Although it is still September, for some this means that Christmas is only around the corner. If you are already planning your festive calendar there are some great events to enjoy in Cardiff.
From light displays to pantomimes there is already so much you can get in the dairy for Christmas in Cardiff. You can keep up to date with the latest What's On news by signing up to the newsletter here.
Here are some of the Christmas events in Cardiff that you shouldn't miss.
READ MORE: How to save up to 48% on huge Christmas show in Cardiff this December
Believe Santa experience
If you and your little ones want to meet Santa, you don't have to go further than St David's Centre in Cardiff. Changed from last year there will be a new story, theming and family activities but, most importantly, children will still get to meet Santa.
On arrival, guests to Believe will discover Santa’s enchanting post room where they’ll be immersed in festivity and fun with the mischievous elves as they sort through Santa’s letters from children around the world ready for the big day. Children will be able to decorate their own delicious Christmas gingerbread treat and capture Christmas cheer at the Elfie Selfie posting point before being invited to meet the big man himself.
Families will be hosted personally by Santa in his warm, cosy study where they can share their Christmas hopes and dreams, pose for professional photographs as well as receiving a special present to take home. Believe will open on Friday, December 1 and will be open until Christmas Eve.
The grotto will be located on the lower level of the Grand Arcade, next to the LEGO store and opposite Menkind. Tickets for Believe will be on exclusive pre-sale for registrants on Tuesday, September 19 and will go on general sale on Thursday, September 21. You can sign up to the St David's newsletter here to get exclusive pre-sale access.
Cardiff Christmas Market
From rows and rows of cute craft stalls, perfect for grabbing the best gifts, to delicious food from bratwursts to Yorkshire pudding wraps there is so much to enjoy at Cardiff Christmas Market.
And of course, the well-loved Christmas Market is returning for 2023. The dates have been confirmed and it will be back from Thursday, November 9.
The market will then be open until Saturday, December 23 from 10am to 6pm from Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sundays. This year, the Christmas Market stalls will be situated along St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street and the Hayes, all pedestrianised shopping areas in Cardiff city centre.
Christmas Projection Show
A Christmas Projection Show is coming to Cardiff. In previous years the projection, which is an immersive visual experience with family-themed Christmas stories and building designs with sound to delight people of all ages, took place in St John's Gardens.
The location for this year's Christmas Projection Show has not been confirmed yet and it will run from Wednesday, November 29 to Friday, January 5.
Heofon Light Maze
The Heofon Light Maze reflects and shifts light rays along the entire colour range of the rainbow. Set in the picturesque St John’s Garden, the maze is open seven days a week between 9am and 9pm. The Heofon Light Maze will run from Wednesday, November 29 until Sunday, December 24.
Cardiff Christmas Festival
This event, which will run from Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 24, presents three live shows filled with family fun, jaw-dropping cabaret and a Britain's Got Talent choir. The shows will be performed in the ornate and intimate 550-seat Fortuna Spiegeltent in the beautiful surroundings of Sophia Gardens and promises to transport audiences to a nostalgic and magical world. Last year the shows were at Cardiff Castle.
Santa's Wish and Castellana will be returning and a new show, Welsh of the West End, will also take place during this year's festival and see some of Wales' top singers perform a one-off concert, for full details on the event, click here. Tickets are on sale for the festival now and you can buy them at seetickets.com.
Bute Park Light Trail
Bute Park Light Trail is returning for Christmas 2023. Event organisers promise that this year's trail will be "longer, brighter and more festive than ever before".
In previous years the trail was 1.4km and you were transported to a sparkling world of light and colour as you walked through the magical Starlit Boulevard and "light canyon", which was decorated with "a thousand mesmerising stars". The start date for this year's event is Friday, November 24 and it will run until Monday, January 1. Click here for tickets.
Jac and Beanstalk at Cardiff's New Theatre
Running from Saturday, December 9 until Sunday, January 7 is Jac and the Beanstalk at Cardiff's New Theatre. Follow Jac, and climb a beanstalk of gigantic proportions to cloudland in the spectacular family pantomime Jac and the Beanstalk.
Lesley Joseph will lead the cast in this year’s family pantomime as The Spirit of the Beans. Alongside Lesley will be Mike Doyle as Dame Trot, comedian and impressionist Aaron James as Silly Simon, vocalist Denquar Chupak as the Princess, Steve Arnott as Fleshcreep and musical theatre star Adam Bailey as Jac. You can book your tickets here.
Aladdin at Wales Millennium Centre
The Wales Millennium Centre Christmas show is Disney's Aladdin. Featuring music by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice - this production is filled with magic, comedy and spectacle.
With special effects, over 350 lavish costumes and a live orchestra, Aladdin features all the songs from the classic Academy Award-winning film including Friend Like Me, Arabian Nights, and A Whole New World. The show is running from Thursday, December 7 to Sunday, January 14.
Cardiff Winter Wonderland
The popular Winter Wonderland is back for 2023. Split once again across two locations in the heart of the city centre, visitors will now be able to experience Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland at both Cardiff Castle and City Hall Lawn.
This year, Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland Ice Rink and Ice Walk will be set within the beautiful grounds of Cardiff Castle against the backdrop of the Norman Keep. The undercover 40m x 15m ice rink, with the 150m Ice Walk, is suitable for all ages and abilities.
City Hall Lawn will play host to a range of different rides, games and of course delicious Christmas food. Winter Wonderland will run from Thursday, November 16 to Tuesday, January 2.
Cardiff Santa Dash
Nothing says Christmas like seeing thousands of runners dressed up as Santa or elves. The event takes place in Cardiff Bay on Sunday, December 3 and the event begins at 11am for registration and the race starts at 12pm. You can book on to take part in the race here, tickets are £10 per person or £30 for a group of four and children under five go free.
