Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Entertainment
Stephanie Colderick

The big August bank holiday events happening around Wales

August Bank holiday for many means having an extra day off work to make the most of the end of summer.

But how are you going to spend the last long weekend before Christmas?

Across Wales there are plenty of events taking place from Saturday, August 28 to Monday, August 30 that will be enjoyed by all the family, including live music and even a visit from massive dinosaurs.

Here we take a look at some of the biggest activities happening to keep the whole family happy.

Read more: 35 things to do in Wales with all the family during summer 2021

Victorian Festival

The famous Victorian Festival in Llandrindod Wells is celebrating its 40th year and there's lots to do, from dances to theatrical performances.

This week-long festival is running from Tuesday, August 24 to Monday, August 30 meaning that every day of the bank holiday weekend has something fun going on.

You can book your tickets here.

Cardiff Castle, Live and Unlocked

Cardiff Castle will be coming alive with the sound of live music that will fill the castle walls.

For four nights from Friday, August 27 to Monday, August 30 local grassroots music venues will be taking over the castle with a whole host of music artists.

The money raised from the event will go straight back into the local music industry as part of the Cardiff Council plan and partnership with the Cardiff Music Board.

For more information on this event please click here .

Read more: Four nights of live music at Cardiff Castle in 'party of the summer' - and grassroots venues will get to keep the cash

Pride Cymru

While the main Pride event - the big parade through Cardiff city centre - is not able to take place, Cardiff is still celebrating Pride.

LGBT+ venues are coming together on Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29 to support and celebrate Pride Cymru in Cardiff with drag queen performances, singers, cockail masterclasses, quizzes, special food menu's and a raffle raising money for two LBGT charities, LGBT Cymru and the Jacob Abraham Foundation.

The venues taking part are The Golden Cross, Mary's, Eagle Cardiff and The Corner House, Cardiff. You can get more information about the event on their social media sites.

Jurassic Encounter

(Richard Swingler)

Dinosaurs are coming to Cardiff in this immersive and prehistoric playground.

More than 50 dinosaurs will takeover Bute Park, including a big T-Rex and a mother Diplodocus.

Some of the dinosaurs have already been spotted as the events prepares to open.

The dinosaurs will be making Bute Park their home from Saturday, August 21 until Sunday, September 5 , meaning that you can book your tickets for the bank holiday weekend.

You can book tickets here .

The Big Bank Holiday Bash at Chepstow Race Course

There is so much for kids to do here, as well as watching the races, of course.

Taking place on Monday, August 30, there will be a funfair, including a dance zone, monster truck drives, bungee bouncing, and much more, which will cost £6 to book in advance and £8 on the day.

There will also be free face painting, bouncy castle, magician alongside other activities for the children to enjoy and children will not have to pay to watch the races.

You can find tickets here.

Ffos GlasTO Tribute Festival

Fos Las Racecourse weddings (Phil Rees)

Taking place at Ffos Las Racecourse, which you can find between Llanelli and Carmarthen, is Ffos GlasTO Tribute Festival bringing you tribute acts, bars and rides.

From Lady Gaga to Tom Jones the tribute acts will be bringing all the classics, while there is also street food available so you do not have to plan a thing!

The festival is taking place on Sunday, August, 29 and you can buy your tickets here.

Swansea Parks Fest, Morriston Park

Swansea Council is running a new family fun event, Swansea Parks Fest, taking place in different parks across Swansea.

With everything from open-air cinemas to children's entertainment, every weekend is filled with activities. You can read more about Swansea Parks Fest here.

Running on Friday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28 , Parks Fest will be taking place at Morriston Park and starting with an outdoor cinema on Friday and a Family Fun Day on Saturday which will include live music, face painting, craft sessions, and much more.

Mavericks Car VS Bikes Showdown

Mavericks are holding one of their biggest summer events an epic Car VS Bikes showdown, perfect for the motorheads in your family.

There will be four categories you can enter your bike or car into or you can just come along to enjoy the event that will also include food and drink stalls.

You don't need to book tickets for this event, but it is recommended you turn up early to get a space! The event starts at 10am on Monday, August 30 at Mavericks Wales in Holywell.

Prestatyn Rocks Festival

Prestatyn Rocks Festival runs on Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29 and there will be children's entertainment, live music, food stalls, and much more during this two-day event.

While tickets are free you do need to pre-book, which you can book here.

Brecon Jazz Festival

Running throughout the whole month of August is the Brecon Jazz Festival with performances taking place over the Bank Holiday Weekend.

On Friday, August 27 Dominic Norcross, John-Paul, and Friends will be playing at Muse Brecon from 7-9pm.

Two live events will be running on Sunday, August 29 with Alison Neale Quartet performing at Castle Hotel, Brecon from 5pm-6.30pm, and then Dave Cottle and Sarah Meek, The Luis and Ella Music Show will be on after at 8pm.

There is also a range of online performances if you fancy enjoying the music from home and you can buy tickets here.

Ardudwy Knights at Harlech Castle

Want to travel back in time to medieval times and battle with knights? Then Harlech Castle is the perfect place for this bank holiday.

Running from Saturday, August 28 to Sunday, August 29 you can see combat displays, birds of prey shows, archery, and more for the standard entry fee of £6.90 for adults, £4.85 for juniors, or a family ticket of two adults and up to three children for £22.60.

You can book tickets here.

Parkrun

Park Run is back in Wales from Saturday, August 21 meaning they will be running during August Bank Holiday weekend and you can read more here.

You can run, jog or walk the 5K that will take place in parks across Wales and there is a junior 2K Parkrun on Sundays for the youngsters.

To find your nearest Parkrun and Parkrun events please visit the Parkrun website.

Howl Comedy Weekender

Insole Court in Llandaff are hosting a comedy weekend on Friday, August 27 and Sunday, August 29.

The event will be hosted outdoors, with the comedians undercover, and you will need to bring your own chair or picnic blanket.

The line up is across the two days including Radio Wales presenter Lorna Prichard who is hosting the event, Nick Page and a kids comedy time slot perfect for the little ones on Sunday.

For more information and tickets please visit the Insole Court website.

To get the latest What's On email updates from WalesOnline, click here

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.