CHRISTMAS IN 2018

15 November – 6 January visitcardiff.com/christmas FREE GUIDE This handy pocket guide lists everything you need to know about Cardiff this festive season… so keep it safe and don’t miss a thing this Christmas!

The pages have been divided into colour-coded sections so that it’s easier for you to discover what the city has to offer.

Pages 3 to 8: Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland

Pages 9 to 12: Outdoor Entertainment

Pages 13 to 18: Festive Events

Pages 19 to 20: Christmas in the Bay

Pages 21 to 26: Shopping

Pages 27 to 28: Eat and Drink

Pages: 29 to 32: Travel and Visitor Information

Keep up to date! Don’t forget to check out Visit Cardiff on social media for regular event updates and news.

Visitcardiff.com/Christmas @VisitCardiff

01 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Festive Highlights 15 Nov Step into Christmas City Centre 15 Nov - 6 Jan Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland with Admiral Ice Rink City Hall Lawn 15 Nov - 23 Dec Cardiff Christmas MarketsThe Hayes 15 Nov - 24 Dec Santa’s Grotto Queen Street 15 Nov- 1 Jan Christmas at the Castle Castle Street 4 Dec - 12 Jan Matlida the Musical Millennium Centre 8 Dec - 13 Jan Beauty and the Beast New Theatre Cardiff 13 Dec Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival Launch City Hall 19 Dec - 31 Dec Christmas Ballets St. David’s Hall 31 Dec - 1 Jan New Year’s Eve Fireworks Civic Centre

Save the date 29 Mar - 9 Apr Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival City Centre Venues 30 Mar - 7 Apr RHS Flower Show Cardiff 1 Jun - 15 Jun ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Cardiff Wales Stadium

Please note details are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.

Christmas in Cardiff 2018 02 15th November - 6thJanuary City Hall Lawn

With an undercover ice rink, seasonal activities, bars and food stalls, all against the backdrop of the iconic civic centre and spectacular lights, Christmas in Cardiff isn’t complete without a visit to Winter Wonderland.

03 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland

Fun Skate Penguins but there is a charge for Look out for the penguins! additional activities. To The fun penguins are designed avoid disappointment it’s to help younger children advised that visitors book ice enjoy the ice with confidence skating tickets in advance at (suitable for children under cardiffswinterwonderland.com 1.2m and should not be used as an aid for skating – subject Opening times: to availability). Please collect your skates 15 minutes prior to the start of It’s free to enter the Winter your skating session. Wonderland event site, 15 Nov – 21 Dec Mon – Fri 1215-2200 (Last Skate 2100) Sat – Sun 1100-2200 (Last Skate 2100)

22 Dec – 30th Dec (excluding dates below) Mon – Fri 1100 - 2200 Sat & Sun 0945 - 2200

Christmas Eve 0945 – 2100 Christmas Day CLOSED Boxing Day 1100 - 2100 New Year’s Eve 0945 -0030

1 Jan – 6 Jan Mon-Sat 1100 - 2200

Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland 04 Peak Off Peak Walk Up Online Walk Up Online

Adult (16+) £11 £10 £9.50 £8.50 Child (3-15) £9 £8 £8 £7 Students £9 £8 £8 £7 With Valid ID Family of 4 £35 £30 £30 £27

Christmas Eve & New New Year’s Eve Year’s Eve Midnight skate

All Day 23:30 Skate Walk Up & Online Walk Up & Online

Adult (16+) £15 £20 Child (3-15) £10 £15 Students £12 With Valid ID Family of 4 £45

05 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland

Sur La Piste Bar – NEW for 2018

The brand new bar, with two to get everyone floors, is the perfect place in the festive to catch up with friends and mood. family over a mulled wine - or just sit back and relax on the sofas while enjoying a hot chocolate. The authentic wooden chalet is guaranteed

Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland 06 Funfair

It’s not just about the skating! Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland will have an upgraded site with new attractions for 2018 including The Drop Tower! and familiar favourite, Party Penguin Dodgems.

Food and Drink

Come and enjoy ‘Après Ski’ at the Sur La Piste Bar located at the heart of Winter Wonderland. Head to the Alpine Village where you can sample heart-warming Mulled Wine or a hot dog from the grill. Fancy something sweet? Freshly made crepes will be available with a variety of tantalising toppings!

A sk a bout G inc roup Packages luding Food and D rink! £17.50 pp

07 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland 08 Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland Winter Cardiff’s Step into Christmas

Thursday 15 November FREE EVENT 4.30pm - 7.30pm City Centre

The Official Start to Christmas in Cardiff! See the city centre undergo a spectacular transformation with a cornucopia of Christmassy characters, music, lights and entertainment.

