Beulah, Rhiwbina, Cardiff. 7.30pm. Info 029 2052 0884. Hosted by Victoria Fearn Gallery but sold out in advance.
Christmas Disco Party Exchange Hotel, Cardiff Bay. 7pm-1am, £45. Info 029 2010 7050. Including live disco-themed entertainment and DJs plus a three-course meal.
Crafternoon M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 6.30-8.30pm, £2-£10 donation. Info [email protected]. Hosted by Lark Design Make.
The Greeat Museum Christmas Quiz National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 7pm, £3.50 adv. Info 029 2057 3600.
R Tuneless Choir Cardiff Pontcanna Scout Hall, Cardiff. 7.30-9.30pm, £10 first session/£7 drop-in/£40 for eight weeks. Info 07745 683723. Choir, led by Laura Woodford, for people who want to sing but can’t carry a tune. Also on Thurs 19 in December; Thurs 16 and Thurs 30 in January.
FRIDAY 13 DECEMBER
Christmas Fair Trebanog Community Centre, Tonyrefail. 4.30-6.30pm, £10 to set up a table. Info [email protected]
Exposure Wrestling: Lollipops, Ladders And Mistletoe Pill Millennium Centre, Newport. 6-9pm, £8-£15. Info www. exposurewrestling.com. Christmas special for this local wrestling franchise, who are in Swansea on Sun 15.
R Sewing: Make Festive Gift Bags! M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 12.30-3pm + 6.30-9pm, £25 per session. Info [email protected]. Hosted by Lark Design Make. Also on Sun 16, from 10.30am-1pm. Very limited slots for both dates FYI.
Stifyn Parri Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £12/£10. Info 01970 623232.
SATURDAY 14 DECEMBER
AbFab Vegan Fayre Paget Rooms, Penarth. 1-5pm, free. Info 029 2070 0721.
R A Traditional Welsh Christmas Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, Torfaen. 10am-4pm, free. Info 0300 1112333. Various family activities including music/singing from Blaenavon Ladies Choir and Beaufort Male Choir (Blaenavon Town Band Sun 15). On tomorrow also.
R Carols In The Chapel National History Museum, St Fagans. 10.30am-4pm, £5. Info 029 2057 3500. Four sessions per days, three in English (10.30-11am, 12-12.30pm and 2-2.30pm) and one in Welsh (3.30-4pm). On tomorrow also, plus Sat 21 and Sun 22 Dec.
Christmas Family Fun Day Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 10am-4pm, £3-£5 per activity. Info 01792 516900.
Christmas Market The Bone Yard, Canton, Cardiff. 12-9pm, free. Info www.shippingcontainerstudios.co.uk. Guest traders, a bar, Dusty Knuckle pizza, vintage clothes, mulled beverages, cocktails, lantern making workshops and face painting.
Christmas Party Feast Night Ocean Arts Cardiff, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm. Info [email protected]. Potluck type thing (ie bring a dish) with live music TBC.
Churchill & Roosevelt National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Historical Association talk by Mike Simpson.
Craft Fair Community Hall, Neath. 10am-3.30pm. Info [email protected].
R Dippy About Christmas National Museum Cardiff. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Family craft activities. On tomorrow also.
Funky Craft Fayre Ostreme Centre, Mumbles, Swansea. 10am-4pm. Info [email protected]. Second Saturday of every month.
Gwyl Eira Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff. 6.30-10.45pm, £6/£5. Info 029 2037 3144. LGBTQ+ youth provision org Impact present a show featuring live music, drag, spoken word, poetry, art and a raffle..
Hay’s Winter Wonderland The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 11am, free. Info 01497 821762. Local/independent market.
R Meet Dippy National Museum Cardiff. 12pm, £2. Info 029 2039 7951. Family talk by Dr Caroline Buttler. Also on Sat 18 Jan.
Nimble Fingers Craft Fayre Victoria Hall, Mumbles, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 07790 298913. On the second Saturday of every month. Spoken Word Saturday Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 3pm, £3. Info 0845 2263510.
