From music to literature, wellbeing to fuzzy heads, grassroots to big dogs, now is the time for us all to start thinking about festivals. Yes, even you! And especially Julia Bottoms, who has penned delectable descriptions of 28 attendance-worthy fests happening in Wales between April and October.
STREET FOOD CIRCUS
Various venues, Fri 17 Apr-Sun 6 Sept
Wales’ premier street food events company are sticking with a winning formula and taking their circus (actual circus activity does feature, FYI) to five locations across spring and summer. These are: Forest Feastival (Candleston Woods, Merthyr Mawr, Fri 17 Apr-Sun 10 May); The Big Banquet (Caldicot Castle, Fri 22-Mon 25 May); Summer Feastival (Pembrey Country Park, Fri 19-Sun 21 June); Fantastic Fete (St Donat’s Castle, Fri 31 July-Sun 9 Aug) and Harbour Feastival (Saundersfoot Harbour, Fri 4-Sun 6 Sept).
Who: Two Lads Afghan Street Food, The Dough Thrower, The Bone Cartel
How much: £6-£10/FREE under-16s.
Info: streetfoodcircus.co.uk
LLANDEILO LIT FEST
Yr Hen Farchnad, Llandeilo, Fri 24-Sun 26 Apr
It’s the 10-year anniversary of Llandeilo’s weekend literature festival, nestled at the foothills of Bannau Brycheiniog. With events in both English and Welsh, held in multiple venues across the town centre, the festival brings together an intellectual summit of authors, poets, playwrights and figures such as Menna Elfyn, Rhian Elizabeth and Mark Drakeford, as well as live Welsh folk music.
Who: Menna Elfyn, Rhian Elizabeth, Mark Drakeford
How much: priced per event
Info: llandeilolitfest.org
MACHYNLLETH COMEDY FESTIVAL / ABERYSTWYTH COMEDY FESTIVAL
Various venues, Machynlleth, Fri 1-Sun 3 May / Aberystwyth, Fri 2-Sun 4 Oct
Both of these comedy festivals are run by Little Wander, who have designed the two events to complement each other in the comedy calendar. Machynlleth showcases work-in-progress shows for comedians to test new material, often in pop-up spaces whereas the festival’s Aberystwyth sibling, held five months later, selects a pick of completed shows, ready to be toured.
Who: James Acaster, Stewart Lee (Machynlleth) / Mike Wozniak, Flo & Joan (Aberystwyth)
How much: priced per event
Info: machcomedyfest.co.uk / abercomedyfest.co.uk
TUNES ON THE BAY
Swansea Bay Beach, Fri 1-Sun 3 May
This three-day bash, held over the May Bank Holiday weekend, does what it says on the tin: bringing “tidy tunes and high tides” to the white sands of Swansea. Though the festival debuted last year to much acclaim, do be warned; one WalesOnline writer remarked they were “still finding sand everywhere after the event”.
Who: JLS, Scooter, Rossi
How much: £119 weekend; £89 Fri + Sat only; day tickets £40-£49.50
Info: tunesonthebay.co.uk
FOCUS WALES
Various venues, Wrexham, Thurs 7-Sat 9 May
This international music and film showcase festival returns to Wrexham, sprawling across 20 stages around the city. Founded in 2010 to spotlight Wales’ music industry, it’s now widely known for being a forward-thinking cultural showcase platforming Welsh artists alongside international talent. 25,000 attendees are expected at a rolling medley of industry panels, networking events, film screenings and talks.
Who: Fat Dog, Idlewild, Bill Ryder-Jones
How much: £85/£110 fast track pass/£170 delegate pass
Info: focuswales.com
HAY FESTIVAL
Various venues, Hay-On-Wye, Thurs 21-Sun 31 May
Emma Thompson, Malala Yousafzai and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe are just some of the cultural heavyweights joining this year’s Hay Festival, alongside Miriam Margolyes, Gisèle Pelicot and Emerald Fennell. Over 500 events take place in marquees, churches, theatres and halls across the town, with panels ranging from themes of political gender equality, romantasy fiction and the UK’s National Year Of Reading.
