Winter Wonderland In Cardiff

Winter Wonderland In Cardiff

2023 Cardiff's Winter Wonderland is back and better than ever, running from 16th November 2023 to 2nd January 2024 and now split across several prestigious locations, means there's double the fun for everyone.

The return of Cardiff Winter Wonderland festive favourites include, their Ice Walk & Ice Skating, Big Wheel & other Fun Fair Attractions and not forgetting the Ice Bar & Alpine Lodge, its a perfect way to celebrate in the Welsh Capital.

This festive event transforms the city into a holiday paradise, visitors can indulge in seasonal treats and hot drinks, making it a perfect destination for families and friends.

The atmosphere is joyful and lively, with festive music and decorations all adding to the holiday spirit. It's a must-visit for anyone seeking a quintessential Christmas experience.

What is Welsh Games?

cardiff stag hen
Welsh Games Logo Mobile 2019

Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of South Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Ice Skating & Ice Walk Cardiff Winter Wonderland

Ice Skating in Winter Wonderland Cardiff is a perfect way to spend some festive time with friends and family.

Its famous undercover Ice Rink, means that there's plenty of room for everyone, no matter what the weather!!

Located in the beautiful grounds of Cardiff Castle, with the Norman Keep as a backdrop, the wonderland Ice Walk provides an ideal opportunity to take advantage of all there is to see.

Entrance to the grounds are free, but activity sessions will need to be booked in advance.

Special events include; Skate and Sip, student Wednesday's, Skate and Groove, Disco on Ice. Accessible sessions run every week and some penguin help at hand for the little one's.

  • 23rd November 2023 to 2nd January 2024

  • Opens 11:00am & Closes 22:00pm

  • Cardiff Castle, Castle St, Cardiff, CF10 3RB

  • Kids £11.50 / Adults £13.50 / Family of 4 £42.50

winter wonderland cardiff ice skating

Cardiff Ice Bar at The Winter Wonderland

Chhhiiiiiillllllllll out at Cardiff's hottest NO coolest!! place to drink over the festive season. Located on the City Hall Lawn, The Ice Bar is Winter Wonderland's central spot, making it an ideal place to grab a drink and experience the sub-zero temperatures along with friends and family.

Entrance to The Ice Bar needs to be pre-booked online and allotted sessions last 35 minutes, but considering the average room temperature is a chilly -10 degrees, this is probably enough!!

Thermal overcoat hire is included in the price, but warm clothes and gloves are a must. See website for full details and more FAQ's.

  • 23rd November to 14th December

  • Opens 11:00am & Closes 22:00pm

  • Cardiff Castle, Castle St, Cardiff, CF10 3RB

  • Peak - £15.00 Off Peak - £12.00

ice bar cardiff winter wonderland

Cardiff's Christmas Festival

Delighted to be back and in its new location, the Christmas Festival has moved from Cardiff Castle to Sophia Gardens. With three super shows on offer and all in the unique setting of the Spiegeltent, it's time to get booking.

What's a Spiegeltent? A spiegeltent is Dutch for 'Mirror tent' and it is a large travelling tent, constructed from wood, canvas, leaded glass and velvet brocade.

Its the ultimate cabaret and music venue. Originally built in the 19th and early 20th century, only a handful exist, and each have their own style, personality and Name.

The Fortuna, owned by Dutch Company Van Rosmalen is one of the best and has hosted some of the world's greatest performances, so this is a wonderful opportunity to to be one of those lucky people.

Shows on offer

SANTA'S WISH

A heartwarming family musical adventure in which Snowflake the Elf will need to come up with a clever plan to save Christmas, Do the magical wish jars have the answer?

  • Friday 1st Dec - Sunday 21st Dec 2023

  • Sophia Gardens, Cardiff CF11 9XR

  • From £16.87

CASTELLANA

After it's debut last year, this new show promises to bring a jaw-dropping performance of ariel thrills, magicians, and shapeshifters. This burlesque, cabaret and comedy, is sure to amaze all those under its spell and provide all onlookers with a magical Christmas night.

  • 6 Dec 2023 - 24 Dec 2023

  • Sophia Gardens, Cardiff CF11 9XR

  • From £28.12

cardiff christmas lights

WELSH OF THE WEST END AT CHRISTMAS

The Welsh West End, brings five extremely talented performers from shows such as Wicked, Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera for this one-night-only spectacular piece of musical theatre.

  • Sunday 17th Dec 2023

  • Sophia Gardens, Cardiff CF11 9XR

  • From £ SOLD OUT

christmas shows in cardiff

Cardiff Winter Wonderland Shows

SHREK THE MUSICAL

Taken from the Oscar winning DreamWorks film, the Broadway and West End smash hit Shrek the Musical is a fun filled and hilarious musical comedy with a cast of vibrant characters and offers a shrektacular show.

  • Mon 20th Nov 2023 – Sat 25th Nov 2023

  • Wales Millennium Centre, Bute Place, Cardiff, CF10 5AL

  • From £17.50

ALLADIN

This extraordinary piece of theatre is sure to take you to a whole new world, with music by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice. This experience is sure to provide some unforgettable magic

  • Thurs 7th Dec 2023 – Sun 14th Jan 2024

  • Wales Millennium Centre, Bute Place, Cardiff, CF10 5AL

  • From £20.00

JACK & THE BEANSTALK

This classic tale is lead by Lesley Joseph, alongside panto Dame extraordinaire Mike Doyle, comedian Aaron James, Denquar Chupak.

This fantastic family pantomime offers all the wonder you would expect from such a classic production.

  • Sat 9th Dec 2023 – Sun 7th Jan 2024

  • Wales Millennium Centre, Bute Place, Cardiff, CF10 5AL

  • From £24.50

cardiff christmas shows

PETER PAN

This adaptation of J M Barrie's classic tale of Peter Pan, flies in to Cardiff and promises offer a spectacular extravaganza of entertainment. This big budget panto place a new spin on this timeless tale, with Boy George as Captain Hook!

  • Sat 9th Dec 2023 – Sun 10th Dec 2023

  • Utilita Arena Cardiff, Mary Ann St, Cardiff, CF10 2EQ

  • From £27.15

Cardiff Christmas Market

Cardiff Christmas Market, is one of the festive highlights in Wales, as the city centre transforms into a winter wonderland. This annual event showcases a large array of exhibitors, featuring local artisans and businesses, making it a hub for unique gifts and holiday decorations.

The market's wide streets and charming wooden stalls, adorned with twinkling lights and holiday decorations, creates a picturesque and inviting atmosphere. Visitors can explore a variety of handcrafted items, from intricate jewellery and ceramics to bespoke artworks.

The aroma of seasonal treats like mulled wine and freshly baked mince pies fills the air, adding to the market's vibrant and joyful ambiance. Live music performances and festive workshops further enrich the experience, making Cardiff Christmas Market a beloved destination for both locals and tourists seeking the spirit of the holiday season.

Cardiff's Christmas Market this year is located in St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street and Hills Street. For further details see below

  • 9th Nov 2023 - 23rd Dec 2023

  • Working St, Cardiff, CF10

  • Free

cardiff christmas lights

Cardiff Christmas Lights

Cardiff City Centre will be dressed in it's festive finery and the lights switched on the evening of Thursday 16th November, to coincide with the opening of Cardiff's Winter Wonderland.