Join the merriment and watch some truly magical festive performances in various locations across the city centre.

Please note the Christmas lights will be on prior to the start of Step into Christmas and twinkle to light as it gets dark. There is no ‘light switch-on’ moment - the fun goes on for hours!

09 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Outdoor Entertainment

Highlights include: • See Ben and Holly from Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom • Festive street theatre • Craft Folk Christmas Markets on • Santa’s Grotto on Queen Street • Late night shopping and in- store offers • Opening of Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland with Admiral Ice Rink

Outdoor Entertainment 10 Look out for these christmassy characters and more!

For the full schedule head to visitcardiff.com/ stepintochristmas

Ghost Caribou Arco

Creature Encounter - The Snow Lion

11 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Outdoor Entertainment 12

Outdoor Entertainment Outdoor perfect place to celebrate! celebrate! to place perfect visit at to places Find the best visitcardiff.com/NewYear The New Year’s Funfair Funfair Year’s New The open:will be 21.00 - 29 12.00 Sat - 21.00 Sun 30 12.00 - 01.00 Mon 31 12.00 Nightlife mouth-watering From captivating restaurants, bars, and clubs cocktail the all can dance you where is the Cardiff 2019, into way

in advance from from in advance cardiffswinterwonderland.com your ice-skating tickets tickets ice-skating your Make sure you book you sure Make and bring in the New Year Year and bring in the New with a bang! from Winter Wonderland Wonderland Winter from the Civic Centre and around midnight firework display display midnight firework Watch the spectacular the Watch 31 December FREE EVENT Civic Centre Fireworks at Winter Winter at Fireworks Wonderland New Year’s Eve Year’s New Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival Launch with David Baddiel

Thursday 13 December Tickets £5 6.30pm cardiffkidslitfest.com City Hall

The seventh Cardiff Children’s Literature festival gets off to a flying start this December as David Baddiel comes to Cardiff.

Comedian Under 12s must be accompanied and author by a paying adult. Supported by David Baddiel HarperCollins Children’s Books has written six wildly entertaining books for young readers that have sold over 1 million copies. David will be in town to talk about his latest laugh-out-loud, wish fulfilment story, Head Kid, that asks the question: what would happen if the strictest head teacher swapped bodies with the naughtiest kid in school?

The event will mark the launch of the 2019 Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival programme.

13 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Festive Events

14

Festive Events Festive cardiffkidslitfest.com ideal stocking filler ideal stocking with amazing tales and tales with amazing a featuring performances characters. of wonderful cast an It’s who love all those for books. children’s head information more For to over #KidsLitFest @CDFKidsLitFest venues across the city centre, centre, city the across venues come to life. Held in iconic Held in iconic life. to come illustrators as they make make as they illustrators and pictures their words their favourite authors and their favourite reading this Christmas this Christmas reading see to buying tickets by Fuel your little bookworm’s little bookworm’s Fuel your of and love imagination 2019. Tickets will be on sale will be Tickets 2019. 2018. 13 December from Cardiff Children’s Literature Literature Children’s Cardiff – 7 April 30 March Festival Santa’s Grotto

10 November - 24 December Queen Street (opposite the Queens Arcade)

Get away from the hustle and Open 7 days a week bustle of Christmas shopping from 10.30am and visit Santa! Housed in a Age: Suitable for children traditional wooden chalet, of all ages dressed perfectly for the festive season, children can Price: £6.50 including meet Santa and his elves. a gift from Santa

15 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Festive Events 16

Festive Events Festive 15 November - 1 January - 15 November Street Castle from £11.30. from Visitor Also the Castle’s so enter, to is free Centre not escape the crowds why to a drink and bite and grab or find the in the Bistro, eat in the Welsh present perfect gift shop. about find out more To and Wreath Grotto Santa’s visit Making classes cardiffcastle.com Did you know that Christmas Christmas that know Did you times of best is one of the Castle? Cardiff visit to year more as discovering As well visitors about its history, in allcan also see the house with dressed its splendour, lights spectacular Christmas General and decorations. start tickets admission Castle Cardiff 17 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Festive Events

Christmas Shows

What better way is there to get in the Christmas spirit than to enjoy festive entertainment in one of Cardiff’s many beautiful and iconic venues?

