We confirmed 13 Christmas events for kids in Cardiff for 2026. The season starts on 6 November with Pinocchio and runs until 3 January (Cardiff's Winter Wonderland 2026). One of them is free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in the UK.
The short version
- 13 kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Cardiff, Pontyclun and Trehafod
- First: Pinocchio, Cardiff, 6 November
- Free events: Post your letter to Father Christmas
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by area, with the date, time, price and the small things parents ask about (booking, ages, what is included).
Cardiff Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 13 confirmed for 2026
- Areas
- Cardiff, Pontyclun and Trehafod
- Season
- 6 November to 3 January
- Free events
- 1
- Last checked
Christmas events for kids in Cardiff
11 confirmed events in Cardiff, soonest first.
Pinocchio
Panto or Christmas showSherman Theatre · Cardiff
- Host
- Sherman Theatre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Sherman Theatre (Studio), Senghennydd Road, Cardiff CF24 4YE
- When
- 23 November to 2 January, daily at 11am and 1.30pm (previews 6 and 7 November)
- Price
- £10; preview tickets pay what you want at £3, £6 or £9
- Ages
- Ages 3 to 6
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Sherman's Christmas show for little ones is a joyful new version of Pinocchio by Jennifer Lunn. Pinocchio longs to be real, but after a tiny fib makes his nose grow he runs away on a whirlwind adventure of snowballs, silly games and mischievous new friends, and has to find his way home in time for Christmas. An actor-musician cast fills the show with music and laughter.
It is staged in the Studio with an informal set-up, so children sit on mats, benches and chairs, which makes it a gentle first theatre trip for ages 3 to 6. There are separate performances in English and in Welsh (Hanna Jarman's translation). Standard tickets are £10, and there is an audio-described performance on Saturday 19 December at 11am and a BSL-interpreted show on Monday 21 December at 1.30pm.
Parent tip: Check which performances are in English and which in Welsh when booking; several weekday shows are already sold out.
See dates and details from Sherman Theatre (opens in a new tab)Cardiff's Winter Wonderland 2026
Family Christmas eventCardiff's Winter Wonderland · Cardiff
- Host
- Cardiff's Winter Wonderland (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- City Hall Lawns and Cardiff Castle grounds, City Hall Lawns, Boulevard de Nantes, Cardiff CF10 3ND
- When
- Daily, 12 November to 3 January (closed 25 and 26 December)
- Price
- Free entry, pay for the rides and skating you choose
- Ages
- All ages
- Booking
- Booking recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Winter Wonderland is spread over two city-centre sites. On City Hall Lawns you will find the family funfair, the accessible Giant Wheel and free live entertainment, while the Cardiff Castle grounds host the main ice rink, the ice trail and a separate children's ice rink for younger skaters. Bavarian curling is new this season.
Entry to both sites is free and you only pay for the attractions you choose, so it works well for a short visit combined with the Christmas Market and the city-centre lights, which come on the same day. Opening times change through the season, so check before you travel, and note that Winter Wonderland is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Skating and some attractions are sold in timed slots online, and the organisers also run quiet sessions for visitors who prefer a calmer atmosphere.
Parent tip: Book skating slots in advance for weekends; the children's ice rink is at the Castle grounds, while the funfair is on City Hall Lawns.
See dates and details from Cardiff's Winter Wonderland (opens in a new tab)Christmas at Bute Park 2026
Christmas lightsChristmas at Bute Park · Cardiff
- Host
- Christmas at Bute Park (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Bute Park, Cardiff CF10 3DX
- When
- Nightly, 19 November to 31 December, entry from 4.15pm
- Price
- Tickets required, peak and off-peak prices
- Ages
- All ages
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Christmas at Bute Park bills itself as Wales's largest light trail, and for 2026 it has a brand-new theme, the Spirit of Christmas. The mile-long route winds through four realms called Magic, Wonder, Hope and Joy, each with its own installations, music and hidden surprises, and much of it is new for this year.
At the heart of the trail is a Christmas Village with seasonal food, sweet treats and family fun on classic fairground rides, plus a heated Alpine-style cabin for grown-ups. Tickets are sold in peak and off-peak tiers for timed slots, and there are two neuro-inclusive evenings for families who prefer a calmer visit. Entry starts from 4.15pm each evening, with closing times varying through the season. Booking dates can be changed free of charge up to 24 hours before your slot.
Parent tip: Book a timed slot online and pick an off-peak evening for lower prices; if your child finds crowds hard, look out for the two neuro-inclusive evenings.
