Cardiff comes alive at Christmas, offering one of the most varied and magical festive seasons in the UK. From sparkling light trails in Bute Park to classic Christmas markets lined with handmade gifts, the city feels full of warmth and celebration. Families can meet Santa in unforgettable settings including Cardiff Castle, the Principality Stadium and Forage Farm, while little ones can enjoy live shows like In the Night Garden, festive parties and the playful Grinch and Elves Workshop at Mermaid Quay. For adults, there’s everything from cozy cabin bars and street food fêtes to big festive nights out at Tiger Yard and the Cardiff Christmas Festival. December is also packed with theatre, including Mary Poppins, Sleeping Beauty and Christmas cabaret shows. Whether you’re looking for tradition, sparkle, silliness or something new, Cardiff has Christmas wrapped up perfectly.
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A Very Cardiff Christmas – City Centre
Dates: December (full programme to be confirmed)
A Very Cardiff Christmas brings together everything people love about the season, wrapped into one city wide celebration. Expect festive performances, live music, street entertainers and pop up surprises across Cardiff’s streets and shopping districts. The event creates a warm, welcoming Christmas atmosphere, encouraging people to explore, shop local and soak up the feel good buzz around the city. With family friendly entertainment, seasonal food and plenty of photo worthy moments, it’s a brilliant way to enjoy the build up to Christmas and experience Cardiff at its most cheerful.
The Grinch & Elves Workshop – Mermaid Quay
Dates: Selected dates throughout December
Mermaid Quay brings festive mischief to the waterfront with a playful Christmas experience hosted by the Grinch and his team of cheeky elves. Children can take part in craft activities, decorate festive treats, join in photo opportunities and enjoy silly, light hearted interaction with the Grinch himself. The workshop is designed to be fun, friendly and full of laughter, making it a great stop during a day out in the Bay. It’s a lively, colourful addition to the season and ideal for families looking to add something a little different to their Christmas plans.
Cardiff Christmas Festival – Sophia Gardens / City Centre
6th – 28th December
The city lights up with a joyful seasonal celebration: expect a magical blend of festive markets, live entertainment in a Spiegeltent, glowing decorations and a warm, convivial atmosphere. This festival captures the Christmas spirit beautifully — perfect for families, friends or a cosy evening out.
Christmas at Bute Park – Bute Park
21st November – 31st December
Wander through 15 illuminated zones across a mile-long trail in Bute Park, where light sculptures, seasonal artworks and atmospheric winter décor transform the park into a glowing winter wonderland. With a festive village of food and drinks, it’s a peaceful but magical way to enjoy dark winter evenings.
The Christmas Experience at Forage Farm – Vale of Glamorgan (just outside Cardiff)
Dates throughout December – 28th December
This countryside Christmas is packed with charm: families can meet Father Christmas and his elves, enjoy an elf-show, roast marshmallows by a fire, hand-craft tree decorations and make reindeer food. With festive treats, cosy atmospheres and a Santa grotto, it’s a warm and memorable outing for children and grown-ups alike. Forage
Cardiff Christmas Wonderland – Cardiff Castle & City Hall Lawn
From 13th November 2025 – 4th January 2026
A festive favourite returns with a covered ice rink, funfair, giant wheel, Christmas treats and a wintery alpine-style bar. With rides, twinkling lights, and a joyful crowd, it’s an ideal festive outing for friends and families alike — and a perfect way to skate into the holiday mood
Cardiff Christmas Market – City Centre (The Hayes, Working Street, etc.)
13th November – 23rd December 2025
For handmade gifts, unique crafts, artisan food and warming drinks, this long-running market is hard to beat. With over 200 stalls offering jewellery, crafts, festive treats and more — plus a cheerful atmosphere — it’s the place to find thoughtful presents and soak up some of Cardiff’s seasonal charm.
