Events in Wales in 2027

Six Nations Rugby — February to March 2027

Wales open their 2027 Six Nations away to France (6 February) and Scotland (13 February), before two home fixtures at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff: Ireland on 20 February and England on 6 March, with the Italy away leg closing the tournament on 13 March. Match days transform the entire city centre with pre-game crowds, singing and celebration. Tickets sell out fast, check the WRU website for official releases.

St David’s Day — 1 March 2027

Wales’ national day is celebrated across the country with parades, concerts, food events and cultural gatherings. Cardiff hosts the largest celebrations, but towns and villages throughout Wales mark the day with community events. Many Cadw castles and heritage sites offer free or reduced entry.

Urdd Eisteddfod — 29 May–3 June 2027

Europe’s largest youth arts festival, with competitions in music, dance, drama and literature entirely through the Welsh language. 2027 marks the first time ever that Newport hosts the festival, based at Tredegar House, and more than 100,000 entries are expected across the week. Free to attend on most days.

Hay Festival — 27 May–6 June 2027

One of the world’s most celebrated literary festivals, held in the border town of Hay-on-Wye. 2027 marks the festival’s 40th anniversary, with over 10 days of talks, debates and performances featuring authors, thinkers and artists from around the globe. Early booking is essential for headline events. Nearby holiday cottages in the Wye Valley book up months ahead.

Machynlleth Comedy Festival — May 2027

The UK’s premier alternative comedy festival takes over the small Mid Wales market town for a long weekend. Stadium-level comedians test brand-new material in tiny venues, from chapels to bowling clubs. Read our full Mach Fest guide for ticketing strategy and accommodation tips.

FOCUS Wales — May 2027

A SXSW-style multi-venue showcase festival in Wrexham, featuring hundreds of artists across 20+ stages. Equal parts music industry conference and chaotic late-night venue hopping. Read our full FOCUS Wales guide for venue maps and survival tips.

Fire in the Mountain — June 2027

A fiercely independent folk and roots festival on a remote working farm near Aberystwyth in Ceredigion. Completely off-grid, no phone signal, compost toilets, and acoustic music around campfires until dawn. Capped at just 2,000 people. Read our full Fire in the Mountain guide for the strict family ticket rules and tiered pricing system.

Gottwood Festival — June 2027

The UK’s most respected underground electronic music festival, hidden in ancient woodland on the Isle of Anglesey. Capped at 5,000 people, with 24-hour music across intimate forest stages. Read our full Gottwood guide for travel logistics and the strict campervan ban.

The Dragon Ride & the Tour de France — June/July 2027

The Dragon Ride cycling sportive (13 June) climbs out of Margam Park through the Brecon Beacons, over much of the same terrain the Tour de France itself will ride weeks later. On Sunday 4 July, Stage 3 of the Tour de France runs 223km from Welshpool to Cardiff, the first time the race has ever visited Wales, and one of the largest free-to-attend sporting events in British history. Expect huge crowds lining the Côte de Rhigos and Côte de Caerffili in the closing kilometres as the stage reaches Cardiff.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod — July 2027

Tens of thousands of visitors converge on the small North East Wales town for a week of international choral competitions and headline evening concerts. The Saturday night ‘Choir of the World’ competition for the Pavarotti Trophy is the highlight. Read our full Llangollen Eisteddfod guide for ticketing tiers and traffic survival tips.

Royal Welsh Show — 19–22 July 2027

The UK’s largest agricultural show, held in Builth Wells over four days each July. Livestock competitions, forestry displays, food halls, equestrian events and rural crafts attract hundreds of thousands of visitors. Accommodation in Powys books up well in advance.

IRONMAN Wales & Long Course Weekend — July & September 2027

Tenby hosts two of the biggest dates on the endurance calendar: the Long Course Weekend (2–4 July), a three-day swim/bike/run festival, and IRONMAN Wales itself on 19 September, marking its 15th anniversary. Entries for IRONMAN Wales sold out within 24 hours of release. Road closures affect the whole town on both occasions, book accommodation in Pembrokeshire well ahead.

National Eisteddfod — 31 July–7 August 2027

Wales’ largest and oldest cultural festival, a week-long celebration of Welsh language, music, poetry, art and performance dating back to 1861. The 2027 Eisteddfod heads to Glantwymyn in Powys, the first time the festival has returned to the county in over a decade. Many events are free, and the Maes (festival field) has food stalls, craft markets and live music throughout the day.

Green Man — August 2027

Set at the Glanusk Estate in the Brecon Beacons, Green Man is consistently rated one of the UK’s best music festivals, drawing around 25,000 people. Indie, folk and alternative acts perform across multiple stages in one of the most beautiful festival settings in Britain. Family-friendly with a dedicated children’s area. Tickets typically sell out within weeks of release.

Gwŵyl Portmeirion — Summer 2027 (TBC)

The Italianate village of Portmeirion marked its centenary in 2026 with a new boutique festival, Gwŵyl Portmeirion, headlined by Squeeze and Sir Bryn Terfel, replacing the much-missed Festival No.6, which ended for good back in 2018. Organisers have said that if the new, smaller-scale format proves successful, it could become a permanent annual fixture, check the official Portmeirion site nearer the time to confirm a 2027 edition.

Abergavenny Food Festival — September 2027

The UK’s leading food festival, showcasing the best of Welsh and British produce over a packed weekend. Celebrity chef demonstrations, tastings, masterclasses and a night market draw food lovers from across the country. The town is in the Brecon Beacons, making it easy to combine with hiking or a Wye Valley break.

Cardiff Half Marathon — 3 October 2027

One of Europe’s largest half marathons, with around 29,000 runners taking on a flat, fast course through the heart of the Welsh capital, past Cardiff Castle, the Principality Stadium and Cardiff Bay. A genuinely good option for first-timers chasing a personal best.

Dylan Thomas Festival — October/November 2027

Celebrating Wales’ most famous poet in Swansea and Laugharne with readings, performances, walks and exhibitions. The festival coincides with Thomas’ birthday on 27 October. Swansea Bay and the Taf estuary provide atmospheric settings for the events.

Christmas Markets & the Coral Welsh Grand National — November to December 2027

Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland is the largest Christmas market in Wales, running from mid-November through to Christmas. Conwy, Aberystwyth and Swansea also host popular Christmas markets. The racing year wraps up with the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow, typically run on the Sunday between Christmas and New Year, one of the most prestigious jump races in British racing. Many Cadw castles run special festive events with carols, candlelit tours and seasonal food stalls.

Dark Sky Season — October to March

The Brecon Beacons International Dark Sky Reserve and the Elan Valley (with its own planetarium) offer some of the best stargazing in Britain during the darker months. Guided stargazing walks, planetarium shows and glamping under the stars all run throughout winter.