Festival calendar of alternative culture and arts festivals in Wales

While we love a big music festival, like the ones in our guide to music festivals in Wales, our alternative festivals are often smaller, calmer, and offer a unique experiences that you’re less likely to find at mainstream events.

Wales’ alternative festivals tend to take place during the warmer months, between March and October. You’ll find these kinds of festivals dotted across the country, in ancient woodlands, on the coast, or high in the hills, in areas ripe with places to explore. That’s why so many visitors like to combine their festival fun with a longer break – it’s a great way to make the most of your time in Wales!

Jump to the season that interests you:

• Spring
• Early summer
• Peak summer
• Autumn

springSpringtime is when the festival calendar begins to stir after the quiet of winter.

The lighter evenings and blossoming landscapes give these early-season festivals a special kind of energy, inviting you to spend a little extra time enjoying Wales in all its springtime glory.

20 - 22 March 2026. This music and literary gathering in the small West Wales town of Talacharn (Laugharne) has become famous for its musical performances and list of alternative authors.

The town is best known for its connection with Welsh writer Dylan Thomas, and the three-day Laugharne Weekend continues to celebrate the creative spirit with dynamic line-ups.

Read more: The Laugharne Weekend - A celebration of all things Dylan Thomas

TBC 2026. Usually held in Aberystwyth in April, enjoy all things noir at Gŵyl Crime Cymru Festival - a crime literature festival, celebrating fiction and non-fiction crime writing from across the world. With writing workshops, panel sessions and interviews with a wide variety of well-known crime writers, it's a not to be missed event for crime literature fans.

22 - 24 May 2026. The Devauden Festival is a family friendly event set in the heart of Monmouthshire.

Devauden Festival is built around music but it there's also plenty to keep the younger visitors happy in the Kids' Zone, with children’s entertainers, circus skills, arts and crafts, displays by local groups, bouncy castles and small fair rides.

Running Friday night and all of Saturday, three stages feature a wide range of some of the best local talent from across South Wales and surrounding areas.

22 - 24 May 2026. Held at Old Park Farm in Margam, In It Together is a large-scale, family-friendly music and arts festival.

The programme spans multiple stages with a broad mix of mainstream and alternative music, alongside additional entertainment zones, club spaces, and curated late-night sets.

Dedicated family areas, children’s activities, and family camping provision make it accessible for those attending with younger visitors, while flexible ticket options allow for both camping and non-camping attendance.

Taking place over the May Bank Holiday weekend, it’s well-suited to combining with a short break in South Wales.  Nearby accommodation and popular camping pitches tend to book up early, so now’s the time to start planning!

Read more: What to expect at In It Together Festival

22 - 25 May 2026. Head to Lawrenni (Lawrenny) in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for a long weekend of relaxing and re-energising.

The Big Retreat Festival is a feel-good festival, in every sense of the word. The impressive line-up of more than 200 events includes well-being classes, workshops, cookery demonstrations, spoken word, bushcraft, music, and even rum and gin.

With so much to choose from, everybody has a chance to discover a new hobby, rediscover an old one, or simply discover the beauty of Lawrenni itself.

Read more: What’s so big about The Big Retreat Festival?

22 - 25 May 2026. Nestled in the hills of Y Gelli Gandryll (Hay-on-Wye), HowTheLightGetsIn is the world’s largest philosophy and music festival, blending thought-provoking debates with live music, comedy, and late-night events.

Alongside the main programme, Solo Talks and Hat Sessions offer a more intimate environment for exploring big ideas, while Inner Circle events give festival-goers the chance to dine and discuss with leading thinkers in smaller groups.

The festival’s setting in Hay-on-Wye is fitting – it’s a town famed for its bookshops and creative spirit. Naturally, the festival vibe spills out onto Hay’s streets, cafes, and venues, adding to its appeal as part of a longer cultural break.

early-summerJune marks a shift in the alternative festival calendar towards more adult-focused gatherings, where underground music, consciousness-led culture, and immersive experiences take centre stage.

As June is a popular month for travel ahead of the school summer holidays, it’s worth keeping an eye on tickets and accommodation early if you plan to build a break around one of these festivals.

11 - 14 June 2026. Gottwood Festival is an independent underground electronic music festival with a loyal ‘if-you-know-you-know’ following.

Known for its carefully curated line-ups and immersive atmosphere, the festival takes place within a woodland setting on the island of Ynys Môn (Anglesey). The natural setting forms an important part of the experience across its stages and installations.

