Summer is the time to relax, enjoy the good weather (hopefully), and spend time with your loved ones. While the summer holidays are one of the best times to create precious memories filling the weeks with activities can seem a bit daunting.
Here is a guide to 40 of the best events and activities in Wales to enjoy this summer with your family. From festivals to nature to adventure, we have got you covered. You can keep up to date with the latest What's On news by signing up to the newsletter here.
This guide is also perfect if you are enjoying a staycation in Wales this summer. Let’s take a look at what you can get up to this summer…
READ MORE: 9 must-see events coming soon to Cardiff that will entertain the whole family
1. Lavender and sunflower fields
Summer is the time that flowers and plants spring into bloom and there is plenty of nature to enjoy on Gower. Gower Fresh Christmas Trees, famous for the picture-perfect sunflowers at Rhossili, has also opened a lavender field this year.
You can read more about the lavender field here and the sunflowers open to the public in July and throughout August.
2. Tower Climber at Zip World
Perfect for all the adrenaline junkies are the Zip World sites across Wales and the Tower site in Cynon Valley has just welcomed a new attraction. Tower Climber which sees you tackling obstacles in the air, as part of a gigantic high ropes course that has 69 elements to it. Read our review of it here.
You can read more about the attractions at Zip World here and book your tickets for Tower Climber here.
3. Green Man Festival
Celebrating its 20th anniversary is one of Wales' most well-known and well-loved festivals, the Green Man Festival. The festival is running from Thursday, August 18 to Sunday, August 21 in the Brecon Beacons and you can read the line up here.
There is a designated children's area, Little Folk, for children aged 12 and under where there will be free creative workshops and activities. You can book your tickets for the Green Man Festival here.
4. Gower Show
Running for over 100 years and back for 2022, after a two-year gap due to the pandemic, is the Gower Show taking place at Penrice Castle which is normally closed to the public. Attractions and events at the show include a novelty dog show, duck herding demonstrations, a shire horse display, and much more.
The Gower Show is taking place on Sunday, July 31 and you can book your tickets here.
5. Lego Safari Trail
Giant Lego animals are coming to Llanelli this summer. Taking place at Llanelli Wetlands Centre, the trail will feature 15 giant wetland animals made from Lego for visitors to find.
Running from Saturday, July 16 to Sunday, September 4 the trail is free to visitors but there is an admission fee to the centre. You can read more about the trail here.
6. Cricket
While cricket may seem like a sport that is a little too long to keep children interested for long, there are some different variations of cricket coming to Wales that children will love. The IT20 and The Hundred, where games are much quicker and faster-paced, are taking place in Wales this summer.
Sophia Gardens in Cardiff will be hosting England VS South Africa on Thursday, July 28, and Welsh Fire is also playing games over the summer at Sophia Gardens. You can book your Welsh Fire tickets here.
7. National Eisteddfod
The annual celebration of Welsh culture and language is back. Held in a different location each year the event will take place in Tregaron in 2022.
There will be concerts, stalls, and much more at the National Eisteddfod, which is running from Saturday, July 30 to Wednesday, August 6. You can book your tickets here.
8. StoryTrails
Using archive footage and information and augmented reality you can go back in time in Swansea and Newport this summer. In Swansea the StoryTrails app and local performers will guide you through an immersive tour where you will travel through time and space.
StoryTrails will be at the Civic Centre in Swansea on Wednesday, August 10, and Thursday, August 11 and at the Central Library in Newport on Saturday, August 13, and Sunday, August 14. The event will run from 9am to 5pm on all days.
9. Lion King
Fancy catching a West End show without heading all the way to London? Head to the gorgeous Wales Millennium Centre at Cardiff Bay to watch Lion King perform.
The iconic Disney classic has been transformed into an amazing stage show. Lion King is currently showing at the Wales Millennium Centre until Saturday, August, 27.
10. Cardiff Bay Aqua Park
Another one for adrenaline junkies is the Cardiff Bay aqua park. From slides to monkey bars, to trampolines all on the water this activity will definitely burn some energy. You can read our review of the Aqua Park here.
The Aqua Park is open until Wednesday, August 21. You can book your tickets here.
11. Outdoor Cinemas
There are plenty of outdoor cinemas coming to Wales this summer, meaning you can grab a picnic blanket and some popcorn and enjoy a night of film under the stars. There will be an outdoor cinema at Cardiff's Bute Park, you can read more here and at a number of other locations across Wales. For a guide to outdoor conema across Wales, read here.
12. Welsh Mountain Zoo
If your child is an animal lover then head to the Welsh Mountain Zoo at Colwyn Bay. There are more than 100 species of different animals to see and the zoo is open every day from 9:30am to 6pm.
