Top events & days out in May

You won’t be stuck for something to do in Wales this May.  Whether your thing is music, comedy, culture, food, or just a great family day out, there is something to fill any day and here are a few ideas to keep you going.

10 of the best May events 2012:

Vale of Glamorgan festival, 1 – 11 May

The Vale of Glamorgan Festival, unlike other classical music festivals, solely celebrates the work of living composers, and this year marks two significant birthdays – Philip Glass’s 75th and Per Nørgård’s 80^th. There is a wide range of stunning venues, from medieval castles and churches to state of the art concert halls, and performances from symphony orchestras to chamber ensembles. Festival goers will also be given opportunities to experience the music of China, with traditional Chinese instruments played by the country’s finest exponents of them.

Machynlleth Comedy Festival, 4- 6 May

Now in its third year the Machynlleth Comedy Festival has quickly gained a reputation as a real hidden gem, with comedy acts including Stewart Lee, Jon Richardson, and Josie Long appearing at the festival this year. The town is known for its quirky venues that get filled with laughter over the festival weekend, which helps to make it popular with acts and comedy enthusiasts alike. It has been confirmed that the comedy legend Arthur Smith will be at this year’s Festival, wowing visitors and exploring the town.

Landed Festival of Music Arts and Entertainment, 4 – 6 May

Rhayader plays host to the Landed Festival, which promises 3 days of eclectic, inspiring and innovative performances. There will be live music on two stages, an open air cinema and a new stage for theatre, spoken word and comedy. There will also be a gallery, an activity packed kids area, digital art galleries, recycled gardens and an array of traders. Also on show will be new and returning art installations, a puppet shows from “Vagabondi Theatrical Arts”, circus skills performances and workshops, Craft workshops and a Star Wars themed fancy dress day.

Wales Coast Path launch events, 5 May

May 5 sees the official launch of the Wales Coast Path, with three events taking place in Flint, Aberystwyth and Cardiff. Members of the public are invited to attend and celebrate this exciting Welsh landmark project. The community celebrations will see local business, food and drink producers, community groups and entertainers, come together at Flint Castle, Aberystwyth Promenade, and Cardiff Bay to mark the opening of the 870 mile (1400km) coast path and promote what is on offer along Wales’ stunning coastline.

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza & Transport Festival, 5 – 7 May

Over the bank holiday weekend Llandudno will be packed full of Steam Engines and Victorian Musical Organs, Vintage Cars and Costumes, Curiosities & Sideshows, people dressed as they were back in the Victorian days, and Victorian sideshows. There will be jugglers, stilt walkers, buskers, live performances, and a special double-headed Steam Train will be visiting Llandudno Railway Station on Saturday 5th May, bringing visitors to the Victorian Extravaganza from the Midlands. At 1pm each day there will also be a Grand Parade full of Marching Bands, Victorian Costume walkers, Steam engines and vintage vehicles, Britain’s best Town Criers, stilt walkers, street entertainers, and Star Wars characters. Also, Bodafon fields will host the annual transport festival. What’s more, on Friday 4^th May there is a Mad Hatters Tea Party where you can join in a World Record attempt for Jam Tart eating!

Also on Monday 7^th May, a couple of miles up the road, is Colwyn Bay Promenade Day 2012. A stretch of 2 miles of promenade will be transformed into a hub of activity with fairground rides and stalls, as well as a bike stunt show and performances by Kitty Brucknall of X Factor fame.

Conwy Pirate Weekend, 19 – 20 May

On the weekend of the 19^th & 20^th May Conwy will be taken back to the medieval times when a villainous pirate crew will try and take control of the town from the revenue officers and the redcoats.

There will be treasure hunts, story telling, a longboat race, slave auction, pirate parade, smugglers market, as well as swordplay, cannon fire, and even a plank to walk! There will also be plenty of people saying ARGGH! and prizes for the best dressed pirates. Find out more about Conwy Pirate Weekend.

Olympic Torch Relays, 25 – 30 May

The Olympic Torch Relay route has been planned so that the Flame will come within ten miles of 95% of people in the UK, carried by 8,000 different people. The route and planned start times at locations can be found on the website.

The torch will visit South Wales first, travelling west as far as Haverford West before heading north up the West Wales coast, then east long the North Wales coast and down to Welshpool. The torch will spend 4 days between the 25^th and 30^th May in Wales. Places you can see the flame on its travels include the Millennium Stadium, Caerphilly Castle, Oystermouth Castle, Bay Rider Land Train, Kidwelly Castle, Ceredigion Cob Horse, and Beaumaris Castle. Furthermore, at the end of each day will be an evening celebration. The celebrations will be in Cardiff on 25^th, Swansea on the 26^th, Aberystwyth on the 27^th, and Bangor on the 28^th.

Caerphilly Food Festival, 26 May

Caerphilly is set to host its first Food Festival and the high street will be adorned with stalls offering a food market through the town and hosting a feast of entertainment for all ages. A variety of food stalls will line the street filling the town with delicious smells and sizzling sounds of a bustling food fayre. There will be cookery demonstration and an abundance of attractions for visitors of all ages to see with fun activities and entertainment enhancing the new street festival, bringing fantastic colour and excitement to Caerphilly.

Another new food festival in Wales this year is Holyhead food festival, planned for 5^th May. The Ynys Cybi Food and Produce Fair will take place in the centre of Holyhead with up to 20 stalls and cookery demonstrations planned for the inaugural event.

Enjoy Festival, 26 May

The home of The Scarlets will open its doors to thousands of music fans for the Enjoy Festival, featuring some of the UK’s most exciting pop, soul, classical and hip hop stars, such as Alexandra Burke, Starboy Nathan and Stooshe.

Billed as the music event with something for everyone, Enjoy Festival will have full programme of sparkling acts creating a festival atmosphere of music and a mix for everyone to enjoy a great afternoon of entertainment.

Global Village Festival, 26 May

The Merthyr Tydfil Global Village Festival was established in 2005 to celebrate the cultural diversity and heritage of Merthyr Tydfil. Global Village is in its very essence about participation and a coming together of the various groups of people to celebrate diversity and difference. The festival uses music, dance, art, voice and performance in an inclusive and celebratory context. The array of activity means that there is something for everybody and people can develop their creative side and widen their cultural horizons.

More events & things to do

With the early May bank holiday just around this weekend it’s the perfect time for a family day out, here are 10 day out ideas for the early May bank holiday.

Search for more events.

Image Credits: Main image Llandudno Victorian Fair by Ruth_W’s, Marloes & Skomer Island image by Barrie Foster1, Pirate image by Conwy Pirates and Welsh Cheese by UK in Canada.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 25th, 2012 at 3:29 pm and is filed under Days Out, Festivals, Food, Wales. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Sharing Options