There’s something truly magical about Wales at Christmas. Ancient castles glow beneath winter skies, abbeys echo with festive storytelling, and historic towns come alive with twinkling lights and seasonal cheer. From family-friendly trails to immersive experiences inside centuries-old landmarks, Wales offers a Christmas and New Year season unlike anywhere else.

Whether you’re planning festive days out, cosy winter adventures, or memorable trips with the kids, here’s your guide to some of the most enchanting Christmas and New Year events across Wales, with a special spotlight on Cadw’s festive historic experiences, alongside Wales’s most iconic seasonal celebrations.

🎄 Festive Experiences at Wales’ Historic Sites (Cadw Events)

This Christmas, Cadw sites across Wales are bringing history to life with storytelling, trails, and interactive experiences that delight children and adults alike.

🦌 Reindeer Trail at Chepstow Castle

📅 19 to 31 December 2025

📍 Chepstow Castle

Santa’s reindeer have been grazing at Chepstow Castle, and one of them has left a very suspicious mess behind.

Families are invited to take part in a festive “poo-dunnit” mystery, searching for clues around the castle grounds and spotting light-up reindeer hidden throughout the site. A playful, laugh-out-loud experience that turns a historic castle visit into a magical Christmas adventure.

🏛️ Kalendae Guys Children’s Trail at Caerleon Roman Baths

📅 20 December 2025 to 2 January 2026

📍 Caerleon Roman Baths

Step back into Roman times with the much-loved Kalendae Guys children’s trail at Caerleon. Designed especially for younger visitors, this festive trail blends history, exploration, and seasonal fun, making it a perfect Christmas holiday activity for families.

🎅 Story Time with Father Christmas at Tretower Court and Castle

📅 22 December 2025

📍 Tretower Court and Castle

Father Christmas makes a special stop at the atmospheric Tretower Court and Castle, where children can gather to hear a festive tale in a beautiful historic setting. Each child will also receive a storybook gift, provided they have been good this year.

🎄 Story Time with Father Christmas at Caerphilly Castle

📅 23 December 2025

📍 Caerphilly Castle

The festive magic continues at Caerphilly Castle, where Father Christmas returns to share seasonal stories surrounded by one of Wales’ most iconic fortresses. It is a heartwarming experience that blends history, imagination, and Christmas spirit.

⛪ Meet Brother Thomas the Cellarer at Tintern Abbey

📅 27 and 28 December 2025

📍 Tintern Abbey

Step into the medieval world at Tintern Abbey and meet Brother Thomas, a Cistercian monk who brings monastic life to vivid detail. Learn about daily routines, food, hygiene, religious services, and the fascinating inner workings of abbey life in an experience that is both informative and entertaining.

✨ Festive Events Across Wales Beyond Cadw

Beyond historic sites, Wales bursts into celebration throughout December.

🎡 Winter wonderlands and ice rinks in Cardiff, Swansea, and beyond

🎶 Christmas concerts, choirs, and pantomimes across cities and towns

🛍️ Festive markets showcasing Welsh crafts and local food

🎄 Community parades, light switch-ons, and seasonal fairs

And when the year draws to a close, Wales welcomes the New Year with one of its most beloved traditions.

🏃‍♂️ Nos Galan Road Races, a Welsh New Year’s Eve Tradition

📅 31 December 2025

📍 Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf

🏁 5km road race

The Nos Galan Road Races are one of Wales’s most iconic New Year’s Eve celebrations. This is not a Cadw event, but a nationally significant cultural tradition.

Founded in 1958 by local runner Bernard Baldwin, the race honours the life and legacy of Guto Nyth Brân, the legendary 18th-century Welsh runner whose story is deeply woven into Welsh folklore.

Run over a 5km route around Mountain Ash town centre, Nos Galan attracts more than 1,700 runners each year, with crowds of around 10,000 spectators lining the streets. The atmosphere blends sporting excellence, community pride, and Welsh heritage into a truly unforgettable way to welcome the New Year.

🚆 Travel Smarter This Festive Season

Many of these Christmas and New Year events are easily accessible by train across the Transport for Wales network. Booking Advance tickets ahead of time with JurnyOn helps you travel affordably and sustainably, leaving more room in your budget for festive treats and memorable experiences.

With JurnyOn, every journey also earns Eco Points, rewarding greener travel choices throughout the festive season.

🌟 Make This Christmas One to Remember

From reindeer mysteries and Roman trails to medieval storytelling and the electric energy of Nos Galan, Wales transforms into a living storybook at Christmas and New Year.

Wrap up warm, plan ahead, and let the rails carry you into a Welsh winter filled with history, magic, and celebration.

🎄✨

Ref: https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/whats-on/find-a-cadw-event?geocode=&date_from=05%2F12%2F2025&date_to=31%2F12%2F2025

https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Events/NosGalan/NosGalanRoadRace.aspx