The Carnival Of Light offers Cardiff a unique celebration offered nowhere else in the city. A glorified Christmas celebration like no other. Expect acrobatics, circus parades, Chinese dragons and glistening jellyfish to be part of your disco dancefloor shenanigans this December. Get your light inspired outfits on and leave it to the professional face and body painters to complete your carnival costume.
Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union, Fri 7 Dec. Tickets: £22.50. Info: 0208 964 1682 / www.thecarnivaloflight.co.uk
WE DON’T CALL THEM STRANGERS
A new short documentary film from the Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival is to premiere in Cardiff’s Central Square. At the foundation of We Don’t Call Them Strangers are the Friends Of Iris: local Cardiffians who have opened their homes and hearts to the filmmakers in an effort to connect the LGBT+ and wider communities. Combine this with promises of mulled wine and mince pies, and expectations are high.
Cardiff University School Of Journalism, Media & Culture, Central Square, Cardiff, Thurs 6 Dec. Info: www.irisprize.org
BEHIND THE LABEL
This original take on drama offers performances from people healing through the medium of theatre. Brought to us by an 18-week theatre skills programme hosted by Theatre Versus Oppression, the programme aims to help those who have experienced difficulties – from homelessness and addiction to mental health problems – by creating a space where they can transform habits into hobbies and have their voice heard and their stories told.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Thurs 13 + Fri 14 Dec. Tickets: £12. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk
For the first time ever, Wales’ largest castle opens its doors for a winter celebration. Between its ancient walls, Caerphilly Castle will house a real ice rink, a pancake house and Father Christmas will be residing in his enchanting medieval grotto. The castle will take care of everyone’s needs, with penguin ice-walkers and disabled access available. Cadw members will receive a 10% discount on ice rink entry and there will be autism-friendly sessions held. Skate sessions must be pre-booked online.
Caerphilly Castle, until Sun 9 Dec. Tickets: £5-£22. Info: cadw.gov.wales/events
PIP BROUGHTON AND MATTHEW HALL: KEEPING FAITH
After the huge success of Keeping Faith, and with the second series to air in 2019, get truly behind the scenes with its director and writer, Pip Broughton and Matthew Hall, in this one-off conversation open to the public. Whether you’re a creative writer, filmmaker or an enthusiastic viewer, there will be something to wet everyone’s appetite for the second season. Professor In Creativity Owen Sheers will host the discussion, which will be illustrated with clips from the series.
The Great Hall, Swansea University Bay Campus, Thurs 13 Dec. Tickets: £5-£8. Info: 01792 602060 / www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk
SANDI TOKSVIG
The witty and sharp Sandi Toksvig is set to join us at St David’s Hall in January with her National Trevor Tour. Sure to brighten up our January blues, the comedian, novelist, actor, broadcaster and activist will deliver plenty of thought-provoking giggles. With a wide stretching career from presenting QI and The Great British Bake Off to raising money for the Women’s Equality Party, Toksvig will have plenty of material to engage and entertain us with.
St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Thurs 24 Jan. Tickets: £21-£26. Info: 02920 878444 / www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
Early February’s chills will be spirited away as Bedford-birthed rock band Don Broco return to Cardiff. The members consist of Rob Damiani, Simon Delaney, Matt Donnelly and Tom Doyle; a rather dashing quadruple. Latest album Technologies has been lauded as a turn for the diverse incorporating beats and other non-rock textures. Forming in 2008, Don Broco now appear to be firmly into their second phase; catch ‘em while they’re hot.
Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Tue 5 Feb. Tickets: £28.50. Info: 029 2022 4488 / www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk
WAR OF THE WORLDS
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War Of The Worlds will be lighting up the Motorpoint Arena this December. With the nine-piece Black Smoke Band, 36-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings and the infamous Martian Fighting Machine – three tonnes, 35 feet high and firing real flames – this is set to be a truly captivating experience. Jason Donovan and Carrie Hope Fletcher are among some of the stars taking the stage.
Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Sun 9 + Mon 10 Dec. Tickets: from £46. Info: 029 2022 4488 / www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk
MARGARET AND THE TAPEWORM
Brought to us by theatre company Triongl, this office Christmas party-themed comedy drama might feature a bodily parasite, but promises heartwarming content and social commentary regardless. Triongl, in association with Chapter Arts and Arts Council Wales, are taking Margaret And The Tapeworm on tour – The Welfare, Ystradgynlais (Sat 1 Dec), Aberystwyth Arts Centre (Wed 5), Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli (Fri 14), Glyncoch Community Centre, Pontypridd (Sat 15) and Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff (Wed 19-Sat 22).
Tickets: from £8. Info: www.triongl.com
THE BLACKSMITH EXPERIENCE
Tired of buying the same old Christmas presents? Why not try a culturally enriching Christmas present this year? At Big Pit, you’ll be guided by Len, the Pit blacksmith who will show you what it’s like to work as a blacksmith and to work underground. He’s got over 50 years’ experience in the trade, so expect an authentic font of knowledge. You’ll get to see demonstrations, gain blacksmithing tips and make your own fire poker or ash scraper.
Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon, Torfaen, Wed 2-Wed 30 Jan. Tickets: £30. Info: (029) 2057 3650 / www.museum.wales
The Wombats are on a tour stretching from Australia to the UK and will be stopping over in Newport to give us a taste of their new album, Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life. Starting out in 2003, The Wombats are still going strong and have kept to their style: upbeat and soft vocals but always with a slight satirical tone. Whatever you would call it, it works for them.
Newport Centre, Mon 28 Jan. Tickets: £23 (sold out – check box office for returns). Info: 01633 656757 / www.newportlive.co.uk
ELF
Buddy the Elf, is heading straight from the North Pole to Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena this December. Comedy actor Tom Ryan is set to bring the character to life, alongside the likes of Martine McCutcheon, David Essex and Louise English. With effects, such as a flying sleigh and indoor snow blizzard, the story follows a hopeful Buddy’s adventure from Santa’s grotto to New York, where he searches for his biological father. Upon the shocking realisation that his birth family are the biggest scrooges of all, Buddy makes it his mission to inject real Christmas spirit into their lives.
Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, Fri 14th – Sun 16th Dec. Tickets: £37.50- £47.50. Info: 029 2022 4488 / www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk
BALLET AT ST. DAVID’S HALL
The acclaimed Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia don’t do things in halves and they’re joining us in Cardiff this Winter to deliver four enchanting shows. Expect to be transported into a world of fairytales from this exquisite troupe. The choreography is sure to be magnificent and skilled musicians are on point to bring the magic together – choose from a selection of Snow Maiden, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Cinderella.
St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Wed 19 to Mon 31 Dec. Tickets: £19.50 – £48.50. Info: 029 2087 8444 / stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk