Holidaymakers love Wales for a host of reasons. Its stunning scenery and mountains, its castles and its coasts are just some aspects of Wales that are sure to wow visitors. And it’s also a great destination for simply relaxing in a holiday cottage for a cosy staycation.
But when you’re planning a trip to Wales, you might also want to consider timing your journey around some of the big events that draw international travellers to the country every year. In fact, Wales boasts many fantastic festivals and other gatherings that will make your holiday truly one to remember. Here’s a list of our seven top annual Wales events – which one will you choose?
1. The Hay Festival
Located in Hay-on-Wye, a town famous for its large number of bookshops, the Hay Festival is a world-renowned festival of literature. It usually spans ten days, running from the last days of May through to the beginning of June.
When you attend the Hay Festival, you’re likely to see a throng of celebrities – and not just authors or publishing professionals. You’ll encounter stand-up comedy, workshops and musical performances, too.
Like many of the Wales events we’ll mention, this festival takes place under tents in a field. However, there are boards on the ground to make the location accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
There is no cost to enter the Hay Festival area. Instead, you’ll need to buy a ticket for each individual event you want to attend.
2. The World Bog Snorkelling Championships
Llanwrtyd Wells in mid-Wales hosts perhaps the most unusual of our Wales events. Bog snorkelling is just what it sounds like – competitors race to snorkel through a 60-yard trench in the Waen Rhydd bog. If you’d like to push yourself even further, you can also do a Bog Triathlon that combines running, biking and a swim through the bog. There’s even a fancy dress competition for those who like to bog snorkel in style!
The World Bog Snorkelling Championships take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend and attract competitors from around the world.
3. The Royal Welsh Winter Fair
The Royal Welsh Fair in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells is a huge agricultural fair and show that happens in the summer. The Royal Welsh Winter Fair takes place in the same mid-Wales location at the end of November, but it also includes wintertime fun like a Santa’s Grotto. If you’d like to shop for produce and crafts, see all the agricultural competitions, and watch a fantastic fireworks display at the fair’s close, this could be the event for you.
4. The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
An Eisteddfod is a traditional Welsh festival and competition focusing on music, poetry and other arts. The International Musical Eisteddfod takes place in Llangollen, north Wales.
This week-long festival happens in the first half of July, and it attracts up to 35,000 attendees and thousands of international performers. You’ll see opera singers, instrumental musicians, and more. There’s a fantastic parade that goes through the town of Llangollen, too. And if you love choral music, you won’t want to miss the Choir of the World competition that closes the Eisteddfod.
5. The National Eisteddfod of Wales
If you’d love to be immersed in Welsh culture and art, try the National Eisteddfod of Wales – the largest cultural festival in Europe. As an Eisteddfod, it’s a similar type of festival and competition to the international event, but based specifically on Welsh songs, poetry and more.
Like other Eisteddfods, this event takes place in pavilion tents. The festival is held in the Welsh language but open to non-Welsh speakers, and the event organisers now offer some English translations through electronic devices.
The National Eisteddfod usually takes place at the beginning of August. It has no fixed location – as an event celebrating all of Wales, it moves to a different place in the country each year.
6. Abergavenny Food Festival
There are loads of Wales events for foodies, but Monmouthshire in the south of Wales hosts perhaps the biggest of them – the Abergavenny Food Festival. The main attraction is a massive food market, but your entrance ticket also gives you the opportunity to see lots of talks, demonstrations and performances. However, there are also some special talks and performances that require extra tickets.
This festival is held on the third weekend of September – making it shorter than some other events discussed here.
7. The Green Man Festival
The Green Man Festival in Crickhowell, south Wales, is a popular music and arts festival – but it actually offers a broad range of types of entertainment. The festival includes 10 areas, each of which is designed to entertain and educate in different ways. For example, the Einstein’s Garden area focuses on science learning and fun for both kids and adults, and the Little Folk area provides creative activities and engagement for children aged up to 12.
Make your Wales stay extra special with kate & tom’s
It’s no surprise that so many of these Wales events are internationally renowned. There’s something truly original about each one. After all, where else could you go snorkelling through a bog or visit a town with 14 second-hand and antique bookshops?
So, why not make your holiday house in Wales as unique and special as the events you’re attending? kate & tom’s makes it easy with our luxury holiday cottages, each featuring unusual details or indulgent amenities like hot tubs, swimming pools and even cinema rooms. They’re the perfect spots to unwind and make memories with your friends and family after an amazing day at one of the fabulous Wales events on our list.
Looking for guidance as you’re choosing your perfect holiday cottage for your trip to Wales? Just shoot us an email at [email protected]. Our experts will be thrilled to help match you with a holiday house that will make your trip to Wales unforgettable.