Breath-taking Ballet Punchy Panto at St David’s Hall at New Theatre

The Russian State Ballet of It wouldn’t be Christmas Siberia accompanied by The without the Panto! Festive Russian State Ballet Orchestra family fun for all. return with four enchanting Beauty and the Beast ballets. 8 December – 13 January Snow Maiden newtheatrecardiff.co.uk 19 – 20 December

The Nutcracker 21 – 24 December Matilda the Musical Swan Lake 4 December – 12 January 27 – 29 December Make sure you see the Cinderella multi-award winning Matilda 30 – 31 December the Musical from the Royal stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk Shakespeare company. wmc.org.uk

Festive Events 18 Christmas in the Bay

This festive season, wrap up warm, grab a latte in Café Hafren and stroll across the picturesque Barrage. Alternatively, get on your bike and cycle the 10k Bay Trail, which takes in iconic landmarks, public art, exhibitions and the tranquil Wetlands Reserve.

Escape from the city Gift Shop, where crafters altogether with a festive from South Wales will be trip to Flat Holm Island, presenting their unique wares where you can explore from 16 November to 23 the historic buildings and December at 10.30am-4pm. enjoy a warming drink at the Gull and Leek pub. Visit For more information about bayislandvoyages.co.uk to the festivities taking place book your boat trip. at other venues in the Bay, including Wales Millennium For hand-made gift options, Centre, The Red Dragon head to the Norwegian Centre and , go Church Art Centre’s Gallery to visitcardiffbay.info.

19 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Christmas in the Bay 20 , Christmas in the Bay Christmas ciww.com/gift-vouchers Water Rafting and Indoor Rafting Water start vouchers The Wave. now yours £10 – buy just from at or reception the centre’s from 2082 9970. calling 029 by activities including White White including activities . Cardiff Cardiff offers adrenaline-fuelled adrenaline-fuelled offers Located near the city centre, near the city centre, Located facility watersport the exciting than gift vouchers for for gift vouchers than Water White International difference, look no further difference, If you’re searching for a for searching If you’re with a present Christmas Royal Arcade

City of Arcades

Experience a new way of as you are. Can’t decide on shopping this Christmas. a gift? The FOR Cardiff gift Explore the seven beautiful card is redeemable in over Victorian and Edwardian 70 independent businesses arcades that sit alongside the across Cardiff city centre, biggest names on the high catering for everyone from street, earning Cardiff the title coffee lovers and vintage of City of Arcades. fashionistas, culture seekers and sports fans. Inside you’ll find over 100 independent cafés, bars and To help plan your visit, go shops selling hand-crafted, to thecityofarcades.com bespoke and designer items to explore the full list of to help you to make your businesses. Christmas gifts as unique

21 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Shopping

Castle Arcade High Street Arcade

Shopping 22 Christmas Shopping

Shopping Centres Cardiff is the ultimate Be sure to check out Cardiff shopping destination this Market where you’ll find a Christmas, and with a wealth of products perfect combination of designer for that unique Christmas brands, high street names as gift. It has occupied the well as more individual and same site for over 100 years independent shops there’s and has traditional Victorian something for everyone. features all under a stunning Start your journey at the glass roof. spectacular St.Davids / Dewi Sant in the heart of the city Capitol Shopping Centre – boasting over 150 shops and Creative Cardiff Markets over 40 eating outlets. 27 October- 31 December 10 – 6pm Stroll down to Queen’s If you’re looking for a unique Arcade in the undercover hand-crafted gift this shopping centre- home Christmas made by local to a fantastic selection Cardiff talent then look no of big name brands and further than Capitol Creative’s independent retailers. first ever indoor market! Purchase gifts from over 100 The shopping doesn’t stop Welsh artists this Christmas. there! The Capitol Shopping More info at facebook.com/ Centre located on Queen cardiffcreativeshop Street offers some great alternative shops mixed with For more information on some well-known favourites! shopping in Cardiff, check out visitcardiff.com/shopping

23 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Shopping 24 Shopping St.Davids / Dewi Sant / Dewi St.Davids St.Davids / Dewi Sant exterior / Dewi St.Davids Capitol Shopping Centre Capitol Cardiff Christmas Market

15 November - 23 December The Hayes

A visit to Cardiff’s Christmas market will rival that of any UK city, with rows of beautifully decorated wooden stalls laid out in the pedestrian heart of the city centre.

An exciting and eclectic mix of both new and returning exhibitors, with their original, handmade products, are the essence of what makes Cardiff’s Christmas Market so different and special every year.

To find our more head tocardiffchristmasmarket.com

25 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Shopping

Shopping 26 Festive Quarter

Working Street 15 November - 30 December

Shopping can be exhausting so once you’ve worked up your thirst and appetite stop by the German style Bierkeller and Bratwurst Grill, which offers a choice of popular ales, mulled wine and speciality sausages for a Bavarian feast!

