Experience the vibrant Welsh language festival Gŵyl Tawe, the first-ever print-focused event Printed Festival, delicious street food at Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival, and more exciting cheap or free things to do in Wales this June.

GŴYL TAWE

Swansea’s Welsh language festival Gŵyl Tawe, curated by Menter Iaith Abertawe, sees Carmarthen’s Adwaith in the headline spot. In a new location this year, there’s live music – by artists including Los Blancos, Sage Todz, Ani Glass, and MR – and activities for the whole family. And it’s free!

National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, Sat 10 June.

Tickets: FREE. Info: here

PRINTED FESTIVAL

Makers new and seasoned, Printed from Printhaus is the first-ever print-focused event in South Wales and is free to attend. This is a “makers trail” of print artists’ stalls where you can take part in have-a-go print activities, attend live printmaking demos, and hear from special guests. The festival also features a specially curated exhibition, showcasing work from local print workshops.

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Sat 10 + Sun 11 June.

Admission: FREE. Info: here

PEMBROKESHIRE STREET FOOD FESTIVAL

Seafood, vegan and vegetarian choices, cold drinks and meaty burgers, there’s something for everyone on the sandy beaches of Pembrokeshire in south-west Wales – for free! – thanks to a number of food trucks.

South Beach, Tenby, Fri 16-Sun 18 June.

Tickets: FREE. Info: here

HAY PRIDE

Celebrate the natural world in Hay-On-Wye: with the theme ‘Nature is Queer’, they’re celebrating diversity, with events and spaces created for LGBTQ+ community and allies. 

Hay Castle / The Globe At Hay, Sat 17 June.

Admission: FREE. Info: here

REFUGEE DAY CELEBRATIONS

Billed as a celebration of the diversity of Wales, this free activities day will include music, crafts, object handling, recipe sharing and stories told by local refugees.

National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, Sun 18 June.

Admission: FREE. Info: here

SWANSEA KRAZY RACES

Competing for the best-dressed, designed and fastest soapbox karts, get ready for the ultimate Swansea soapbox downhill racing event! Swansea Krazy Races features the most outrageous and wacky vehicles imaginable, show up to see them tackle a challenging course with obstacles, water and more suprises to take the crown. This is probably one of the most unique, free things to do in all of Wales this June.

Castle Square, Swansea, Sun 18 June.

Admission: FREE. Info: here

NON PLACE COLLECTIVE: REFUGEE WEEK 2023

Non Place, a group of artists whose primary focus is on themes of transience – often though not always relating to migration and attendant political issues – are curating an exhibition and series of events in DIY artspace Umbrella, to mark Refugee Week. It includes a studio residency for Ukrainian multimedia artist Vitaliia Fedorova as well as several conversations, workshops etc, all entirely free entry.

Umbrella, Cardiff, Mon 19-Sun 25 June

Admission: FREE. Info: here

SLUGFEST IN THE PARK

Now in its 10th year, this DIY open-air rock and punk-leaning weekender returns to its Abertillery roots with confirmed acts including Lifer, System Of Slaves, Deathtraps and French Alps Tiger. There’s no entry fee – just turn up on the day.

Abertillery Park, Fri 23-Sun 25 June.

Admission: FREE. Info: here

BARRIOKE

Silver screen icon, EastEnders’ Barry “if only he’d worn slip-on shoes” Evans aka actor Shaun Williamson performs karaoke for a small club crowd in Swansea. Perfect if you’re after an Instagram story unlike anyone else’s. 

Sin City, Swansea, Sat 24 June.

Tickets: £10. Info: here

ANYA PAINTSIL

If you’re after culture of a different kind this June, Wrexham-born, London-based Welsh-Ghanian artist Anya Paintsil, whose work is rooted in her upbringing and experiences as a person of colour, displays artwork from July at Cardiff’s National Museum. Free to view, of course.

National Museum, Cardiff, from July

Admission: FREE. Info: here

words EMMA WAY