What is there to do in Wales in January? After a magical December, catching up with friends and family, and Christmas in Cardiff, January can look uneventful. However, there’s The Light of Winter / Goleuni’r Gaeaf, a free event in Cardiff to brighten up the dark nights. And, keep our bank balance happy too.
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Things to do in Cardiff in Winter
Light Up Winter Garden
Ad | The festive season was brought to life at the annual Winter Wonderland, the Ice Walk at Cardiff Castle and Christmas at Bute Park. But, as exciting as these activities are, they can leave a burning hole in your pocket. The Light of Winter is a brand-new light trail in Cardiff city centre.
The light show is inspired by the ancient Welsh Midwinter celebration when a feast was held to commemorate the shortest day of the year. Also known as The Light of Winter or Goleuni’r Gaeaf. You’ll hear the Welsh folksong Ar Lan y Mor as you walk along the installation. It should leave you with a warm feeling and a reminder that the dark nights will soon turn into spring.
Step into the light! Walk the light trail with me.
Like a moth to a flame, I’m attracted to bright lights. The light installation in Cardiff was easy to find, nestled behind the wooden huts of the Christmas Market and in front of the entrance to Cardiff Indoor Market and House of Frasier.
As you walk through the gates, you instantly leave the hustle and bustle behind. It is a magical experience. I’ve always thought that a male voice choir is powerful. It could be ingrained deep in our DNA. They can arouse that community spirit – think of match day when we belt out Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, Calon Lan or, more recently, Yma o Hyd. This is the same spine tingle you feel when Ar Lan y Mor starts.
The colourful globes of light dance across the sky and almost sway with you as you move around the space. Children will love to run about guessing which colour will be next or which section will change first. However, some will love to sit, watch, and enjoy the peace of the spectacle.
What do you need to know about The Light of Winter?
Light of Winter or Goleuni’r Gaeaf runs throughout January until 11 February 2023 between 9am and 9pm. It’s best to visit after dark to get the full impact. It is completely free of charge and is ideal for all ages. In fact, you can visit as many times as you like! Discover the route in St John’s Garden opposite Cardiff Indoor Market.
🐾 Dog friendly
FREE Children’s Winter Craft Workshop
So, local author and illustrator Jack Skivens is hosting FREE arts and crafts workshop at Cardiff Story Museum. Which is next door to the installation. Children can create and paint their own birds to take home and listen to Jack reading his Light of Winter poem. It is ideal for ages four plus.
Dates are (in the school holidays): Thursday 5, Friday 6, Saturday 7 and Saturday 14 January 2023, at 11am.
Even though free, you need to book your attendance in advance.
Plan your trip to Cardiff City Centre
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?
Pre-book your parking and save
Prefer to drive? No problem! NCP Park Pass is an easy way to save money on parking. Not only do you access special parking deals, but you also don’t need to remember where you put the ticket collected at the barrier – mine always gets lost in the handbag. As payment is contact-free and cashless, you do it on your phone.
You can always pre-book your parking online and save money if that’s not your thing. Find a car park, choose your date and time, enter your details and make your payment. Once you’ve booked your parking online, you will receive a booking confirmation email detailing your booking and how to enter and exit the car park.
Food and drink 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. Even if you are vegan or gluten-free, there is plenty of choices when eating out in Cardiff. Remember to stop and fuel up when you’re out and about.
Get 50% off food in Cardiff
Want to save money in January? And, throughout the year? If you love food and drink, do you have a Tastecard? You get 50% 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:
Cardiff Events | What’s On in Cardiff Today
Looking for more things to do in Cardiff in January? During the colder months, we stay home, believing there’s nothing to do. However, there are plenty of things to do in Cardiff in winter.
Free things to do in Cardiff
There are so many things to do in Cardiff for free. Sometimes we need some inspiration or reminders of what is on our doorstep. There are over 50 ideas on this list! If you’re looking for things to do in Cardiff today, things to do in Cardiff this weekend, or something to do in January – look no further.
Museums you can visit in Cardiff for free
We’re so lucky that the museums in Cardiff are some of the best in the United Kingdom. You’ll be spoilt for choice whether you are looking for exhibitions, galleries or events. Football fans will love the Voices of the Red Wall exhibit at St Fagans, which can be seen until 23 April 2023. Or, explore 100 years of the BBC in Wales at the National Museum Cardiff. See how broadcasting has evolved, as well as seeing the technology, programmes and costumes.
Things to do in Cardiff when it’s raining
Along with cold and shorter nights, it will inevitably rain in January. The Welsh weather is not often on our side, but don’t let the wet weather dampen your day. Luckily, there are plenty of different things to do in Cardiff on a rainy day.
Stay in Cardiff
Want to see more of Cardiff? If you know when you’d like to travel, try to book in advance and 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. January is typically a quieter month, so you should be able to find some great offers.
easyHotel Cardiff
The easyHotel Cardiff has double rooms (with or without a window), accessible bedrooms and twin rooms. Found a short walk behind Cardiff Queen Street train station. Significantly, the budget hotel has en-suite bathrooms, heated rooms in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. WiFi is free; pay and display and multi-storey car parks are nearby.
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? So, the dog friendly hotels in Cardiff include national chain hotels, budget brands, pubs and country houses.
The Copthorne
The Copthorne, part of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, is a traditional 4-star hotel in Cardiff that is ideally located between the city centre and the coast of Barry Island. Specifically, it is ideal for business travellers, couples or families, it is a perfect base. Presently, you can expect free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and modern in-room amenities.
The surrounding areas
Also, don’t be afraid of staying out of central Cardiff. 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.
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. Furthermore, with all the amenities you could need, including parking, WiFi and many dog-friendly places, check out Sykes Holiday Cottages.
FREE Visit Cardiff Checklist & Guide
Get your FREE Visting Cardiff Checklist and Guide with over 25 pages full of travel tips, how to get around, places to visit, food and drink, shopping, parks and green spaces, some Welsh phrases and a travel itinerary.
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