But if your looking for something truly spectacular, then you will need to wait until Friday 24th November, when the sell out CHRISTMAS AT BUTE PARK returns.

Bute parks sell out light trail, is back for its 3rd year and ready to wow the crowds from the 24th of November. Already the most successful light trail outside of London, this premier light experience offers enchanting illuminations, immersive LED orbs and all are brought to together to the sound of music.

  • 24th Nov 2023 - 1st January 2024

  • Bute Park, North Rd, Cardiff CF10 3ER

  • From £19.50 Adults / £13.95 Kids / Under 2's for free

The Best Festivals in Cardiff 2024

Cardiff Festivals – The Best Festivals in Cardiff 2024

Festivals are now somewhat of a British institution, and where better to attend one or some than a capital city?! That said, London is very expensive and full of tourists all year round which can definitely dilute the festival experience.

Festivals in Cardiff make for a fantastic alternative should you be a local or a visitor.

In the event that you are visiting the city, why not make a weekend of it and explore all the Welsh capital has to offer at the same time?

Almost 22 million tourists visit Cardiff every year and a festival makes for a great excuse to have a good look around and try out some of the myriad of activities, sites and places to eat and drink across the city.

What is Welsh Games?

cardiff stag hen
Welsh Games Logo Mobile 2019

Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of South Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

The festival scene in Cardiff used to revolve around Party In The Park, hosted by the Global Radio Group and their local station, Red Dragon FM.

However, this was cancelled once the charity it was fundraising for (The Prince’s Trust) ended. Fear not, though: the Cardiff festivals scene is alive and well with a whole host of new names!

Today, festivals in Cardiff include the music events we all think of right away as soon the words ‘festival season’ hit headlines as well as food fairs, cultural events, arts exhibitions, and family-friendly events aimed at all ages.

festivals in cardiff

Top Picks of Upcoming Festivals

Of course, as a capital city, the festivals in Cardiff are plentiful and varied in type with visitors attending from all over the UK and sometimes even further afield.

You’ll find family friendly events, music festivals, art festivals and food festivals so there’s truly something for everyone.

cardiff open air theatre festival

Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival

One of the most famous festivals in Cardiff is the Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival. Taking place over a long six weeks in various venues across the city centre in the summer, it attracts over 14,000 visitors each year with a variety of productions that cater to a wide demographic of ages and theatre experience.

Alongside traditional theatre, the festival staged innovative interpretations of conventional shows, light entertainment performances, musical gigs, comedy productions and family shows.

The Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival is LGBTQ+ friendly with collections taking place for Cardiff Pride throughout the various events, as well as fundraising for a select charity partner each year.

cardiff mela

Cardiff Mela

A pinnacle of the Cardiff festivals scene is the Cardiff Mela (full name: the Cardiff Multicultural Mela); an annual large-scale multicultural festival held in Cardiff Bay at the Roald Dahl Plass.

Completely free to attend (although tickets may need to be reserved depending on demand), it is hosted by a not-for-profit organisation and celebrates the cultural aspects of Asian life.

The event first took place at Cooper’s Field in 2007 but had to move in latter years as a result of its popularity, amongst the Asian community and others. Check out the full line up on their website for all that is on offer, from music to dance, food and art.

the bay series

The Bay Series

A relatively new Cardiff festival is The Bay Series, a premier concert series that aims to bring together music, food and culture in a way most festivals simply can’t combine.

Spread across six days in an impressive open-air site at Cardiff Bay with a custom-built stage, The Bay Series already attracts some of the world’s largest, most established and famous artists in the world.

cardiff music festivals

Cardiff Music Festivals

Cardiff is bursting at the scenes with music festivals in a way only a capital city can!

There is an event for every genre of music so whatever your taste, age and predilection for camping, one of the numbers below will be sure to get your toes a-tapping!

inside out festival cardiff

Inside Out Festival

Inside Out Festival takes place at the end of August, in Cardiff Bay. It's a music event showcasing acts across genres including dance, electronica, garage, hip hop, RnB and drum and bass.

Having swiftly risen to popularity with younger people throughout Wales and England, Inside Out festival has firmly established its name as a must-visit for those looking to party through the summer and embrace festival season.

The weather so far has been great for every event so festival-goers can swap their wellies for dancing daps and sunglasses! Book your tickets and check out some of the big hitters from the likes of Andy C and Pendulum.

in it together festival cardiff
In It Together Festival

Down the road toward Swansea in Margam is In It Together Festival, a music event blending pop and indie artists. The festival is a vibrant, inclusive event celebrating community, music and the arts.

With six stages, two distinct festival areas, a fun fair and a circus tent, festival-goers never need run out of things to do or see at In It Together.

Those camping for the whole weekend can enjoy an exclusive opening party on the Thursday night to get the weekend off to a roaring start.

A party like no other, headliners have included UB40, Chase & Status, Dizzee Rascal and many more international acts.

In It Together is open to all ages and there’s a specific teenage campsite for young people.

lets rock wales festival
Lets Rock Wales

The Let's Rock Wales Festival is a vibrant celebration of retro music, attracting fans with its nostalgic line up of iconic 80s artists.

Held in Cardiff, Wales, this lively event features a family-friendly atmosphere, complete with fun activities and a spirited ambiance, making it a must-visit for music enthusiasts.

cardiff food and drink festivals
Cardiff Food and Drink Festivals

Although Abergavenny's famous food festival is a mere 30 miles away from Cardiff, the capital city hosts it's own amazing gastromical fiestas which are well worth a visit! Try the two events below and you and your belly will not be disappointed!

the cardiff food and drink festival
The Cardiff Food & Drink Festival

The Cardiff Food & Drink Festival showcases the best in Welsh cuisine and beverages, and is held over three days in July at the Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay (just next to the Mermaid Quay complex).

Over 100 local, national and international producers attend to show and sell their wares throughout a Producer’s Fayre, a Farmer’s Market and a Street Food Piazza.

When in session, the festival’s Street Food Piazza forms the largest market in Wales and runs along the water’s edge on the Bay.

Daily workshops for children encourage young chefs to learn and create their own dishes, and in the evenings fairy lights are strung up between stalls as live music acts play and the drinks begin to blow.

cardiff food festival
Cardiff Foodies Festival

he Cardiff Foodies Festival is a vibrant celebration of culinary delights, attracting food enthusiasts from far and wide.

Set in Bute Park, this festival offers an array of gourmet experiences, featuring local and international cuisines, live cooking demonstrations, and workshops by renowned chefs, making it a haven for gastronomes. Live music, Chef, Baking & Drinks Theatres, Artisan Market, Street Food and much more...

The Best Cardiff Go Kart Venues

Go Karting in Cardiff – The Best Cardiff Go Kart Venues

Ready to rev up your engines and embrace your inner speed demon?  Cardiff's indoor karting scene is waiting for you to put the pedal to the metal!

Imagine the adrenaline rush as you zip around tight corners and accelerate down lightning-fast straights, all while challenging your mates for that top-of-the-podium finish.

Whether you're a karting newbie or a seasoned pro, Cardiff's premier go-karting experience offers all the high-octane thrills you could wish for. So, buckle up, karting enthusiasts—it's time to race into the fast lane!