Mary Poppins – Wales Millennium Centre – Wales Millennium Centre
3rd December 2025 – 10th January 2026
This award-winning, magical musical brings the beloved world of Mary Poppins to Cardiff with stunning stagecraft, unforgettable songs and a sprinkle of nostalgia. It’s a genuinely heartwarming treat for families, couples or anyone after a touch of festive enchantment.
Christmas Panto: Sleeping Beauty – New Theatre
6 December to 12 January
This year’s panto brings classic laughs, colourful costumes and plenty of audience fun. Sleeping Beauty adds a new twist to the timeless fairy tale with local humour, slapstick and plenty of magic. It’s the perfect festive treat for families and a guaranteed crowd pleaser for all ages.
Breakfast with Santa – Coffi Co
Dates throughout December at selected Cardiff Bay and Penarth and Porthcawl locations
Enjoy a festive breakfast with Santa in a cosy waterfront setting. Children can chat with Santa, receive a small gift, take photos and enjoy a warming breakfast while the grown ups relax with a hot drink. It’s relaxed, friendly and ideal for younger families.
Kids Pop Christmas Party – Wales Millennium Centre
Date: December 6th & 20th
This lively Christmas party is perfect for younger families looking for festive fun with plenty of energy. Hosted at the Wales Millennium Centre, the Kids Pop Christmas Party brings together chart hits, dance routines, party games and lots of interactive moments for children to get involved in. Expect feel good music, colourful staging and a cheerful atmosphere that keeps little ones entertained from start to finish. It’s a great way to kick off the holidays and give kids a chance to sing, dance and celebrate in true Christmas style.
Courts Winter Wonderland – Cardiff
Dates: Late November to early January
Courtsy brings a fresh take on festive fun with its stylish Winter Wonderland experience. Expect a cosy alpine vibe with twinkling lights, seasonal food, festive drinks and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Families can enjoy the winter trail, meet Santa and explore beautifully decorated zones, while adults can relax in themed bars and social spaces. It’s a modern, picture perfect Christmas attraction designed for memorable days and festive nights out.
Demiros Winter Cabin Bar – Cardiff Bay
Dates: Throughout December
Demiro’s transforms its waterfront space into a rustic winter cabin complete with wooden interiors, warm lighting and seasonal decor. Visitors can enjoy mulled wine, festive cocktails, comfort food and relaxed live music in a cosy set up overlooking Cardiff Bay. Whether you’re wrapping up after a day of Christmas shopping or meeting friends for a winter drink, it’s a charming stop with plenty of atmosphere. If you want photos that look like a Christmas card, this is the spot.
Meet Santa – Cardiff Castle
Dates throughout December
Inside the beautifully decorated Castle apartments, children can meet Santa in an atmospheric historic setting. Expect storytelling, festive crafts and a warm welcome surrounded by Christmas trees and Victorian style decorations. It feels traditional and special, perfect for creating lasting memories.
Santa Experience – Principality Stadium
Dates throughout December
A unique Cardiff experience where families journey through themed zones inside Wales’ national stadium. Expect snowy scenes, interactive activities, festive games and a visit with Santa in his stadium grotto. It’s fun, lively and something completely different from the usual Christmas attraction.
Breakfast with Speed Boat Santa – Cardiff Bay
Selected dates in December
Speed Boat Santa makes a brilliant entrance from the water before greeting families on land. After the excitement of his arrival, families enjoy breakfast, photos and festive fun with Santa himself. It’s an energetic and very Cardiff take on the classic Santa meet and greet.
Winter Wunderyard – Tiger Yard
Late November to December
Tiger Yard transforms into a festive escape with heated outdoor spaces, igloo style shelters, street food stalls, Christmas cocktails and live entertainment. It’s an ideal spot for festive drinks, relaxed catch ups and lively seasonal nights out.
The Royal Mint Christmas Experience – 22 November to 23 December – Llantrisant
A beautifully crafted Christmas event where families can meet Santa in the Mint’s winter grotto, decorate coins, enjoy crafts and learn how coins are made. The setting feels warm and traditional, and the experience is well organised, making it a lovely festive outing with an educational twist.
