Is it already time to start thinking about Christmas?
14:28, 01 Sep 2025Updated 14:28, 01 Sep 2025
Shop, eat, drink or just browse, t he festive season is coming (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
It is early September, and we all know what is just around the corner. Christmas. From presents to wrapping to getting your festive activities sorted, there is a lot to think about.
One thing you can organise now is when you will be visiting Cardiff’s famous Christmas markets and gorgeous winter wonderland, as the dates for these brilliant activities have been announced. It won’t be long before you are sipping a hot chocolate and grabbing all the best Christmas gifts.
The Cardiff Christmas markets are confirmed to open on Thursday, November 13, and close on Tuesday, December 23.
While Cardiff Winter Wonderland will also open on Thursday, November 13, and stay open for longer, closing on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
The winter wonderland will see the much-loved undercover ice-rink and ice walk, the big wheel and family funfair, alpine ski-lodge bar (Sur la Piste), plus festive food and drink stalls and a whole host of other attractions, return at City Hall and in Cardiff Castle.
Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland(Image: John Myers)
Nestled in the historic grounds of the castle is an impressive ice rink, complete with twinkling Christmas displays and cosy food options.
The castle and its grounds look simply stunning and incredibly beautiful by day and night, and it is here that you feel the real magic of Christmas.
Cardiff Christmas markets sees the brilliant independent traders and craftspeople return, with the stalls taking over the city centre on St John Street, Working Street, Trinity Street, and Hills Street.
Packed with independent traders selling everything from beauty products, artwork, portraits, clothing, to food, and more, you really will be spoilt for choice.
There is also the Cardiff German Christmas Market, which sells traditional food like bratwursts and even huge Yorkshire puddings filled with turkey, roast potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and vegetables, which are delicious.
If you wanted one mega day of Christmas, you could take everything on in one day, or split up the options.
With both the market and winter wonderland running over a month, there is plenty of time to fit everything in and even enjoy multiple visits.
Both are free to enter, and at Winter Wonderland you pay for the activities you want to do. To keep up with Wales and Cardiff’s latest Christmas events and activities, click here.
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