City’s festive market, Christmas lights, Winter Wonderland and other attractions all set to be launched
CARDIFF’S Christmas countdown officially begins this week with the opening of the Xmas Market and the switching on of the festive lights.
Businesses and attractions are preparing for the visit of shoppers and tourists as Winter Wonderland, Christmas at Bute Park and Cardiff Christmas Market will be launched over the coming weeks.
The first attraction to open will be the Christmas Market on Thursday (Nov 11), followed by the switching on of the festive lights on Friday.
As Covid restrictions have eased, Winter Wonderland returns outside Cardiff City Hall and the Castle Grounds, opening November 16. The ice rink will return this year but there will also be a new ice walk and bar included.
Christmas at Bute Park is a new event this year that includes the biggest Christmas lights trail in Wales.
The event will run from November 25 until New Year’s Eve and will include flickering fire sculptures, spectacular mirror ball displays, illuminated trees and much more.
Although the city’s Christmas lights will be turned on this Friday, there will not be a lighting ceremony this year. However, new lights will be added to the castle walls.
Mike Cole, 55, from Tangled Web Jewellery and Unique Ironwork is setting up stall at the market for the 25th time this year.
He said: “I’ve done every Cardiff Christmas market for the last 24 years and I’m looking forward to being out and meeting customers and the general public.
“Personally, I have lots of new work to show so I’m very excited. I’ve been working on more sculptural work involving both metalwork and woodwork. Sculptures which combine the two materials.”
Craft Folk, who run the event, have done a risk assessment to ensure that safety measures are in place this year.
Rachel Grey, 40, whose business Rachel Hannah Art is making its fifth appearance at the market this year, said: “Last year was more uncertain than this year, this year we’re more clued up.
“We’ve had a risk assessment each too so it’s all being dealt with really well, from the top down.”
Other events throughout the festive period:
- Christmas Grotto at St. David’s shopping centre from November 26 until December 24.
- Cardiff’s festive quarter on Working Street from midday on November 11 until December 23.
- Christmas Workshops at Llanrumney Hall