Who: Emma Thompson, Malala Yousafzai, Gisèle Pelicot
How much: priced per event
Info: hayfestival.com
THE BIG RETREAT
Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire, Fri 22-Sun 25 May
Somehow, this festival is both bootcamp and party, offering a pick’n’mix of over 300 sessions from wild swimming to cookery demos, HIIT workouts, gong baths and foraging. Promising live music on the main stage each evening and, most importantly “posh showers and posh loos”, the whole point is to unplug from real life – bare feet, fresh air, and all.
Who: Craig Charles, Rebecca Ferguson, Jack Broadbent
How much: £269/£80 under-18s
Info: thebigretreatfestival.com
DEVAUDEN FESTIVAL
Humble By Nature Farm, Penallt, Fri 22-Sun 24 May
Devauden festival has grown from a small village gathering in 2010 to a beloved grassroots family-friendly fest fixture. This year, there are four stages of folk, indie and roots acts headlined by Newton Faulkner and Rusty Shackle, as well as all manner of activities from science workshops to kids’ yoga, ecstatic dance and sound healing, all held in the heart of the Wye Valley.
Who: Newton Faulkner, Rusty Shackle, Graveyard Johnnys
How much: £90/£45 under-18s (weekend); £34/£17 under-18s (Fri); £55/£27 under-18s (Sat + Sun)
Info: devaudenfestival.com
IN IT TOGETHER FESTIVAL
Old Park Farm, Margam, Fri 22-Sun 24 May
Madness, Snow Patrol and Natalie Imbruglia top the bill for the UK’s biggest family festival. Crowned promoter of the year at 2025’s UK Festival Awards, this mini-Coachella will also see appearances from Aitch, Gok Wan, The Fratellis and Rudimental. For children, there’s an outdoor cinema, fairground and a trove of other delights.
Who: Madness, Snow Patrol, Natalie Imbruglia
How much: £149 (£59-£119 kids); £169 with camping (£39-£99 kids)
Info: inittogetherfestival.com
FISHGUARD FOLK FESTIVAL
Various venues, Fishguard, Fri 22-Mon 25 May
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Pembrokeshire’s Fishguard Folk Festival, held in the coastal twin towns of Goodwick and Fishguard. It’s mostly free, with some ticketed headliner concerts but mainly informal sessions in pubs and streets – and it’s one of the only festivals where anyone can set up on the street and busk if they wish.
Who: Mari Mathias Band, Gitan, Angeline Morrison
How much: £10-£20 headliners; many events FREE
Info: fishfolkfest.co.uk
MONTY LIT FEST
Various locations, Montgomery, Fri 12-Sun 14 June
This cosy literary weekend brings together writers, poets, journalists and general cultural legends – from fashion designer Zandra Rhodes and royal raconteur Paul Burrell – in the market town of Montgomery in Powys. As ever, the stakes will be high with the annual quiz night set by resident MC Marcus Baerkmann, known to Lit fest regulars as a deviser of fiendish quizzes.
Who: Paul Burrell, Zandra Rhodes, Cynan Jones
How much: £110 full pass or priced per event
Info: montylitfest.com
TAFWYL
Cardiff Castle, Sat 20 + Sun 21 June
2026 marks the 20th year of Tafwyl, Wales’ annual two-day, open-air festival held in the grounds of Cardiff Castle. Free to attend and welcoming Welsh speakers and learners alike, the festival brings together the best of Welsh-language music and culture, alongside a colourful spread of international food and drink stalls.
Who: Breichiau Hir, NoGood Boyo, Sage Todz
How much: FREE
Info: tafwyl.org
WESTIVAL
Shipping Hill Farm, Manorbier, Thurs 2-Sun 5 July
The eighth year of this genre-blending but dance-centric festival promises to be the biggest ever yet after a sold out 2025 edition. New this year is Camp Restival – a new wellness area with luxury yurts, bell tents and a sauna and cold plunge. Ample opportunity to both rave and relax.
Who: Antony Szmierek, High Contrast, Ms Dynamite
How much: £200
Info: westival.wales
THE WEEKEND RUMBLE
Great House Farm, Llansoy, Fri 3 + Sat 4 July
This bucolic micro-fest in the countryside takes place in a charming barn near Usk, attracting an array of indie bands, DJ sets, spoken word and poetry performances. With donations to mental health awareness charities, this one is perfect if you’re looking for a down-to-earth, chilled summer weekend far away from the city.