See dates and details from Christmas at Bute Park (opens in a new tab)The Merry Adventures of Maid Marian
Panto or Christmas showSherman Theatre · Cardiff
- Host
- Sherman Theatre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Sherman Theatre (Main House), Senghennydd Road, Cardiff CF24 4YE
- When
- 27 November to 2 January, matinees and evenings
- Price
- £18 to £38, children and under 25s half price; family of four from £54
- Ages
- Ages 7+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Merry Adventures of Maid Marian is the Sherman Theatre's big Christmas production for 2026, made with Theatr Iolo. It is a rip-roaring new take on the Robin Hood tales set in south Wales, written by Paul Dodgson with music and lyrics by Lucy Rivers, and brought to life by a cast of actor-musicians. It is a proper alternative to panto, aimed at everyone aged seven and over.
Tickets run from £18 to £38, with children and under 25s at half price and family tickets for two adults and two children from £54. There is a good range of access performances: a relaxed performance with BSL on Saturday 5 December at 2pm and another relaxed show on Thursday 17 December at 2.30pm, plus audio-described, captioned and BSL-interpreted dates. Pay-what-you-want previews run on 27 and 28 November.
Parent tip: Weekday 10.30am shows are mainly for schools and some are sold out, so families may prefer weekend matinees.
See dates and details from Sherman Theatre (opens in a new tab)Beauty and the Beast
Panto or Christmas showNew Theatre Cardiff · Cardiff
- Host
- New Theatre Cardiff (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- New Theatre, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3LN
- When
- 5 December to 3 January, matinees and evenings
- Price
- £23.50 to £36
- Ages
- Family pantomime
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The New Theatre's pantomime this year is Beauty and the Beast, a tale as old as time with plenty of slapstick, songs and audience shouting. The cast includes presenter Gethin Jones as Filipe De Boeuf, Steve Speirs as Monsieur Marzipan, Cardiff's favourite Dame Mike Doyle as Betty Bonbon, Jack Ryan as Almonde, Jo Osmond as Madame Spite, Jade Davies as Belle and Harri Lloyd-Morgan as the Beast.
The run starts on 5 December and continues until 3 January, with matinee and evening performances. A relaxed performance takes place on Tuesday 15 December at 6pm, for families who need a more comfortable theatre trip, and the box office can help with availability and access needs. Tickets range from about £23.50 to £36, with a £2 saving per ticket on standard performances for some concessions.
Parent tip: For the relaxed performance call the box office on 0343 310 0041, as only a select number of tickets are available.
See dates and details from New Theatre Cardiff (opens in a new tab)Breakfast with Elves (A Magical Morning with the Mischievous Elves)
Breakfast with SantaThe Ivy Cardiff · Cardiff
- Host
- The Ivy Cardiff (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Ivy Cardiff, 69-70 St David's Dewi Sant, Cardiff CF10 1GA
- When
- 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22 and 23 December, mornings
- Price
- Tickets required
- Ages
- Little ones and grown-ups
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Ivy Cardiff brings back its Breakfast with Elves experience, also billed as the Naughty Elves Breakfast, for a run of December mornings. Families sit down to a festive breakfast while a team of playful elves provides mischievous entertainment around the restaurant, with plenty of seasonal sparkle to get everyone in the Christmas mood.
The mornings take place on 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22 and 23 December at the restaurant in St David's Dewi Sant, and each child takes home a festive memento of the morning. It is designed for little ones and grown-ups alike, so it suits a family outing before a day of Christmas shopping or a visit to the city-centre attractions. Booking is through The Ivy's Christmas events page.
Parent tip: Weekend mornings book up first; the restaurant is inside the shopping centre, so it pairs well with a city-centre day out.
See dates and details from The Ivy Cardiff (opens in a new tab)Post your letter to Father Christmas
Family Christmas eventFreeSt Fagans National Museum of History (Amgueddfa Cymru) · Cardiff
- Host
- St Fagans National Museum of History (Amgueddfa Cymru) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Blaen-waun Post Office, St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff CF5 6XB
- When
- 5, 6, 12 and 13 December, 10.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 3.30pm
- Price
- Free
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
On the first two December weekends, St Fagans National Museum of History turns its historic Blaen-waun post office, the smallest in Wales, into a festive drop-off point for letters to Father Christmas. Bring a letter your child has written at home and the postmaster will stamp the envelope to make sure it reaches the North Pole in time.
It is part of a wider festive programme at St Fagans each December weekend, when the historic buildings are decorated as they would have been in their own era, the restaurant serves seasonal food and drink, and a special Christmas character is expected to be spotted around the museum. The post office is open from 10.30am to 1pm and from 2pm to 3.30pm, and the activity is free and suitable for all ages. The open-air site has uneven paths and ponds, so wrap up and keep little ones close.
Parent tip: Write the letter at home and bring it in an envelope; the post office is only open in the morning and early afternoon slots.