Programming runs across daytime and late-night sessions, so anyone not camping on site may wish to consider transport and nearby accommodation in advance.

19 - 21 June 2026. Unearthed Festival is a conscious living and well being-led gathering focused on connection, learning, and personal growth in a relaxed, rural setting.

Across the weekend, the programme brings together workshops, talks, live music, movement sessions, and holistic practices, alongside shared spaces for conversation, craft, and creativity.

Set in the Welsh countryside, this off-grid, eco-minded experience would pair perfectly with a slower-paced rural escape.

24 - 26 June 2026. held in Llangollen, Camp VC is one of Cymru's best kept festival secrets; an action-packed, womxn only weekend, which offers direct hands-on experiences for almost any and every activity you can think of.

Beginner's dirt riding? Skateboarding? Welding? Enduro bikes? Quad skating? Wood carving? Crochet? Drag king school? Longboarding? Outdoor cookery? Wild swimming? This isn't even half of what you can experience at Camp VC, all set in the magnificent Mid Wales landscape of Llangollen.

Fiercely independent, Camp VC offers a safe, non-judgemental space for any and all female identifying and non binary folk.

Read more: Discover Camp VC, the women's action, adventure and moto festival

peak-summerJuly and August are the most popular months in the alternative festival calendar in Wales, when demand is at its highest. This is also when accommodation and transport in coastal, rural, and small-town locations come under the greatest pressure, especially once schools break up for the summer.

Many visitors choose to plan longer stays around these festivals, using them as the core of a wider summer break.

02 - 05 July 2026. Set on the Pembrokeshire coast, Westival is a boutique electronic and alternative music festival known for its relaxed, free-spirited atmosphere and friendly crowd.

The 2026 line-up is headed by Shy FX, with Antony Szmierek and High Contrast also set to appear, alongside a mix of electronic and alternative acts throughout the weekend.

DJ-led dance sets and live performances take place across multiple stages, with the festival vibe carrying across the beaches and coastal paths around nearby Manorbier and Dinbych-y-pysgod (Tenby).

02 - 06 July 2026. Held on the stunning Penrhyn Gŵyr (Gower Peninsula), the Love Trails Festival promises an unforgettable blend of running, music, and adventure. 

This unique festival invites participants to explore breathtaking coastal trails and hikes, along with other activities like yoga, surfing, and rock climbing.

As night falls, the festival comes alive with live music, DJ sets, and performances, complemented by inspiring talks and wellness sessions, making it a perfect summer escape for adventure and music enthusiasts.

03 - 06 July 2026. Out & Wild Festival is the UK’s first Wellness Festival designed for queer, questioning, and curious womxn and non-binary festival fans.

Taking place in Lawrenni, Pembrokeshire, it's the place to embrace new friendships, enjoy new experiences, including sports, wellbeing, music, comedy, spoken word, wellness and more, and explore beautiful Pembrokeshire.

10 - 12 July 2026..Tonnau Tropical Garden Party takes place in the grounds of Carreglwyd Estate on Ynys Môn (Anglesey), bringing (as the name suggests) a distinctly tropical-inspired, garden-party atmosphere to the island.

The programme combines an eclectic mix of international bands, DJs, and live performances with creative workshops and hands-on activities, creating a relaxed, culturally rich weekend.

The festival’s playful, colourful energy and manageable scale makes it particularly appealing to creative adults and music lovers looking for something a little different from the mainstream festival circuit.

Set close to the coastline, it also fits naturally as part of a wider stay in Ynys Môn, where you can combine your dancing and creative activities with a few days exploring the beaches, coastal paths, and dramatic landscapes of North Wales.

16 - 19 July 2026. Big Love brings four days of music, performance, and community-led creativity to the Welsh countryside near Brynbuga (Usk), combining a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere with the scale of a multi-stage summer festival.

Across five stages, the programme moves between live music, DJ sets, cabaret, and late-night performance, all with a strong emphasis on families and shared experiences. The Big Top hosts circus, spoken word, and theatrical acts throughout the weekend, too.

Set in open countryside, yet just 20 minutes from the M4, it has the feel of a rural escape while remaining one of the most accessible destination festivals in South Wales.

16 - 19 July 2026. Held in the picturesque town of Aberhonddu (Brecon), Mid Wales, the Brecon Choir Festival is a celebration of choral music that brings together world-renowned choirs and local talent.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of events, including 'Afterglow' sessions with the opportunity to join in with the festival choirs and sing the night away in true Welsh style.

