Cardiff’s City of Arcades Day Returns with over 100 Events, Discounts and Prizes

Friday 3 November 2023 · FOR Cardiff

Cardiff’s City of Arcades Day is returning on Saturday, November 18, 2023. with over 100 exclusive events, discounts, and prizes that visitors will have the chance to win on the day.

The celebration – which first launched in 2019 by the Business Improvement District, FOR Cardiff is back with more events, entertainment, and discounts than ever before.

Events include a sourdough pop-up with Pettigrew Bakeries, an oyster eating contest at Jackson’s and a comedy night at Beyond Retro hosted by Lorna Pritchard featuring Leroy Brito.

There will also be upcycling workshops at Lucy & Yak, a free Santa’s Grotto in Morgan Arcade and a guided tour of the Old Library Building with live music by the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Shoppers are invited to enjoy exclusive in-store discounts at high street brands and local independents including The Perfume Shop, Bill’s, Wally’s Liquor Cellar and more.

Details of a specially designed City of Arcades game and family-friendly trail will be unveiled very soon.

To encourage more visitors to Cardiff city centre during the festive season, FOR Cardiff have funded a Park and Ride service at County Hall which will launch on City of Arcades Day and run on Saturdays between November 18 and December 23.

The service will cost £4 per car and run from 9am until 7.30pm between County Hall and Canal Street every 20 minutes with an additional bus between 12-5pm.

Cardiff was recently named as the best UK city by Conde Nast Traveller and the arcades were cited by The Telegraph as one of the top destinations for shopping outside of London. Often referred to as the jewel in Cardiff’s crown, the arcades house more than 100 independent shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants.

The events, discounts, and prizes available on City of Arcades Day are listed on https://www.thecityofarcades.com/city-of-arcades-day-2023 with many events open for bookings.

Events:

• Sourdough demonstration and troubleshooting masterclasses with Pettigrew Bakeries at 11am, 1pm, 3pm
• Oyster eating contest at Jackson’s Seafood and Wine
• Beyond Retro comedy night, 7-9:30pm
• Customisation workshops at Lucy and Yak, 11am-12pm and 1pm-2pm
• Live Window painting by Sarah Millman at Bird and Blend Tea Co
• Champagne brunch with croque monsieur toasties, £15pp at Nighthawks
• Live jazz/folk duo to perform outside Gin and Juice in Castle Arcade, starting at 6.30pm
• Guided tours of the Old Library with live music performances by the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
• Santa’s grotto at Morgan Arcade
• Night Market at Cardiff Market, Friday, November 17, 5pm-9pm
• City of Arcades walking tour – November 17, 4pm-6pm
• Dark Side of Cardiff walking tour – November 18, 5pm-7pm
• City of Arcades Tasting Tour, November 17 and 18, 11am-3.30pm
• Back of House Morgan Quarter Tour for CoA Day – 10am, 12pm and 2pm
• In-store cheese and charcuterie tasting at Wally’s Deli (Royal Arcade), Saturday, November 18, 10am – 4pm
• In-store sampling of spirits at Wally’s Liquor (Castle Arcade), November 18
• Free product making between 1pm-3pm in LUSH Spa Cardiff on November 18
• Spin the wheel prize giveaway at Pen and Paper in Royal Arcade
• Doctor Who filming locations tour by TV & Movie Store
• Buskers and DJs as Over Seas Apparel
• Snacks, refreshments, and a raffle at Sobey’s Vintage
• Product show case at A Welsh Secret
• Choir performance in Castle Arcade at 1pm
• Happy hour (5pm-7pm) with 2-for-1 cocktails at the Blue Bell
• Live music at 1pm and happy hour (5pm-7pm) with 2-for-1 cocktails at Brewhouse
• Happy hour available from 12pm-8pm at Retro
• Live jazz band, DJ and Christmas themed cocktail at Laguna Bar
• Happy hour (4pm-7pm) and live music (5pm-7pm) at the Philharmonic

Offers:

• Free consultation and free 10-day foundation sample from MAC at John Lewis & Partners Cardiff
• Free seasonal cocktail with a purchase from A La Carte Menu at Cote Brasserie Cardiff Central
• 20% off all treatments at Nailcraft Emporium in Wyndham Arcade
• Buy an Open Sandwich and get one half price at Wally’s Deli in Royal Arcade
• 10% off at Wally’s Liquor in Castle Arcade
• Free coffee or Bucks Fizz with your cooked breakfast between 8am-10am at Asador 44
• Get a free book when you purchase a Rama 44 tin of olive oil for £15 from Bar 44
• 10% off all accommodation at Hotel Indigo in Dominion Arcade
• 2 matching cocktails for £12 at Chance and Counters
• Free ‘Knockout’ mystery box worth £9.99 containing £25+ of merchandise with every transaction over £30 at TV & Movie Store
• 10% off your food bill at the Blue Bell
• 25% off all items on the brunch menu at The Philharmonic. Available between 10am – 1pm.
• Buy one get one free on large fruit tea (including one topping) and selected snacks at Bubble CiTea, plus 20% off on selected merch in-store
• 10% off all full-priced items at Damaged Society if you quote ‘Arcades’ at the till
• 20% off all full-priced jewellery and 10% off all full-priced watches at Ernest Jones – quote ‘City of Arcades Day’ at the till
• 20x goodie bags containing samples and free gifts at The Perfume Shop, while stocks last