Go Karting in Cardiff is a popular activity for those visiting or living in the city. Whether you’re looking just to occupy a few hours, to train up to go pro and compete in a karting league or just pick a fun activity for an occasion party, hen do or stag do, Cardiff go kart venues offer something for everyone.

There’s indoor and outdoor circuits as well as activity centres with a variety of pursuits on offer… although go karting is often the most popular!

What is Welsh Games?

cardiff stag hen
Welsh Games Logo Mobile 2019

Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of South Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Experience Premier Karting in Cardiff for Groups

So let's rev up your engines and zip around like a high-octane superhero! Because that's exactly what you're in for at Cardiff's premier indoor karting experience!

Nestled in the heart of South Wales, this go-karting haven is less about the scent of fresh pines and more about the thrill of the race.

If you're planning a stag do, a hen party, or even a jolly for the office (because who wants a regular meeting when you could be racing, am I right?), karting Cardiff style is your go-to.

Leave the boardrooms behind, suit up in your racing gear, and prepare for an experience that'll be the talk of your group for ages.

cardiff go kart

Trying Go Karting

When it comes to activities in Cardiff, indoor karting races to the top of the list. It's not just an activity, folks, it's an adventure.

And no need to check your piggy banks or sell your prized comic book collection – the price to book is worth every penny.

You'll get value that's as impressive as the roar of the engines on the track. Watch out, because those hefty karts can take you on tours around the circuit that will leave you more exhilarated than a squirrel on an espresso.

cardiff go karting

Top picks for Go Karting in Cardiff

Ready, set, VROOM! Let's dive into the heart-pumping, adrenaline-fueled world of karting right here in Cardiff, where the need for speed meets the joy of competition.

Whether you're a go-karting legend or it's your first time getting behind the wheel, the karting Cardiff experience is second to none, placing you smack dab on a premier circuit that's as twisty and exciting as a dragon's tale.

With South Wales being a hub of exhilarating activities, it’s no wonder that go-karting has become one of the region's most popular ways to get that thrilling hit of speed and excitement.

Driving enthusiasts from across the country descend upon this gem of a track, eager to claim bragging rights that come with conquering the multi-level maze of tarmac glory.

And lest we forget, with go-karting being a hit with folks across the UK, it's a surefire way to inject some turbo-charged fun into your day!

To all you thrill-seekers and speed demons across the UK looking for that next level go-karting extravaganza, setting your wheels on this Cardiff circuit is an absolute must.

So if you're seeking an activity that will have your heart racing faster than a speeding kart, gear up and get down to the premier go-karting centre that Wales has to offer!

go kart cardiff

Indoor Go Karting Cardiff

Are you ready to buckle up and dive into the adrenaline-pumping, rubber-burning world of indoor karting in Cardiff?

Good, because whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro, Cardiff's premier go-karting centre is revving up for you. Let's kick off this experience where teamsport indoor meets thrill - right here in the bustling heart of South Wales!

team sport cardiff karting

Team Sport Cardiff

It’s not just any track, it’s Cardiff’s stellar multi-level 500m track! With karts that zip and zoom, you’re in for the ride of your life.

It's one of the top spots in South Wales for a dash of friendly competition or even some serious pedal-to-the-metal action. And guess what? It's not just open to those born with a steering wheel in hand - no, siree!

Team Sport Cardiff is the Welsh branch of a go karting specialist chain and boasts a professionally designed indoor state-of-the-art track with 200cc karts.

The course has swooping bends, hairpin turns and white-knuckle straights to help drivers gain speed across multi-levels.

As a specialist Cardiff go karting centre, Team Sport can accommodate just about any group or ability type and offers packages for hen dos, stag dos, corporate team-building events and children’s groups. There’s also food and drink facilities on-site and a bar, so you can really make a day of it!

Team Sport Cardiff admit anyone aged over 8, provided they have an inside leg measurement of 25 inches in order to reach the pedals. Although .

The minimum age for adult karts is 12 years old with an inside leg measurement (measured from the crotch to the base of the heel while wearing shoes) of 29 inches or more.

Team Sport can accommodate just about any group, so if you have specific plans, contact them in advance to discuss your requirements.

supa kart cardiff karting

Supa Kart

In nearby Newport is Supa Kart, which holds the title of “the UK’s number one indoor go karting centre”! Supa Kart has the longest and fastest indoor go karting circuit in Wales and the West Country: it’s multi-level, features the largest go karting bridge in Europe (it’s 450ft with a cross-over), measures over 600 metres and has an outdoor section open during dry weather.

The circuit is fairly wide compared to other indoor go karting venues, making it ideal for over-taking, and it’s not unheard of for karts to reach speeds of 45mph. Supa Kart hosts events and groups and can accommodate children and adults.

Supa Kart stipulates a minimum age of 8 for child drivers with a minimum height of 1.3m.

All drivers must watch a safety briefing video before they are permitted to enter a kart, and drivers not following the safety guidelines will be ‘black flagged’ and must leave the track immediately; with no re-admittance.

south wales karting centre

Outdoor Go Karting Cardiff

There are not many outdoor tracks for go karting in Cardiff and the surrounding areas, but the main one for general public use is the South Wales Karting Centre...

South Wales Karting Centre

The track is open to karts of all sizes. Juniors can learn about racing and rudiments of driving. Test days are held throughout the year. Interested youngsters from the age of eight can register for lessons. The circuit also offers arrive-and-drive sessions.

The circuit's layout has been modernised for the new millennium. The kart track has high traction tarmac, a 30-feet (9 meters) width and a flat oval track. It has been designed with high visibility and plenty of overtaking opportunities, and well lit.

The track is ideal for twin-engine karts, and there are plenty of overtaking spots, with great chicanes and is run by a friendly team.

Just south of the city is the South Wales Karting Centre in Llandow, one of the largest circuits in the country.

This go kart centre has a whole range of karts to choose from to suit different heights and abilities, with faster and more powerful models available for more experienced drivers.

There are ‘arrive and drive’ practice sessions and full F1 Grand Prix events held on their 1050m tarmac track, with 9 corners and a parking paddock off to one side. The centre also holds sessions for those who own their own karts.

South Wales Karting Centre caters for drivers aged 8 or over, and offer various academies and tuition for those wishing to learn karting as a competitive sport.

Over the finish line!

So there you have it, speed demons – your go-to guide for Indoor Karting Cardiff! Whether you're a budding Lewis Hamilton or just looking to have a blast with your mates, the Premier Go Karting Cardiff Experience is a surefire way to get those adrenaline levels pumping.

Rally up your friends, buckle up, and get ready to earn some serious bragging rights on the track. It's time to rev those engines, hug those tight corners, and wave the chequered flag on an epic day out. See you on the circuit!

The Best Escape Rooms in Cardiff

The Best Cardiff Escape Rooms

A relatively new-found attraction that appeared to spring up from nowhere to find fame on almost every high street across the UK are Cardiff Escape Rooms; team-building puzzle-solving activity centres that present the public with an opportunity to spend a set amount of time working together to ‘escape’ the room within which they are trapped.

It seems as though escape rooms popped up with no warning; but actually, they have an interesting history...

