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THE BIGGEST EVENTS IN CARDIFF 2020

Nitro World Games 2020

2020 is set to be an exciting year for Cardiff, Wales. Cardiff’s event calendar is jam-packed with major sporting events, festivals, huge gigs, fun-filled family activities, and joyous celebrations. 

Visit Cardiff have selected some of the most exciting events happening in Cardiff this year we think you won’t want to miss. This is by no means an exhaustive guide, so don’t forget to regularly check our events page to make sure you’re always in the know!

 

JANUARY 2020

Support your local sports team this January.

Kick off your 2020 by attending one of the many local sports matches we have on here in Cardiff.

Cardiff Blues

Cardiff Blues Fixtures

Cardiff Arms Park
3 & 17 January

If rugby is your game, Cardiff Blues take on the Scarlets on 3rd, and Patro Calvisano on 17th January, at Cardiff Arms Park. Buy your tickets here.

 

Cardiff City FC

Cardiff City FC Fixtures

Cardiff City Stadium

12 & 25 January

If you’re more into your football, Cardiff City FC will face Swansea City on 12th and West Bromwich Albion on 25th January at Cardiff City Stadium. Buy your tickets here.

 

The King And I

Wales Millennium Centre
8 – 18 January

The King And I is the greatest musical from the golden age of musicals – adored by the public and critics alike – with one of the finest scores ever written. This production features a company of over 50 world-class performers and a full-scale orchestra.

 

Slipknot

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
22 January

For those of you who like your music on the heavier side of the spectrum, what better way to kick-start 2020 in Cardiff than by seeing Slipknot at Motorpoint Arena Cardiff?

 

FEBRUARY 2020

Six Nations Rugby

Six Nations Rugby Mania

Principality Stadium
1-22 February

It’s almost that time of year again – the Six Nations will be kicking off at the magnificent Principality Stadium with TWO Wales home games this month!

Prepare to catch rugby fever as you cheer on the boys when they take on Italy on the 1st and France on the 22nd February. Keep an eye on our website for travel advice and sensational Six Nations-themed special offers.

 

The 1975

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
23 February

The band’s latest album ‘A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships’ was the their third consecutive #1 record in the UK and cemented their status as one of the biggest and most exciting bands in the world.

 

 

MARCH 2020

Celebrate St David’s Day in Wales’ Capital City

Cardiff
1 March

On 1st March, Cardiff will play host to a number of festivities you can get involved in to celebrate our Welsh culture and heritage.

Why not head down to St David’s Hall and listen to the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales perform? Welsh folk group Calan join BBC NOW to mark St David’s Day with a UK premiere of Cân Cnawd y Pridd – a suite of five compositions inspired by collections of traditional Welsh songs and tunes at the National Library of Wales.

 

Cardiff Devils

Challenge Cup Final, Cardiff Devils Vs Sheffield Steelers

Viola arena
08 March

The Devils welcome their biggest rivals the Sheffield Steelers to the Viola Arena in Cardiff Bay on March 8th to decide who will go home with the Challenge Cup. The two teams have been at the top of the league for the past few months so this will be a huge game for both sides and the Viola will be rocking.

Lewis Capaldi

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
11 March

One of the first artists in history to announce an arena run before the release of a debut album!  Lewis has achieved successive Radio 1 A-List tracks and amassed over 600 million plays across streaming services.  Lewis has sold out no less than five back-to-back headline tours – an impressive 150,000+ headline show tickets sold.

 

 

The Who

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
30 March

Following their stunning return to Wembley Stadium in July, the legendary rock band are back to announce a full UK arena tour for 2020, along with a brand new studio album entitled ‘WHO’ – their first in thirteen years.

 

Rhod Gilbert: The Book of John

Wales Millennium Centre
21 – 22 March

It has been a while, but the multi-award-winning Welsh comedian is back, with a brand new live show. In a seven-year break from stand-up, a lot has happened to Rhod. Almost all of it s**t.