Who: Billy Nomates, Honeyglaze, Mustbejohn
How much: £83-£103
Info: theweekendrumble.com
FOLK ON THE LAWN
Abbey Mill, Tintern, Thurs 9-Sun 12 July
Set on the riverside banks of the River Wye in Abbey Mill, this folk and roots festival feels like a long weekend retreat. Musicians, poets, comedians and writers, and for the first time this year, photographers will gather at the festival, featuring a talk by world-renowned photographer David Hurn, as well as musicians Ronwa Stuart and Luke Philbrick & The Solid Gone Skiffle Invasion.
Who: Luke Philbrick & The Solid Gone Skiffle Invasion, David Hurn, Adrian Ross
How much: pay what you can
Info: folkonthelawn.com
VINTAGE FOR VICTORY
Whitchurch Library Gardens, Cardiff, Thurs 9-Sun 12 July
This long weekend in Cardiff suburb Whitchurch is celebrating 10 years in action this July, but like your uncle who fought in both world wars, what’s a decade or eight between friends when nostalgic jive-all-night time-slippage is the name of the game? V4V’s golden age spans the 1940s to the 60s and this is reflected in a programme of live rock’n’roll, period-faithful dance lessons, classic cars, replica warplanes and a request to dress the part.
Who: Harlem Rhythm Cats, The Jive Aces, The Satin Dollz
How much: £80/£50 under-22s; day tickets £18-£50; FREE under-16s.
Info: vintageforvictory.co.uk
BIG LOVE FESTIVAL
Cwm Cayo Farm, Usk, Thurs 16-Sun 19 July
The 10th anniversary of the UK’s “friendliest small festival” will also be the first without founder Stu Housley, who died mere days after its 2025 edition. Over 130 acts will perform over four days across six stages, including a big top tent and the ever-popular fire engine stage. This year, there’s a curated lineup of activities for teenagers and younger children, and for adults, drinks at pub prices.
Who: TBC
How much: £179/£75 under-18s/£12 under-13s/FREE under-5s
Info: biglovefestival.co.uk
DEPOT IN THE CASTLE
Cardiff Castle, Sat 25 July
The Wombats, Sugababes and Red Rum Club top the bill at this year’s edition of Depot Live’s family-friendly one-dayer at Cardiff Castle. Typically taking place in one main performance area from about midday to midnight in the castle grounds, it’s part of Depot Live’s wider summer programme of concerts and events.
Who: The Wombats, Sugababes, Red Rum Club
How much: £66/£28 under-13s/£16.80 under-7s
Info: depotinthecastle.com
GLASTONBARRY
Romilly Park, Barry, Sat 25 + Sun 26 July
Tribute festivals have recently taken the UK by storm, with ticket sales rising significantly over the past five years. Last year, the three-day event of Glastonbarry was attended by an audience of 18,000, and with 22 tributes to the likes of Pink, Queen and Coldplay set to descend on Barry this year, 2026’ll likely be even bigger.
Who: tributes to various global icons
How much: £67.50 weekend/£52.50 per day
Info: glastonbarry.com
STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL
Hafod-Y-Dafal Farm, nr Ebbw Vale, Fri 24-Sun 26 July
The UK’s officially highest music festival, this rock festival held on top of a mountain is celebrating its 15th birthday this year. Loyal rockers will make the familiar uphill ascent to the high-altitude spot for a lineup headlined by Steel Panther and The Temperance Movement, with 90s survivors Ugly Kid Joe set to top-bill ‘Steelhouse Sunday’, the festival’s high-energy finale.
Who: Steel Panther, The Temperance Movement, Ugly Kid Joe
How much: £199 weekend; £81-£97 per day
Info: steelhousefestival.com
GREEN GATHERING
Piercefield Park, Chepstow, Thurs 30 July-Sun 2 Aug
Powered by wind, sun and vibes, this festival held near Chepstow is totally off-grid. Every element of the festival is ecologically sustainable, from solar stages to socially conscious performers and caterers picked for quality and ethical sourcing of their wares. While the festival itself is on the smaller side, the site is based on a relatively large area of outstanding natural beauty, near Chepstow racecourse.