What is Welsh Games?

cardiff stag hen
Welsh Games Logo Mobile 2019

Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of South Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

The Best Cardiff Escape Rooms

The broad format of a room or area full of challenges and puzzles to be resolved first emerged through the television gameshows of the 1980s and 1990s, including The Crystal Maze, The Adventure Game and Knightmare.

This blossomed to the advent of similar computer and video games, which led to the development of the ‘escape the room’ genre of video games. Originally Flash games for web browsers before mobile apps were introduced, such games became popular quickly across a broad audience.

The earliest concept of a physical modern escape room as we know them today was part of a student’s doctoral dissertation in 1999 at Florida State University.

The Simulated World game saw participants enter a simulated world in which they had to use their Christian faith to change the rules and make it a better place for everyone. In 1996, the game was showcased by the National Association of Simulation and Gaming and it remains in play today!

escape rooms cardiff

Today, escape rooms are a commercial fixture all around the world and come in a variety of themes, shapes and sizes. Also known as escape games, puzzle rooms, exit games or riddle rooms, some are enclosed in physical spaces and others are completed through VR or AR across a geographic location.

Usually, teams must work together in order to discover clues, solve puzzles and accomplish set tasks in order to achieved a specific goal within a set time limit and ‘escape’ the room/s.

Most are cooperative amongst their teams but competitive in the sense that participants are encouraged to complete the tasks as quickly as possible; with leader-boards set up to encourage teams to beat others.

Escape rooms have now reached mainstream commercial success throughout Europe, North America, Australasia and South East Asia.

Games are often set in a fictional location, including common themes such as space stations, dungeons, laboratories and prison cells. The games will align with the theme of the room and a brief introduction/safe briefing will be given before the activity begins.

Often this is delivered by a live games-master but can also be done by an audio or video link.

cardiff escape room

Generally speaking, challenges are usually more mental than physical and a base level of fitness or accessibility is not necessarily required. Instead, skills are more likely to be based around subjects such as mathematics, biology, geography, history and sciences.

Where information is specialised or not particularly well known, it’s likely that a reference to the answer will be present somewhere within the escape room itself.

There is often some kind of support system in place to help nudge players in the right direction should they become ‘stuck’ on one answer or another.

If participants fail to ‘escape’ the room within the set amount of time, they will not reach success and will be unable to continue past the time limit.

However, if they are able to complete the tasks, solve the puzzles and leave, their time will be posted on a leader-board and compared to others. Ideally, a good time will have been had regardless of the completion of the overall game as the fun sits within the taking part of the challenges rather than just the winning.

escape rooms in cardiff

Our Top Picks...

As a bustling city full of tourist, visitor and occasion activities on offer, it should come as no surprise that there are a myriad of fantastic escape rooms in Cardiff!

Here we rank what we consider to be the best Cardiff escape rooms and offer some basic info on each so that you can decide which is best suited to your next team challenge outing.

If you think they all sound good, why not book in at each and make it your task to sample all of the escape rooms in Cardiff?

escape rooms venue cardiff

Escape Rooms Cardiff

Escape Rooms Cardiff is a purpose-built venue in the heart of the city that are brilliantly themed and offer a comprehensive escape room experience you just won’t find anywhere else!

Themes currently include Z (zombies), 13th Floor (a mystery with a twist), Astro Quest (space), Tomb 2 (Egyptian folklore), The Cardiff Castle (medieval history), Oculus (serial killer), and Sherlock: Moriarty’s revenge (crime investigation).

Teams can range from 2-6 players but fees are payable based on the room and not the number of players, so the more participants, the cheaper it is.

The themed rooms are revamped every few years so even if you’ve maxed out all of the activities and visited all of the escape rooms in Cardiff, you can re-visit at a later date for a new experience!

Escape Rooms Cardiff allows players of all ages but advises that the complexity of their games are best suited to those aged 13+. Anyone participating aged 12 or younger must be accompanied by a responsible parent or guardian.

escape reality cardiff escape rooms

Escape Reality

Escape Reality offers six different escape rooms in Cardiff with invitingly interesting names such as Jungala, Enigmista, The Heist, Fibonacci, Misery and Alcatraz.

Each room can accommodate between 2-6 people and has ‘hints’ available for those who find themselves stuck on a puzzle.

Escape Reality offer a really immersive comprehensive Cardiff escape rooms experience and you can find other branches of their centres throughout the UK, Australia and India.

Escape Reality provides escape rooms in Cardiff for players of all ages but recommends those 18+ are best suited to the puzzles. Anyone aged 15 or under will need to be accompanied by an appropriate adult.

exitus escape rooms cardiff

Exitus Escape Cardiff

Exitus Escape Rooms Cardiff have 3 differently themed rooms that can accommodate between 2-8 players (although one of these can only accommodate a maximum of 6) and last for 1 hour each.

The Virus Tinkerers room sees players work through a laboratory setting to power an incubator to contain live viruses and save them from spreading; with 5% of all proceeds made from the hiring of this room goes to a cancer charity.

The Curse of Senutep is a non-linear Cardiff escape room that allows for numerous puzzles to be solved at the same time, making it ideal for groups. Players must enter a tomb to solve a mystery and reverse a curse in order to survive.

Finally, Coco Loco causes family dramas and politics as members bicker over the family business: a chocolate factory!

Exitus Escape Rooms in Cardiff allow players of any age but warn that anyone under 18 will need to be accompanied by an appropriate adult. If a whole group of players are children, staff will arrange for a staff member in character to enter the room and guide them through the session.

Live actors are occasionally introduced and participants will be warned of this ahead of time. Those with accessibility requirements must be advised that Exitus is based on a first floor with no lift facilities and only stairs.

adventure rooms cardiff escape rooms

Adventure Rooms

Adventure Rooms escape rooms in Cardiff has a few themed rooms for participants to enjoy. ‘The Mad Scientist’ room sees participants trapped in a laboratory seeking to breakout, 'Pirates' planning their escape before they face the plank, ‘Mafia’ leaving them held and bound in headquarters while members decide their fate, and ‘The Black Queen’ a rabid storm raging outside while solace is sought in a dark castle with a mysterious monarch residing within.

All rooms can accommodate between 2-6 participants for standard play or 8-12 for extended groups in a ‘duel format’ method.

Adventure Rooms Cardiff escape rooms do permit players of all ages but advise that their games are best suited for those aged 15+ due to their complexity.

Anyone aged 14 or under will need to accompanied by a parent or guardian aged 18+ in the rooms with them at all times. Duel format games for larger groups can be played in the Mafia or Black Queen rooms.

All rooms are completely wheelchair accessible with all games at a level suitable for wheelchair users.

city mazes cardiff escape room
City Mazes Cardiff

City Mazes Cardiff escape rooms provide 4 different themed puzzles for participants. Subject 11 is a favourite amongst Stranger Things fans, travelling to the ‘upside down’ to find their way out.

Atomic Agency is set in the Cold War, and Hostage Hotel II plays a hostage situation requiring careful escape.

The Runner is a complete mystery: with players unaware of where they are or how they got there… but needing to recover their memory and work out how to leave!

City Mazes have escape rooms available for those aged 9+ although Hostage Hotel II is advised only for those aged 12+. Parents and guardians must accompany all players aged 15 or younger.