See dates and details from St Fagans National Museum of History (Amgueddfa Cymru) (opens in a new tab)Visit Santa at the Castle
Meet SantaCardiff Castle · Cardiff
- Host
- Cardiff Castle (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Cardiff Castle (Victorian Nursery), Castle Street, Cardiff CF10 3RB
- When
- 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19 to 23 December, group visits from 10am to 4.20pm
- Price
- Children £22, adults £17.50
- Ages
- Children of all ages (babies under 6 months need no ticket)
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa sets up in the beautifully decorated Nursery inside Cardiff Castle's Victorian house. Visits run in small groups of up to 10 children, and each child gets a turn to talk to Santa and choose a gift from a selection of unwrapped, good-quality toys.
Your ticket also includes entry to a selection of castle rooms and the grounds, a festive treasure hunt around the rooms and 10% off in the Christmas gift shop. Everyone needs a ticket, including adults, and tours run from 10am, with the last at 4.20pm. The castle is a historic building with stone steps and narrow doorways, so the rooms are not wheelchair accessible and pushchairs must be left outside the house. Arrive at least 10 minutes early, as late arrivals cannot be fitted into another tour, and allow extra time for December traffic as there is no parking on site.
Parent tip: Book an early slot and do the treasure hunt before meeting Santa; the castle cannot promise a Welsh-speaking Santa.
See dates and details from Cardiff Castle (opens in a new tab)Breakfast with Speedboat Santa
Breakfast with SantaLisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs (Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water) · Cardiff
- Host
- Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs (Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs Visitor Centre, Lisvane Road, Lisvane, Cardiff CF14 0BB
- When
- 12, 13 and 18 to 24 December, sittings at 9.30am and 11.30am
- Price
- £24.95 per person, £26.95 on 23 and 24 December; under 2s on a lap free
- Ages
- Children of all ages (under 2s free on a lap)
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
This is one of the more unusual Santa visits in Cardiff. With his reindeer resting before Christmas Eve, Santa arrives at Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs in his own speedboat, then joins families in the visitor centre café for festive food. After the meal he chats with the children, sits for photos and hands out a gift.
There are two sittings on most days, from 9.30am to 11am and from 11.30am to 1pm, with tickets at £24.95, rising to £26.95 on 23 and 24 December. Friday 18 December has a relaxed session at 9.30am that follows the same plan with subtle changes for a calmer atmosphere. Children under two can come free if they sit on an adult's lap, and every child receives a small gift whether or not they have a ticket. Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended.
Parent tip: Book early as sittings are small; choose the relaxed session on 18 December if your child prefers a quieter setting.
See dates and details from Lisvane & Llanishen Reservoirs (Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water) (opens in a new tab)Sunday Lunch with Santa and Afternoon Tea with Santa
Meet SantaFuture Inn Cardiff Bay · Cardiff
- Host
- Future Inn Cardiff Bay (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Future Inn Cardiff Bay, Hemingway Road, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff CF10 4JY
- When
- Sun 13 and 20 December (lunch) and Sat 19 December (afternoon tea), 12.30pm to 4pm
- Price
- Lunch £37.50 adults, £22 under 12s; afternoon tea £30 adults, £18 under 12s; under 2s free
- Ages
- Children under 12 at child price; under 2s free
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Future Inn Cardiff Bay runs two family meals with Santa this December. Sunday Lunch with Santa, on 13 and 20 December, is a homemade three-course festive Sunday lunch followed by tea or coffee and mince pies, a children's disco and a meet-and-greet with Santa in his grotto, with crackers and table novelties.
On Saturday 19 December there is Afternoon Tea with Santa instead, a buffet-style tea with cordial for the younger children and the same grotto visit. Both run from 12.30pm to 4pm, and every child receives a gift from Santa. Lunch is £37.50 for adults and £22 for under 12s, and afternoon tea is £30 for adults and £18 for under 12s, with under 2s free. Reservations are made by phone or email rather than online.
Parent tip: Book by calling 029 2048 7111 or emailing the hotel; Christmas jumpers are encouraged.
See dates and details from Future Inn Cardiff Bay (opens in a new tab)Santa's Tea Party
Story time with SantaJohn Lewis Cardiff · Cardiff
- Host
- John Lewis Cardiff (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- John Lewis, St David's Dewi Sant, Bridge Street, Cardiff CF10 2EF
- When
- Daily, 19 to 23 December
- Price
- Tickets required
- Ages
- Children with their families
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa's Tea Party at John Lewis in the St David's Dewi Sant centre runs over the last few days before Christmas. Santa and his elves host a story time, and children tuck into cocoa and a snack while the grown-ups get a hot drink and a slice of cake.
There is more festive fun along the way, and each child receives a gift from Santa himself. Visit Cardiff notes that signing up to the free My John Lewis scheme gives exclusive access to tickets, so it is worth registering before booking. As it sits right in the main shopping centre, it is easy to combine with a trip to the city-centre lights, the Christmas Market or Winter Wonderland, which are all a short walk away.
