M = music / F = film / S = Stage/comedy/literature / FF = Family-friendly / A = Activity
NORTH WALES SOUL AND BLUES FESTIVAL
Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Fri 2-Sun 4 Aug
Bringing esteemed international artists to north Wales, this festival has switched venues to Theatr Clwyd but still boasts street food, on-site camping, glamping and workshops.
Who: The King Snakes, Delta Moon, Elles Bailey, The Stumble, Ruby And The Revelators
How much: £10 per person per night to camp, other prices vary
Info: www.theatrclwyd.com
LANDED FESTIVAL – M/FF/A
Argoed, Llandrindod Wells, Powys. Fri 2-Sun 4 Aug
Located on an idyllic hillside in mid-Wales, Landed is an independent, family-friendly festival which showcases artists, poets and other creatives. Revitalise in a healing area containing massage, holistic therapies, crafts, and numerous stalls. And don’t forget a Landed highlight, the infamous annual ‘pimp your duck’ race.
Who: TBC
How much: £25-£70
Info: www.landedfestival.co.uk
THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD / MAES B – M/S/FF/A
Llanrwst, Conwy. Sat 3-Sat 10 Aug
Following its stint in Cardiff Bay last year, the 2019 National Eisteddfod returns north to Llanrwst. Dance, music, literature, drama competitions and performances feature over eight days, with the main pavilion home to competitions and Gorsedd ceremonies such as The Crowning and The Chairing. However, the literary pavilion, science and technology village, Llwyfan y Maes, Y Lle Celf and Tŷ Gwerin are also well worth a visit. Once the day’s events in the pavilion are over, the fun continues into the night with Maes B, featuring performances by over 20 Welsh language bands.
Who: TBC
How much: weekly tickets from £50/day tickets from £8/free under-16s
Info: www.eisteddfod.wales/2019-eisteddfod
CASTELL ROC – M/FF
Chepstow Castle. Thurs 8-Mon 26 Aug
Chepstow Castle plays host to the family-friendly Castell Roc and its variety of themed concerts. In addition to shows from The Shires and Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young. Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp and S Club 3 will be going head-to-head in a 80s v 90s extravaganza whilst Reef, fresh from advertising the Sony MiniDisc in 1995, headline on Sat 24.
Who: The Shires, Reef, Los Pacaminos
How much: £21.50-£30.50
Info: www.castellroc.co.uk
SOLARSPHERE – FF/A
Penmaenau Farm, Builth Wells. Fri 9-Sun 11 Aug
Combining music and stargazing, Solarsphere is perfect for those curious about the cosmos. Attendees can learn about all things space through astronomical talks with speakers such as Professor Nigel Henbest, star camp and solar observing, planetary and galaxy walks, a cosmos planetarium and craft workshops. Live music comes from Access All Areas, Fireside Family, Haelon and Rachael Erica Shaw.
Who: Nigel Henbest, Andy Green, Pete Williamson
How much: £50/£25 13-16-year-olds/free under-12s
Info: www.solarsphere.events
GREEN MAN FESTIVAL – M/FF
Glanusk Estate, Brecon Beacons. Thurs 15-Sun 18 Aug
Set in the luscious dells of the Glanusk Valley, the festival sits between sprawling woodlands, babbling brooks, and the rolling hills of the Brecon Beacons, and plays host to a consistently diverse lineup of world-class artists and performers. Many of the festival’s 10 ‘areas’ are creatively geared around children and families, and make a conscious effort to showcase and celebrate local artists and businesses. If you fancy spending more than just the weekend in Green Man Land, the Settler’s Pass allows you to arrive from Mon 12 – check the website for more details.
Who: Eels, Father John Misty, Four Tet
How much: £21-£236
Info: www.greenman.net
TRUEFEST
Baskerville Hall, Hay-On-Wye. Fri 16-Sun 18 Aug
Have you ever wanted your festival to feel like a three-day house party? Then Truefest is perfect, in a mansion near the Brecon Beacons sure to have beautiful views, with live acts and DJs to match. There’s an outdoor stage and another in the mansion itself; food and drink is also served in its dining hall.
Who: DJ Yoda, Congo Natty, Beardyman
How much: £95/£75
Info: www.truefest.co.uk
PRESTEIGNE FESTIVAL – M
Various venues, Presteigne. Thurs 22-Tue 27 Aug
Taking place over six days in the Radnorshire Hills, the Presteigne Festival is a much-loved cornerstone of contemporary classical music in the UK. Beginning over three decades ago, the festival aims to present a balance between modern compositions, 20th-century favourites, and established classics, and is also known for providing an important platform for up-and-coming composers.
Who: Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Hannah Lash, James Francis Brown
How much: TBC
Info: www.presteignefestival.com
HUB FESTIVAL – M
Womanby St, Cardiff. Fri 23-Sun 25 Aug
Womanby Street’s annual August bank holiday weekend extravaganza, celebrating Cardiff’s live music epicentre as Clwb Ifor Bach, The Moon, Fuel, Tiny Rebel, City Arms and more host dozens of artists across three days. Hub’s organisers release their own clashfinder, and you’ll likely need it.