The Welsh Mountain Zoo is the oldest zoo in Wales and there are plenty of animals to learn about. You can book your tickets here.
13. Family Fun Park
Cardiff Bay is always a go-to destination when the sun is shining as there's so much to do and this summer is no exception. Currently running until Sunday, September 4 is a family fun park.
Found in the Roald Dahl Plass there are dodgems, a pirate party fun house, family game stalls, and sweet and savoury treats to enjoy. You can buy your tickets at the fun park.
14. Oakwood
Back open for summer 2022 is Wales' largest adventure park for thrill-seekers - Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire, with rides such as ‘Speed’ and ‘Vertigo’ which is the UK’s tallest sky-swing. The park is open at different times this summer so please go to the website before visiting and to book your tickets.
15. Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival
It's the staple of the summer in Cardiff but there's not long left to catch a performance at the Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival this year. Running until Saturday, July 30 the shows are performed at Sophia Gardens.
This summer features Shakespeare plays, musicals, family shows and comedy shows You can currently catch Little Shop of Horrors and Disney's High School Musical Jnr. You can find out more and buy your tickets here.
16. Late night at our museums
You can now get your fix of history well into the evening as two of Wales' national museums are opening for longer. National Museum Cardiff will open until 9pm on the first Thursday of each month for the next year. National Waterfront Museum, Swansea will open until 9pm each Thursday from Thursday, July, 21 until September. The museums are free to visit.
17. Dolphin spotting
These curious and adorable mammals can be spotted on a clear day from Cardigan Bay, which is the largest bay in Wales. All you will need is a little bit of luck and patience.
Of course, there are many other places to see them in Wales too. Read our article here for more information.
18. FIM Speedway Grand Prix
If you and your family are fans of fast vehicles and a big show then FIM Speedway Grand Prix is for you. Taking place at the Principality Stadium on Friday, August 12, and Saturday, August 13, it is Britain’s biggest indoor motorsport event.
SpeedwayGP machines will race around the Principality Stadium and they are promising a bigger and better show for 2022. You can book your tickets here.
19. The Little Cheese Festival
Yes you read that right! The Big Cheese Festival is a regular event at Caerphilly but this year it cannot take place in its usual format, due to development works taking place in Caerphilly Castle - but an alternative event is happening, namely Caerphilly Little Cheese Festival.
As well as an amazing cheese market there will be live music, with different music areas, food and drink stalls, craft sessions, and small funfair rides. The Little Cheese Festival is running on Saturday, September 3, and Sunday, September 4, and entry to the festival is free.
20. Ninja Warrior UK
With a site already in Cardiff Ninja Warrior UK is also opening in Swansea. The attraction will be open at Parc Tawe from Thursday, July 21, when football pundit Chris Kamara will perform the official opening duties.
You can read more about Ninja Warrior UK coming to Swansea here.
21. Pen y Fan and Mount Snowdon
Why not climb a mountain this summer? With plenty of national parks and mountain ranges across the country we are spoilt for choice.
There is Mount Snowdon, the tallest mountain in Wales , and then Pen y Fan as the tallest peak in south Wales. You will now need to pay for the car park at Pen y Fan, you can read more about that here. Don't forget to be well prepared for all weather conditions and take plenty of water.
22. Feels Like Summer Festival
A family-friendly festival is coming to Cardiff this summer. Acts include Sophie Ellis-Baxter, House Gospel Choir, and veteran fitness guru Mr Motivator.
There will also be a kid's fun zone, funfair rides, and many different street food and drink vendors. The festival will take place on Saturday, August 6 at Bute Park.
23. Swansea promenade train
The Swansea Bay Rider Land Train is back for 2022. Adults and children alike can enjoy amazing views of Swansea Bay from the 72-seater land train that trundles along the Swansea prom.
The land train will run every weekend until Sunday, September 4. You can read more about the Swansea promenade train here.
24. Splashpads
There is no better way to cool off on a hot summer's day than to visit a splashpad. Wales is home to many splashpads and most are free to enjoy, helping to save the pennies during the school holidays too.
You can read more about splashpads in Wales here.
25. World Triathlon Para Series
The UK's first-ever standalone World Triathlon Para Series will take place in Swansea this summer. You can go along and show your support at this festival of high-quality insport and competitive para-sports events.
The World Triathlon Para Series will be held in Swansea on Saturday, August 6. There will also be live entertainment, food and drink, and an event village, with the event free to enter. You can read more here.
26. Anglesey County Show
This annual county show provides a great day out for the family. There will be displays of livestock, arts and crafts, local produce, equestrian events, and trade stands.
