There are so many things to do in Cardiff at Christmas 2025. Unwrap the festive spirit of the Welsh capital! Dive into a winter wonderland with enchanting markets, dazzling lights, and heartwarming events. Explore restaurants that promise culinary delights, making this holiday season a feast for the senses. Here is a full round-up of what to expect during Christmas in Cardiff.
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Christmas in Cardiff 2025
It was the night before Christmas, and the city was buzzing with excitement. The streets are lined with twinkling lights, and the air is filled with the sweet smell of mulled wine. Children are eagerly counting down until Santa arrives in cities around the world, leaving presents under their Christmas tree.
Cardiff in December is the perfect time to get together and celebrate with friends – fire up the hot chocolate, admire the twinkling lights, and remember the true joy of the season. Let’s make this Christmas in Cardiff one to remember!
Table of Contents
- Cardiff Christmas Events
- Christmas at Bute Park 2025
- Christmas at Cardiff Castle 2025
- Family Christmas Events Cardiff 2025
- Cardiff Christmas Market
- Best Christmas Markets in Wales 2025
- Pantomimes and Festive Shows
- Cardiff Christmas Parties
- Festive Afternoon Tea
- Bottomless Brunch
- Restaurants in Cardiff
- Christmas Eve Cardiff
- Christmas Lunch in Cardiff
- Boxing Day in Cardiff
- New Year Celebration in Cardiff
- Welsh Christmas Traditions
- Christmas Hotels & Where To Stay
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Is Cardiff good at Christmas?
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I am biased, but Cardiff is a brilliant city that truly comes alive at Christmas. The festive season begins as soon as Beaujolais Day is out of the way. Whether it’s something for the whole family, with friends or you and your partner, you will be spoilt for choice with things to do at Christmas in Cardiff.
Christmas at Bute Park 2025
The most extensive light trail in Wales has ever been seen is Christmas at Bute Park Cardiff. This year, it takes place between 21 November and 31 December 2025. The park is transformed into a beautiful display of Christmas lights, interactive installations, a flickering fire, and an enchanting fairy-tale forest. Also, some of the best street food vendors can be enjoyed too. Fun for all the family!
🐾 Dog friendly
Cardiff Winter Wonderland
The annual Christmas Winter Wonderland is in the heart of the city centre, on the City Hall lawns. The Christmas festival will have familiar funfair rides, games and a big wheel. There’s plenty of food and drink on offer too.
The Sur la Piste and Ski Lodge Bar are my favourites. Here is where you can grab a mulled wine or cider and festive food whilst enjoying the views of Cardiff from the outdoor roof terrace.
Do you have to pay to get into Cardiff Winter Wonderland? Entry is free. However, games, ice skating, food and drink are chargeable, and tickets are needed for the Ice Bar.
Cardiff Ice Bar
The Ice Bar is also brilliant fun. Enjoy a drink where it is chilled to minus 10 degrees, and absolutely everything is made of ice. The pre-timed slots in sub-zero temperatures book up quickly, so get them well in advance.
Christmas at Cardiff Castle 2025
Like last year, the Winter Wonderland events are spilling over to Cardiff Castle too, where you’ll find the ice rink and ice walk within the public square in the castle grounds. Get your skates on with family and friends, or enjoy a festive drink or feast under the twinkling lights in this magical setting. Entry is free. However, skating (pre-booking required), games, festive food and beverages are chargeable.
Visitor Info: The Castle will also be decorated for Christmas if you want to explore beyond the walls. Explore the beautifully decorated apartments and discover the rich traditions of Victorian Christmas. You can also meet Santa in the Castle’s Drawing Room, followed by seasonal treats in the library.
Cardiff Castle Free Entry
If you live or work in Cardiff, you can get your own Key to the Castle. Admission grants you entry to a selection of lavishly decorated rooms in the Castle Apartments, The Norman Keep, Battlement Walk, Wartime Shelters, Firing Line: Cardiff Castle Museum of the Welsh Soldier, Interpretation Centre, and audio guide (subject to availability), as well as the Cardiff Castle Grounds. The castle key is valid for three years.
Family Christmas Events Cardiff 2025
The Cardiff Christmas Festival and its iconic Spiegel Theatre are in the grounds of Sophia Gardens, just outside Cardiff city centre. Christmas shows include Jack Frost: A Magical Christmas Musical, A Christmas Carol, Festive Fantasy, Bring Them Home For Christmas and The Rat Pack: A Swingin’ Christmas – to name just a few. It’s ideal festive entertainment for the whole family or for spending time with friends.
