The Best Festivals & Fairs in Wales this Spring

Traditional Welsh music is steeped in folklore and remains a major part of the country’s culture, enjoyed by young and old alike. This June, the Gregynog Festival, the oldest ongoing classical music festival in Wales, returns for its annual outing, featuring performances by some of the world’s leading musicians. Set principally in the picturesque countryside of rural North Powys, this year’s festival will place a strong focus on exploring links between Welsh and Irish culture, with leading Irish musicians and historians in attendance to share their wealth of knowledge and talents. Festival venues will include the 200 seat Music Room in Gregynog Hall, Pennant Melangell, Aberystwyth, Montgomery and Llandinam. (Photo: Gregynog Festival)

First there was Burns Night and now there’s Dylan Day, a celebration of the life and works of legendary Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Inaugurated last year, the commemorative day returns once again in May with a host of creative writing workshops, literary tours and readings taking place at locations across Wales. Highlights for 2016 include artist Marc Treanor, who will open Dylan Day by depicting Dylan’s face in sand in the seaside town of New Quay, storytelling in Laugharne Castle, and a reciting of this year’s Dylan’s Great Poem – written by young people from all over the world – by talented Welsh poet Aneirin Karadog. (Photo: Literature Wales)

If it’s raucous revelry you’re after then you may want to look elsewhere, but for those who enjoy the power and majesty of classical music, the Vale of Glamorgan Festival is likely to fit the bill. Founded in 1969 by Welsh composer John Metcalf, the only UK festival dedicated to the music of living composers evokes the rich, sensual sounds that are an indelible feature of this distinctive musical genre. The 2016 edition of the festival will be paying particular tribute to three distinguished composers celebrating landmark birthdays this year: John Metcalf and Pēteris Vasks, who both turn 70, and Steve Reich who reaches the big Eight Zero. (Photo: Vale of Glamorgan Festival)

There’ll be plenty to contemplate at HowTheLightGetsIn, billed as the world’s largest philosophy and music festival, and one glance at the epic programme reveals why. For ten days, the quaint market town of Hay-on-Wye plays host to thought-provoking debates, cutting-edge talks, themed parties and enthralling music, as well as comedy, cabaret, circus performance, vintage rides, artisan food stalls and a market fayre. This year will see a typically impressive roll-call of speakers and performers, including Nobel Prize winners, politicians, actors, acclaimed physicists and Mercury prize nominees, all of whom will be exploring the intriguing theme of “The Known, The Strange and the New”. (Photo: How The Light Gets In)

Not content with giving England’s rugby team a run for their money, the Welsh are now determined to beat their neighbours at their own drinking game. The West Country’s celebrated cider makers are facing increasingly strong competition from across the border as 2016 marks the 15th year of the Welsh Perry and Cider Festival. What started as an idea between a few mates in the pub has since become an annual event for all the family, featuring live music and entertainment. Organised by the Welsh Perry and Cider society, it’s a chance to support craft producer from across Wales and beyond, all set against the stunning backdrop of the medieval Caldicot Castle. (Photo: Welsh Perry & Cider Festival)

Nothing beats curling up in a hand-knitted woollen blanket to guarantee you’ll soon be counting sheep, so you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Wool and Willow Festival – celebrating the best sustainable fibre crafts and textiles in Mid-Wales – might have the same soporific effect on attendees. In fact, it’s proved to be one of the most popular events in The Quilt Association’s calendar, bringing together people from across Wales and beyond with a passion for natural fibres. So whether knitting, felting or weaving with willow is your thing, you’ll find a series of specialist exhibits and workshops taking place daily over 4 weeks, with experts on hand to demonstrate their skills and answer questions. (Photo: Wool and Willow Festival)

Wales has always punched above its weight in terms of musical prowess and FOCUS Wales – an annual, multi-venue festival that takes place in Wrexham each spring – intends to make sure that reputation remains fighting-fit. Now in its 6th year and held entirely indoors (Wales’ reputation for good weather not being quite so illustrious), Wrexham will welcome more than 5,000 guests over the course of 3 action-packed days. They’ll not only have the chance to see 200+ bands representing the finest emerging musical talent Wales has to offer, but there’ll also be music industry panels and discussions, as well as stand-up comedy, film and interactive art displays to enjoy. (Photo: Focus Music Festival)

The picturesque town of Machynlleth is once again hosting its annual Comedy Festival, which is now in its seventh year and a ‘small but perfectly formed’ antidote to some of its more sprawling competitors. Boasting a top-notch and highly diverse line-up with a clear focus on keeping things family-friendly (everything from ‘Wifi Wars’ to Alice in Wonderland reimagined), the event also has two real ale bars, a live music stage and even the chance to turn your hand to portrait drawing. Sheep gags are probably to be expected, but here in mid-Wales you can at least be confident they’re likely to be best-in-class. (Photo: Machynlleth Comedy Festival)

If your vision of The Good Life is based on Tom and Barbara’s exploits (apologies for the niche cultural reference) but you’re willing to venture beyond Surbiton in the 70s, the Royal Welsh Spring Festival could provide the push you need to get going. A weekend-long celebration of smallholding and rural life, regularly attended by over 25,000 people, the festival features more than 1,400 livestock exhibits, a gardening hall, a food and drink quarter, workshops, demonstrations, auctions and the only Open Dog Show to be held in Wales (starring over 1,000 Crufts hopefuls). And this year, the event’s family-friendly credentials are boosted by the fact that all children under 16 go free. (Photo: Royal Welsh Spring Festival)