Parent tip: Join My John Lewis before booking for access to tickets; sessions in the final days before Christmas are popular.
See dates and details from John Lewis Cardiff (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Pontyclun
1 confirmed event in Pontyclun, soonest first.
The Royal Mint Christmas Experience 2026 (Pontyclun)
Meet SantaThe Royal Mint Experience · Pontyclun
- Host
- The Royal Mint Experience (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Royal Mint Experience, Ffordd Cwmnïau, Llantrisant, Pontyclun CF72 8YT
- When
- Daily, 28 November to 23 December
- Price
- Tickets required; coin striking £8.50 and photos from £10 extra
- Ages
- All ages
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
For Christmas the Royal Mint swaps its factory tours for a festive experience. Families walk through an enchanting version of Santa's workshop, where the Chief Helpers bring stories about favourite Christmas traditions to life, before stepping into the grotto for some private family time with Santa himself. There is also a magic post box for letters to the North Pole.
A live comedy show is included in the ticket, with performances at 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm on peak days. Monday to Thursday tours start at 3pm, while Fridays, weekends and school holidays open from 9am. The first tour each day is an autism-friendly session with smaller groups, softer sensory triggers and minimal waiting. Extras include striking your own coin and professional photos, or an Ultimate Bundle with a café meal.
Parent tip: The autism-friendly first tour of the day sells out quickly, so book early; allow time before or after your tour for the show.
See dates and details from The Royal Mint Experience (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Trehafod
1 confirmed event in Trehafod, soonest first.
Santa's Toy Mine (Trehafod)
Meet SantaRhondda Cynon Taf Council (Rhondda Heritage Park) · Trehafod
- Host
- Rhondda Cynon Taf Council (Rhondda Heritage Park) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Rhondda Heritage Park, Lewis Merthyr Colliery, Coed Cae Road, Trehafod CF37 2NP
- When
- 21 November to 24 December
- Price
- Tickets required
- Ages
- Families
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa's Toy Mine at the Rhondda Heritage Park in Trehafod is a long-running family favourite in the valleys. Families head underground on a magical tour of the toy mine before meeting Santa, and the season runs right up to Christmas Eve.
For 2026 the programme includes the classic Toy Mine tour, Story Time with Santa sessions, and a new Santa's Family Grotto. There are also additional learning needs (ALN) sessions for children who need a gentler experience, plus school tours on weekdays. Tickets are released in advance and the council warns that they sell out fast, so it is worth watching the Rhondda Cynon Taf events pages and social media for availability. Each element of the programme is booked separately, so check which experience includes the Story Time with Santa session before choosing your tickets. The events team can be contacted by email or on 01443 424123 with questions.
Parent tip: Tickets sell out quickly; ask about the ALN sessions if your child needs a quieter, adapted visit.
See dates and details from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council (Rhondda Heritage Park) (opens in a new tab)More Christmas events for kids in the UK
- Christmas events for kids in London
- Christmas events for kids in Birmingham
- Christmas events for kids in Manchester
- Christmas events for kids in Liverpool
- Christmas events for kids in Leeds
- Christmas events for kids in Sheffield
- Christmas events for kids in Bristol
- Christmas events for kids in Glasgow
- Christmas events for kids in Edinburgh
- Christmas events for kids in Newcastle
- Christmas events for kids in Nottingham
- Christmas events for kids in Leicester
- Christmas events for kids in Belfast
- Christmas events for kids in the UK
A story for the trip home
Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is hand-painted in watercolour. It is a cosy five-minute read after a big day out.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon.co.uk (opens in a new tab)Cardiff Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Cardiff in 2026?
We confirmed 13 Christmas events for kids in Cardiff for 2026, each on its host’s own page, including Pinocchio, Cardiff's Winter Wonderland 2026, Christmas at Bute Park 2026, Santa's Toy Mine (Trehafod), The Merry Adventures of Maid Marian, The Royal Mint Christmas Experience 2026 (Pontyclun), Beauty and the Beast, Breakfast with Elves (A Magical Morning with the Mischievous Elves), Post your letter to Father Christmas, Visit Santa at the Castle, Breakfast with Speedboat Santa and Sunday Lunch with Santa and Afternoon Tea with Santa. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Cardiff?
Yes. 1 of the 13 events here are free, including Post your letter to Father Christmas. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Cardiff this year?
Santa appears at Santa's Toy Mine (Trehafod), The Royal Mint Christmas Experience 2026 (Pontyclun), Visit Santa at the Castle, Breakfast with Speedboat Santa, Sunday Lunch with Santa and Afternoon Tea with Santa and Santa's Tea Party. Times and booking rules are in each listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Cardiff?
Christmas story times on this page: Santa's Tea Party.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on 2 November 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