Cardiff Bay Trail
The Christmas Trail will get all family members in the festive spirit, offering free things to do in Cardiff this Christmas. The Cardiff Bay Trail is the best opportunity to explore The Bay and track down nine beautiful wicker reindeer. There are prizes to be won every week.
Royal Mint Christmas Experience
Families will love the Royal Mint Experience, which is turning into a magical yuletide workshop from 22 November to 23 December 2025. About 30 minutes from Cardiff, here you can wander through Santa’s elves’ workshop, meet Santa himself in his grotto and enjoy a lively festive performance included in your ticket.
Everywhere you can see Santa in Cardiff
There are many opportunities to see Father Christmas in Cardiff in November and December 2024. Family-friendly events take place throughout the city. You could have breakfast with Santa, Sunday lunch with Santa or a traditional meet and greet in his grotto. Where to see Father Christmas in Cardiff
Cardiff Christmas Tree
You will find Christmas trees throughout the city centre, but the main one is located outside Cardiff Castle. The huge fir tree is decorated with giant string lights and sits alongside decorations along the castle battlements. There was a 40-foot artificial tree for a few years, which cost a whopping £30,000. It was dubbed ‘plastic fantastic’. However, the public did not like it, and Cardiff Council were under scrutiny.
Christmas Lights Cardiff
When are the Christmas Lights on in Cardiff? The Christmas Lights in Cardiff are turned on for the first time on Thursday 13 November 2025. It is also when the Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland will open.
Cardiff Christmas Market
When does the Christmas Market start in Cardiff? The Christmas Light switch on signals the start of the markets and late-night shopping in Cardiff. The 2025 dates are from Thursday 14 November until Tuesday 23 December.
Christmas Markets in Cardiff
A huge range of craft stalls and food can be browsed throughout the day in Alpine-style huts. Where is the Christmas Market in Cardiff? Found on St John Street, Working Street, Hills Street, Trinity Street and the Hayes, known as the Festive Quarter. Over 200 individual businesses sell a wide variety of diverse arts and crafts, plus seasonal food and drinks each year.
🐾 Dog friendly, including Cardiff Indoor Market. If you want to take your pooch Christmas shopping, check out the dog friendly shops in Cardiff
Best Christmas Markets in Wales 2025
Whether you’re after delicious food, unique stocking fillers, or a good dose of mulled wine, these markets offer the ultimate winter wonderland experience. From traditional wooden chalets selling handmade gifts to vibrant city squares lit up with festive cheer, there’s a market for everyone in Wales this year: Christmas Markets in Wales 2025.
Dog Friendly Christmas Markets
There’s nothing better than visiting the dog friendly Christmas markets in the run-up to the big day – the twinkly lights, the cosy drinks, the irresistible food, and the chance to pick up something lovely to take home. But why should humans have all the fun? If you’ve got a four-legged friend who loves an adventure, you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of UK Christmas markets where dogs are actually allowed to join in the festive magic too.
Late Night Shopping Cardiff
With large shopping centres, high street favourites, individual stores, and a thriving indoor market, Cardiff is the ideal destination for a shopping trip. The real highlight of Cardiff’s retail scene is the Victorian and Edwardian arcades, filled with independent boutiques and cafes, which are worth visiting as architectural gems. In fact, Cardiff is known as the City of Arcades. Cardiff Christmas shopping hours are extended in December, with shopping centres open until 9pm.
Don’t forget about the incredible Boxing Day Sales!
Food and Farmers Markets
The Riverside Market takes place every Sunday, throughout the year, opposite the Principality Stadium and along the River Taff. There’s also a Night Market on the last Wednesday of every month from 5pm-8pm. At Christmas, additional markets are put on to get you in the mood for the big day and to pick up last-minute gifts. More information is coming soon.
The Insole Court Farmers Market is on the last Sunday of the month between 9am-1pm. You can expect local gins, chilli sauces, brownies, flowers and plants, and artisan pasta, as well as the hosts Harrison Teas, Llanblethian Orchards and Bang On Brewery. Whilst there, walk around the gardens, visit the house and the exhibition ‘This House is a Stage’.
Christmas Market Cardiff Bay
There isn’t a Cardiff Bay Christmas Market. However, there are some shops where you can do some Christmas shopping.
