Looking for great entertainment this summer? Well you can rest assured that North Wales has got it covered. As the weather heats up, so does the North Walian music scene. Festivals will be springing up all over the region, so keep your eyes peeled on the local festival calendar…
1) Gwyl Beaumaris Festival (21st – 27th May)
If you’re a fan of classical music, then this mixed arts festival held in the town of Beaumaris will hit the right chord for you! Events include orchestral concerts, young artist recitals, choirs and more. This year’s line-up includes the esteemed London Chamber Ensemble, London Tango Quintet, Welsh baritone Jeremy Huw, opera singer Dr. Karen Coker, artist Hilde MacIntyre and poet Gillian Clarke. And, when it’s time for a refreshment or two, an Afternoon Tea at the Bull includes entertainment by the Welsh folk singer Sera Owen (pictured).
2) Rhuddfest (25th – 26th May)
This two-day music festival has been designed with families in mind. Camp out and get ready to dance in the moonlight with Toploader, sing along with Eliza and the bear, the Montagues, Blue Nation, Busk till Dawn, Sam Wise, Chasing Shadows and many more. Experiences at the festival include an escape room, archery, bushcraft workshops, circus skills and kids’ crafts. Adults are welcome to enjoy an Aberfalls gin and cocktail bar, Wrexham Lager stations, Bragdy Brewery craft beer and a Borther’s cider bar. With a scenic backdrop of river Clwyd and Rhuddlan Castle, this is one music festival you don’t want to miss!
www.rhuddfest.co.uk
3) Zip Roc 2019 (15th June)
Zip Roc 2019 is a festival of quality music, entertainment, food, drink and awareness curated by Mike Peters of The Alarm, set alongside the impressive backdrop of Penrhyn Quarry, North Wales. Held in aid of the Love Hope Strength Foundation once again this year, this exciting event will feature music from The Alarm, Cast, Miles of the Wonder Stuff, Elin Fflur, Bryn Fôn and many more. The concert will follow Snowdonia Rocks, a 20k hike, set up by Mike and Jules Peters, to help raise awareness for cancer. Suitable for most abilities, Snowdonia Rocks promises to show some of the wonders of Snowdonia on this walk, which offers a chance to reflect, remember and celebrate friends and family affected by cancer and other life changing and life limiting illnesses.
4) Café Mambo at Adventure Parc Snowdonia (22nd June)
With North Wales temperatures hoping to be similar to the Balearics, Bohemian music has set sail from the Ibiza dance scene to Adventure Parc Snowdonia’s magnificent inland surf lagoon. Expect an intimate, friendly, laid-back surfer vibe, set against the parc’s rolling inland waves. This bijou one-day festival will be serving waves, music, food and drinks from noon to 9:30pm. Early bird one-day tickets are now available from £12, and VIP packages also available.
adventureparcsnowdonia.com
5) Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (1st – 7th July)
Each year, around 4,000 performers converge on Llangollen and its International Pavilion, to sing and dance in a unique combination of competition, performance, and international peace and friendship. Founded in 1947, for one week in July each year, the small Welsh town is descended upon by the world. During the day, international musicians and dancers compete in over 20 high quality competitions. Each evening the best and most colourful competitors share the stage in renowned concerts given by professional artists, many of whom started their careers in Llangollen.
A Day Grounds Ticket and a Family Day Grounds Ticket gives you full access to the grounds, stalls, outdoor stages, activities and the option to sit in the red seating area of the Pavilion to enjoy the competitions.
international-eisteddfod.co.uk
6) Festival of Discovery (30th May – 1st June)
Head to the glorious countryside of Anglesey for a three-day fun packed camping festival set over May half term. A proud partner of the Llangollen Eisteddfod and the Anglesey Food Festival – enjoy some of the finest folk music, clog dancing, local foods and spirits. Keep your little festival goers busy from breakfast till bed with arts, crafts, African drumming, circus tricks, paddle boarding, cooking demonstrations, donkey rides, singing and dancing. There’s even going to be a ‘deadly’ meat-eating plant on display, something they will be sure to tell all their friends back at school! This event is a great opportunity to discover a bit more about the world around them in a safe and friendly environment.
7) Llandudno Jazz Festival (26th – 28th July)
Bodafon Farm Park will serve as the venue of the fifth Llandudno Jazz Festival at the end of July. Bringing the cream of jazz talent to Llandudno, Alan Barnes is set to host a stellar line-up of talent including Zoe Rahman, Ian Shaw with Dave Newton Trio, Tony Kofi with Alina Bzhezhinska and more. Camping at the festival is available on the field closest to the farm buildings where the Main Stage is located. With commanding views across Llandudno Bay it’s a great way to combine a musical experience with a memorable holiday adventure!
llandudnojazzfestival.com
8) The North Wales Blues & Soul Festival (2nd – 4th August)
Theatr Clwyd is set to host this three-day outdoor boutique music event in August. Now in its sixth year, the festival showcases award winning blues and soul artists from the UK, and welcomes international musicians from Europe and the USA. This year’s headliners include Paul Lamb & the King Snakes, Delta Moon, an American swamp blues band from Atlanta, Georgia as well as Manchester’s Kyla Brox. Expect street food, themed bars, camping, glamping and music workshop. Should the weather forecast be unfavourable, the entire event will be moved indoors into Theatr Clwyd.
9) Rock the Park (9th – 11th August)
The beloved rock, pop and dance music festival Rock the Park returns to Wrexham with a vengeance. With over 50 acts on three huge arenas, spread over three days, this is a musical experience must! Line-up includes Basshuter, Ultrabeat, Coco Star, Any Whitby, Love Inc, Kelly Llorenna, K-Klass, Angie Brown and many more. The festival will also feature Europe’s number one tributes to rock and pop artists such as Queen, Guns n Roses, Linkin Park, Robbie Williams, Foo Fighters, The Beatlres, Pink Floyd, Roling Stones, Metalica and Tom Jones.
www.rockthepark.co.uk
10) Pig Fest (10th August)
Denbigh’s annual community music festival takes place at Plas Pigot in August. Stop by and enjoy music by local Welsh bands children’s entertainment, stalls, food vendors and local ales. Tickets are £10 per adult and £2 for children under 12.
pigfestdenbigh@outlook.com