Mumbai 13th January 2014: this holiday season, is a perfect time to experience & discover Wales & its rich and varied heritage. This year the Welsh Government has planned a whole lot of events which caters to people of all genres. Whether you’re a fun seeking family, a chilled out couple, or anything in-between, there are plenty of things to do in Wales during these events. Choose from a slow paced day seeing castles, museums or get lively with some outdoor activities or even a music festival or a sporting event. Rest assured, you won’t be bored in Wales!!!
February 2014
National Storytelling Week -1st -8th February 2014
Wordsworth Bookshop and Café, St Andrews Churchyard, Wales
National Storytelling Week is about giving out to all cultures, tales that give a twinkle to the eye, that raise a question in the mind and stories that have survived the brightness and the shadow of man’s imagination.
Storytelling can be found enriching lives everywhere: from nurseries to schools, from bereavement aids in hospitals to strengthening communication in the business sphere, from reminiscence centres to support groups for those with special needs and in theatrical performances. The sharing between teller and listener empowers, feeding the imagination from one generation to the next.
Dylan Thomas Boathouse – 1st Feb – 31st Oct 2014
Boat House, Laugharne, Wales
A season of performances, creative workshops, exhibitions, children’s activities, interactive film making, poetry readings, a flash mob and even pop-up versions of the writing shed featuring the likes of former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams, National Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke, Guardian Illustrator Martin Rowson, Young People’s Poet Laureate for Wales Martin Daws and Dylan biographer Andrew Lycett amongst others.
Dylan Thomas : Clown in the Moon 14th -15th February 2014
Grand Theatre , Swansea, Wales
Dylan Marlais Thomas was a Welsh poet and writer who wrote exclusively in English. In addition to poetry, he wrote short stories and scripts for film and radio, which he often performed himself. His public readings, particularly in America, won him great acclaim; his sonorous voice with a subtle Welsh lilt became almost as famous as his works. His best-known works include the “play for voices” Under Milk Wood and the celebrated villanelle for his dying father, “Do not go gentle into that good night”.
Model Railway Show – 27th Feb – 2nd Mar 2014
National Slate Musuem, Wales
Join us at the National Slate Museum for a steam-filled spectacular in our Model Railway Show. There’s loads of activities to enjoy during the show including free rides for children on miniature steam engines. There are daily demonstrations, talks, and various layouts of all shapes and sizes on display – from 00mm to 32mm gauge engines, as well as trade stands to buy some items to take home and don’t forget to bring your own gauge trains and have a go on the test track layout! This year they also feature demonstrations of the slate carrying incline, located in Padarn Country Park as well as storytelling sessions for children. The Model Railway Show is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy numerous working and static displays
March 2014
Hot Air Balloon Launch – 1st March 2014
Bute Park, Wales
Bute Park & Arboretum is an extensive area of mature parkland easily accessible from the city centre. Flanked by the River Taff, Sophia Gardens, Pontcanna Fields and Cardiff Castle, Bute Park is the “green heart” of Cardiff full of historic and wildlife interest. Many large cultural events are organised in the park, taking advantage of the park’s excellent setting and accessibility.
Crickhowell Walking Festival – 1st Mar – 9th Mar 2014
Crickhowell, Wales
The Crickhowell Walking Festival takes place around the beginning of March each year. It consists of a number of guided walks of various grades, all led by local experienced guides. There is something for every level of walker, whether you are happy trekking all day across the tops of the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons or would rather keep to paths and the lower slopes.
St Davids Day Festival – 1st March 2014
Cardiff, Wales
Join the carnival atmosphere on the 1st March with colourful street dancers, school children and youth groups dressed in Welsh traditional costume and music. The famous Giants of Wales Owain Glyndwr, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Gethin Jenkins and Nessa will also be making a return again this year so look out for these big personalities.
Tenovus St David’s Run – 2nd March 2014
Bute Park, Wales
The run starts and finishes just south of the cricket ground in Sophia Gardens. Bute Park is an extensive area of mature woodland but is well served by excellent tarred pathways throughout. The course initially leads over the river Taff before heading north up to the Blackweir fields before looping around south past Cardiff Castle and back across Taff.
