Events in Wales

You’re spoiled for choice all over the country when it comes to St David’s Day experiences. One of Cadw’s inspiring heritage sites is an excellent place to start. Many of them are hosting special Dewi Sant-themed activities and events over the weekend (some are even offering free entry as an added bonus).

At Conwy Castle you can explore the mighty fortress to a soaring soundtrack from an authentic Welsh choir, Denbigh Castle will be serving up warm Welsh cakes and a selection of Cymru-inspired craft activities for younger visitors, while Castell Coch will be exploring magical myths and legends and shedding light on some of Wales’ lesser-known cultural heroes. Visit the Cadw website for full on info on their St David’s Day celebrations.

There’s plenty to enjoy elsewhere in Wales too. The annual St David’s Day Parade in Wrexham is a colourful display of flags, flowers (daffodils, of course) and stirring Welsh singing. If you feel like getting involved, you can expect a warm Welsh welcome and huge amounts of hwyl.

There’s more music in Hay-on-Wye. In the atmospheric surroundings of Hay Castle’s Great Hall, the town’s mixed voice choir Cantorion y Gelli will perform a diverse selection of music – everything from hymns and male-voice classics to traditional folk tunes and rousing football anthems.

At the National Botanic Garden of Wales near Carmarthen you can take a floral safari to see swathes of blooming daffodils (how many different varieties you can identify?) and take a tasty tour of traditional Welsh cuisine at Café Botanica. The soaring dome of the garden’s Great Glasshouse also becomes an impromptu music venue, while the stable block courtyard plays host to displays of Welsh folk dancing.

It’s hard to imagine a better place to get the full St David’s Day experience than at St Fagan’s National Museum of History near Cardiff. There’ll be shimmering harp music, folk dancing and a plenty of traditional Welsh dress – all taking place amongst the museum’s collection of historic buildings gathered from across the country.

Events across the UK 

You don’t even have to be in Wales to get in on the St David’s Day action. Welsh societies and groups all over the UK will mark the occasion too. London is a particular hotspot. The London Welsh Centre starts the day with a guided walk (now in its 21st year), which winds through the inns and taverns around Fleet Street, telling the stories of the area’s notable Welsh residents.

In the evening, the Centre hosts a St David’s Day Twmpath, a traditional celebration of music and dancing. Don’t worry if you aren’t a seasoned shuffler – the caller will keep you moving in the right direction. And once you’ve built up an appetite on the dance floor, you can recharge with a selection of great Welsh food and drink.

Elsewhere in the UK capital, there’s a concert from the award-winning Cory Band at Regent Hall. Expect an evening of beautiful Welsh music from one of the best brass bands in the business. If you’re a bit of a foodie, check out the St David’s Day Celebration at Quaglino’s. Featuring an exclusive menu created by singing star Katherine Jenkins (in collaboration with executive chef Jack Smith), live music and drinks from Swansea-based distillery Cygnet Gin, it promises to be a wonderfully Welsh feast for the senses.

Outside London, you’ll find a St David’s Day concert from Welsh harpist Catrin Finch and Irish fiddle player Aoife Ní Bhriain at Liverpool’s Royal Philharmonic, plus celebratory events in Sheffield, Bristol and Edinburgh.

Events around the world

There are St David’s Day treats to be found even further afield. The Welsh community in the United States and Canada is particularly active, with events and meetups taking place everywhere from Vancouver, Canada to Columbus, Ohio.

New York Welsh host a celebratory meet up on 28 February at The Liberty NYC in Midtown, a focal point for the Big Apple’s Welsh community that has been visited by the likes of actor Matthew Rhys, rugby legend Shane Williams and the aforementioned Katherine Jenkins.

The Welsh Society of Western New England in Hartford, Connecticut runs its fourth annual St David’s Day Walk on 9 March. This gentle stroll through the pretty Elizabeth Park finishes with a visit to the greenhouses for warm cider and displays of colourful daffodils. You can also enjoy events like the Manitoba Welsh Society’s St David’s Day Dinner and Gala in Winnipeg and a glitzy banquet and concert from the Ottowa Welsh Society.

The fun doesn’t stop at North America. You’ll also find food and music from Wales in Tokyo on 2 March, courtesy of the St David’s Society of Japan, a St David’s Day Ball in Singapore and a fun day at the races in Kuala Lumpur.

More events of note

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