Summer & Autumn Sorted: Your Ultimate Guide to the Best South Wales Festivals Still to Come in 2025
Don’t pack away your festival wellies just yet. From city-wide celebrations of pride and culture to mountaintop rock anthems and foodie heaven, the South Wales festival season is just getting started. Here’s your essential guide to the unmissable events happening from now until the end of the year.
The days are long, the vibes are good, and the sounds of live music are ready to fill the air across South Wales. Whether you missed out on early-season tickets or you’re just getting into the festival spirit, there’s a fantastic line-up of events still to come in 2025.
From this weekend onwards, here is your chronological guide to the best festivals to circle on your calendar.
Tafwyl
- When: Saturday 14th – Sunday 15th June 2025
- Where: Cardiff Castle, Cardiff
- What: A vibrant celebration of the Welsh language, arts, and culture, right in the heart of the capital. Tafwyl is a free festival that transforms the iconic grounds of Cardiff Castle into a showcase of the very best Welsh music, from indie rock to folk. Alongside the live music, you’ll find a bustling street food area, stalls from local makers, and a host of family-friendly activities. It’s an essential Welsh experience, whether you’re a fluent speaker or just ‘diolch’ curious.
- Vibe: A joyous, inclusive, and uniquely Welsh street party.
Pride Cymru
- When: Saturday 21st – Sunday 22nd June 2025
- Where: Coopers Field, Bute Park, Cardiff
- What: Wales’s biggest and most colourful celebration of love, equality, and the LGBTQ+ community. The weekend kicks off with the spectacular Pride parade through the city streets on Saturday, followed by a two-day festival headlined by pop superstar Ella Henderson and featuring performances from Kimberly Wyatt, Shola Ama, and Irish singer Una Healy. Expect multiple stages, a community market, and an atmosphere of pure joy.
- Tickets: On sale now, starting from £16.80.
The Gower Festival
- When: Tuesday 1st – Friday 12th July 2025
- Where: Various historic churches across the Gower Peninsula
- What: A truly magical experience for classical music lovers. This long-running festival hosts world-class musicians and ensembles in the intimate and atmospheric settings of Gower’s ancient churches. The programme includes performances from the Lumas Wind Quintet, the Heath Quartet, and a night of jazz with the Dave Cottle Trio.
- Vibe: Serene, sophisticated, and set against one of Wales’ most stunning backdrops.
The Big Splash
- When: Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th July 2025
- Where: Across Newport City Centre
- What: Get ready for Wales’s biggest free outdoor arts festival! The Big Splash, organised by The Riverfront Theatre, turns the streets of Newport into a giant open-air stage. Expect a weekend packed with dazzling street theatre, live music, dance performances, and weird and wonderful pop-up spectacles for the whole family.
- Vibe: Fun, free, and fantastically creative.
Steelhouse Festival
- When: Friday 25th – Sunday 27th July 2025
- Where: Hafod-y-Dafal Farm, Ebbw Vale
- What: If you love classic rock, this is your pilgrimage. Perched on a dramatic mountaintop, Steelhouse delivers a weekend of pure, unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll. The 2025 lineup is massive, with LA metal legends W.A.S.P. and The Wildhearts headlining, plus special guest appearances from rock icon Lita Ford and the Kris Barras Band.
- Vibe: A friendly, no-frills rock festival with the best views in the business.
- Tickets: On sale now.
Green Man Festival
- When: Thursday 14th – Sunday 17th August 2025
- Where: Brecon Beacons National Park, Powys
- What: The jewel in the Welsh festival crown. Green Man is an award-winning, independent festival renowned for its eclectic music lineup, beautiful setting, and incredible atmosphere. Beyond the music, you’ll find areas dedicated to science, literature, comedy, and wellness.
- Vibe: Laid-back, family-friendly, and fiercely independent.
- Tickets: Sold out. Keep an eye on the official resale channels for a chance to grab a ticket, but be wary of unofficial sellers.
Abergavenny Food Festival
- When: Saturday 20th – Sunday 21st September 2025
- Where: Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
- What: The UK’s premier food festival and a must-do for any serious foodie. The entire town buzzes with energy as hundreds of artisan producers and top chefs descend for a weekend of pure indulgence. Expect chef demonstrations, tutored tastings, a huge market to explore, and the legendary Saturday night market and party at the castle.
- Vibe: A delicious, bustling, and inspiring celebration of all things food.
- Tickets: Stroller tickets are on sale now, with the full guest programme to be released soon.