The show is running on Tuesday, August 9, and Wednesday, August 10. You can buy your tickets here.
27. Strawberry picking
Strawberries are a summer ingredient staple and there are plenty of places in Wales you can pick your own. From there you can enjoy them on their own, dip them in chocolate or make jam. The pick your own website will help you find your nearest farm.
28. Golf with a twist
Don’t want to do all 18 holes? No worries as Wales offers a variety of different golfing experiences perfect for all ages.
Crazy golf, football golf, and frisbee golf... Wales has it all, so you don’t need to be Tiger Woods to enjoy. Among those to try out is Treetop Adventure Golf in Cardiff and Swansea Footgolf.
29. Castles
Wales has more castles per square foot than any other country, making them great for families. Many of them are offering a fun-packed summer full of activities. Check out the details at your local castle.
This includes Fonmon Castle, which is holding a Viking Festival on Saturday, August 13, and Sunday, August 14, and Harlech Castle with events including Ardudwy Knights, on Saturday, August 27, and Sunday, August 28.
30. Clearwell Sunflower Maze
The amazing sunflower maze on the outskirts of Cardiff is back for 2022. Last year the maze measured 13,000 square metres and there were other activities to enjoy at the farm.
Clearwell is hoping to open their sunflower maze at the end of July/beginning of August with no exact date yet. You can read the farm's story here.
31. Brecon Jazz Festival
The sound of jazz music will be filling the Brecon Beacons in August. There will be 21 shows during the festival and workshops to enjoy.
Taking place in different locations in the Brecon Beacons the Jazz Festival will be running from Sunday, August 7 to Sunday, August 21. You can book your tickets here.
32. Open-air theatres
Cardiff's Sophia Gardens is not the only location to hold an open-air theatre this summer. There are plenty of other places in Wales to enjoy a show outside over the holidays.
Cardiff Castle is hosting Shakespeare's As You Like It on Wednesday, August 10 and you can book your tickets here. Oystermouth Castle in Mumbles is holding A Midsummer Night's Dream on Thursday, August 25. You can buy your tickets here.
33. Big Welsh Bite
Taking place at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Rhondda Cynon Taf is another food festival not to be missed. The Big Welsh Bite has not announced its vendors yet and if previous years are anything to go by you will be excited for a feast. Think wood-fired pizzas, Welsh Beef burgers, spiced tikka wraps, churros, fudge, ice cream, candy floss, and more alongside a buzzing beer garden.
Live music and comedy are usually a staple of the weekend and the festival is running on Saturday, August 6, and Sunday, August 7.
34. Wales Coast Path
Get your little ones walking! Wales has 1,370 miles of coastline and you can pretty much walk all of it if you wish to (not all at once, of course).
The Wales Coast path covers so many beautiful walks and views, with different stop-offs for refreshments. Read all you need to know about the Wales Coast Path here.
35. Go Ape
For a tree-top adventure that is sure to thrill, the Go Ape park in Margam is back for summer 2022 and is home to the UK’s biggest Tarzan Swing.
To book tickets and for more information visit the Go Ape website
36. Pembrey Country Park
What is better than a mix of amazing sandy beaches and gorgeous woodland?
At Pembrey Country Park in Carmarthenshire you can have it all, with the 500 acres of woodland and eight miles of beaches - there is even a dry ski slope.
37. WWE Clash at the Castle
Putting on a great show at Cardiff Castle is the American professional wrestling promotion WWE. It is the largest wrestling promotion in the world and it is coming to Cardiff.
You can see great wrestlers like Roman Reigns and Bianca Belair perform at Cardiff Castle on Saturday, September 3. For more details and ticket info, see our article here.
38. Hire a Santander Bike (or bring your own) and cycle Swansea Bay
Swansea Bay offers not only beautiful views of Mumbles and Swansea but also stunning sea sights and what better way to enjoy it than by bike? Don’t own/didn’t bring your own bike? No worries as you can simply hire a Santander Bike and why not reward yourself with delicious ice cream from Verdi’s at the end of the bay?
For all the information you need to hire the bikes click here
39. Go surfing or paddleboarding
We have so many fantastic beaches in Wales where you can surf or paddleboard so why not try it out if you've never done it before?
Here you will find some epic locations for paddleboarding in Wales. If you want to try your hand at surfing then check out Gower Surfing or Porthcawl Surf.
40. Bodnant Garden
A National Trust gem named one of the most Instagrammable gardens in the world is Bodnant Garden in Conwy where you can see an amazing array of beautiful plants and flowers.
Open from 9:30am to 5pm every day, the garden is more than 150 years old. For more beautiful Welsh gardens you should discover, read our article here.
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