This August Bank Holiday weekend, the streets of Cardiff Bay will once again come alive with music, colour and community spirit, as the beloved Butetown Carnival returns for 2025.
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Taking place on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 August, the two-day event will be centred around Bute Street, Harbour Drive and the Wales Millennium Centre, drawing crowds from across Cardiff and beyond to celebrate one of the city’s most vibrant and multicultural neighbourhoods.
The theme for this year’s event is ‘Maritime’ – a nod to Butetown’s deep-rooted history as a global seafaring hub. From the historic docks of Tiger Bay to its modern-day transformation, the carnival honours the diverse communities who have lived and worked in the area for generations.
The festivities begin on Sunday with a community parade, which sets off at approximately 11.20am from the CCHA Culture and Media Centre on Bute Street. The colourful procession will make its way through the streets of Butetown, arriving near Harbour Drive around midday. From there, the main festival programme gets underway, running until 9pm on both days.
Visitors can expect a line-up of live music, dance workshops, spoken word, street food, and family-friendly entertainment. On Sunday, performances will be based around the open space outside the Wales Millennium Centre and Harbour Drive. On Monday, the main stage action moves closer to the Pierhead Building and the Teras outside the Millennium Centre, creating a dynamic and immersive festival experience across both days.
Butetown Carnival is proudly grassroots, organised by Butetown Arts and Culture CIC (BACA). The event is a true community effort with local volunteers responsible for everything from costume making and food stalls to logistics and entertainment.
Butetown Carnival is one of those rare events that manages to feel both joyful and meaningful – a celebration of Cardiff’s past, present and future through music, dance and togetherness. Whether you’re taking part in the parade, browsing local food stalls or watching performances under the summer sun, this year’s carnival promises to be an unforgettable weekend for all.
Entry is free and all are welcome.