Ultimate Guide to Organising a Hen

The Ultimate Guide to Organising a Hen

When your best friend calls you, you already have a feeling what she’s going to tell you. After discussing details of romantic proposals, talk turns to the hen do. She doesn’t even need to ask you to be her chief bridesmaid, you’ve both always known the line-up... You are organising the hen!

Here’s the ultimate hen guide to making sure that you do your friend proud with an unforgettable weekend of fun and bonding.

What is Welsh Games?

cardiff stag hen
Welsh Games Logo Mobile 2019

Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of South Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

The Lady of the Moment of Hen Do Organising

The most important place to start is to arrange a time with the hen to go through details. Although it is great to have a surprise weekend, you want to make sure that it’s a surprise weekend that she’s going to love.

What is the most important part of the hen do for her? Is it to make sure she has as many of her family and friends there to celebrate or to go abroad for a week long holiday for some pre-wedding sunshine?

You won’t want to have an itinerary from her but you need to know the style of weekend that she will enjoy, there’s no point in booking a spa and cheerleading class type weekend if she is more of an outdoor events kind of a girl.

It’s also important to make sure that her friends have similar tastes to her before you book anything as it only takes a couple of unhappy people to bring down the mood of the weekend.

Getting the details of the other bridesmaids at the start gives you a good opportunity to get to know her other close friends and to pool ideas so you have the perfect weekend for your bestie.

Hen Weekend

Party Goer list

The hen’s availability is obviously crucial but you want to have a range of dates so as many of her nearest and dearest can be there too. You’ll need to make sure that she gives you a full list of email addresses and phone numbers of the people she wants to invite.

If there are some key people it’s a good idea to contact them first to check that they will definitely be there and have a secondary list of people who are given less choice of the date as it might be difficult to find one that is perfect for everyone.

Hen Organisation

Getting in the Numbers

Weddings can get expensive for everyone, not just the happy couple. As the chief organiser the responsibility of getting as many people as possible to turn up to the hen weekend lies with you, no pressure! It’s worth considering the stage of life of the hen do attendees before you start planning luxury escapes if it’s going to exclude half of the guest list. The same goes for the destination, if that’s going to be a deal breaker for people maybe a venue not too far from home would tick all the boxes.

The chances are the most important aspect for the hen will be having all of her friends together for a good ol’ knees up so the more the merrier.

If you can secure a list of definite people or who will be at each part of the weekend if dipping in and out is an option, it will make the planning far easier. Having a budget planned at the start helps keep things under control and allows people to decide their limitations before committing and they might be less likely to drop out. If you plan activities or book accommodation for a certain number and people do drop out it might be left to the other people share out the extra cost.

Accommodation

As a base for your hen weekend this needs careful consideration, you need to think about the type of weekend that you have planned.

Are you going to book a city break or an activity packed weekend with the accommodation just being used as a place to stumble back to in the early hours and sleep off a hangover before dragging yourselves back out for more action?

If this is the case, maybe a hotel would be the best option. If you are you going to be looking for a place which is a feature of the hen weekend or a pad to relax and spend time together, a big house, camping or glamping might be better suited to you.

Just keep thinking back to the hen and the other types of people who will be partying with you for the weekend. If most of party goers are going to be city birds who baulk at the idea of getting mud on their pristine white stilettos, a weekend of camping and quad biking might not be the right approach.

Hen Ideas

Activities

A good hen weekend needs a fun activity in the day time. It’s a great time for everyone to get to know each other and gives the weekend some structure. There are so many different options that its worth exploring alternative ideas before going straight for the obvious activities that everyone has done before, you don’t want 12 cocktail making experts by the end of the weekend.

Likewise, horse riding across Dartmoor followed by camping might not be the right activity if Great Aunt Maud is a key player.

Try to keep within the guidelines given by the hen as it is her hen weekend and it is all about making it as fun as possible for her, not planning your own ultimate weekend. Chatting to the bridesmaids throughout is a great way to rein it in and keep on track with your best buddy in mind.

Maid Of Honour

And Lift Off

You’ve done it, you’ve booked the ultimate hen weekend that will just serve to remind your friend of how close you are and that you possibly know her even better than she knows herself. Sending an email to everyone before the weekend with the finer details such as timings, specific clothing for activities, fancy dress, how much cash people will need if its rural break for taxis etc will mean you have less questions to field and people will be more prepared.

The hen will also need enough details to bring the right stuff and feel comfortable and you will need to bear in mind any spare clothes for her if it’s a messy activity and you don’t want to spoil the surprise. Plan the finer details such as taxis and food arrangements so people aren’t hanging around and looking to you all weekend to make decisions, you want to be busy having fun and not having to arrange anything as you go.

Success List:

  • Always think back to the hen and other people going to the hen weekend
  • Know who are the most important people when arranging dates
  • Consider budgets and logistics when you decide on the destination
  • Get people to commit before securing bookings for accommodation and activities
  • Do as much booking as you can before the big weekend, people like to know that it’s all under control and when you’re away you’ll just have to worry about where the next tray of Jager bombs are coming from
  • Have her back – make yourself the responsible person for getting your friend home at the end of the night , put a pint of water by the bed and have hangover snacks ready for the morning after recovery.
  • Have fun!

Best Free Day Outs in Cardiff

Days Out in Cardiff - Best Free Day Outs in Cardiff

If you’re planning a day out in Cardiff, there’s no reason for it to cost a fortune. There’s plenty of things to do around this small but vibrant city that won’t leave you feeling the pinch.

To help you plan your perfect trip, we’ve rounded up some of the best free places to see in the Welsh capital and have a Cardiff day out to remember.

What is Welsh Games?

cardiff stag hen
Welsh Games Logo Mobile 2019

Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of South Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Cardiff Hottest Free Days Out

Cardiff National Museum

National Museum & Art Gallery

Home to Wales’ national collection of art and an impressive array of artefacts that explore the natural history of the nation, it’s easy to spend a day walking through the rich history of this small country.

As well as the permanent exhibits, which include Wales’ last surviving woolly mammoth (sort of!), the museum also hosts touring exhibitions throughout the year so, even if this isn’t your first visit, there’s sure to be something new to explore.

Cardiff Arcades

Explore the Arcades

Nestled among the high street shops, you’ll find a whole host of Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades full of independent boutiques, specialist stores and quirky cafés. In fact, they’re one of the things the city is famous for, even earning it the nickname, ‘The City of Arcades’.

While wandering through to take in the architecture and history is free, we can’t guarantee you won’t be tempted to pick up a few souvenirs along the way!

Millennium Centre Cardiff

Wales Millennium Centre

Wales Millennium Centre is the cultural centrepiece of Wales. The building is one of the most recognisable in the city and its worth a trip just to admire the impressive exterior that’s carefully constructed out of Welsh wood, slate and steel.

While you need tickets for the main productions, there are free performances in the foyer throughout the week. Past shows have incorporated the arts in all its forms; from dance to choirs, contemporary music and one man plays.

Senedd

The Senedd is home to the Welsh Assembly Government but, if politics isn’t your thing, it’s also one of the most exciting pieces of modern architecture in Cardiff. Almost entirely constructed out of glass and wood, it offers spectacular views of Cardiff Bay, perfect for admiring the scenery while avoiding the changeable Welsh weather!