27 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Eat & Drink 28

Bar New York York New ’s popular ’s visitcardiff. or Viennese or Viennese Eat & Drink Eat Peppermint top floor in top , , located on , located . Mill Lane Marco Pierre White White Pierre Marco , Italian pasta and pizza and pasta , Italian and sample some tasty and sample some tasty Soda Bar. Wally’s Delicatessen and Delicatessen Wally’s Café Minuet Minuet Café Fancy something a little Fancy to Head over lighter? 44 with down tapas washed sherry their mouth-watering your selection. Finish off with a refreshing evening at cocktail holes such as, watering Cornerhouse or at Find out more com/eatdrink subs and hoagies at at and hoagies subs Deli at and open sandwiches pastries at Kaffeehaus dining Spend the evening the at House Steak Indigo’s Hotel Dominions Arcade. City Centre City , recently voted voted , recently

Lunch is an international Lunch is an international style with American affair, the world. serve a range of over 60 of over a range serve around from sourced teas breakfast menu they also menu they breakfast arcade-based business. business. arcade-based Alongside a delicious Waterloo Tea Waterloo favourite the Cardiffian’s breakfast at one of the many of the many one at breakfast such as independent cafés, Start the day right with day the Start day those hunger pangs hit. those hunger day Cardiff can cater for all can cater Cardiff time of whatever appetites, From breakfast to cocktails to breakfast From Eat and Drink – Drink and Eat Tim Peake’s Spacecraft

15 November – 10 February FREE EXHIBITION National Museum Wales £6 Space Descent VR

See the spacecraft that brought British astronaut Tim Peake back to Earth from the International Space Station. You can relive the descent from space through a virtual reality experience, Space Descent VR. This out of the world experience is too good to miss! Presented by Samsung and the Science Museum Group

29 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Travel & Visitor Information 30 Travel & Visitor Information & Visitor Travel electrically powered electrically powered and wheelchairs, scooters help to manual wheelchairs thepeople shop and use in the city centre. facilities at applies. Located Hiring fee Shopping Centre, David`s St of parking). level P3 (first Coaches centre, city a compact With for city is a great Cardiff visit. For to groups coach about information more drop-off/ the convenient points and coach pick-up email the incentives, driver team hello@ Cardiff Visit visitcardiff.com ShopmobilityCardiff Shopmobility provide

traveline.cymru traveline.cymru Street. For timetables visit For Street. key locations including locations key and Westgate Road Greyfriars operating around the around operating at with bus stops region Central. There are also a are There Central. of bus companies variety accessible by train via Cardiff via Cardiff train by accessible or Cardiff Queen Street The city centre is easily city centre The Public Transport visitcardiff.com/visitor- information For more information visit information more For and cardiffcouncil.com during the Christmas period. during the Christmas also operates also operates Council Cardiff Ride’ locations and ‘Park carparks available close to close to carparks available and attractions. the shops There are a number of a number are There and multi-storey outdoor Car Parks/Park and RideCar Parks/Park Travel and Transport and Travel Visitor Information

Tourist Information Centre Cardiff FREE WiFi Whether you’re visiting Did you know there is FREE Cardiff for the first time WiFi in Cardiff city centre & or looking for new ways Cardiff Bay? Just look out for to experience the city, the Cardiff FREE WiFi and log in! Tourist Information Centre is there to help. Lockers Heavy bags? Here for the Tourist Information Centre weekend? Check out the Cardiff Castle locker facilities at St. David’s / Dewi Sant (£1 regular size Opening Hours locker for 8 hours) or The Open 7 days a week Old Library (10am-4pm 09:00 – 17:00 various prices based on size Tourist Information Hub of storage). Old Library Did you know you can collect Opening Hours your Amazon order from Sun - Thu 10:00 – 15:00 one of Cardiff’s many locker Fri – Sat 10:00 – 17:00 facilities? You can find them at two of our largest shopping Maps centres St. David’s / Dewi Sant Check out our Christmas in and Capitol Shopping Centre. Cardiff map on the centre pages! Or, if you are looking Extend your Visit for City Centre and Cardiff From budget to five- Bay maps you can download star Cardiff has plenty from: visitcardiff.com/visitor- of choice. Check out our information/maps-cardiff accommodation at visitcardiff. com/wheretostay

31 Christmas in Cardiff 2018 Travel & Visitor Information 32 Travel & Visitor Information & Visitor Travel

@CroesoCaerdydd / @VisitCardiff #CroesoCaerdydd / #VisitCardiff croesocaerdydd.com / visitCardiff.com