 

Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny

Wales Millennium Centre
4 March

Jimmy’s brand new show contains jokes about all kinds of terrible things. Terrible things that might have affected you or people you know and love. But don’t worry – they’re just jokes – they are not the terrible things.

 

 

APRIL 2020

RHS Flower Show

Bute Park
17 – 19 April

The weekend of 17th-19th April will see Bute Park brimming with the colours and scents of spring, enough to inspire you to get green-fingered for the rest of your gardening year! Head to the Plant Village and Floral Marquee to meet and get tips from the experts. Expect to see stunning floral displays, do some fabulous shopping and take part in fun activities for all the family. Keep your eyes peeled for celebrity appearances!

 

Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival

City Hall Cardiff
20-26 April

Calling all bookworms! Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival returns, and this time it’s all under one roof with some surprises in store. Keep an eye on the offical website for more information.

 

 

MAY 2020

Nitro World Games Wales 2020

Principality Stadium Cardiff
23 – 24 May

We have the perfect event for the bank holiday weekend – more than 100 of the best athletes in sport’s most extreme disciplines will gather in Cardiff on the 23rd and 24th May as Nitro World Games takes place outside the U.S. for the first time! Head to the Nitro World Games website for tickets and follow their social media accounts for updates.

 

RuPaul’s Drag Race: Werq the World Tour 2020

Wales Millennium Centre
10 May

An experiment gone wrong has sent Michelle Visage spiralling through time with no way of returning home. Join Asia O’Hara, Detox, Kameron Michaels, Plastique Tiara, Shea Couleé, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Yvie Oddly and the soon to be announced winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, as they journey through iconic periods of time in the hopes they will find their way back to 2020.

 

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
3 May

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds have become one of the most celebrated bands of the post-punk ’80s era. Their music combines the multi-layered narratives of Cave’s lyrics with emotionally powerful sounds that create drama and a sense of foreboding. With brand new album Ghosteen out and 16 others under his belt, they’re back with a full UK tour in May 2020.

 

 

JUNE 2020

Guinness PRO14 Final

Cardiff City Stadium
20 June

Cardiff City Stadium will provide the best atmosphere possible when the 2020 Guinness PRO14 Final comes to the city this summer. The game has established a reputation as one of the most exciting events in the club rugby calendar. Remarkably, this will mark the first time that Cardiff has hosted the event in the era of ‘Destination Finals’ – this major event is not to be missed! Don’t forget to purchase your tickets here.

 

Rammstein’s largest ever UK live show

Principality Stadium
14 June

The band will be steam-rolling into the Principality Stadium, Cardiff on Sunday 14th June 2020 – an event that will once again break records, succeeding both Stadium MK and the recently announced Ricoh Arena (Coventry) as the band’s biggest ever UK headline concert.

 

Tafwyl

Bute Park
19 – 21 June

Tafwyl is the capital’s annual Welsh language arts & culture festival and free Welsh party for everyone, bringing the biggest names in Welsh arts, culture and sport to Cardiff along with an excellent street food area. This year it will take place in Bute Park from 19th-21st June. Find out more information here.

 

 

JULY 2020

The Lion King

Wales Milennium Centre
9 July – 29 August

Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney’s The Lion King is a worldwide theatrical phenomenon. It has been experienced by 100 million people globally and is still drawing sell-out crowds at London’s Lyceum Theatre in its 20th year.

 

 

Cardiff Food and Drink Festival

Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay
03-05 July

On the weekend of 10-12th July, the Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay will once again be transformed into a celebration of home-grown produce, irresistible street food and promises to offer lovers a mouth-watering experience. Sit back, relax and indulge in produce from some of the biggest names on the UK street food circuit while listening to the live music on the bandstand. Keep an eye on the Summer Guides featured on our website for more information.

 

2020 Adrian Flux British FIM Speedway Grand Prix

Principality Stadium
18 July

The biggest event of the worldwide speedway calendar will take place on 18 July at the Principality Stadium. The electrifying event, perfect for the whole family, will see the world’s best speedway riders race against each other at speeds that can exceed 120kmph on 500cc bikes with single fixed gear and no brakes. For more information about #SpeedwayGB and to purchase tickets, visit the website.

