What's On

The Big Splash

29 August-9 October

The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre, Bristol Packet Wharf, Newport NP20 1HZ. Based at The Riverfront and the riverside area between the Steel Wave sculpture and the Pedestrian Footbridge. An explosively exciting city extravaganza to thrill all ages. Sensational International High-wire and Aerial Artistes perform above the new suspension bridge. Britain's most exciting arts collective present Mutate Wales. Invisible Circus bring burlesque, cabaret and circus. Enjoy Xtremeaction Sports on water, bands, fairground, World Crazy Golf, and a final wild theatrical pageant of fire, fireworks and Fiery Dragons! Events focus around The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre, from the road bridge to the suspension bridge. All outdoor events are free over the three weekends with the grand Fire-Finale on Saturday 9 October. As part of the finale, all 50 SuperDragons will be gathered together in the same place to say goodbye. Telephone: 01633 656677
For futher information please contact: www.newport.gov.uk/theriverfront/

European Heritage Days

1-30 September

Conwy. Weekends throughout September - European Heritage Days Historic Churches, buildings and sites throughout Conwy County will open their doors in September for European Heritage Days - a great opportunity to discover local history and heritage.
For futher information please contact: 01492 575571

Victorian Day

11 September

Cardiff Castle, Castle Street, Cardiff CF10 3RB. Today we take you back to the Victorian heyday of Cardiff Castle. We eagerly await an audience with Queen Victoria herself, accompanied by her Lady-in-Waiting, Lady Charlotte Ponsonby, and encounter other intriguing Victorian characters, such as Jack Black, a royal rat catcher. Walking the grounds will be Lord Bute and genius architect, William Burges, planning their radical alterations to the Castle, and within the house meet the maids and butlers who were part of the Bute household staff. Victorian parlour games for children, a Magic Lantern show (limited places), croquet on the lawn and brass band music conjure up the atmosphere of this bygone era. Free entry if you come in costume yourself, plus there will be a prize for the best adult and child’s outfit. Castle Grounds/Normal admission applies. Free to Cardiff Castle Passholders. Special event ticket: Adults £3.95; Seniors £3.25; Children £2.50. Telephone: 02920 878100.
For futher information please contact: www.cardiffcastle.com

Big Hillfort Challenge

12 September

Loggerheads, Nr Mold CH5 5LH. Visit six of the area’s finest hillforts in the same day. Total walking distance is 14 miles. Meet at Loggerheads Country Park and bring a packed lunch. Not for the faint hearted – this tough walk involves steep climbs! There will be a minibus transfer between the Dee Valley and the Clwydian Range. Can you conquer the Iron Age Six? Booking essential. Telephone: 01352 810614.
For futher information please contact: www.loggerheads-wales.co.uk

Conwy Honey Fair

13 September

Conwy. 700 year old charter fair, founded by Edward 1st, held in Conwy High Street and Lancaster Squareevery September. Honey stalls, crafts, plants and local produce. Stall space is free of charge with a donation to the beekeeping charity Bees for Development. Local beekeepers sell about a tonne of their honey by lunchtime.
For futher information please contact: www.conwybeekeepers.org.uk

Cordell Festival

18-19 September

Rhondda Heritage Park, Lewis Merthyr Colliery, Coed Cae Road, Trehafod, Rhondda Cynon Taf CF37 2NP. Join us in celebrating the works of the renowned author Alexander Cordell ( 1917 - 1997) in particular 'This Sweet and Bitter Earth' as we commemorate the Centenary of the Tonypandy Riots of 1910. This FREE two day event features music, theatre, tours, Welsh crafts and food plus lots more. Free entry.
For futher information please contact: 01443 682036

Abergavenny Food Festival

18-19 September

Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 5XZ. The twelfth Abergavenny Food Festival will be held over the weekend of 18 and 19 September 2010. The 'Glastonbury of Food Festivals' is known for its carnival atmosphere, with crowds thronging the streets enjoying the lively market ambience, complete with street performers and music. FREE ENTRY TO ALL CHILDREN UNDER 16 (if accompanied by an adult). Please note: when purchasing your ticket it is essential that you also ask for complimentary tickets for your children. Buy your stroller tickets online before 1 September and pay last year’s prices! Telephone: 01873 851643
For futher information please contact: www.abergavennyfoodfestival.co.uk

North Wales Car Show

19 September

Mold. North Wales Car Show is to be held at Barlows Caravan Park in Caerwys (off A541) - CH7 5BH. The show will include Classics, Americans, Modifieds and Bikes. There will also be a Trophies Competition. There is free entry for Exhibitors. Trade Stand & Advertising Space Available. Adults £4.00, OAP/Children £3.00, Under 12's Free. Telephone: 07874 055330.
For futher information please contact: www.jgcarshows.co.uk

Costumes of the Ages

22 September

Castle Street, Ruthin, Denbighshire LL15 1DP. Conducted talk by Jenny Goldsmith on historic costumes and their setting in Wales' oldest timber-framed town house. Telephone: 01824 708223.
For futher information please contact: www.denbighshire.gov.uk

Llangollen Walking Festival

25 September

Hill Street, Llangollen LL20 8AW. There will be two walks based on the walks of the Ladies. At 4pm Janis Deves will talk in the house on the history of the Ladies’ walks. Telephone: 01978 862834 / 01978 708223.
For futher information please contact: www.denbighshire.gov.uk

Illuminata Lights Up Nights Out This Autumn

26 September-8 October

Caerphilly Castle. Tickets for Illuminata 2010, which promises to be the biggest series of digital light and sound shows Wales has ever seen, will go on sale on www.cadwevents.co.uk and at Caerphilly Castle from 4 August.

Caerphilly Castle, Wales’s largest castle, located in the south-east of the country, will be bathed in light for a spectacular series of ticketed ‘son et lumiere’ style shows from Sunday 26th September until Friday October 8th 2010. Coinciding with the Ryder Cup tournament nearby the light and sound spectacular at Caerphilly Castle is expected to welcome thousands of visitors to the Castle during the thirteen night run. Cadw, the Welsh Assembly Government’s historic environment service, is selling tickets to what promises to be the biggest series of light shows Wales has ever seen. If you are looking for that wow factor event, then this is it!

Projected onto the castle’s Inner Ward, the sound and light shows will however be only one part of a full evening’s entertainment. Each night will follow a different theme including, Welsh music, the firing of the mighty siege engines, medieval banquets and weekend Michaelmas fair an autumn harvest celebration. A number of high quality medieval banquets will be offered on certain evenings (Thursday 30th September, Friday October 1st, Saturday 2nd October and Sunday 3rd October) and would be a fantastic opportunity to sample the true history of the site in style.

Up to two showings will take place on non-banquet nights, the first at 7.30pm and the second at 8.30pm. Four eras in Caerphilly’s long history will be displayed as part of the light and sound show as audiences will be transported through centuries of conflict from Gilbert De Clare to Llywelyn Bren, when much of the castle was destroyed, through to Hugh Despenser and Edward II and the grisly end of an English king, before moving on to the ravages of the Civil War and the castle’s subsequent restoration by Coal Baron, the Marquess of Bute.

A full programme for the Illuminata event along with ticket prices which start at £5 will be available to view on website. More information regarding the event and the booking of tickets can be made at Caerphilly Castle itself on 029 20 883143
For futher information please contact: www.cadwevents.co.uk