Cardiff at Christmas is a lovely place. Yes, it may be rainy, and yes, it’s dark by 5 o’clock, but I’m here to let you know about all the festive and Christmassy things happening around the city!
A trip to Winter Wonderland is essential. There are two sections to the fair as one is outside the museum and another within the walls of the castle. You can grab a festive tipple, give ice skating a go, try and win a massive red dragon, and enjoy an incredible Yorkshire pudding wrap.
If you’re visiting the Wonderland at the castle, you might as well take a stroll through the market set up in the city centre around the Hayes. Here, you’ll find artisan bakes, homemade mulled wine and cider, and endless gift possibilities for your parents and grandparents
If you’re looking to step outside the main hub, there are plenty of festive activities happening down at the Bay:
Tiger Yard is hosting a Winter Wunder Yard, complete with delicious food, live music, and a seaside Christmas party.
The Glee Club is offering Christmas comedy nights, with reduced tickets for students if you’re after a hysterical night out.
The Wales Millennium Centre’s big show this year is Mary Poppins: a lively, heartfelt, and nostalgic way to spend an evening. If you prefer something less family-friendly, they also have several dates of Christmas-themed burlesque shows.
On the topic of drama, the New Theatre is staging Sleeping Beauty as their panto this year, starring Gethin Jones and Owain Wyn Evans from the tele!
If winter beverages are what excite you most, look no further than Scaredy Cats Café. They’re serving their annual mulled wine and cider, perfect to enjoy while playing Monopoly and hiding from the notorious Cardiff weather. Cathays Beer House is also a great spot to try an independent Christmassy ale.
The National Museum is doing its part to bring festive fun to Cardiff, with a cinema screening of It’s a Wonderful Life on the 13th, followed by a festive silent disco later that evening—ideal if you fancy dancing the night away next to the giant woolly mammoth, Tom Bones.
Further afield, St Fagans is offering various events throughout December and provides several picturesque walks through woodland and meadowland.
Finally, if all of these suggestions sound lovely, but the semester has left you craving relaxation, Cardiff Pottery is running themed workshops, and Llandaff Cathedral is hosting multiple carol services. It’s a beautiful place to pause and take a breather during what is always a very busy month for students.
Words by: Niamh Shaw
