Fancy celebrating St David’s Day this year? Get up and go to Wales to be right at the heart of the action.
1. What is St David’s Day?
A celebration of Wales and Welsh culture, St David’s Day falls on the 1st of March every year and welcomes the arrival of Spring. The legend of St David states that he possessed magical powers, including the ability to make the earth rise up beneath him.
2. Cardiff Parade
The most famous St David’s Day celebrations take place in Cardiff. At the heart of the action is the vibrant St David’s Day parade, a riot of red and yellow costumes and decorations. If you’re lucky, you might even catch some performances from famous Welsh names. In fact, Tom Jones is among the regular celebrants of this upbeat festival. Book a room at the Cardiff Central Travelodge and make a longer trip out of it.
3. Other Parades
If you’re looking for something a little more off-the-beaten-track you can find smaller parades at Aberystwyth, Wrexham and Llandudno. Despite being smaller they’re still high-energy events that draw locals and visitors alike.
4. Try some Welsh delicacies
If you’re in Swansea for St David’s Day then head to Castle Square for the annual Get Welsh Food and Drink Fair. More than 20 exhibitors will be giving away samples and selling their Welsh products. There’s also live entertainment and several craft stalls to browse too, so you can get a sense of traditional Welsh life and culture. Stay at our Swansea Central Travelodge to be close to the action.
5. Visit St David’s Cathedral
Pay a visit to Wales’s most westerly point, where the beautiful St David’s Cathedral was founded by the man himself. Despite a turbulent history and many attempts to destroy and vandalise the building, it has been lovingly restored and reconstructed many times. And today you can soak up the beautiful architecture and surroundings. History buffs will definitely want to learn more about this 6th-century cathedral and the pilgrimages it has inspired.
6. Can’t make it to Wales? Celebrate elsewhere
If you can’t make the trip to Wales in early March then you can still celebrate all things Welsh at the London Welsh Centre. London is home to a large Welsh community and the celebrations are a key event on the calendar. There is a full day of activities for the whole family including live singing, storytelling and plenty of Welsh cakes.
