Get in the festive spirit and read our handy guide for what to do in Cardiff this December
December is a fun-filled month filled with a number of festive activities happening across South Wales, but if you’re stuck for ideas about what to do look no further than our handy guide below.
Back for 2019, Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland will be arriving at City Hall Lawn from 8th November – 5th January. The funfair will be back with some returning favourites including The Sur La Piste Bar, a with two floors which is the perfect place to catch up with friends or warm up with a mulled wine. Whilst with many features for 2019, including the Alpine Ice Trail, a 250m long outdoor stretch perfect to take a tour of Winter Wonderland. Whilst it’s free to enter Winter Wonderland there is an additional charge for activities such as ice skating, visit cardiffswinterwonderland.com for more information.
For a traditional Christmas to remember, wrap up and visit St Fagans this year. There’ll be unmissable performances of Wales' unique Christmas traditions: the Mari Lwyd and The Hunting of the Wren. You’ll find logs on the fire, carols in the chapel.
There’s also the chance to meet Father Christmas and you can write your Christmas list at the Victorian Schoolhouse and pop it in the post box. Plus, ride the land train down to Llwyn Yr Eos Farm and meet Mother Clause with each session available in welsh!
Choose from:
Meet Father Christmas - £7 per child*
He’ll tell you a tale or two in front of the fire in Cilewent Farmhouse. Then he’ll meet each child individually and they’ll receive a gift.
(Welsh sessions 11-11.30am and 12.30-1pm )
Cooking with Mother Christmas - £6 per child*
She’s busy in the kitchen at Llwyn yr Eos farmhouse. The children will help her make some sweet treats to take home.
(Welsh session 14:00-14:30)
Write your Christmas letter in the Victorian Schoolhouse - £5 per child*
The elves are working on the big list of who’s been especially good this year. Each child will meet the elves who will help them write their special letter. Then you’ll pop round to our tiny Post Office to send it off to the North Pole.
(Welsh session 11:45-12:15)
Christmas Craft with the Elves - £5 per child*
It’s been chaos in the workshop this year because the elves are just too naughty! They need your help to come and make some Christmas decorations before they get in trouble.
(Welsh session 10:15-10:45)
Dates: Selected dates in November and December 2019
Cost: £5-£7
Address: St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff, CF5 6XB
Website: https://museum.wales/stfagans/whatson/10933/Father-Christmas-and-Friends-at-St-Fagans/
Bring the kids along to meet Santa Claus at Cardiff Castle this December. Visit the magic grotto in the Castle’s 13th Century Black Tower and explore the Castle in all its festive splendour.
Your ticket includes:
Dates: Selected dates throughout December
Cost: Children tickets are £12.95 (includes gift) Adults tickets: £6.95
Address: Cardiff Castle, Castle Street, Cardiff, CF10 3RB, Wales, United Kingdom
Website: https://www.cardiffcastle.com/whats-on/2019/11/14/santas-victorian-christmas/
The award-winning Cinderella the Musical arrives at the Wales Millennium Centre this December. Gok Wan as The Fairy 'Gok'-mother
Mike Doyle and Ceri Dupree as The Ugly Sisters
Phil Butler as Buttons
Written by Dennis Kelly and original songs created by Tim Minchin, Matilda The Musical is the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a clever mind, is determined to change her own destiny, even if it means being a little bit naughty.
Dates: 7th December 2018 – 12th January 2020
Cost: Tickets from £19
Address: Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3LN
Bring the family along to a festive science theatre show. Find out how can we untangle our Christmas lights? How Santa will fit down the chimney? And is it possible to burn money without it costing us a penny?
Get into the festive spirit with A Techniquest Christmas Carol, a fun show for all the family.
Dates: 7 December 2019 - 5th January 2020
Cost: Adults £8, Child & Concession £6.50
Address: Stuart Street, Cardiff, CF10 5BW
Website: https://www.techniquest.org/plan-your-visit/whats-on/
Take a winter walk through the beautiful Dyffryn Garden and experience their Christmas trail. With 12 alternative Christmas trees decorated to tell a different part of Dyffryn's story along the trail from suspended parrots and feathers to heaps of coal and a flower tree, this is a trail with a difference.
Dates: 16th November 2019 – 5th January 2020
Cost: FREE
Address: Dyffryn Cl, St Nicholas, Cardiff CF5 6SU
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyffryn-gardens/features/christmas-at-dyffryn-gardens