International Women’s Day – 8th March 2014
WWIDE, Wales
Women’s Equality Network Wales (WENWales) will bring together individuals and organisations from across Wales to develop a partnership led International Women’s Day event in their region in 2014. They will also manage the delivery of these events.The theme for International Women’s day in Wales in 2014 will be Empowering women in Wales in times of austerity.
April 2014
RHS Flower Show – 11th April 2014
Cardiff, Wales
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening. Their goal is to help people share a passion for plants, to encourage excellence in horticulture and inspire all those with an interest in gardening.
Arts Across the City 2014 International Contemporary Public Art Festival – 12th Apr – 8th June
Swansea, Wales
Art across the City 2014 will see 25 artist’s permanent and temporary public art commissions on display across Swansea For our Dylan Thomas 100 project, Locws International has commissioned artists and writers Jeremy Deller, Rachel Tresize, Ultimate Holding Company, Niall Griffiths, Bob & Roberta Smith and John Cooper Clarke to work with the local commmunity to create a series of public realm artworks that will act as inspiration for the public to take part in writing the ‘Dylan Thomas 100 Tawe Mega Poem’ which aimes to create the longest, continuous poem ever written.
May 2014
Machynlleth Comedy Festival – 2nd – 4th May 2014
Machynlleth, Wales
A welcome break from the norm… it boasts the kind of top-quality lineup that’s beyond many of its rivals. Machynlleth Comedy Festival above of all wanted to create somewhere where people came to have fun, and get away from it all, whether this be the attendees, the comedians or the festival team. It was all about taking a different approach with an aim of creating a spirit of experimentation and intimacy. We’re passionate about the thrill of seeing live comedy in intimate places, and the glorious, picturesque and enchanting town of Machynlleth gave us a wealth of interesting and unique performance spaces in which to do this.
Dylan Thomas Poetry, Biography and Film Weekend – 2nd – 5th May 2014
Laugharne, Wales
This weekend features performances around Laugharne by leading poets including Simon Armitage, jackie Kay, John Cooper Clarke, Wendy Cope, Jo Shapcott and Rhian Edwards; Helen Griffin performs her acclaimed one woman play “Caitlin” based on Dylan’s wife; Rhodri Miles brings his one man play “Burton” on Dylan’s famous actor friend. A Handful of Rain is a play written by poet Phil Bowen on an imaginary meeting between Dylan Thomas and Bob Dylan in Greenwich Village.In National Theatre Wales’ Raw Material: Llareggub Revisited (May 3-5) conceived and curated by Marc Rees, we see a re-imaginaing of the world of Under Milk Wood around Laugharne, the “strangest town in Wales” according to Dylan, including a live broadcast collaboration with BBC Cymru Wales. Thomas’ characters re-imagined for screen by some of Wales’ most contemporary artisits and musicians introduce us to the actions, habits and secrets that make today’s Laugharne as curious and unique a place as it was when Thomas called it home. Radio 3, Radio 4 and BBC Wales will all be transmitting from the festival; renowned Dylan Thomas expert Jeff Towns talks about the pubs and bars frequented by Dylan in Wales, London and New York, there will be a selection of Dylan related films shown; Robin Williamson of the Incredible String Band will play and perform several Dylan poems set to music and Welsh folk band Fern Hill will play a special concert.
South & West Wales Caravan & Motorhome Show – 9th -11th May 2014
United Counties Showground, Camarthan, Wales
As Caravans and Motorhomes become more sophisticated and luxurious, life on the open road is appealing to ever increasing numbers of people looking to enjoy life in the great outdoors. Now there is a great opportunity for devotees of the outdoor life to head to West Wales to see the very latest in vehicles, equipment, and accessories and much more besides at the South & West Wales Caravan & Motorhome Show 2014.
Anglesey Vintage Rally – 17th – 18th May 2014
Holyhead, Wales
Vintage & Classic tractors, Veteren and Vintage cars, Vintage Buses & Lorries, Vintage and Veteran Motorcycles, , Fun Fair, Crafts & Models on display.
Royal Welsh Spring Festival, Smallholder & Garden Festival – 17th – 18th May 2014
Builth Wells, Wales
The Festival includes classes for conventional and rare breed livestock, a Green Horizons & Sustainable Living Exhibition, a vintage machinery display, a Premier Open Dog Show with over 1000 entries, and a Folk Dance Festival.