Pantomimes and Festive Shows
The New Theatre is the home of the pantomime in Cardiff. The 2025 pantomime is Sleeping Beauty, starring Gethin Jones, Owain Wyn Evans, and Mike Doyle. The show will be packed full of classic pantomime ingredients and innuendo. There are also accessible performances, including audio-described, British Sign Language, captioned, and relaxed performances.
The big show at the Wales Millennium Centre this year is Mary Poppins, running from 3 December 2025 to 10 January 2026. The story of the World’s favourite nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane is even more magical than ever before, featuring dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs.
Cardiff Santa & Elf Dash 2025
Want to see lots of Santa’s? The Santa Run Cardiff, also known as the Santa Dash Cardiff, is an annual running event. This year it is taking place on Sunday 7 December 2025, starting at noon. Walk, run or support those raising money for charity. Children, pushchairs and dogs are welcome.
🐾 Dog friendly
Cardiff Christmas Parties
You are always guaranteed a good time in Cardiff. Bingo Lingo at Depot is a firm favourite for a Christmas party in Cardiff with my colleagues, as it doesn’t have to be a boozy affair. It’s an excellent opportunity to wear your Christmas jumper too.
Festive Afternoon Tea
Afternoon teas typically consist of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, as well as cakes and other sweet treats. During December, the Cardiff restaurants and cafes put a festive twist on their usual offers. There’s even a Christmas afternoon tea at sea.
- Dog Friendly Afternoon Tea Spots in South Wales
- Afternoon Tea in Cardiff
- The Best Afternoon Tea in Bridgend
- Afternoon Tea in Caerphilly
- Afternoon Tea in Pontypridd
Bottomless Brunch
Picture this: a perfect blend of merry ambience, delectable brunch offerings, and free-flowing festive cheer. Christmas is the ideal time to indulge in bottomless delights.
- Bottomless Brunch in Cardiff
- Bottomless Brunch in Pontypridd
- Bottomless Brunch in Bridgend
- Bottomless Brunch in Caerphilly
Get 50% off food in Cardiff
If you love food and drink, do you have a Tastecard? You get up to 25% off the food bill or two meals for the price of one. There are over six thousand participating restaurants across the UK. Get a 60-day free trial here:
Restaurants in Cardiff
Cardiff is a foodie’s delight. From the quality of the produce to the level of cooking, at both the casual and cheap eats, Cardiff is staking a serious claim to being one of the most exciting places to eat in the UK.
Christmas Eve Cardiff
I used to love Christmas Eve in Cardiff. It was wild! The bars would be open until midnight, with DJs keeping you on the dancefloor. Now, this isn’t the case, and it is a much more subdued affair. These days, I head to our favourite dog friendly pub in Cardiff.
Christmas Lunch in Cardiff
If you want to eat out on Christmas Day, there are plenty of festive menus. Popular venues sell out in advance, and wherever you go, you’ll need to provide a pre-order for everyone. If you wish to eat locally, in the city centre or Cardiff Bay, it’s recommended to book early.
Boxing Day in Cardiff
Most pubs and restaurants will open if you’re not done eating out. For example, Thomas Restaurant has a 3-course Boxing Day menu for £27 per person. The big clubs, such as Mary’s and Revolution, host a Boxing Day party.
Many people like to brave the weather, head to the beaches near Cardiff, and participate in a Boxing Day Swim. Of course, there are plenty of places to go wild swimming in South Wales.
For local sport, Cardiff City Football Club are playing Exeter City on Boxing Day, kicking off at 3pm. Cardiff Rugby are against Dragons RFC at The Arms Park. Kick-off is at 3pm.
Of course, the Boxing Day sales start. Bargain hunters like to queue for hours outside Next on Queen Street before it opens at 6am. Retailers across the board can offer up to 50% off items, including clothes, shoes, books and games.
New Year Celebration in Cardiff
If you want to go out on New Year’s Eve in Cardiff, expect to buy an entrance ticket in advance, including local pubs and clubs. Most hotels offer a party night, complete with food and entertainment. Some of these are family-friendly, but most are adult-only.
At City Hall and Winter Wonderland, the New Year starts with a bang. The full firework display starts at midnight. This is a free event. UPDATE – in 2025, the fireworks won’t be taking place.
Ubers and taxis aren’t expensive on New Year’s Eve either; you can expect a £5 additional fare. Cardiff Bus is free throughout the day, and some routes operate until 1am. If you choose to put money in the box, the driver keeps it. Did you know that Cardiffians thank the driver as they get off the bus? It’s just one of the things the Welsh say.
