Unwrapping Christmas in Cardiff 2025…100 days early

Santa might put us on his naughty list, but with only 100 days to go until the big day, we simply can’t resist unwrapping some of the magical gifts that will be on offer at Christmas in Cardiff this year.

An Ice Rink in a Castle

Cardiff’s historic castle makes the perfect location for a romantic sunset skate, or a day of family fun that even the weather can’t spoil. Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland Ice Rink and Ice Walk returns from 13 November 2025 until 4 January 2026, complete with its very own colony of penguin skate-aids for smaller guests. Book your tickets today. 

A Winter Wonderland

You can never have too much of a good thing at Christmas, so keep the festive fun going with a visit to Winter Wonderland’s second site. Cardiff City Hall Lawn will host a selection of rides and funfair games, the Sur La Piste apres-ski bar, plus a full line-up of free, family entertainment. It’s an ideal way to spend a Christmas evening. Free entry: 13 November 2025 to 4 January 2026.

An illuminating experience

Explore a mesmerising mile long trail through an enchanting illuminated world, crafted by local visionaries and world leading lighting designers. The ‘Christmas at Bute Park’ light trail celebrates its’ fifth year with a host of magical experiences for the whole family. Tickets for the award-winning trail, which runs from 21 November 2025 until 31 December 2025, are on sale now.

A Spiegeltent

Built from wood, cut mirrors, canvas, leaded glass, and adorned with velvet brocade, historic Spiegeltents, like the one pitching up in Sophia Gardens once more as part of this year’s ‘Cardiff Christmas Festival’ used to be the number one attraction at European funfairs. This year, visitors to the magical and intimate hand-hewn pavilion can be transported to a traditional Victorian Christmas with an immersive adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, join The Rat Pack for a Swingin’ Christmas, enjoy the ultimate ABBA Christmas show, celebrate with The Tour of the Era’s – a Taylor Swift tribute by the amazing Hannah Jenkins, or choose from one of the festivals other eight seasonal shows. Tickets are on sale now and shows run from December 5th – 31st December. 

The perfect handcrafted gifts

Whether you’re looking for bespoke jewellery, original artwork, beautiful, fused glass work, hand-thrown ceramics, hand-made quilts and textiles, or seasonal food and drink, the 70 stalls at Cardiff’s Christmas Market, nestled in the heart of Cardiff’s shopping district are the perfect place to find something special crafted by talented local makers. A classic piece of Christmas in Cardiff, the traditional wooden chalets will bring festive cheer to the city centre from 13 November 2025 to 23 December 2025.

A stroll through history

The Victorian’s knew how to do Christmas properly and the city’s Victorian Arcades are steeped in that tradition. Elegantly dressed for Christmas, there’s a simple magic to wandering through the maze of arcades, stopping for a coffee, or a bite to eat, at one of the many independent cafes and restaurants you’ll discover in between browsing the boutique shops. Cardiff’s Victorian heritage doesn’t end with the Arcades – it’s historic Central Market is the place to head for everything from scented candles to street food and vinyl and vintage clothing – all just a short stroll from Cardiff’s Christmas Market.

Designer brands, lots of high-street favourites…and more

From designer brands to high-street favourites, you’re bound to find the ideal gift (or maybe a treat for yourself) at St David’s Dewi Sant. New for beauty lovers this Christmas is Wales’ first Sephora store – but with over 160 shops, cafes and restaurants to explore, Wales’ leading retail destination is the ideal place for a day out for all – whether you’re looking to entertain the family with Treetop Golf and Cineworld, treat yourself to lunch or dinner with friends, or find the perfect outfit for a Christmas party.

A cosy cabin

Need a break from buying gifts for your friends and family? Snuggle up in a cosy Festive Quarter cabin this Christmas. An atmospheric Bavarian-themed haven, the Festive Quarter on Working Street is the perfect place to refuel with a beer and a bratwurst to refuel before the next round of Christmas shopping. Open seven days a week from November 13th throughout the festive period.

Christmas Lights

Everybody knows Christmas isn’t really Christmas without some lights. This year Cardiff’s beautiful Christmas lights will slowly twinkle into life as darkness falls on 13 November, and Christmas in Cardiff begins.

Following the huge success of the Cardiff Aurora projection at Cardiff Central station in 2024 a new piece of artwork, inspired by a much-loved piece of Welsh literature, will be coming to the site. An additional installation will added in a secret location to be revealed soon.

A Christmas Grotto

Naughty or nice, a trip to Santa’s Christmas Grotto will be on many children’s wish lists this Christmas. To help make their wishes come true, Santa and his elves will be setting up ho-ho-homes from home at Cardiff Castle, the Principality Stadium, and the new Enchanted Grotto at John Lewis Cardiff. Take to the skies on an unbelievable adventure to reach Santa’s Post Office – based on an exclusive LEGO® set – before journeying through this world and finally meeting the Jolly man himself. We don’t want to give all the magic away, but you’ll leave with a special LEGO® set. Ticketed events, various dates November and December 2025.

Time with friends and family

Friends and family are at the heart of all that’s best about Christmas, so there’s no better way to celebrate than with a delicious meal out! Cardiff is a haven for foodies – and Visit Cardiff’s Eat and Drink pages are full of places for festive feasting. Climb aboard the Midnight Express at the Ivy this year and enter a world filled with twinkling lights, whimsical trains, seasonal feasts, and Champagne to toast. Or stay closer to home with champions of local Welsh produce, Daffodil’s range of quality dishes, maybe paired with a wine from their comprehensive list – it is Christmas, after all.

Being pampered with a festive hotel stay

We love Christmas, but if all the list-making and present-wrapping gets too much, why not pamper yourself with a seasonal sleepover? Round off your Christmas day trip with a night in one the capital’s hotels for more of the fun and none of the stress! Whether you choose a modern, stylish stay in the bustling city centre, the relaxed luxury of a spa hotel, or a night in the heart of historic Cardiff Bay, you’re sure to enjoy a wonderful Christmas time!

Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “Christmas in Cardiff is always special and with only 100 days to go until the big day, now is the time to start looking forward to making even more magical memories.”

With 100 days to go, we’re still making our Christmas in Cardiff list and checking it twice, so for more information and all the latest details as the countdown to the festive season continues, visit: www.visitcardiff.com/christmas