- Seasonal
- Christmas
South Wales Christmas Activities
South Wales at Christmas sparkles with markets, light trails, ice skating and festive events, from Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland to cosy fairs, grottos and seasonal attractions across the region.
Christmas in South Wales sparkles with festive cheer, from the twinkling lights of Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland to the charming wooden chalets of the Christmas Market. The city centre comes alive with over 200 stalls selling handmade crafts, food, drink and unique gifts. Meanwhile, families can ice-skate by Cardiff Castle, stroll a magical light trail in Bute Park, or enjoy seasonal theatre performances and pantos in local venues.
Beyond Cardiff, the region offers a warm, cosy festive season for all. In Caerphilly, the Winter Fair brings a traditional market and street theatre under the glow of the Castle walls. Children can visit Santa in his grotto at the Royal Mint Experience in Llantrisant, or hop aboard a steam train ride through the winter countryside on the Brecon Mountain Railway. With plenty of festive fun, South Wales offers unforgettable Christmas moments for visitors of every age.
Updated for Christmas 2025
Christmas Activities in Newport & Chepstow
| Newport Winter Wonderland | A magical day out with rides, stalls, ice skating, as well as Santa's Grotto. 📅 Friday 21st November to Thursday 4th January ◎ Next to Friars Walk Shopping Centre, Newport 💷 FREE ENTRY |
| Newport Christmas Market | Traditional Christmas market. 📅 Saturday 22nd November to Tuesday 23rd December ◎ John Frost Square, Newport 💷 FREE |
| Chepstow Christmas Light Switch-On & Christmas Market | Check out the festive stalls, meet Santa at his grotto, and enjoy the Christmas lights being switched on with live music. 📅 Friday 28th November from 15:00 ◎ High Street, Chepstow 💷 FREE |
| Light up the Lagoons - Lantern Parade & Christmas Crafts | Decorate lanterns ready for the parade, make a wreath inspired by the Wetlands, or spot wildlife on a winter evening, plus lots of other crafts whilst enjoying festivate snacks. 📅 Sunday 7th December ◎ RSPB Newport Wetlands, Newport 💷 Adults £19 / Children £12 (Discounts for Members) |
Christmas Activities in Cardiff & The Vale
| Cardiff Winter Wonderland | Winter Wonderland returns to Cardiff with a funfair, big wheel, loads of food stalls, and ice skating in Cardiff Castle - magical! 📅 Thursday 13th November to Thursday 4th January ◎ City Hall Lawn - Funfair & Entertainment ◎ Cardiff Castle - Ice Rink & Ice Trail 💷 FREE ENTRY |
| Cardiff Christmas Market | Get into the Christmas spirit exploring 70 stalls showcasing an extensive rolling programme of over 200 individual businesses selling a wide variety of diverse arts and crafts, interspersed with seasonal food and drink. 📅 Thursday 13th November to Tuesday 23rd December ◎ Cardiff city centre 💷 FREE |
| Christmas at Bute Park | Spectacular light installations to fascinate young and old alike, with an all-new route for Christmas 2025. 📅 Friday 21st November to Wednesday 31st December ◎ Bute Park, Cardiff 💷 Adults from £15-25.95 / Children from £5-17.50 |
| The Royal Mint Christmas Experience | Experience the magic Christmas at The Royal Mint on this charming journey through Santa’s workshop, meeting his helpers, enjoying family time with Santa himself. You'll also see a live show, explore the toy-making factory, and have the opportunity to strike your own coin. 📅 Saturday 22nd November to Tuesday 23rd December ◎ The Royal Mint, Llantrisant 💷 Adults from £12-15 / Children from £17.50-20 |
Christmas Markets
Check out our blog article to learn more about the Christmas markets in South Wales.
Learn MoreChristmas Activities in Bridgend & Porthcawl
| Bridgend Christmas Market | Traditional Christmas market independent producers, talented crafters, artisan makers and a few tasty surprises! 📅 Saturday 6th December ◎ Bridgend Town Centre 💷 FREE |
| Porthcawl Christmas Lights | Come to see the Christmas lights switched on in Porthcawl, with music and street theatre, and a visit from Santa. 📅 Saturday 6th December from 13:00 to 17:00 (Lights on at 16:30) ◎ John Street, Porthcawl 💷 FREE |
Christmas Activities in Swansea & The Gower
| Luminate at Margam Park | An enchanted sensory experience around Margam Park - an amazing family experience with incredible light shows, playful displays, street food vendors, and marshmallow toasting. 📅 Monday 17 November to Wednesday 31 December ◎ Margam Park 💷 Adults from £22.50 / Children from £15 |
| Swansea's Winter Wonderland (Gower) | Santa's Grotto has been reimagined as you walk through this winter wonderland of dazzling scenes and cheerful characters. Visit the Reindeer Barn to see the majestic reindeer, or pick out your Christmas tree at the Tree Barn. 📅 Saturday 22nd November to Wednesday 24th December ◎ Poundffald Farm, Three Crosses (Near Swansea) 💷 Adults from £7.71 / Children from £11.48 |
| Swansea Christmas Parade & Lights Switch On | Dancers, bands, choirs, floats, inflatables, light up characters, princesses, superheroes and much more will be on display – including Santa himself who will bring some festive magic with him to turn on the Christmas Lights. 📅 Sunday 23rd November from 17:00 ◎ From Swansea Guildhall to Princess Way 💷 FREE |
| Swansea Christmas Market | Traditional Christmas market with gifts, food, crafts, and decorations 📅 Saturday 29th November to Monday 22nd December ◎ Oxford Street and Portland Street, Swansea 💷 FREE |
Christmas Activities near Tenby
| Tenby Christmas Market & Lights Switch On | A full festive day out in Tenby with fairground rides, a festive parade, DJ, Christmas market featuring crafts & food, Santa arriving via the RNLI lifeboat, and of course the Christmas lights being switched on. 📅 Saturday 29th November 10:30-19:00 ◎ Tenby 💷 FREE |
| Llanusyllt (Saundersfoot) Coastal Christmas Weekend | Saundersfoot Christmas lights are switched on at 17:00 on Friday 5th December along with Christmas carols, followed by a weekend of festive activities including a Christmas market, a visit from Santa, and "Elf on the Run" on Sunday with prizes for the best dressed elves! 📅 Friday 5th to Sunday 7th December ◎ Saundersfoot 💷 FREE |
Merry Christmas!
We hope you have a very merry Christmas in South Wales this year! Don't forget, if you're organising a Christmas event in South Wales and you'd like us to feature it here on our festive guide then please get in touch. We'll be starting to look at Christmas 2026 during next autumn, so we'll always have the latest activities and events listed for you here.
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