Best time to visit Wales

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Wales

Best time of year to visit Wales

Wales is a green country for a reason—it rains here any time of year. The shoulder season from April through May is the best time to visit Wales when flowers bloom, Atlantic puffins take over Skomer, and baby lambs roam the fields. Summer is the busiest season of the year with nice weather but higher prices, so early booking is a good idea. Time from June to August is full of exclusive events like the Big Cheese Festival and Eisteddfod, the celebration of Welsh culture. The breezy period between September and November sees dispersing crowds, more affordable hotel rates, stunning forest hues, and craziness of Porthcawl Elvis Festival. Welsh winters offer lots of things to do from Saundersfoot New Years Day Swim to watching starling murmuration and snow hiking.

21 THINGS TO DO IN WALES (SEPTEMBER 26 - OCTOBER 05)

Porthcawl Elvis Festival

Porthcawl Elvis Festival

September 27-29, 2024 • event

Paying tribute of love to the King of Rock'n'Roll, for several years they clothe Elvis Presley' suits and wigs, imitate an immortal voice and motions, despite the age and sex

Northern Lights

Northern Lights

late September–mid-March • nature

This incredible natural phenomenon can be seen even in Kent and Cornwall

Bottlenose Dolphins in Cardigan Bay

Bottlenose Dolphins in Cardigan Bay

June–September • activity

Summer in Cardigan Bay is marked with playful spectacles performed by dolphins

Hedgehog Rescue

Hedgehog Rescue

April–October • activity

Hedgehogs are now on the endangered species list in Wales

Great Orme Tramway

Great Orme Tramway

late March–late October • activity

Ride a Victorian tramcar to feel the atmosphere of old Llandudno

Hiking Legendary Landscapes of Wales

Hiking Legendary Landscapes of Wales

June–October • activity

Explore Wales with outdoor pursuits from June to October—the ideal period for hiking

Dan-yr-Ogof, the National Showcaves Centre for Wales

Dan-yr-Ogof, the National Showcaves Centre for Wales

April–October • nature

Explore the underworld of Brecon Beacons' caves, one of the most significant natural attractions of the UK!

Zip World

Zip World

all year round • activity

Discover this unique and very special adventure soaring hundreds of feet through the air at one hundred miles per hour!

Coasteering

Coasteering

June–November • activity

An exhilarating experience and adventure in Wales which you won't quickly forget!

Dolphin & Whale Watching in Wales

Dolphin & Whale Watching in Wales

May–February • nature

Pembrokeshire, or the Celtic Deep, is the favourite feeding ground for sea mammals in Wales

Beach Season

Beach Season

June–September • activity

If you are not afraid of the cold, try Welsh beaches which attract lots of holidaymakers from year to year

Atlantic Grey Seal Pups

Atlantic Grey Seal Pups

August–December • nature

Watch little white fluffy seal pups on the beaches of the Welsh coastline

Berry Season

Berry Season

June–October • food

Try and enjoy sweet and flavorful berries in the summer-autumn season in Wales!

Horse Riding

Horse Riding

May–July | September • activity

Explore the Brecon Beacons horseback—the experience you've never been riding before!

Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch

Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch

year round • activity

With 58 characters this village has the longest name in Europe

Seabirds in Glan y Môr Elias

Seabirds in Glan y Môr Elias

September–February • nature

Walk along the shoreline of Glan y Môr Elias Local Nature Reserve for a real bird spectacle

Bounce Below in Llechwedd Caverns

Bounce Below in Llechwedd Caverns

year round • activity

An abandoned slate mine is turned into an underground playground

Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking

early May–late October • activity

Discover the wonderful world of mountain biking and enjoy the amazing landscape of this country!

Golf Season

Golf Season

May–September • activity

More golfers than ever want to be a part of the golf experience in Wales

Diving

Diving

March–October • activity

Welsh waters can't compete with the Pacific, but still boast some wildlife and wrecks

Surfing in Wales

Surfing in Wales

September–April (prime season) | April–October (classes and camping) • activity

This exhilarating experience, both good for confidence and the spirit, is one of the best ways to make your coastal adventure in Wales unforgettable

31 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

The Big Cheese Festival

The Big Cheese Festival

unconfirmedlate July 2023 • event

Take a break in one of Europe's largest castles to enjoy the medieval traditions of Wales

Christmas at Powis Castle

Christmas at Powis Castle

out of rangeDecember 2–31, 2023 • event

Try a fabulous Christmas at Powis Castle: Carols, Father Christmas in his grotto, and an illuminated garden

Abergavenny Steam Rally

Abergavenny Steam Rally

out of rangeMay 26-27, 2024 • event

Amazing vintage autos can be found in Abergavenny’s Bailey Park

Atlantic Puffins on Skomer

Atlantic Puffins on Skomer

out of rangemid April–July (best early to mid-July) • nature

These "sea parrots" really make your day and put a smile on your face!

