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When are Cardiff’s Christmas Lights Switched On?
If you’re ready to let your seasonal spirits shine, then make sure you Visit Cardiff on Thu 13 November. While there is no official switch on ceremony, as evening falls our beautiful displays will twinkle into life for the first time across the city centre. On the same day, Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland, the Christmas Market, and the Bavarian Festive Quarter will all open their doors as we officially welcome the magic of the festive season.
City Centre Christmas Lights
As is traditional for Cardiff, the first Thursday following Remembrance Sunday will see our lights go on for the first time. This year falls on Thu 13 November when the main pedestrian streets and retail areas will all be twinkling merrily, and seasonal highlights including the Christmas Market and Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland will open.
Bute Park Lights Up for Christmas
Where: Bute Park
When: Fri, 21 Nov 2025 – Wed, 31 Dec 2025
Now a firm favourite in Cardiff’s Christmas event calendar, the nation’s premier festive lights trail, Christmas at Bute Park, is back for a 5th year. Enjoy a mile long stroll through an enchanted world of illumination with 15 different light zones, a truly mesmerising journey in the shadow of the historic Cardiff Castle.
Central Square Illuminations
Where: Central Square, City Centre
When: 13 November – 1 January
Created by renowned light artists Illuminos, the projections transform Cardiff Market and Cardiff Central Station into breath-taking festive landmarks, wrapping the heart of the city in light, poetry, and colour.
Over at Cardiff Central Station, a refreshed display celebrates Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s Christmas in Wales, featuring animated quotes from the iconic poem, bringing Welsh storytelling to life for locals and visitors alike.
Cardiff Market Illuminations
Where: Trinity St, City Centre
When: 13 November – 1 January
Created by renowned light artists Illuminos, the projections transform Cardiff Market and Cardiff Central Station into breath-taking festive landmarks, wrapping the heart of the city in light, poetry, and colour.
At Cardiff Market, visitors will see a brand-new projection featuring a robin soaring among the market stalls – a symbol of warmth and community during the Christmas season.
The City of Arcades
Where: Cardiff City Centre
When: From Thu, 13 Nov 2025
Cardiff, City of Arcades represents the 150 years of Welsh retail history made up of our seven beautiful Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades. At Christmas time, the boutique experience of the arcades is made even more special with stunning displays of twinkling lights and traditional decorations.
St David’s Dewi Sant
Where: Cardiff City Centre
When: From Thu 30 October
Cardiff’s major indoor shopping destination put a huge amount of effort into their annual displays of Christmas decorations and lights. If you can’t wait until November, then get an early Christmas fix from October 30th, when the phased installation will get underway.
VISIT CARDIFF AT CHRISTMAS
There’s never a bad time to Visit Cardiff, with so many events, attractions and things to see in Wales’ thriving capital, but there’s just always something magical about the city at Christmas time. So, feel the spirit of the season come to life, whatever makes it special for you, Christmas in Cardiff has something for everyone.
