Cardiff Christmas Festival: Castellana Acts Revealed, New Shows on Sale and Headline Sponsor Announced

Tuesday, 26 September 2023 · Cardiff Christmas Festival

• Runs from 1 – 24 December 2023 in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
• Tickets on sale now! 

The producers of Cardiff Christmas Festival, which is staged inside a beautiful heated 550-seat Spiegeltent in Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens, have announced more details about this year’s event.

Following its critically acclaimed debut at last year’s festival, Castellana is back with a brand-new production featuring a new line-up of incredible world class performers. The evening is hosted by the outrageous and hilarious drag artist Velma Celli, who recently successfully competed in hit TV shows Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent. Joining her as fellow-MC is Cardiff singer Justine Marie Mead, fresh from starring in the smash hit Greatest Night of the Jazz Age in London.

The pair set the tone with their outrageous humour and powerhouse vocals, introducing amazing artists including international burlesque star Miss Betsy Rose; aerial artist Jimmy Wong; skilled duo Paul & Louise who perform on roller-skates and as a hand to hand balancing act; the ‘human slinky’ acrobatics and agile hoop dancer Chloe Hannah Lloyd; and sparkly cabaret showgirl Force Majure and incredible acrobat Ben Brown, who also perform together as aerial act Little Finch – where boylsque meets drag meets haute couture meets circus! Castellana runs from Wednesday 6 December – Sunday 24 December.

John Manders said: “Last year’s Castellana was a huge hit with audiences, offering a spicy, sensuous and totally different night out over the festive period. We’re thrilled to be bringing a new set of dazzling world class artists to the event this year who are going to thrill, entertain and impress.”

New shows have also been added to this year’s festival. My My! ABBA – The Christmas Concert, for one night only on Sunday 10 December, pays homage to the original Swedish sensation, capturing the supergroup’s fabulous sense of fun, recreating their incredible unique sound, and combining this into a fun-filled evening of sing-along, dance-along magic. Their last performance in Cardiff was a huge outdoor concert in Cardiff Castle. Featuring hits such as Waterloo, Mamma Mia and Dancing Queen, performed by a fantastic cast of West End performers, this is a perfect Christmas party night out and a celebration of the greatest pop group of all time.

A comedy night, in support of SHELTER Cymru, takes place on Saturday 2 December with some of the best stand-up comedians from the UK. Comedy Cracker features The Raymond and Mr Timpkins Revue, as seen on Britain’s Got Talent; BBC New Comedian of the Year 2021 and daughter of Burry Port, Anna Thomas; and the UKs foremost guitar wielding and loop-playering stand-up comedian Rob Deering; with more acts to be announced.

A second date for Welsh of the West End – a night of musical and festive favourites – has been added to this year’s festival, following exceptional demand. The global internet and Britain’s Got Talent musical theatre group will also perform on Monday 18^th December in the intimate surroundings of the Spiegeltent. Tickets are expected to be snapped up quicky for this event, as there are now only a handful of tickets available for the event taking place on Sunday 17 December.

The stunning family Christmas show Santa’s Wish also forms part of Cardiff Christmas Festival. Casting for this magical Christmas musical adventure will be announced soon.

The producers of the festival, Cardiff-based live events company Live Under the Stars, are proud to announce that Admiral Money will be the headline sponsor this year’s festival. Admiral Money launched in 2017 to offer personal loans and car finance to UK consumers. Admiral Money has over 200,000 customers and is part of Admiral Group which employs over 7,500 people in the UK.

Richard Perry said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing My My! Abba to the festival this year. This is no ordinary tribute show and is a must-book for all Abba fans. And we’re delighted to be presenting a fantastic comedy line-up for the Comedy Cracker, raising money for SHELTER Cymru. We’re also very pleased to have Admiral Money on board as headline sponsor for this year’s event. As a hugely successful Wales-based business, it’s wonderful to get their support for year two of this event”.

Scott Cargill CEO of Admiral Money said: “Admiral Money are delighted to be the official sponsor for this year’s Cardiff Christmas Festival. We’re proud to support a local event that’s going to be filled with unique entertainment.”

TICKETS

Tickets are available from Seetickets.com and start at £15* for Santa’s Wish and £25* for Castellana. The HYNT carer scheme is available to customers and available to purchase online.

*Booking fees apply.

Group bookings should call on 02921 520052 during office hours or email groups@thecastle.wales

The venue is accessible for wheelchairs. Please message the team with any specific requirements.

For information, including tickets, visit www.thecastle.wales

Media Information

For further information please contact: Elin Rees, elinreescomms@gmail.com

Images can be downloaded here