There’s plenty to do inside too. Free tours are available throughout the day and, if politics is your thing, you might even get the chance to watch what’s happening in the debating chamber from the gallery above.

Cardiff Bute Park

Bute Park

There’s plenty of green space in Cardiff, giving you the chance to escape the city’s hustle and bustle. Bute Park is the largest and is only a few minutes’ walk from the centre.

It’s full of wide open spaces, woodlands and a path that takes you on a peaceful walk along the River Taff. It’s a beautiful place to spend a relaxing summer’s day, though equally enchanting to stroll around in the winter months with a hot chocolate in hand from one of the park’s various cafés.

It might be a small city but Cardiff is still packed full of things to do, even if you’re planning a trip on a shoestring. It’s smaller size also means everything’s close together, saving you money when you’re getting from A to B and giving you the chance to pack as much as possible into your itinerary, no matter how short your trip.

Now, all you need to do is decide when you’re going to visit!

Coyote Ugly Cardiff Guide

Coyote Ugly Cardiff

Organising a Cardiff hen do can be pretty stressful, but living within easy striking distance of a crazy city like Cardiff made my job a lot easier – and the timing was ideal, thanks to the huge buzz around the opening of the UK’s first ever Coyote Ugly bar. After all, Coyote Ugly just happens to be one of our bride-to-be’s favourite films ever – so our Cardiff hen party plans were soon in motion! Lets dive in to my Coyote Ugly Cardiff Hen Do.

What is Welsh Games?

cardiff stag hen
Welsh Games Logo Mobile 2019

Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of South Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Coyote Ugly - New York - London and Now Cardiff

The original Coyote Ugly Saloon opened its doors in New York way back in 1993, inspiring the 2000 cult film of the same name, but this brand new bar in Wales’ capital – rumoured to be twice the size of any other in Wales – is the latest launch from the famous American chain.

The building used to house the old Square Club, right in the heart of Cardiff, on St Mary Street – making it ideal for hens like us who are arriving by train into Cardiff Central, which thankfully (tottering along in heels…) is only a short walk away.

Coyote Ugly Cardiff

It's Not All About The Coyotes

The bar is pretty big with a rustic design and a capacity of about 900. The female staff, known as “Coyotes”, are super confident and full of energy: serving up drinks as well as singing, entertaining and dancing on the bar, giving the place a really great atmosphere.

They genuinely seem to be having a good time, so you’d have to be a real misery not to get sucked into the whole party spirit.

Coyote Ugly Cardiff

Your Last Night of Freedom? "Girl, You Could Be Dancin' On The Floor!"

If you’re organising a hen party you can book in to train up as a Coyote during the day, if you fancy strutting your stuff in front of a packed bar – because once night falls you are then called up onto the bar to test out your new-found moves.

In our case, I wasn’t sure the bride-to-be would fully appreciate being dragged in front of an audience, and us Maids of Honour have to remember that a successful hen party needs to deliver exactly what the hen is after.

Coyote Ugly Cardiff

Wild and Chaotic It Is

So I organised a booth for the evening to accommodate our whole party group, and we just enjoyed kicking back and watching the entertainment instead of providing it – although that’s not to say we didn’t create some carnage on the dance floor once we’d had a suitable number of shots.

From what we can remember collectively (which is foggy and fabulous in equal measures) we had a thoroughly great night out, and would definitely go back there for other celebrations.

Cardiff has always offered heaps of choice when it comes to great bars, clubs and music venues, but Coyote Ugly definitely brings an extra dose of fun to the capital. If you’re easily offended, this is not the place to spend your evening: quite a few people get soaked, lose a few items of clothing along the way, and behave in a raucous manner. Classy and quiet it is not.

Wild and chaotic it is – and if that’s your idea of fun, it delivers it in bucket loads. Hire yourself one of the 40 booths, tuck into some American barbecue food to thoroughly line your stomach, and then get stuck in to some serious drinking and dancin’!

The Best Cardiff Axe Throwing Venues

Axe Throwing in Cardiff – The Best Cardiff Axe Throwing Venues

Lumberjack axe throwing began as a timbersport across cold climes such as Scandinavia and Canada where those working outside would compete to score the highest on wooden boards they threw tomahawks, knives and other axes into.

Today, this adrenaline-fuelled activity has caught on worldwide and there are now a myriad of leagues and tournaments specialising in different sizes, shapes and types of axes.

However, the nature of the sport means that this hasn’t always been the most accessible: but since hitting commercial interest in the 2010s, has blossomed in popularity as an experiential sport tried by those looking to do something a little unusual on stag parties, hen parties, birthday occasions and corporate team outings.

As a result, a variety of venues offer axe throwing in Cardiff and throughout the UK; most commonly in lumberjack axe throwing activity centres and purpose-built axe throwing bars for those seeking more of a party vibe than a sport one.

What is Welsh Games?

cardiff stag hen
Welsh Games Logo Mobile 2019

Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of South Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Types of Axe Throwing in Cardiff

The types of board, axe and scoring system depends on the league and venue and what they available. In most places, you’ll find that caged lanes offer safe passage for axe throwing in enclosed metal spaces with either a wooden wall with painted target or circular-shaped wooden board at the end.

A line will be painted or marked on the floor and participants must stand either behind or on this line, not crossing it until the axe has been either dispatched to the floor or safely embedded in the board.

Usually, everyone in your group will be subject to a full safety briefing before tutelage begins on the technique of how best to throw, rotate and embed an axe into the target.

In most cases participants will be instructed that one full rotation of the axe in mid-air is preferable, but there may be the opportunity to learn double or even triple rotations as ‘trick shots’ if sufficient aptitude is shown. Participants may choose to then embark on a scoring competition to see who wins.

axe throwing bar cardiff

The Best Cardiff Axe Throwing Venues

While axe throwing bars in Cardiff and other cities tend to focus on the sport as an activity rather than anything formally competitive, there are lumberjack axe throwing venues that do host leagues and competitions.

The World Axe Throwing League (WATL) operates throughout the UK (although the Americans and Canadians tend to win the league annually!), as does the International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF), which hosts numerous competitions and events throughout Europe.

cardiff axe throwing

Top Cardiff Axe Throwing Venues

There are four main axe throwing Cardiff-based venues, including axe throwing bars and lumberjack axe throwing activity centres. Each has its own specialism and focus.

taff valley axe throwing cardiff

The Taff Valley Quad Bike and Activity Centre

Owned and operated by Adventure Wales who hosts a whole range of outdoor activities including quad biking, clay pigeon shooting, archery, gorge walking and assault courses.

Their axe throwing sessions focus on the ancient skills and techniques of the Vikings, with participants throwing genuine Norse axes as they learn.

All experiences start with a safety briefing before an initial training lessons and practice session under the tuition of a qualified expert.

Once everyone in the group is able to hit the target competently, scoring rounds are introduced based on the WATL points accumulation system, with some other games and challenges thrown in along the way.

Lumberjack axe throwing Cardiff sessions at the Taff Valley Quad Bike and Activity Centre can be held outside overlooking the valleys below or inside in a barn space, dependent on weather.

