Your free summer of Cardiff fun

Local TV

We’ve got a roundup of all the amazing free events taking place around Cardiff this summer, from festivals to forest walks, there’s something for everyone in our amazing city.

Transcript

00:00If you're in Cardiff this summer or thinking about visiting, then you're in for a season

00:08packed with free events, festivals and things to do throughout the summer holidays, from

00:12waterfront celebrations and cultural showcases, to outdoor adventures and hidden gems, there's

00:18something for everyone, and the best part, it won't cost you a penny.

00:23Let's start here in Cardiff Bay, where the summer atmosphere is always absolutely buzzing,

00:28between the 27th and 29th of July, Roald Dahlplass behind me will host the Cardiff Food and Drink

00:33Festival, one of the city's most popular annual events. Expect stalls overflowing with artists

00:37and produce, world street food, local drinks, handmade crafts and live music from some of

00:43the region's top performers. It's free to enter and always draws a big crowd, so it's worth

00:47getting here early if you want to grab a seat and soak up the atmosphere. Just a short walk

00:52away is Cardiff Bay Barrage, a perfect spot for a relaxed family outing. There's plenty of

00:56space for walking, scooting or cycling, and there's a brilliant pirate-themed play area

01:01for children. Add in panoramic views across the 7th estuary and the marina, and it's no

01:05surprise it's such a popular route for locals and visitors alike. Look out for public art

01:09exhibitions along the way, all part of making the barrage more than just a walk. And while

01:15you're here in Cardiff Bay, don't miss the chance to enjoy the waterfront itself. There

01:19are wide boardwalks lined with cafes and benches, great for people watching, boat spotting, or just

01:24enjoying an ice cream in the sun. In the evenings, the area hosts pop-up performances and live

01:29busking sessions, especially during festival weekends. And then, of course, back in the

01:35city centre, Butte Park offers a different kind of escape. Set right in the heart of Cardiff,

01:39it's a beautiful green space full of trees, riverside paths and picnic spots. Throughout

01:44the summer holidays, there are often free family events, nature trails and open-air performances,

01:49so keep an eye on local listings. In early July, Butte Park becomes the home of Tavoil,

01:54a two-day celebration of Welsh culture. It's a vibrant festival featuring live music on multiple

01:59stages, a family activity area, a market showcasing local makers and artists, and a wide range of

02:04food and drink. While it centres on the Welsh language, it's completely inclusive and a brilliant

02:08way to discover the creative side of contemporary Welsh culture. Entry is free and is always a highlight

02:14of the summer calendar. And if live music is your thing, the Cardiff Music City Festival runs

02:21throughout July and August, with events happening in venues all across the city. While there are some

02:26headline shows that are ticketed, many smaller gigs, particularly those in public squares, arcades

02:31or pop-up spaces are completely free. There's a focus on homegrown talent too, so it's a great

02:35opportunity to hear something new from the city. Culture lovers will also want to explore some of

02:40Cardiff's free museums. The National Museum of Cardiff and the Civic Centre offers a mix of art,

02:45archaeology and natural history, including one of the best dinosaur exhibitions in the UK. Over the summer

02:50holidays, they often run family-friendly drop-in sessions and interactive tours designed to keep

02:55children engaged while learning.

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