 

 

AUGUST 2020

Glamorgan Cricket

Sophia Gardens
1-31 August

Make the most of the (hopefully) sunny Welsh weather and head down to Sophia Gardens, home to the only Welsh first-class cricket team to enjoy four exciting matches!
You can catch Cricket M100 Welsh Fire vs Northern Superchargers on the 1st and Cricket IT20: England vs Pakistan on 31st August. Meanwhile the Sophia Gardens home team Glamorgan take on Notts Outlaws on 2nd and Warwickshire on 6th August. Tickets will soon be available to purchase here. #GoGlam!

 

Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend

City Hall Lawns
28 – 30 August

Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend is Wales’ biggest celebration of equality and diversity. Expect a mile long parade, entertainment across 4 stages including live music, DJ, cabaret, and much more.

 

Lionel Richie

Cardiff Castle
2 August

International superstar Lionel Richie has announced he’ll be returning to Cardiff to play the historic and iconic Cardiff Castle on Sunday 2nd August. Lionel Richie has a discography of albums and singles that are second to none.

 

 

Michael Buble

Cardiff Castle
5 August

Michael Bublé will perform in one of the Welsh capital’s most iconic venues, Cardiff Castle. Grammy-award winning megastar Bublé will play at what is considered as one of Britain’s most recognisable landmarks, with the stage set on the lawns of Cardiff Castle, and will follow in the footsteps of The Killers, Paul Weller, Manic Street Preachers, and Noel Gallagher.

 

SEPTEMBER 2020

Stormzy: H.I.T.H – The World Tour

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
21 September

Set to be one of the most highly anticipated tours of 2020, Stormzy has announced his ‘H.I.T.H. World Tour’.

 

 

OCTOBER 2020

Cardiff University Cardiff Half Marathon

Cardiff City Centre
4 October

Whether you’ve been training for months in your brand new running shoes, or you’re just planning on cheering from the side-lines, this is one of the most inspirational events in the Cardiff diary no matter how you choose take part!

It is now one of Europe’s largest half marathons and is Wales’ largest mass participation and multi-charity fundraising event. The route features some of the Cardiff’s most iconic landmarks and is predominantly flat – ideal for both beginners and elites. The race will be taking place on Sunday 4th October.

 

Artes Mundi

National Museum Cardiff
04 October – 21 February 2021

The UK’s leading international contemporary art prize Artes Mundi returns to National Museum Cardiff in October 2020 until February 2021.

Artes Mundi is the UK’s leading international contemporary art prize and an important arbiter of cultural exchange between the UK and the international community. Challenging and questioning the current global, political and social climate, Artes Mundi 9 will bring together a major biennial exhibition of ground-breaking international contemporary art exhibited by the most relevant artistic voices of our time.

 

Swn Festival

Cardiff
16 – 18 October

Cardiff’s largest multi-venue festival returns in 2020 bringing you a line-up of the freshest talent from Cardiff, Wales, the UK and further afield. The festival is known for its diverse lineup which spans all genres and for booking talent which later go on to be major successes. Visit the website for more info.

 

 

NOVEMBER 2020

christmas market

Cardiff Christmas Market

Cardiff City Centre
TBC

Yes… we’re already thinking about next year’s Christmas shopping (sorry). A visit to Cardiff’s Christmas market will rival that of any European city, with rows of beautifully decorated wooden stalls laid out in the heart of the city centre in November and December.

 

Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland

City Hall Lawns
TBC

City Hall Lawn is going to be glistening with Christmas magic once again in 2020. November to January is sure to welcome a bigger and better than ever site! With an ice rink, seasonal activities, bars and food stalls, all against a backdrop of the iconic civic centre with spectacular lights, it’s the perfect family outing.

 

 

DECEMBER 2020

New Theatre

Aladdin

New Theatre
5 December – 10 January

Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients audiences expect, Aladdin features laugh out loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses. Follow Aladdin, his brother Wishee Washee, and of course his mother Widow Twankey, on a spectacular adventure.

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