Residents and visitors to the city are encouraged to show their Welsh spirit on Wales’ national day as Cardiff prepares to celebrate in style this St David’s Day.
Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Ramesh Patel said:
“Cardiff Council in partnership with the St David’s Day Committee have planned a cultural festival of events from Thursday, February 27 to Sunday, March 2 so people can proudly wear their daffodil or wave the Welsh flag in honour of St David and all things Cymraeg.
“Here in the capital we are extremely proud to be Welsh and celebrate our unique nationality. This year the St David’s Day celebrations will fall on a Saturday so II encourage everyone to come out over this special weekend and get involved in what is sure to be a wonderful host of events.”
The annual St David’s Day Parade will take place on Saturday, March 1 leaving City Hall at 12.30pm and travelling down Kingsway, St John Street, Working Street, The Hayes, Mill Lane, St Mary Street, High Street and through Cardiff Castle’s main gate into the castle grounds at approximately 1.15pm.
As always the St David’s Parade will be brimming with colourful carnival dancers, community and youth groups in Welsh traditional costume, Welsh folk musicians and dance groups, dancing dragons and funky street bands.
Look out for the famous Giants of Wales Owain Glyndwr, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Gethin Jenkins and Nessa.
Visitors and residents are encouraged to line the streets and support the parade that culminates in Cardiff Castle. All supporters and spectators are then invited to enjoy free entry to the castle grounds between 1.00pm – 3.00pm. Entertainment includes Welsh music, folk dancing, carnival characters and drumming.
Admission to the castle grounds will be free between 1.00pm and 3.00pm for those taking part or supporting the parade. If however, you are heading straight to the Castle grounds before 1.00pm or after 3.30pm there will be an admission fee. Visit www.cardiffcastle.com for more details.
The Hayes Craft Market will be in town from Thursday, February 27 to Saturday, March 1 with Welsh themed stalls located across The Hayes offering a shopper’s paradise full of unique crafted Welsh souvenirs and gifts. The market will be open from 10.00am – 5.30pm where a warm Welsh welcome is guaranteed. For further details visit www.craftfolk.com
On Sunday, March 2 the St David’s Day Run will take place at Sophia Gardens continuing the celebrations and raising money for local charities. Over the years the event has raised thousands of pounds for local charities such as ‘Help a South Wales Child’. The route around Bute Park is a great family day out with lots of local entertainment. www.stdavidsdayrun.com
For the latest St David’s Day updates follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/stdavidsdayCdf or use the hashtags #cdfdaff #dewisant #dewicaerdydd for all your tweets.
You can also like us on Facebook or view Menter Caerdydd.
The St David’s Day parade is produced by the National St David’s Day Parade Committee and this year’s Parade Organisers are SWICA Carnival. For further details visit www.stdavidsday.org
Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant Hapus pawb!
Other events & activities;
Cardiff Story Museum
Minny Street Church Exhibition
March – May 2014
Opening on 1 March, members of Minny Street Church in Cathays explore the history and story of their church and community. Over 130 years old, Minny Street Church is one of the oldest churches in the city. For details visit www.cardiffmuseum.com
St David’s Day Drawing Competition
Enter the St David’s Day Competition at Cardiff Story Museum and draw something Welsh for St David’s Day! The competition opens on February 22 and all entries must be handed in to museum staff by 5.00pm on St David’s Day. Children of all ages can enter to get the chance to win some fantastic prizes. Winners will be revealed on the Cardiff Story Museum website www.cardiffmuseum.com
St David’s Hall
St David’s Day Gala BBC NOW
Enjoy a medley of traditional Welsh songs on Saturday, March 1 from 7pm. Conductor Grant Llewellyn presides over a traditional St David’s Day Gala concert joined by Welsh soloists and choirs, guaranteed to bring a joyful “hwyl” to the evening. There’s a mix of traditional works by Welsh composers, old favourites and a new BBC commission from Paul Mealor. Come and join in one of the best-loved traditional gala events in Cardiff’s calendar. www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
St Fagan’s National History Museum
St David’s Day Fun
Where better to celebrate St David’s Day than at St Fagan’s National History Museum. Call in for a wealth of all things Welsh including folk dancing, traditional baking, giant daffodils and a complimentary Welsh cake. 10.00am to 4.00pm. www.museumwales.ac.uk
National Museum Cardiff
St David’s Day Celebrations
A selection of St David’s Day events and activities are taking place at the National Museum Cardiff with leek tossing, a bara brith eating competition, design your own Welsh game, Welsh cake baking and a visit from Decimus the dragon. For a list of events visit www.museumwales.ac.uk
Wales Millennium Centre
Tuesday, February 11 to Saturday, March 1
La Traviata, Welsh National Opera
Treat yourself this St David’s Day to La Traviata, performing from February 11 to March 1. A life-affirming celebration of the fact that essential human qualities like compassion, love and self-sacrifice do exist. For more details visit www.wmc.org.uk
New Theatre
Under Milk Wood
Celebrate your welsh roots with an evening Under Milk Wood. Performing from March,11-15. Under Milk Wood has humorous and enchanting characters living in Llareggub, a small Welsh town by the sea. Meet blind Captain Cat, Mog Edwards and his sweetheart Miss Price, Sinbad Sailor, Dai Bread, Polly Garter, Nogood Boyo and Lord Cut Glass. Dylan Thomas explores their lives, hopes and thoughts in the dreams of a night and the rhythm of a day. For details visit www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
