Summer in Cardiff looks set to be a scorcher this year with an impressive programme of events lined-up including sport, street theatre, live music, culture, street food and family entertainment. We give you a run-down of what's to come so get your diary at the ready.
Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury said: "This summer head to the Welsh capital for a host of free family entertainment for all ages. With an event programme that boasts sport, culture, food and music there really is something to suit all tastes.
"The Cardiff Bay Beach will pose an exciting move when it takes over the redeveloped event space at Alexandra Head allowing it to return even bigger and better than before. As well as being great fun, successful events like these are vital to Cardiff's economy - they're part of what makes the capital such a great place to live, work and visit and with all the additions to the calendar I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty of smiling faces across the city this summer."
Cardiff is a world class sporting city used to hosting high profile events including World Heavyweight Title Boxing, Rugby World Cup 2015, UEFA Champions League Final 2017 and this May we welcomed the Volvo Ocean Race. If you haven't joined the 60,000 people who have already visited the free festival celebrating the Cardiff Stopover there is still time. The race village boasting circus fun, water sports, street food, live music, Volvo Ocean Race-attractions and the big wheel runs until June 10.
Cardiff's original street food festivals takes over Cardiff Castle on June 2, DEPOT in the Castle runs from 12pm - 11pm and will bring a feast of delicious local street food, family fun and fantastic live music from artists such as The Fratellis, Sister Sledge, Hackney Colliery Band and Fleetmac Wood.
Cardiff Open Air Festival returns to Sophia Gardens and brings a series of theatrical productions to the heart of the city centre. Produced by Everyman and running from 21 June until 28 July you can expect to see Shakespeare's, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Dad's Army and a children's production of Seussical Jr amongst many.
Cardiff Castle hosts rip-roaring medieval adventure when Joust! returns from June 23 - 24. Expect spectacular horseback stunts as the Knights of Royal England stop at nothing as they charge full tilt in an attempt to strike their opponent's shield and knock them out of their saddle.
Tafwyl will also take place at Cardiff Castle this year from 30 June -1 July. Celebrating the use of the Welsh language, the family friendly festival is a lively mix of music, literature, drama, comedy, art, sports and food and drink. Entry is free & open to all - Welsh speaker or not. It's a great event for Welsh learners & people experiencing Welsh language & culture for the very first time.
It's a foodie's delight and the city's original celebration of home grown produce. Irresistible local, national and international street food producers come together including favorites Hang Fire Southern Kitchen, Meat and Greek and not forgetting the craft beer and champagne bar. Chill out with live music and soak up the atmosphere on the water's edge. July 6-8.
It's back and bigger than ever! The Capital FM Cardiff Bay Beach Festival returns in a new waterfront location near Cardiff Bay Barrage - and packing even more attractions into the summer holidays. Taking over Alexandra Head, the newly developed event site is being used for the Volvo Ocean Race Village, it will be home to the Beach from July 6 - 2 September, a whopping nine weeks of family entertainment until the kids return to school. There will be much more on offer for teenagers and the increase in size means in addition to hosting its usual ingredients, the Beach will boast large scale attractions such as a Big Wheel, Roller Coaster, big water spraying arches, movie nights, and a marquee area where visitors can enjoy the best in street food.
From July 6 - 17 August T20 Blast arrives. Vitality Blast is two months of captivating cricket with each team striving to achieve the highest possible run total in a short space of time, you can expect high drama and explosive play with batsmen aiming to smash every ball out of the park. With plenty of entertainment and a party atmosphere, a smashing good time is guaranteed both on and off the pitch!
Cardiff looks forward to welcoming The Eisteddfod 2018 back to the city. A whole new experience to the traditional festival held in a field it will explore a new concept, using top quality venues and working to attract a new audience to the festival and the Welsh language in Wales' capital city. Held in Cardiff Bay, the area will be transformed into a welcoming Maes (event site) from 3 - 11 August.
Grand Medieval Mêlée returns from 18-19 August, with all the hustle and bustle of a medieval encampment, music, games, displays and Have-a-go archery activities. A new Tournament of the Knights featuring The Warwick Warriors, colourful tents, noble knights and fascinating falconry demonstrations create a great day of time-travelling and a fabulous family day out.
August Bank holiday will go off with a bang as the Cardiff Harbour Festival hosts Extreme Sailing Series. Renowned for its intense racing spirit, the adrenaline fuelled Extreme Sailing Series returns to Cardiff Bay boasting world class sailors and breath taking racing. Over on dry land expect entertainment in the Race Village on Harbour Drive and much more; a family friendly event with street theatre, stalls and great family festival atmosphere. August 25 - 27.
Also during Bank Holiday, Pride Cymru's Big Weekend will take over the City Hall Lawns with three days of pure party atmosphere and extravagant entertainment in the heart of the capital, celebrating and promoting the importance of LGBT in the community as well as bringing more than 200,000 people together in celebration in Wales' capital city.
Fancy putting your feet up and catching a film under the night sky? From September 14-16 Cardiff Castle hosts cinema under the stars, bring along your rug, picnic and enjoy your favourite films in the magical setting of the Castle grounds including The Greatest Showman, Pretty Woman and Harry Potter & Chamber of Secrets.
For more information visit www.visitcardiff.com
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