About Country to Cymru Music Festival
Country to Cymru brings a taste of Nashville to the Welsh coast for a lively three-day celebration of country music. Held at The Hi Tide in Porthcawl, the festival offers everything from live country bands and acoustic performances to line dancing, tribute acts and plenty of honky-tonk entertainment.
The festival gets underway on Friday 18 September, with a free Country All Stars Stage at Harbour Lights during the afternoon. The evening sees The Hi Tide host The Dolly & Johnny Show, featuring Modern Dolly and Pete Storm performing as Johnny Cash, with Andrew Hayes as MC.
There is plenty happening throughout Saturday 19 September. The Marquee hosts a free afternoon of line dancing, with Dusty Road, Annalee West and other guests providing the music. In the evening, the Porthcawl Opry takes over with performances from The Taynee Lord Band, Rebecca Richards Band and Buffalo Smoke Band.
Elsewhere around the venue, country fans can enjoy another free Country All Stars Stage at Harbour Lights, while Bayside hosts the Bluebird Cafe Stage, curated by Rebecca & Kristian. Saturday evening also brings an Elvis Country Stage featuring Darren Graceland Jones and Ernie Emmanuel, while the Giddy Up Bar offers Country-Oke, a honky-tonk DJ and jukebox for anyone wanting to carry on the party.
The music continues on Sunday 20 September with the Hi Tide Hoedown in the Marquee, featuring Jukebox Country and Hat & Fiddle. There will also be more free entertainment at Harbour Lights, while Bayside hosts Blue Grass Sunday with Gone Kickers. The weekend then comes to a close with a free Honky Tonk Wrap Party on Sunday evening.
It's not only about the music either. Throughout the festival, the courtyard will have trader stalls, food stalls and Western-themed games, adding to the country atmosphere. Free shows are family-friendly, while the ticketed shows are for over-18s.
With three days of live music, dancing, country entertainment and activities beside the sea, Country to Cymru looks set to bring a real flavour of the American country scene to Porthcawl.
18 - 20 September 2026
