From music festivals to food festivals, here are 10 big events happening around our rail network this summer.
As the weather gets warmer, people across the region are gearing up for some fantastic festivals and gatherings. Here’s a roundup of some of the best events taking place in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, and Pembrokeshire from May to September 2023:
Swansea and Gower
1. Gower Folk Festival – Taking place from June 9-11, this feelgood festival celebrates a glorious array of folk music styles, all brought together at picturesque Weobley Castle on Gower. Check out the festival website for more information.
2. Beach Sculpture Festival – Each year the Beach Sculpture Festival brings skilled artists to the beaches of Swansea and Gower, where the public can take part in sculpture-making activities and learn about our marine environment. More information here.
3. Wales Air Show 2023 – This major two-day event attracts over 200,000 visitors each year. Ace pilots from flaunt their flying skills in a range of aircraft, including jets, helicopters, and the Red Arrows. Swansea Promenade features ground displays, food and drink trucks, virtual reality experiences, live music, rides, and more. Read all about it here.
4. Swansea Fake Festival. The festival of fake bands is back again, with fake Queen, Stereophonics, Oasis James and more. The festival takes place on Saturday July 8. You can book tickets here.
Neath Port Talbot
5. The In It Together Festival took place from May 26-28 at Old Park Farm, Port Talbot, and featured an impressive mix of well-known names including The Kooks, Groove Armada, Natalia Imbruglia, James and UB40. Next years festival is already in the diary for 24-26 May 2024. Book tickets here.
Carmarthenshire
6. Taking place in Kidwelly from August 11-13, Gwên Gwen is a family-friendly festival of independent music and art, showcasing Welsh talent including spoken word artists, bands, skilled craftspeople, entertainers, and vendors offering handcrafted food and drink.
7. Carmarthen Big Weekend takes place at Carmarthen Park on June 10 and 11. Admission is free, and there will be rides, refreshments, stalls and more. For more information head here.
8. Carmarthen River Festival. Taking place on Saturday July 15, this festival includes the famous raft and coracle races. For more information, go here.
Pembrokeshire
9. Pembrokeshire County Show – Taking place from August 16-17 at the Haverfordwest Showground, this is Pembrokeshire’s biggest event, showcasing the best of Pembrokeshire’s agricultural and rural life. The festival features livestock displays, agricultural machinery, food and drink stalls, and entertainment for all ages. More information can be found here.
10. Fishguard International Music Festival takes place in Fishguard and other locations in Pembrokeshire from August 18 to September 3. This year’s programme includes pianist Iwan Llywelyn Jones, soprano Natalya Romaniw, and Classical/World Music trio Kosmos. There will also be chamber music performances from the Enigma Duo, Dudok String Quartet Amsterdam and musicians from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. The Welsh National Opera Orchestra return to the festival this year, as do folk group Pedair, following their sell-out concert at Theatr Gwaun last year. The Gonzaga Band Consort wil perform music by Monteverdi and his contemporaries, and the festival will close on September 3 with a performance by the Amanda Whiting Trio fusing jazz harp, double bass and drums. More info here.