Vale Makers Christmas Market Old Hall, Cowbridge. 10am-4pm, free. Info [email protected].
SUNDAY 15 DECEMBER
Art History Lectures: The Christmas Story In Art Penarth Pier Pavilion. 6.30-9pm, £15. Info 029 2071 2100. Presented by Stella Grace Lyons. Price includes a glass of wine.
Car Less Car Boot NosDa, Cardiff. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. New event on the third Sunday of every month (albeit January date not confirmed yet), hosted by Twin Made.
Exposure Wrestling New Lodge Independent Social Club, Gorseinon, Swansea. 6pm, from £5. Info www.exposurewrestling.com.
MONDAY 16 DECEMBER
The Gay Men’s Book Club Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. This month it’s a discussion of The Box Of Delights by John Masefield.
TUESDAY 17 DECEMBER
R Life Drawing Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 1-3pm, £5. Info 01792 516900. Also on Tue 21 Jan and Sat 25 Jan.
R RNIB Art Group Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 1-3pm, free (£3 suggested donation). Info 01792 516900. Tutor-led class for people with visual impairments. Also on Tue 21 Jan.
WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER
Company Of Words: The Other Side Of Christmas CafeGo, Cardiff. 2-4.30pm. Info 07830 381930. Poetry night Janine Booth and Alix Edwards plus open mic spots. This is a newish cafe on Tudor Street FYI.
Festive Printing Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 12-1.30pm, free. Info 01685 384111. A Crafty Café session hosted by Gus Payne.
R Sample Sessions The Printhaus, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 5-8pm, £45. Info 029 2022 0349. Also on Wed 29 Jan.
THURSDAY 19 DECEMBER
R 80s Christmas Join A Party The Orangery, Margam Park, nr Port Talbot. 6.30pm, £34.95 Info 01639 883553. Featuring live music by The Reflex (tonight) and Fat Barry’s Soul Band (tomorrow) plus a two-course Christmas meal.
NES, Nibbles & Boardgames Night Ocean Arts Cardiff, Cardiff Bay. 8-11.30pm, free. Info
[email protected]. Retro social event – other consoles are available (Xbox and Gamecube, specifically).
FRIDAY 20 DECEMBER
Llandovery Folk Dancing Rhys Pritchard Hall, Llandovery. 7.30pm, £5. Info 01550 720232. Monthly night, this one having the dancers themselves acting as callers.
SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER
R Back To Basics Course The Printhaus, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 10am-4pm, £60. Info 029 2022 0349. Monthly one-day course, also on Sat 25 Jan.
Bingo Lingo The Neon, Newport. 6pm, £7 adv. Info 01633 533666.
Bonkers Bingo / Ultrabeat Mecca Bingo, Cwmbran. 9.30pm-12.30am. Info 01633 483434. Another novelty bingo night, this time preceded with a set by happy hardcore/pop act Ultrabeat. And why not.
R Christmas Food Fair National Botanic Garden Of Wales, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire. 10am-4pm. Info 01558 667149. Showcase for local food/drink producers, plsu live music all day in the Glasshouse. On tomorrow also.
Winter Solstice Family Festival Day Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 11am-3pm, free (£3 suggested donation). Info 01792 516900.
SUNDAY 22 DECEMBER
R Candlelit Singing Sessions Cardiff Tibetan Buddhist Centre, Canton Cardiff. 5-6.30pm, £10 (suggested donation). Info [email protected]. meditative harmony songs using texts from different spiritual traditions around the world, with Pauline Down. Also on Sun 19 Jan.
THURSDAY 26 DECEMBER
Welsh National Opera: Insight Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am, free. Info 029 2063 6464. Talk about the company’s upcoming productions etc.
FRIDAY 27 DECEMBER
R Christmas Family Craft Museum Of Cardiff, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10am-3pm, £1. Info 029 2034 6214. Family craft activities, also on Thurs 2 Jan.
R Make And Take: Pop-Up Calendars National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Drop-in activities, on every day apart from New Year’s Day. (Until Thurs 2 Jan)
SUNDAY 29 DECEMBER
Sceneography 5.0: The John Peel Years ‘79-’88 The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 6-11pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Hosted by Dave Grooveslave.