It's a great experience for long-time choral aficionados as much as the ‘choral curious’ who may never have attended similar events before.

17 - 20 July 2026 Summer Camp. Set on the Ystad Penarlâg (Hawarden Estate) of 19th century Prime Minister William Gladstone, the Good Life Experience festival is the brainchild of broadcaster and performer Cerys Matthews and husband Steve Abbott, along with farmers and authors Charlie and Caroline Gladstone.

Its broad remit is to help people go in search of the good life, but this loosely translates to music, food and drink, authors, workshops, and plenty of chances for outdoor exploration.

It’s a great family – and dog! – friendly way to get together and celebrate those long, warm summer evenings.

Read more: Experience The Good Life summer events

24 - 26 July 2026. Steelhouse Festival delivers three days of classic rock heritage in a dramatic mountain-top setting near Glynebwy (Ebbw Vale), making it one of the UK’s highest elevation music festivals.

The 2026 edition is headlined by Twisted Sister, a major draw for fans of the genre, alongside a line-up of established and emerging rock acts.

Known for its rugged, no-frills atmosphere and strong community of returning fans, Steelhouse particularly appeals to dedicated rock audiences and groups seeking a high-energy festival experience.

30 July - 02 August 2026. The Green Gathering is a long-running celebration of low-impact living, set within the sweeping parkland of Piercefield Park near Cas-Gwent (Chepstow).

Community values sit at the heart of the festival’s ethos, with an emphasis on shared responsibility, learning, and participation.

The festival brings together environmental workshops, talks, crafts, and hands-on sustainability projects, plus a varied programme of live music, performance, and family activities.

Its woodland and riverside location on the edge of the Wye Valley adds to the sense of a considered, nature-friendly way of living.

27/28 - 30 August 2026. Within the woodland of Candleston Park at Merthyr Mawr National Nature Reserve, Between the Trees is an intimate festival that brings together indie-folk music, art, nature, and environmental science in a unique forest-by-the-sea setting near Pen-y-bont (Bridgend).

Expect live acoustic performances, creative workshops, talks, wellness sessions, and family-friendly activities. With its focus on sustainability, creativity, and community, the festival is perfect for nature-loving music fans and families seeing out the summer eco-style.

Read more: What to expect at Between the Trees Festival.

autumnAutumn marks a change of pace as the festival season begins winding down. As the nights draw in, cinemas, theatres, and city venues take centre stage, bringing a different vibe to the festival experience.

The shoulder season also brings practical advantages for visitors, with greater accommodation availability and the added appeal of Wales’ landscapes at their most atmospheric as autumn colour settles across the towns, valleys, and coast.

TBC 2026. Usually held in early September, at Gladstone’s Library, Gladfest brings together award-winning, internationally-renowned and breakthrough writers for a wonderfully eclectic weekend.

In case you haven’t heard of the location, Gladstone’s Library is a residential library dedicated to dialogue, debate and learning for open-minded individuals and groups. It is Britain’s only Prime Ministerial library (founded by PM William Gladstone himself). Following Gladstone’s death in 1898, the Library became the national memorial to his life and work as well as one of the few Grade I-listed buildings in North Wales.

TBC October 2026. The Wales International Film Festival invites visitors into a programme of independent cinema shown in red-carpet-style venues. Public screenings, premieres, filmmaker Q&As, and special events create a lively festival atmosphere across the host city.

While the festival plays an important role in supporting emerging filmmakers, it also offers a rich experience for film lovers and culture-seeking city breakers keen to discover new voices in international storytelling on the big screen.

As popular screenings can fill quickly once the programme is released, it’s worth checking schedules and securing tickets in advance.

12 - 18 October 2026. The Iris Prize Festival is a globally recognised celebration of LGBTQ+ short film-making, drawing some of the most exciting new international talent to Cardiff each autumn.

Over the week, audiences can expect public screenings, UK and world premieres, filmmaker talks, panel discussions, and industry events, creating a lively programme that extends well beyond the competition itself.

The festival is a favourite with film lovers, LGBTQ+ travellers, and those looking to experience a different side of the Welsh capital. With events taking place across multiple venues, the Iris Prize Festival forms a great backbone for a seasonal short break in Cardiff.

Wales’ festival scene continues to evolve year on year, with new events emerging alongside well-loved favourites. Dates, line-ups and formats can change as the season approaches, so it’s worth keeping a close eye on what’s coming up.

If you’re starting to plan your next break in Wales, explore our full events listings to see what’s happening during your visit.