Elizabeth Morris and Hannah Collins pick six of the best events and activities to toast Wales’ patron saint on Wed 1 Mar, 2023 – and not a Max Boyce concert in sight! (PSA: he’s actually playing in Swansea on Sat 4 Mar, or 362 days before St David’s Day 2024.)

BBC NOW: WELSH MYTH AND LEGEND – PAST AND PRESENT

Join the BBC National Orchestra Of Wales for a concert honouring the traditions of Welsh storytelling, weaving together traditional music from our ancient, mythological past and modern music from folk ballads to sounds inspired by urban environments; a story of Welsh culture over time. 

St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Wed 1 Mar.

Tickets: £15. Info: here

LANTERN PARADE

Head to Queen’s Square for Wrexham’s first St David’s Day evening lantern parade. You can make your own sustainable lantern by using recyclable materials and join in with community workshops before parading it through the Square. 

Queen’s Square, Wrexham, Wed 1 Mar.

Admission: FREE. Info: here

RWCMD BRASS BAND

The Royal Welsh College Brass Band are celebrating the feast of St. David performing some traditional Celtic music, including Peter Graham’s The Day Of The Dragon, T.J Powell’s Castle Coch and Gareth Wood’s Salome. 

Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff, Wed 1 Mar.

Tickets: £7.50-£15. Info: here

ST DAVID’S DAY WALK

Take a bilingual guided walk around Ogmore-By-Sea with S4C weatherman Chris Jones. With guest speakers, Welsh food and drinks and a few surprises, this is a great way to meet new people and learn more about our patron saint.

Rivermouth Car Park, Ogmore-By-Sea, Wed 1 Mar.

Tickets: £20. Info: here

NATIONAL ST DAVID’S DAY PARADE

Starting at the Boulevard de Nantes at the end of King Edward VII drive in Cardiff at noon, this annual flag-waving celebration on foot will travel down most of Queen Street, ending near St. David’s Hall around an hour and a half later. All are welcome, but groups will need to sign up in advance to participate.

Cardiff City Centre, Wed 1 Mar.

Admission: FREE. Info here.

FEAST OF ST. DAVID

Catered by The Cock & Pansy and hosted by queer dining hotspot Glory Stores, a feast of St. David will be available at two different times on the day in question in the heart of Cardiff; one family-friendly sitting at 5.30pm and another at 7.30pm. Traditional Welsh roast dinner belly-warmers like Faggots and Glamorgan sausage plus Welsh-made beers, IPAs and lagers are on the menu.

Glory Stores, Cardiff, Wed 1 Mar.

Tickets: from £8.30. Info: here.

ST. DAVID’S DAY AT NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS OF WALES

Wales’ National Botanic Gardens has a variety of music and dance activities planned throughout the day, including harpist Shelley Fairplay performing in the Great Glasshouse between 11am-1pm, a display of Welsh folk dancing from Dawnswyr Tipyn o Bopeth from 1pm in the Stable Block Courtyard, and, of course, daffodils aplenty to bother Hayfever sufferers.

National Botanic Gardens Of Wales, Carmarthen, Wed 1 Mar.

Tickets: £6.75-£43.75 (carers and under 5s FREE). Info here.

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words ELIZABETH MORRIS + HANNAH COLLINS