Wales’ largest light trail, now in its FIFTH year, returns today with a brand- new route, illuminations, food and special musical guests
![Bodybasix](https://itsoncardiff.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/BodyBasix.jpg")
It’s time to step into Christmas as Wales’ largest light trail Christmas at Bute Park returns to the Welsh capital for its fifth year.
More than 104,000 tickets were sold for last year’s event and this year’s will bring an extra dose of festive magic, making it an unmissable highlight of the season.
The reimagined route will take visitors on a beautiful twinkly journey with 15 illuminations and a festive soundtrack, which will also include audio from students at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
The new Water Willows installation brings together synchronised light and sound in a stunning display of three towering tree structures draped in thousands of LEDs.
Visitors can also wander through Crystal Avenue, where five illuminated chandeliers line the pathway leading to the Secret Garden Café. Dancing Dandelions is a meadow of twirling dandelions, lighting the way with glowing charm.
Regulars to the light trail might even spot an old friend as Delilah y Ddraig makes a welcome return to her spiritual home in a new resting place deep within the Fire Garden.
Two of the new light installations have been designed by Wales-based artists as part of the Ignite Cymru scheme, a project run by Christmas at Bute Park with support from Welsh Government, through Event Wales, to help develop skills among local creatives.
Ruby June Walker, from Abercynon, has designed Golau y Gaeaf (Winter’s Light), a stunning gothic window depicting the traditions and symbols of a Welsh Christmas, including snow-filled landscapes, mountains and church, the hunting of the wren, Mari Lwyd and Sion Corn (Father Christmas).
Designer Patrick Richards, from Cardiff, is the brains behind Annwyl Siôn Corn (Dear Father Christmas) inspired by children writing their lists and wishes to Father Christmas with a magical post box, where glowing and twinkling letters fly out and up towards the North Pole.
There will be some special performances from choirs on certain dates throughout the five-week run. The Mark Jermin choir, who regularly perform at charity events including Child of Wales, will be performing at the opening weekend, followed by appearances from two of this year’s charity partners – Mind Charity’s super choir on Friday, December 5th and Cor Seren Choir 2Wish on Friday, December 12th as well as Pencaerau Primary School Choir on Tuesday, December 16th.
Since launching in 2021, the award-winning Christmas at Bute Park trail has prioritised accessibility and this year, organisers have introduced two dedicated inclusive evenings, on Wednesday 3rd and Wednesday 10th December, which are designed for visitors who prefer to experience the illuminations in a quieter, calmer setting.
If marvelling at the lights gets your stomach rumbling, foodies can explore the array of street food on offer with delicious treats from local traders, as well as the Bute Park Tavern – the cosy heated Alpine wooded cabin where you can sit back and enjoy a drink in the twinkling surroundings.
This year’s traders include Cattle Co. Burgers, Hash & Dash, Frico Pizza & Loaded Fries, Daddy Mac’s, Oh My Sausage, Let’s Wrap Fried Chicken, Chocomelt Station and Crumble Pots. There will also be coffee stalls, bars serving a range of hot and cold drinks and vintage fairground rides.
Christmas at Bute Park has also welcomed a new partnership in 2025 with Cardiff’s luxury hotel voco St David’s. Located on the stunning Cardiff Bay waterfront, voco St David’s is the city’s only five-star hotel and proud winner of Cardiff Life’s Tourism Award 2025.
Final tickets are available to buy at www.christmasatbutepark.com