Getting around Cardiff has never been easier
Transport for Wales now offers Multiflex, which gives you 12 journeys for the same price as 5 returns. With stops in Taffs Well, Radyr, Whitchurch, Llandaff North, Cathays, two in the city centre – Queen Street and Cardiff Central – plus Cardiff Bay. And, who doesn’t want to save money to spend on Christmas?
Welsh Christmas Traditions
We all do Christmas in our own way. From spending time with family and friends to taking a tropical holiday. Or cooking, baking and gift exchanges. I also love how ancient Christmas traditions, some of which date back centuries, are still entwined in our modern celebrations: Weird and Wonderful Welsh Christmas Traditions.
When was the last white Christmas in Cardiff?
On Christmas Eve 1981, people in Wales woke up to snow that would stick around until early February. It was also the only year in the 20th century when over half of the UK experienced a white Christmas.
How do you say Merry Christmas in Welsh?
Nadolig Llawen. Nadolig means Christmas, and Llawen means joyful.
Stay the Night
If you don’t want to worry about getting a taxi home during Christmas, try booking in advance as soon as possible. Prices tend to rise the closer you get to the travel date. However, there is a vast array to accommodate all budgets.
easyHotel Cardiff
The easyHotel Cardiff is a 10-minute walk from the theatre. It offers double rooms (with or without windows), accessible bedrooms, and twin rooms. Found a short walk behind Cardiff Queen Street train station, the budget hotel offers en-suite bathrooms, heated rooms in winter, and air conditioning in summer. WiFi is free; pay-and-display and multi-storey car parks are nearby.
Radisson Cardiff
The Radisson Blu Hotel Cardiff is in the city centre. The 4-star hotel has smart TVs in the bedrooms, private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries, laptop-compatible safes, and limited onsite parking.
Radisson Hotel Discount Code
Get 15% off 3 or 4-night stays, 20% off 5 or 6-night stays, or 25% off for 7 or more nights in luxury rooms and suites. When you use the Radisson Hotel Promo Code LONGER, you’ll also receive complimentary high-speed WiFi on unlimited devices. More information
Dog friendly Hotels in Cardiff
Your perfect dog-friendly escape in Cardiff awaits! Before I had my rescue dog, Ivan, I didn’t think Cardiff was very dog friendly. How wrong was I? The dog friendly hotels in Cardiff include national chain hotels, budget brands, pubs and country houses.
Plan a Trip with Expedia
Booking a hotel via Expedia is a seamless experience that offers convenience and choice at your fingertips. With just a few clicks, you can browse through a wide array of cosy boutique hotels to luxurious resorts, tailored to your preferences and budget. Compare prices, read reviews from fellow travellers, and explore amenities, ensuring you find the perfect place to stay for your trip.
Create your Itinerary
Using TripAdvisor when booking a hotel allows you to access a wealth of reviews and ratings from fellow travellers, helping you make an informed decision on where to stay, while also providing recommendations and insights on planning things to do during your trip.
The surrounding areas
Don’t be afraid of staying out of central Cardiff, either. Penarth, Barry, Caerphilly, Pontypridd, and Merthyr Tydfil are the surrounding areas connected by regular buses and trains. You can also plan with LastMinute.com. Stay at great hotels at a fraction of the price.
National Trust Holidays
National Trust Holidays offer a selection of holiday cottages, campsites and bunkhouses set in spectacular locations. They have everything you need for a night away, from kitchen facilities to cosy gardens to relax in during warmer weather.
Cottages and Houses
The award-winning business, Sykes Cottages, has properties across the UK, and the ones near Cardiff are beautiful. From cosy lodges with traditional woodburning stoves to contemporary accommodation with a hot tub. With all the amenities you could need, including parking, WiFi and many dog-friendly places, check out Sykes Holiday Cottages.
Christmas Breaks For One
If you’ve ever thought about taking a solo Christmas holiday, this is your sign. Travelling alone over Christmas might sound unconventional, but honestly, it’s one of the most freeing, soul-nourishing experiences you can have. Forget awkward family politics, endless washing up after Christmas dinner, or trying to smile through another pair of novelty socks. This year, you get to write your own festive story – mince pies, mulled wine, and all. Here are some destinations and tried-and-tested hotels where you can enjoy Christmas breaks for one!
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