Wales’ Best Festivals 2018

With eisteddfods dating back to the 12th century, Wales has a pretty solid history putting on festivals. These days some of the best festivals in the UK and take place in Wales — from food in Abergavenny, to arts, crafts and the great outdoors in North Wales.

If you’re looking for an extended break under canvas (with some arts and culture to boot) many of these events have extended camping passes on offer. Or, if you’re looking for something a little less camping and a little more glamping, there’s plenty on offer.

Here are some of the best Welsh festivals for 2018:

 

Hay Literary Festival, Hay-on-Wye — 24th May – 3rd June

Hay Literary Festival 2018Hay-on-Wye is already renowned as the home of books in Wales. The so-called ‘Town of Books’ sits on the banks of the beautiful Wye, is home to lots of bookshops making it a great spot to explore and discover some hidden gems.

The literary festival itself attracts some of the biggest names in art, literature and politics from all over the world. Find out more about this year’s festival here.

 

Fire in the Mountain, Cambrian Mountains — 1st – 3rd June

Fire in the Mountain Festival, Cambrian MountainsFire in the Mountain started out as all good festivals do, as a party. Over the years since 2009 the Folk, Old Time and Bluegrass festival has grown to become much more.

The not for profit event takes place in Wales’ beautiful Cambrian Mountain on a farmsite. Find out more here.

 

The Green Man, Brecon Beacons — 16th – 19th August

The Green Man Festival, Brecon Beacons Nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Brecon Beacons, the Green Man festival is going from strength to strength. The 2017 edition of the festival was awarded Festival of the Year by BBC Radio 6. The festival hosts some of the best alternative, rock, electronic and folk artists on the circuit — The War on Drugs, Fleet Foxes, Mount Kimbie and Simian Mobile Disco grace this year’s line-up.

Plus, there’s great comedy, a beer festival and if you fancy making a holiday of it, the Settlement pass means you camp our on the banks of the meandering River Usk for the whole week.

 

Festival Number 6, Portmeirion — 6th – 9th September

Festival Number 6, Portmeirion Wales’ most idyllic festival? Probably. The festival’s tagline of ‘A festival like no other, in a place like no other’ is pretty spot on. Portmeirion is modelled on an Italian village, making it an amazing backdrop for this festival to unfold.

And when it comes to line-ups, the Festival Number 6 team have done an incredible job this year. The The, Friendly Fires, Franz Ferdinand, Jessie Ware, Erol Alkan, Hot Chip and Roy Davis Jr all grace the bill. If it’s comedy you’re after then Reginal D Hunter, Tim Key and Lauren Pattison will all be making the trip to North Wales for this one. Find out more here.

 

The Good Life Experience, Flintshire — 14th – 16th September

The Good Life Experience, WalesCulture, food and the great outdoors — if that’s not a tagline that gets you excited then you’re probably on the wrong website. The brilliant, immersive Good Life Experience takes place on the Hawarden Estate in North Wales, founded by Cerys Matthews, Steve Abbot and Charlie & Caroline Gladstone. In pursuit of the good life you can get fully involved with crafts, music, cookery, comedy, speaker events, great beer and wine served by experts — and so much more.

Find out more on their website.

 

Abergavenny Food Festival, Abergavenny — 15th & 16th of September

Abergavenny Food Festival, WalesAbergavenny Food Festival has cemented itself as one of the best food festivals in the UK. The Festival prides itself on changing the way people think about food and encouraging them to think differently about how their food is sourced. There are tastings, workshops and some of the best chefs around speaking — this year Zoe Adjonyoh, Jack Stein and José Pizarro will be all be in attendance.

 

Art at the Andrew Lamont Gallery, Theatr Brychieniog, Brecon — Ongoing

Andrew Lamont Gallery, WalesIf you’re looking for some fantastic exhibitions over the summer months in Wales, the Andrew Lamont Gallery has a huge amount on offer. Their currently exhibiting a the Vulgar Earth collective, with the Lumen Prize following soon after and a fascinating look into the life of rally photographer Maurice Selden following at the end of June. Find out more here.

Written by Ed Maughan

Date: 21st April 2018

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  • Events