Sessions are suitable for anyone aged 10+ and lasts up to 90 mins. A minimum of 3 people must be booked on every session.

boom battle bar cardiff

Boom Battle Bar Cardiff

Boom Battle Bar Cardiff caters for a whole variety of social experiences including axe throwing, karaoke, shuffleboard, electric darts, pool and crazy golf.

This axe throwing bar in Cardiff is an adult utopia: with pumping music, a plentiful cocktail menu and lots of hot snacks straight out of their kitchen to accompany you on an afternoon or evening out.

Boom Battle Bar offers 30 mins axe throwing sessions across 2 lanes, each of which can accommodate up to 8 people. Safety briefings are mandatory and waivers must be signed by all participants.

Boom Battle Bar Cardiff has a strict 18+ admittance policy and will only offer sessions to those who appear to be sober and of sound mind. Drinks may not be taken into the lanes but can be consumed after the session.

lumber jack axe throwing cardiff

Lumber Jack Axe Throwing Cardiff

These are a Welsh chain of axe throwing centres with another site in Swansea. With sessions available for all experience levels and activity desires (want to learn or want to let off steam? They have you covered!), a safety briefing is given before a demonstration made and then lessons begin.

Once the instructor is happy with the progress of participants, games and score-making challenges can begin. Lumber Jack axe throwing sessions are primarily social and often have music playing and drinks flowing throughout (non-alcoholic for those throwing, of course).

Lumber Jack Axe Throwing Cardiff and Swansea both offer sessions for those aged 13+ with an accompanying adult. Bookings are recommended in advance.

bushcraft adventures cardiff axe throwing
Bushcraft Adventures

Bushcraft Adventures is situated in Bridgend and has taken over a vast private woodland with a range of outdoor activities including bushcraft and archery.

Supervised by expert instructors in beautiful surroundings, coaches teach participants to throw four different types of axe and guarantee that everyone will manage to ‘thunk’ the target by the end of the session.

The Bushcraft Adventures team tutor anyone aged 9+ and will tailor your lumberjack axe throwing Cardiff session to meet the needs based on the experience level of the participants.

The Best Cardiff Student Hangouts

Cardiff's Best Student Hangouts

Cardiff is a fantastic place to be a student with all the benefits of a capital city but none of the crazy price tags attached to studying in London.

We’ve put together this ultimate guide for students so you can get out exploring and enjoying the best that this amazing city has to offer and save you stumbling upon these gems a week before you graduate!

Read below to find our recommendations of the best cafes, bars and hidden spots that will fast become your favourites!

What is Welsh Games?

cardiff stag hen
Welsh Games Logo Mobile 2019

Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of South Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Cardiff's Top 10 Student Venues

Face 11

students in cardiff

This laid-back bar and restaurant channels the après-ski vibe perfectly. The wooden cladding and wall-mounted snowboards transport you to an alpine hut in the mountains. Situated in the heart of Cardiff’s ‘Studentville’ AKA Cathays, this is the perfect place for pre-town drinks.

You can take advantage of the 2 for 1 cocktail list and student discounts too. If you are into your music or you’re budding musician, there are also weekly open mic nights at the bar on Thursdays and A&R record company talent scouting nights. If that isn’t enough, the bar also hosts regular comedy nights run by ‘piste off comedy.’

Gwdihw Café Bar

students in cardiff

A quirky venue outside and in, that feels like you are in a cosy yet kooky living room. By day, this is a great little hide away in the centre of Cardiff to go for a coffee or grab some lunch with friends and relax on the comfy sofas or the picnic tables outside.

There is also free WiFi, so bring your laptop and pretend to do some of those uni assignments! By night, the bar really comes alive.

You will always find a good DJ or band playing and there is even a great heated outside space to chill out in when you need a break from the dance floor! The drink prices seal the deal for us with student offers such as 4 cans for £10 and house spirits and mixers for £2.50.

Vulcan Lounge

students in cardiff

This cosy pub on Wyverne Road is a great place to kick back and relax with your mates and enjoy a pint. This excellent drinking establishment has friendly bar staff and a great atmosphere.

Head here for the great pool room or to watch those big matches on their giant projector screen. There’s also a heated beer garden so you can hang out outside as long as you want! There are great students deals available day and night and regular open mic nights.

Breakout Cardiff

students in cardiff

If you’re looking for something a bit different to do then this may be the place for you. Breakout is Cardiff’s new escape room games and is located in the popular Brewery Quarter in the city centre.

You can compete in a group of between two to five people and have up to 60 minutes to solve a series of puzzles and escape one of the breakout rooms. Each room has a different theme and unique story. It’s the perfect activity to celebrate a birthday or bond with your new housemates! Do you have what it takes to breakout?!

The Little Man Coffee Shop

students in cardiff

This new little independent coffee shop which is a great place to chill with friends or hide away and do some work. Staff are always friendly and the coffee and food are both great. The venue has a really cool retro feel with comfy armchairs and sofas.

There’s also regular quirky theatre events and if you need to find your zen after some busy nights out or some revision stress there’s also regular yoga breakfast mornings.

The Dead Canary

students in cardiff

This cool secret cocktail bar located on Barrack Lane, Cardiff (but I didn’t tell you that!) is perfect for a night out with friends or perhaps a first date with that special someone. There’s a cool retro ‘speak easy’ feel to the bar, a great atmosphere and great drinks.

The venue hosts some great event nights including live music nights and cocktail making masterclasses if you fancy learning how to make cocktail yourself! Why not go along to the bar’s ‘Taith-Tiki Thursdays’ and try out their Thursdays special cocktail menu based around their Tiki cocktail creations!

Rose Street Flea Market

students in cardiff

Rose Street Flea market in Roath is one of Cardiff’s best hidden gems. If you’re into your vintage clothing and cool vintage furniture this is the place to uncover those hidden treasures! This is the coolest and most legit ‘junk shop’ you can expect to go to, plus everything is reasonably priced so you’re sure to pick up a bargain.

Once you’re visited once I can guarantee you’ll become a regular at getting lost in the weird and wonderful land that this place is… and have the coolest retro student flat going!

Porters Cardiff

students in cardiff

Ran by self-proclaimed failed actor Dan Porter, Porters Bar is a great place to go for live music, comedy and theatre nights and is also host to Cardiff’s first pub theatre, ‘The Other Rooms.’ There’s always a great live band playing on Friday and Saturday nights and a packed dance floor.

There’s also a big beer garden outside with comfy retro cinema seats. As well as a great night out, the venue also hosts ‘come down Sundays’, where you can watch two free films in the bar, chill out and play some board games, and listen to some vinyl plus an evening pub quiz…. hair of the dog it is!

Infinity Trampoline Park

students in cardiff

This is great fun and such a laugh with friends! A whole room filled with trampolines and foam pits to jump away to your hearts content and let the kid inside you out…who said you had to grow up when you went to uni!

Try and go on a weekday or later in the evening if you can to avoid busy periods and have more bounce space to yourself.

Outpost Coffee

students in cardiff

A cool and quirky independent pop up coffee and vinyl music shop always on the move, making an appearance at events and festivals in Cardiff and offering great student deals…

A great place for coffee and music lovers! To keep up to date with where Out Post will be popping up next follow them on twitter: @OutpostCardiff

Cardiff Firework Display Guide

Cardiff Firework Displays - Our best pick of firework displays in and around Cardiff

Remember, remember the fifth of November… for gunpowder, treason and CWTCH! Spending bonfire night at a great Cardiff firework display is a great excuse for a trip away!