TUESDAY 31 DECEMBER
New Year’s Walk In The Square, Llanwrtyd Wells (starting point). 10.30pm, free. Info 01591 610270. Annual Mari Llwyd procession ending at the Abernant Lake Hotel.
FRIDAY 3 JANUARY
Little Mice Club: Snow & Ice National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10.30am-12pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Monthly event for preschool children and their parents/carers.
SATURDAY 4 JANUARY
Dewch i Ganu National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Join musician Delyth Jenkins and learn Welsh through song.
Welsh Wrestling The Met, Abertillery. 7pm, £12/£9 kids. Info 01495 355945. In Abergavenny on Sat 11; Newport on Fri 17; Blackwood on Fri 31.
SUNDAY 5 JANUARY
New Year Musical Tea Party Brecon & District Mind, Ty Croeso, Brecon. 3-6pm. Info 01874 611529. Hosted by Friends Of Brecon and District Mind.
TUESDAY 7 JANUARY
R Paper-Based Screenprinting The Printhaus, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 6-8pm, £120 (four-week course). Info 029 2022 0349. With Nigel Bowles, every Tuesday in January and again in March.
THURSDAY 9 JANUARY
Open Mic Poetry Night Imperial Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil. 7.30pm, £5. Info 01685 722555. Featuring guest poets Jackie Biggs and David Urwin.
SATURDAY 11 JANUARY
Family Fun Day Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 10am-4pm, £3-£5 per activity. Info 01792 516900.
Welsh Wrestling Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7pm, £12/£9 kids. Info 01873 850805.
SUNDAY 12 JANUARY
Ab Fab Vegan Fayre Paget Rooms, Penarth. 1-5pm, free/£30 to set up a stall. Info 029 2070 0721.
MONDAY 13 JANUARY
Bunraku Puppetry Crash Course NoFit State, Four Elms Road, Adamsdown, Cardiff. 11am. Info 029 2022 1330 / www.nofitstate.org. With Hijinx Theatre.
Rush & Hartson St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £27.95-£57.95. Info 01792 475715. As in Ian and John, Wales target men of yore, onstage chatting about football with host Perry Groves. Seems we truly do all live in a Perry Groves world!
TUESDAY 14 JANUARY
R Explore Books National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. This month’s theme is ‘books set in warm climates’. Also on Tue 21 and Tue 28.
WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY
Conservation Surgery Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 1-2pm, free (£3 suggested donation). Info 01792 516900.
THURSDAY 16 JANUARY
Company Of Words Little Man Coffee Co, Cardiff. 6.30-9pm, £4. Info 07830 381930. Poetry night hosted by Alix Edwards, with guests TBC plus open mic spots.
David Harper Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £14. Info 01600 772467. Bloke who presents or appears on various antique-related TV shows.
Dominion + Vegan Fayre Cinema & Co, Swansea. 6-9pm, £10/£8.50 adv. Info 07305 908260. Dominion being a film about the meat industry etc, screened here after a vegan pop-up kitchen and stalls, and before a Q&A.
Lates: Dino National Museum Cardiff. 6.30-11pm, £17 adv. Info 029 2039 7951. Second of the multimedia events featuring a film screening, popcorn, bar, DJ, “stones and bones from Museum collections” and a “Dippy torch-lit tour”.
Mapping The Literary Geographies Of Swansea Through A Literary Atlas Of Wales Swansea Museum. 7.30pm, free. Info 01792 653763. Royal Institution Of South Wales lecture by Jon Anderson.
Open Space: Arthur Cole & Nigel Williams Central Library Hub, Cardiff. 5.45pm, free. Info 029 2038 2116. “Retired police officers turned crime writers with jointly-written thriller Unethical Conduct.” Book in advance please.
FRIDAY 17 JANUARY
Stifyn Parri Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7pm, £12.50. Info 0845 2263510.
Welsh Wrestling The Riverfront, Newport. 7pm, £14/£11. Info 01633 656757.
SATURDAY 18 JANUARY
Amazing Astronomy Afternoon National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Family activities.
