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There’s so much to do in Cardiff over the Christmas season, it can be hard to know where to start, so the Visit Cardiff Christmas elves have pulled together an itinerary for you.
And as we’re feeling so festive, we’ve launched a prize draw, where you can win our Visit Cardiff Christmas itinerary for you and a friend.
GETTING HERE
Cardiff is easy to get to, no matter how you’re travel. If you don’t want to drive, Transport for Wales operates hourly trains from Manchester Piccadilly and towns in the Welsh borders to Cardiff Central.
How Cardiff makes Christmas extra magical
A weekend in Cardiff over the festive period.
Friday afternoon and evening
Get yourself checked into to one of our city centre hotels, we’ve got a range of places you can stay to meet all styles and budgets. Once you’re settled in, why not take a walk over to Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland, set over two iconic sites – with City Hall Lawns home to a festive funfair, with rides, games and entertainment; while over at Cardiff Castle, you’ll find ice skating (and new for 2026, curling). With Sur Le Piste at City Hall Lawn, and The Tafarn in the Castle, ideal for a drink to unwind and soak in the atmosphere.
Saturday morning and lunchtime
After a good night’s sleep in the Welsh capital, why not try and get some of that Christmas shopping ticked off (or be your own Santa – no judgement from us!) If you’re looking for big designer brands, head to St David’s Cardiff, the city’s flagship mall in the heart of the city centre, home to 160+ shops and eateries; and no shopping visit is complete without a gander round our Georgian and Edwardian indie shopping arcades, it’s why we’re called the ‘City of Arcades’ after all.
Saturday afternoon and evening
There’s nothing more festive than a good ol’ fashioned pantomime (oh no there’s not), so why not head to another of Cardiff’s iconic city centre buildings, the traditional theatre building was constructed on Park Place in 1906, entertaining the people of Cardiff and its visitors for over a century – and its a much visit place at Christmas, home to their annual panto, so give into the cheese and take your seat for an evening filled with a barrel of laughs.
Sunday morning and lunchtime
You’ve already ventured into the Castle at night, but now its time to uncover its past. Get yourself a general admission ticket and upgrade to a house tour to see more of the historic house and hear tales of the many purposes the Castle has served over its 2000-year standing. Also included in your ticket is entry to the Firing Line Museum, and don’t forget to head up to the top of the Keep, where your rewarded with a panoramic view of the city.
WIN YOURSELF A VISIT CARDIFF CHRISTMAS
We've teamed up with some of the top Christmas hotspots in the city to bring a 2-night itinerary for 2 people. With a stay in Hotel Indigo Cardiff from Friday 4 December to Sunday 6 December 2026, it's the perfect way to kick off Christmas, and with ice skating, panto and Christmas shopping included so enter for your chance to win and let Visit Cardiff bring the festive feeling.