Where better to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night than the Welsh capital? There’s plenty to see and do during the day and the skies are lit up with colour at night, so make a weekend of it and enjoy all that the city has to offer.

It is worth noting that sadly, a lot of the big fireworks displays in the area are not running again this year and have not been since the Covid-19 pandemic hit. If you’re here looking for details on Sparks in the Park at Bute Park, the fireworks show at Celtic Manor or the fireworks display at Caerphilly Castle, we’re sorry to break the news to you that they are not on in 2022.

Our fingers are crossed that these will go ahead next year, but in the meantime, why not try out one of the great alternatives we have listed below.

What is Welsh Games?

cardiff stag hen
Welsh Games Logo Mobile 2019

Welsh Games embraces all the stereotypes of South Wales in one great day out, comprising of 9 totally hilarious games suitable for all sorts of groups.

If you have an upcoming, Stag do, Hen Weekend, Birthday Party or Team Building Day, then why not give us a try?

Here is our Cardiff firework display guide for 2022

cardiff fireworks 2016

Cardiff Bay – Saturday 5th November 2022

Fireworks and water always make a stunning combination, delivering all those beautiful reflections as well as a great view from all around.

Make your way to Cardiff Bay for this spectacular show! If you fancy a great seat along with food and drinks for all the family, Lo Lounge are hosting a special night.

Offering delicious hot chocolates, cocktails and s’mores you can really enjoy the show with a fuzzy warm feeling! They also have a selection of board games so you can hunker down and enjoy this cosy time of year.

  • Saturday 5th November 2022

  • 19:00 - 21:00

  • Lo Lounge, Porth Teigr Way, Cardiff, CF10 4GA

  • £19.75 – adults, £6.20 children

The Pontcanna Inn – Saturday 5th November 2022

For a lovely local feel, pop on your hats, gloves and scarves an take a trip to Pontcanna Inn.

Grab a drink from the bar then join the excited crowd outside in the car park where you can take in all the beautiful firework displays exploding across the skies of Cardiff. You’ll soon get stuck in conversation with the friendly locals as you point out the bangs and fizzes taking place all around you!

The Inn is bringing a variety of great food trucks to cater the event. Don’t forget to treat yourself (and your new friends) to a delicious s’more.

  • Saturday 5th November 2022

  • TBC

  • 36 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9LL

  • TBC

cardiff-fireworks-display-01

Barry Island Fireworks - Saturday 29th October 2022

It’s definitely worth the trip out of Cardiff to Barry Island to experience this exceptional firework show. A real community event, enjoy some great street entertainment as well as a fantastic display made all the more fabulous by the reflections in the water as the fireworks explode overhead.

This year it’s been brought forward one week to coincide with halloween so make sure to make the most of the free ghost train rides on offer! The fun kicks off at 16:00 with the start of the live music and the fireworks launch will be at 19:30. The display is run by Barry Rotary Club and entry is by voluntary donation.

  • Saturday 29th October 2022

  • 16:00pm – 20:30pm

  • Barry Island, CF62

  • Free / voluntary donation

Cardiff Harlequins RFC– Sunday 6th November 2022

Support Cardiff Harlequins and enjoy a fabulous firework display to boot (pardon the pun!) This is a great option for families, particularly with their generous offer of under 12s attending for free.

There will be food and drink available to purchase so make sure you don’t miss out on a traditional bonfire night hotdog.

  • Sunday 6th November 2022

  • 18:30

  • Diamond Sports Ground, Whitchurch, Cardiff

  • £5 adults, £5 children (over 12s), under 12 free

Whitchurch Golf Club - Friday 4th November 2022

A great local display with something for all the family. This is one for those looking to celebrate on the bonfire night itself.

The fireworks display starts at 19:30. Ensure you buy your tickets in advance as they sell out!

  • Friday 4th November 2022

  • 19:00pm

  • Whitchurch Golf Club, 76 Pantmawr Road, CF14 7TD

  • £9 adults, £6 children (12 and under), £22 family

cardiff fireworks 2016

Penarth Bonfire Night – Friday 4th November 2022

Make a short trip around the other side of the Bay to lovely Penarth where the Lawn Tennis Club are once again putting on a great fireworks display.

There will be a traditional bonfire to keep everyone toasty, and plenty of bars serving drinks and hot food to keep the whole family happy. Take the opportunity to sink your first mulled wine of the year and surround yourself with your loved ones for a wholesome, festive experience.

  • Friday 4th November 2022

  • 18:00

  • Penarth Lawn Tennis Club, Rectory Rd, Rectory Road, Penarth, CF64 3AN

  • £5.27 adults, £3.16 children, under 3 free

SophiaWorks - Friday 4th November 2022

Rounding up the events for the year, Sophia Works may be the last in our list but it is by no means the least! For a fabulous fireworks display right in the heart of Cardiff, you can’t get much better than the show at Glamorgan Cricket Ground.

Arrive early to enjoy all the family entertainment, including cricket skills, funfair rides, and plenty of food and drink stalls.

The fireworks start at 19:15pm. Buy your tickets early to get early bird prices.

  • Friday 4th November 2022

  • 17:30 - 21:30

  • Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground, Sophia Walk, Cardiff, CF11 9XR

  • £12 adults, £8 children, under 2 free

Bonfire Night in Cardiff

In case you didn’t already know it: the Welsh love a party.  As a result, they go all out for occasions, and bonfire night in Cardiff is no different!

OK, so Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the House of Lords in London and not in Wales… but that’s a long way to go, and Cardiff is the capital of Wales after all.

You can enjoy firework displays in Cardiff without having to navigate overpriced places to stay, complicated public transport or notoriously unfriendly locals.  It’s a capital city without the hassle or the haste.

Top 3 Biggest Firework Displays in Cardiff

On Saturday 29th October, a whole week before Guy Fawkes night, Barry Island Fireworks will light up the sky and the sea with their beautiful coastal display. Open to all, with no ticketing, this might just be the perfect choice for a cash strapped year. Of course, being an early event, you can still celebrate bonfire night in Cardiff on the 5th as well!

The champion of firework displays in Cardiff this year must go to Sophia Works over at the Glamorgan Cricket Ground. Taking place on Friday 4th November, it strikes a good balance between feeling like a family friendly, community event but with no compromises on the huge fireworks they let off! With funfair rides, games and food and drink stalls there is plenty of entertainment to last the whole evening.

To celebrate bonfire night in Cardiff on the night itself, head over to Cardiff Bay where Lo Lounge are hosting a wonderful evening with fantastic views of the fireworks over the Bay.  Although there will be cocktails on offer, this truly is a family event with board games, hot chocolate and s'mores to warm even the grumpiest teenager!

Whatever you’re looking for from spending bonfire night in Cardiff, you’ll find it. From small intimate gatherings to lavish large spectacles, this city knows how to light up the night and dazzle the crowds. Cardiff is considerably cheaper than lots of the UK’s other cities and the Welsh hospitality is unbeatable – you’ll ‘ymserchasai’ with the country, even if not the language!