Starling Murmuration

Starling Murmuration

out of rangeNovember–February • nature

Twilight is the show time in Aberystwyth Pier when the whole 50,000 starlings perform pre-roosting ballet in the sky

Royal Welsh Show

Royal Welsh Show

out of rangeJuly 22-25, 2024 • event

Witness this popular agricultural event in Llanelwedd that attracts lots of visitors from all over the world

Man v Horse Marathon

Man v Horse Marathon

unconfirmedJune 8, 2024 • event

Take part in this first-rate cross-country course of Man versus Horse and prove that you belong to the smarter species

Rhyl Air Show

Rhyl Air Show

out of rangeAugust 26–27, 2023 • event

A thrilling summer celebration on North Wales' coast

Monmouth Festival

Monmouth Festival

out of rangelate July–early August 2022 • event

Check out the best live sounds of Welsh summer

Christmas Markets (Fayres)

Christmas Markets (Fayres)

out of rangeearly November–early January  • event

Festive Christmas atmosphere full of Welsh traditions and charms

Saundersfoot New Years Day Swim

Saundersfoot New Years Day Swim

out of rangeJanuary 1 • event

Check out this traditional charity swimming event in the icy waters of Saundersfoot on the first day of the New Year

Green Man Festival

Green Man Festival

out of rangeAugust 15-18, 2024 • event

Try this folk-tinged event in the Brecon Beacons

Rude Health Bog Snorkelling Championships

Rude Health Bog Snorkelling Championships

out of rangeAugust 25, 2024 • event

Spiderman, a cavewoman, Batman, mermaids, and others superheroes race in this peat bog

Eisteddfod

Eisteddfod

out of rangeAugust 5–12, 2023 • event

The largest and oldest celebration of Welsh culture in the world

Sheep Trekking in the Brecon Beacons

Sheep Trekking in the Brecon Beacons

out of rangeApril–August • activity

Check out this typical Welsh scene and try some trekking among Wale's famous fluffy residents in the Brecon Beacons

Bluebells in Bloom

Bluebells in Bloom

out of rangeApril–May • nature

Don't miss the blooming of this natural treasure of Wales in spring—countryside fields, woodlands, and gardens are covered with blue flower carpet!

Lambing

Lambing

out of rangeApril • nature

Join the farmers and find out just how busy lambing season can be

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day

out of rangeMarch 10–17, 2024 • event

The celebration of all things Irish all over the Great Britain

Wales Comic Con

Wales Comic Con

out of rangeMay 13–14, 2023 (Telford) • event

Enjoy a weekend of cosplay and pop culture at Telford International Centre

Wales Airshow (Swansea Air Show)

Wales Airshow (Swansea Air Show)

out of rangeJuly 6-7, 2024 • event

The biggest free event in Wales takes over Swansea Bay

Christmas

Christmas

out of rangeDecember 24–December 25 • event

Christmas tinsel, choral singing and carols in churches, roasted turkey, and pudding, of course!

Rugby Season

Rugby Season

out of rangeNovember–April • activity

Attend an exciting match of rugby at the most prestigious stadium on the planet in Cardiff!

Six Nations Championship

Six Nations Championship

out of rangeFebruary–March • event

Witness one of the most impressive games of rugby heroes and losers during the Six Nations Championship

Snowdrops in Bloom

Snowdrops in Bloom

out of rangeJanuary–March • nature

Snowdrops are a welcome sight towards the end of the winter months!

St. David's Day (Dewi Sant)

St. David's Day (Dewi Sant)

out of rangeMarch 1 • event

Pin a daffodil flower or a leek to your clothes and become one of the Welsh to honour the patron saint of the country

Winter Hiking

Winter Hiking

out of rangeDecember–February • activity

Explore the winter magic of the snow-capped peaks of Snowdonia or Brecon Beacons and walk historical trails along the Wales Coast Path

Snow Buntings

Snow Buntings

out of rangeDecember–February • nature

Take a look at this showy game bird when you visit the Gronant Sand Dunes

HowTheLightGetsIn

HowTheLightGetsIn

out of rangeMay 24-27, 2024 • event

The world's largest philosophy and music festival

Herefordshire Walking Festival

Herefordshire Walking Festival

out of rangeJune 17–25, 2023 • activity

Explore Welsh history and heritage during a 9-day walking festival

Great Crested Grebe at Traeth Lafan

Great Crested Grebe at Traeth Lafan

out of rangeDecember–February  • nature

Great experts of swimming and diving but unable to walk on dry land

Crab Apple Season

Crab Apple Season

out of rangeAugust • food

Try tasty jellies or local ales made from crab apples!

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