Who: Billy Bragg, Lowkey, Beans On Toast
How much: £175/£10-£100 kids
Info: greengathering.org
NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF WALES
Garreg Las, Llantwd, Sat 1-Sat 8 Aug
It’s 850 years (!) since the very first Eisteddfod, which was hosted by Lord Rhys ap Gruffud at Cardigan Castle in 1176. The 2026 edition will be hosted in Llantwyd, a Pembrokeshire village less than four miles from the site of the foundational gathering. The ‘maes’ (festival ground) will be packed with concerts, crafts, stalls and activities, mostly held in Welsh, though all are welcome and encouraged to join in.
Who: TBC
How much: £135 early bird full pass; day tickets to be released
Info: eisteddfod.wales
BRECON JAZZ FESTIVAL
Various venues, Brecon, Thurs 6-Sun 9 Aug
Finding an unlikely home in Brecon, this jazz festival was founded in 1984 by local enthusiasts, modelling itself off New Orleans-style jazz events. It’s since grown to attract the likes of Courtney Pine and pianist and vocalist Lianne Carroll, headlining this year. Performances are planned at Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon Guildhall and The Muse, as well as free outdoor performances throughout the town’s streets.
Who: Courtney Pine, Lianne Carroll, Ursula Harrison
How much: priced per event
Info: breconjazzfestival2026.co.uk
GREEN MAN
Glanusk Park Estate, Crickhowell, Thurs 20-Sun 23 Aug
The big daddy of Welsh festivals returns. Brit award winners Wolf Alice make their GM debut alongside genre-defying producer Four Tet and Chicago legends Wilco. Also on the bill: regal art-pop veteran Cate Le Bon, ravers Fcukers and post-rockers Mogwai. The extended weekend event, which attracts around 25,000, boasts 10 stages alongside comedy, literature, film and science events.
Who: Wolf Alice, Four Tet, Wilco
How much: £296/£266 under-25s/£41-£211 kids (all price points sold out)
Info: greenman.net
BETWEEN THE TREES
Candleston Woods, Merthyr Mawr, Thurs 27-Sun 30 Aug
This not-for-profit festival is held in the picturesque Merthyr Mawr national nature reserve, one of Wales’ sites of specific scientific interest. The lineup focuses on indie-folk, acoustic roots and Americana folk songs, and in such a beautiful setting, forest bathing, campfires and barefoot dancing are probably among the general activities to be expected.
Who: Rusty Shackle, Seafret, An Dannsa Dub
How much: £195/£60-£70 per day
Info: betweenthetrees.co.uk
SWANSEA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
Various venues, Swansea, Thurs 3-Sun 6 Sept
Awaiting any lineup reveals at press time, but any area jazzers who’ve been to previous editions of this fest and/or attend the regular gigs put on by programmers Swansea Jazzland should have an idea of what to expect. Their favoured flavours of jazz include big band, jazz-funk, Django Reinhardt type stuff and classic 50s/60s bebop. In 2025, guests of note included Joe Webb Trio, Will Barnes Quartet and the Triple H Horns.
Who: TBC
How much: priced per event
Info: swanseajazz.com
COWBRIDGE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Various venues, Cowbridge, Fri 11-Sun 20 Sept
This festival has a strong local and community feel, but attracts renowned classical, jazz and folk artists to churches, halls and historic rooms across the pretty market town of Cowbridge. Past performers have ranged from Maya Youssef to Llŷr Williams. Fringe performances also take place throughout the town, including care home concerts which ensure the festivities reach all.
Who: TBC
How much: priced per event
Info: cowbridgemusicfestival.co.uk
ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL
Various locations, Abergavenny, Sat 19 + Sun 20 Sept
Over 200 world-class chefs and traders flood to Abergavenny at the start of autumn for one of the UK’s most high-profile events in the culinary calendar. The festival not only features a smorgasbord of exhibitors and traders spread across six venues in the centre of town, but also a rolling programme of talks, demonstrations and debates.
Who: TBC
How much: TBC
Info: abergavennyfoodfestival.com
IRIS PRIZE
Various venues, Cardiff, Mon 12-Sun 18 Oct
Cardiff’s own LGBTQ+ film festival turns 20 this year, and as usual, offers £40,000 to its winner, the largest short film prize in the world. The festival is centred around a full schedule of screenings across the city, with awards, panels and parties held throughout the week. Further announcements are due in the following few months.
Who: TBC
How much: £160 full festival pass; tickets to individual screenings and other events available
Info: irisprize.org
words JULIA BOTTOMS