Who: TBC
How much: TBC (£30 for a full weekend pass in 2018)
Info: facebook.com/hubfestivalcardiff
THE BIG WEEKEND – PRIDE CYMRU – M/FF
Venue TBC, Cardiff. Fri 23-Sun 25 Aug
So far, only the dates of 2019’s Big Weekend have been confirmed, but Pride Cymru’s website states that details are “coming soon”. Last year’s event took place on the City Hall lawns, with three days of music, comedy, cabaret and various other happenings such as a roller disco and ‘beach party’, all centred around the vibrant Saturday morning parade through the city centre.
Who: TBC
How much: TBC (£10 in 2018)
Info: www.pridecymru.co.uk
BETWEEN THE TREES – M/FF/A
Candleston Campsite, Merthyr Mawr. Fri 30 Aug-Sun 1 Sept
Arising from the minds of some of the contributors to Einstein’s Garden at Green Man Festival, Between The Trees made its successful debut in 2017 and aims to provide a welcoming organic playground for campers of all ages through workshops, activities and a focus on hands-on involvement. Music-wise, BTT enlists folk and roots musicians from near and far, and there is a good range of local vendors and on-site amenities. With low-to-no phone signal, this could be the perfect weekend to ‘unplug’.
Who: Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Firewoodisland, Noble Jacks
How much: £20-£280/£1-£30 kids
Info: www.betweenthetrees.co.uk
THE BIG CWTCH – M/FF
Crugybar, Carmarthenshire. Fri 30 + Sat 31 Aug
Billed as featuring the biggest lineup of emerging artists in a Welsh festival, this charity music event by the seaside of Carmarthenshire directs its proceeds to Ski4All Wales, a charity which allows adults with physical and visual disabilities to ski.
Who: TBC
How much: £40-£60/ free under-5s
Info: www.thebigcwtch.com/
ST FAGANS FOOD FESTIVAL
National Museum Of History, St Fagans. Sat 7 + Sun 8 Sept
Classic cuisine of Wales and family fun in equal proportions. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the festival, so expect some extra goodies in store.
Who: TBC
How much: free (£5 parking charge)
Info: www.museum.wales/stfagans
THE GOOD LIFE EXPERIENCE – M/FF/A
Hawarden Estate, Deeside. Thurs 12-Sun 15 Sept
Launched by four friends (one of whom is Cerys Matthews) in 2014, this festival combines food from world-famous chefs, live music and a wealth of different activities. With both axe-throwing and archery, if you’re looking for a more active festival this could be the one for you.
Who: TBC
How much: £75-£180/free kids
Info: www.thegoodlifeexperience.co.uk
PORTHCAWL ELVIS FESTIVAL – M
Various venues, Porthcawl. Fri 27-Sun 29 Sept
Where do you think the biggest Elvis festival in Europe is? If your answer was Porthcawl then you already know about the seaside town’s Elvis extravaganza. For 2019, the festival will feature even more Elvis Tribute Acts (“don’t call them impersonators” is a common word of warning) and thousands of Elvis fans all belting along to their favourite classics.
Who: The First Kings, Rob Willis
How much: £6-£19.50 per event
Info: www.elvies.co.uk
IRIS PRIZE FESTIVAL – F
Cineworld, Cardiff. Tue 8-Sun 13 Oct
Far from just being another film prize festival, the Iris Prize Festival draws attention to the LGBT+ community and brings everyone together for one big celebration. Focusing predominantly on short-form filmmaking, the Iris Prize is a chance to get an early look at some of the brightest and sharpest LGBT+ filmmakers the world over. Indeed, the first ever Iris Prize winner was Dee Rees, now an Oscar-nominated filmmaker for her feature length film {Mudbound}.
Who: TBC
How much: TBC
Info: www.irisprize.org
PENFRO BOOK FESTIVAL – S
Rhosygilwen, Pembrokeshire. Fri 11-Sun 13 Oct
PENfro book festival collects the best literature, publishers and booksellers across Wales into one big celebration weekend. It also has yearly competitions ranging from poetry to short radio drama, all found in beautiful Rhosygilwen, Pembrokeshire.
Who: TBC
How much: TBC
Info: www.penfrobookfestival.org.uk
FRACTURED VISIONS FILM FESTIVAL – F
Tramshed Cinema, Cardiff. September.
Rising from the grave again for its second year, Fractured Visions highlights the best of horror across the globe, in both short and feature formats and to both creators and audiences. If you’re a fan of horror films both new and old, then the Tramshed will be as enticing to you as Camp Crystal Lake is to Jason.
Who: TBC
How much: TBC
Info: www.fracvis.co.uk