Mini Donkey Behaviour And Play Session Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £30/£20 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Learn how to interact with donkeys. A Good Day Out event.
Star Dome National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12-4pm, £3.50. Info 029 2057 3600. Hour-long planetarium tours for ages 7+.
Stifyn Parri Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £12.50. Info 0845 2263510.
The History Of Swansea’s Jewish Community National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Historical Association lecture by Leonard Mars.
R Young Writers Squad Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 10am-12pm, free (£3 suggested donation). Info 01792 463980. With Jonathan Edwards; for ages 8-11. Also on Sat 25, for ages 11-16.
SUNDAY 19 JANUARY
Flow + Feast 2020 The Depot, Cardiff. 10am-12.30pm, £30. Info www.depotcardiff.co.uk. A yoga session followed by brunch.
WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY
An Evening With Shane Williams Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £22. Info 01792 475715. Q&A plus general other chat with Welsh rugby icon. In Barry tomorrow; Aberystwyth on Fri 24; Newtown on Sat 25; Blackwood on Wed 29; Llanelli on Thurs 30 and Neath on Fri 31.
The Art Of Conservation: Guided Tour Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 11am-12pm, £5. Info 01792 516900.
THURSDAY 23 JANUARY
An Evening With Shane Williams Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. 7.30pm, £20/£18. Info 01446 738622.
FRIDAY 24 JANUARY
An Evening With Shane Williams Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £16-£20. Info 01970 623232.
Photography Conference: Capital/Consumerism/Culture National Museum Cardiff. 10am-5pm, £30/£20. Info 029 2039 7951. To include presentations from artists, theorists, historians and curators who will look at art and photography in terms of its economics, the art market, class structures, consumerism and commodity culture.
SATURDAY 25 JANUARY
An Evening With Shane Williams Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £22. Info 01686 614555.
Museum Sleepover: Dippy Dino Night National Museum Cardiff. 5.30pm-9am, £54-£75. Info 029 2039 7951. Family (especially ages 6-12) event where you can explore the museum after dark, then sleep in it. Fully booked though.
St Dwynwen’s Day Half Day Courses National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am-1pm + 2-4pm, £35/£30. Info 029 2057 3500. The courses being: Make A Felt Lovespoon with Lisa Porch; Stitch A Valentine with Charlotte (Twin Made) and Make An Enamel Love Token with Sophie Buckingham. Book in advance please.
Weekend Adult Workshop: Meditation And Painting Special Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 10am-1pm, £5. Info 01792 516900. A class for people of all abilities to create art in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
We Are Cult Goes Behind The Sofa Tiny Rebel, Cardiff. 1-6pm, £20. Info 029 2039 9557. Doctor Who fans’ special with guests Billy Garatt-John and Matthew Toffolo aka The Review Of Death, Chris Chapman, Rob Ritchie and compere Sam Michael
SUNDAY 26 JANUARY
Lap Harps Workshop National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. With harpist Shelley Fairplay.
Make And Take: Cwtch Crafts National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Drop-in activities.
Santes Dwynwen Stories National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 1-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600.
Wedding Showcase National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500.
WEDNESDAY 29 JANUARY
An Evening With Shane Williams Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £20.75. Info 01495 227206.
Booklaunch: Matt Pritchard Exist Skatepark, Swansea. 6.30-9pm, £6 adv/£10 with a burger. Info 01792 474095. Fresh from doing a Dirty Sanchez reunion show just before Christmas, Matt gets back to his current vocation of vegan food making, plugging his sophomore tome Dirty Vegan: Another Bite.
Oriel Science Cafe National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600.
THURSDAY 30 JANUARY
An Evening With Shane Williams Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £20. Info 0845 2263510.
FRIDAY 31 JANUARY
Glynn Vivian At Night Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 5-8pm, free (£3 suggested donation). Info 01792 516900. Workshops, films, poetry, live music and performance.
Shane Williams Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7.30pm, £20 adv. Info 0300 3656677.
Welsh Wrestling Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7pm, £12.75/£9.75 kids. Info 01495 227206.