Hay Festival – 22nd May – 1st June 2014
Hay-on-Wye , Wales
For 25 years Hay Festival has brought together writers from around the world to debate and share stories at its festival in the staggering beauty of the Welsh Borders. Hay celebrates great writing from poets and scientists, lyricists and comedians, novelists and environmentalists, and the power of great ideas to transform our way of thinking. We believe the exchange of views and meeting of minds that our festivals create inspire revelations personal, political and educational.
Aber Cycle Fest (Pearl Izumi Cycle Series) – 23rd May 2014
Aberystwyth, Wales
Now in its fifth year, the Aberystwyth Cycle Festival brings downhill mountain biking and a‘Welsh Wild West’ sportive to the famous promenade to add to the already established Tour Series televised pro criterium race.With some of Britain’s top cyclists making a rare appearance in Mid Wales, festival visitors can watch the all the on & off road action and also experience the beautiful and undiscovered lanes of Ceredigion on their own bikes.
Fishguard Folk Festival – 23rd – 26th May 2014
Fishguard, Wales
From the colourful opening ceremony in Fishguard’s town square to the fun of the finale, the Fishguard Folk Festival was a joyous and vibrant celebration of folk music set against the backcloth of an historical and picturesque town.
FISHGUARD is in the middle of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and is a convenient stop on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path National Trail between Newport and Pwll Deri. Unlike other towns it has not become a ‘tourist town’, with crowds and high prices; it’s a real town with real culture.
The Really Wild Food & Countryside Festival – 24th – 25th May 2014
Bishop’s Palace, St Davids, Wales
The Really Wild Food & Countryside Festival champions rural life, and how we can make the most of it!! It offers the chance to get back in touch with the countryside; eat it, cook it, learn about it, even play with it! Promoting and showcasing locally grown or produced food, or wild ingredients foraged from the hedgerows, coast, beach and river there will loads to see and do, AND to eat of course!!
Vale of Glamorgan Walking Festival – 30th May – 1st Jun 2014
Vale of Glamorgan, Wales
Those who have never visited this part of Wales, situated on the coast between the Gower and Cardiff, will enjoy walking through fertile, rolling lowland countryside adjoining the spectacular Heritage Coast with towering cliffs & remote beaches. The Vale is maze of footpaths, country lanes, little villages, fine dining & country inns.
All Wales Boat Show – 30th May – 1st Jun 2014
Conwy Quay Marina, Wales
The All Wales Boat Show, staged at two marinas on the Conwy estuary, North Wales, includes a line-up of £4 million worth of world-class boats and a range of water- and land-based activities – including bathtub races. The new show at Conwy and Deganwy marinas coincides with the annual Conwy River Festival, with sailing and rowing races and a host of events on the walled town’s historic quay. Warm weather and the promise of something different brings visitors flocking to the event from across Wales, the North West of England, the Midlands and Ireland.
Return Journey Promenade Performance – 31st May – 1st Jun 2014
National Waterfront Museum to Cwmdonkin Park, Wales
Lighthouse Theatre, in partnership with the Dylan Thomas Centre, DT100 and the National Waterfront Museum, present a promenade performance of Dylan Thomas’ famous broadcast ‘Return Journey’ – bringing it to life on the streets of Swansea.
Dylan Thomas Notebooks Exhibition – 31st May – 31st Aug 2014
Dylan Thomas Centre, Wales
This exhibition comprises manuscripts of poems, a list of rhyming words and a series of black and white photographs of Dylan Thomas, many of which have not been widely displayed or reproduced. Some date from the late 1930’s when he is newly married, while the second set was taken in New York in the early 1950’s. These items shed light on both his writing process and his playfulness.
Caerphilly Food Festival
Caerphilly, Wales
The high street will be adorned with stalls offering a food market through the town and hosting a feast of entertainment for all ages. A variety of food stalls will line the street filling the town with delicious smells and sizzling sounds of a bustling food fayre! Watch out for the mad chefs and skating tomato! Foodies will be in their element as cookery demonstration programmes accompany the festival, offering inside information on how produce is made and how to improve your own culinary skills.