13 places to get a delicious taste of Christmas at markets and fairs

Feel the need for a taste of the festive season as you shop? Here is Gusto’s guide to some of the best Christmas markets and fairs in Wales.

ABERGAVENNY

Abergavenny Christmas Food and Drink Fair December 14 – see my separate blog on this event with all the details you need here.

ABERGLASNEY

Aberglasney Winter Fair, Camarthenshire, December 4 to 6, Friday 2.00pm – 6.00pm; Saturday & Sunday 10am – 4.30pm.

The site will be transformed into a ‘Winter Wonderland’ and Christmas shopper’s paradise, with almost 100 stalls selling gifts, crafts, decorations and fine food.There will also be entertainment ranging from traditional choirs to silver bands who will perform across the weekend. Aberglasney Gardens’ restored grade II* listed mansion will be filled with stalls as will a large marquee on the North Lawn in front of the mansion itself.  A separate fine food marquee gives you the opportunity to stock up on all your festive favourites with some of the regions very best producers exhibiting again this year. As well as a range of food outlets for ‘on the go’ eating Aberglasney’s Tearooms ‘MaryEllen’s’ will have a special menu.

Admission prices:
£8.00 Adult/OAP
£4.00 Children (5 – 16, under 5’s Free)
£20.00 Family Ticket *2 Adults + 2 Children
….with a complimentary glass of mulled wine and a mince pie for all visitors.

ANGLESEY

Plas Newydd Christmas food and craft fair, December 6 and 7. Plas Newydd Country House and Gardens at Llanfairpwll will play host to 60 stalls from 11am to 4pm. Entry costs £1 per adult, and 50p per child.

BLACKWOOD

Blackwood Christmas Market December 17. Stalls, entertainment and funfair rides will take over the town centre.

BUILTH WELLS

Royal Welsh Winter Fair November 30 and December 1 at The Showground, Llanelwedd. Alongside the judging of livestock, poultry and horses in the main indoor arenas, and the judging of floral art, produce and handicrafts in the South Glamorgan Hall, will be the cream of the food crop from Wales.
The Food Hall will offer the best of Welsh produce, and there will be a Christmas Farmers’ Market offering stalls with food and drink to take home, and a warming mulled wine.

Admission Prices

Single day tickets	Advanced – Pre Show	Gate Price
Adult	£ 12.00	£ 14.00
Children (5-16 yrs)	£ 5.00	£ 5.00
Children 4 years and under	–	FREE

Two day tickets	Advanced – Pre Show	Gate Price
Adult	£ 22.00	£ 26.00

CARDIFF

Christmas Market November 12 to December 23 – see my separate blog on this, with a full list of stalls, here.

Winter Wonderland November 12 to January 3. Revellers looking for a taste of the festive season after their skating at the site outside City Hall and the National Museum of Wales can visit the new Bierkeller Bar to sample a gluhwein or beer. The catering area’s chalet units will serve treats including German sausages cooked on a traditional swing grill and freshly made crepes.

Opening times:

Until 21st December:

Monday to Friday:  11am – 10pm

Saturdays: 9:45 am – 10pm

Sundays: 9:45 am – 8:45pm

From 21st December

Monday to Sunday: 9:45 am – 10pm

Christmas Eve: 9:45am – 8:45pm

Christmas Day: Closed

Boxing Day: 11am – 6:15pm

New Year’s Eve: 9:45am – 12:30am

For ticket prices for the attractions including skating click here.

CAERPHILLY

Caerphilly Christmas Fair December 12 and 13 in the town centre and castle. More than 100 traders will descend on the town, along with activities and entertainment for the family. Enter the castle to discover a medieval castle dressed for the occasion, where you can enjoy entertainment as well as the chance to see Father Christmas and his sleigh. On the Saturday, there will be a real life reindeer.

Refreshments will be available, including a tea room, a hog roast, mulled wine and minced pies.

The castle is open between 9.30am and 5pm

Castle Entry Prices
Adult – £5.50
Family – £16.50*
Senior citizens, students and children under 16 – £4.10
Member – Free
Disabled and companion – Free

*Admits 2 adults and all children under 16

All children under 5 receive free entry.

HAY ON WYE

Hay Festive Market November 14. There will be stalls at the Butter Market selling Christmas gifts alongside the best local vegetables, game, preserves and chutneys, and breads.

LLANDUDNO

Llandudno Christmas Fayre November 19 to November 22 in Madoc Street and Trinity Square.

This market has 140 food and craft stalls including continental foods and cooking demonstrations using local produce every day. Last year, it attracted 30,000 visitors in four days. Great Orme Brewery of Llandudno will be hosting a bar serving 10 local beers on draft.

Exhibitors will include:

Edwards of Conwy

Blas Ar Fwyd

Pant Du Vineyard

Kat’s Candy Carts of Conwy

Wild Horse Brewing Company

Goetre Farm Preserves

Snowdonia Cheese Company

Foel Farm Anglesey farmhouse chocs

Marshside Teas

LLANERCHAERON, CEREDIGION

Llanerchaeron Christmas Fair December 6 and 7, 11am to 4pm. There will be more than 70 local food and craft stalls. The John Nash villa at Ciliau Aeron will be decorated for Christmas, there will be a visit from Father Christmas and a treasure hunt for the children.

SWANSEA

Christmas Markets November 25 to December 22. Oxford Street. Market Opening Times – Monday to Saturday – 9.30am to 5.30pm; Sunday – 10.00am to 5.00pm. Stalls offering arts, crafts, handmade gifts, fine foods, speciality products, unique Christmas decorations and festive essentials .Foodies can soak up the atmosphere while sipping a glass of mulled wine and keep warm and well fed with a hearty hog roast, crepes and hot turkey rolls.  Entertainment will be scheduled throughout the duration of the market.

Waterfront Winterland –  November 13 to January 3. Museum Park, in the grounds of the National Waterfront Museum, is transformed for the 10th year into Waterfront Winterland. Enjoy ice skating on the Admiral ice rink and children’s rink; visit Santa’s Grotto, experience the festive family funfair, taste delicious food from the Alpine dining cabins and returning for 2015, the Big Wheel.

Opening Times

Saturday and Sunday: 10.00am – 10.00pm
Monday to Friday: (until 18 Dec) 12 noon – 10.00pm
Monday to Friday: (from 21 Dec – 3 Jan) 10.00am – 10.00pm
Christmas Eve: 10.00am – 7.00pm
Christmas Day: CLOSED
Boxing Day: 12 noon – 7.00pm
New Year’s Eve: 10.00am – 10.00pm
New Year’s Day: 12 noon – 7.00pm

*On all days  – the last skate is 1 hour prior to the advertised closing time

TENBY

Carew Castle Christmas Fayre December 7. There will be stalls including local produce, jewellery, textiles, confectionery, knitware, memorabilia, and local artwork. There will also be face painting and a chance to meet Santa in his grotto. Normal entry fee will include a mince pie.

WREXHAM

Wrexham Victorian Christmas Market, December 10, noon to 8pm. There will be 80 stalls selling a selection of festive treats and gifts, at St Giles’ Parish Church and Church Street. There will be crafts, clothing, accessories, jewellery, unique gifts and stocking fillers alongside delicious hot food and drinks, including tasty mulled wine and hot smoked sausages. The event is free.