9 Ways to Celebrate the City of Arcades
14th - 16th November
Get ready for three days of celebration in Cardiff, the City of Arcades. Starting tomorrow, the city centre will come alive with a jam-packed event programme, exclusive discounts, and the launch of a brand-new light trail!
To help you make the most of the festivities, we’ve narrowed down a list of 9 ways to celebrate the City of Arcades! From food tours to festive lights, there’s something for everyone.
The celebrations begin before you even set foot in the city, with 25% off a Cardiff Bus Group Day Ticket for up to 5 people travelling from Cardiff and Penarth between 14th – 17th November! Grab your ticket, gather your friends and family, and get ready to join the excitement. Let’s dive in!
Get a true taste of Cardiff on a Loving Welsh Food Tour
Included in The Times list of the ‘UK’s Best Walking Tours’, the Loving Welsh Food Tour is an eclectic mix of cuisine and culture giving you a true taste of Cardiff.
The City of Arcades Food Experience is running on Friday 15th November from 11am – 3.30pm. You’ll join fellow foodies on a leisurely stroll through Cardiff’s arcades stopping by the city’s best foodie spots. £75 per person. Click here to book.
The Cardiff Food Tour will run on Saturday 16th November from 10.30am – 2.30pm. Enjoy a mixture of food, culture and history while admiring the city’s majestic buildings including Cardiff Castle, the arcades, and the Principality Stadium. £45 per person. Click here to book.
2. Experience Cardiff Market at night
On Friday 15th November, Cardiff Central Market will open until 9pm with great music, tasty street food and lots of independent shops. Stalls that have confirmed they are opening include Cardiff Bakestones, Bearded Taco, Ffwrnes, Stories for You, Bao Selecta .
3. Enjoy brews and booze at Corner Coffee
Warm up and chill out at Corner Coffee on High Street. They will be open until 8pm on Friday 15th November serving up their usual delicious brews alongside boozy specials including Merlyn cream liqueur or local cherry rum added to your hot drink of choice.
4. Cheese and Wine tasting at Ty Caws Cheese Bar
Cheese and wine night is calling… make sure to drop by Ty Caws’ brand new Cheese Bar, open until 9pm during the City of Arcades celebrations! They’ll be serving up delicious cheese and charcuterie platters to share, paired with a selection of wines.
5. Jazz and Cocktails in Castle Arcade
Get into the festive spirit and brighten up a cold winter evening with live jazz and cocktails at Maison De Boeuf on Thursday 14th November from 7.30pm, and Gin & Juice and Rum & Fizz on Friday 15th November from 8pm.
6. Get Creative with Still Life Plant Drawing at Plant and Pot
Unlock your creativity and discover the beauty of nature through art at this Still Life Plant Drawing Workshop on City of Arcades Day - Saturday 16th November, 1pm-2.30pm. Chill out in a relaxed and inspiring environment and explore different artistic styles as you draw staged plant arrangements. Click here to book.
7. See a pop-up performance on the arcade balconies
Live Harp Performance by Sam Hickman on Morgan Arcade’s Balcony, 12-1.30pm and Live String Performance by Awen Duo on Castle Arcade’s Balcony, 12.30-1.30pm on Saturday 16th November.
8. Shop Local for the perfect festive gift
The countdown to Christmas is on! There’s no better time to get a head start on your festive shopping, with city centre discounts at some of your favourite stores including 10% off at The Pretty Perfect Boutique (14th-16th), free personalisation on all products at Welsh Connection (16th) and 10% off at Sosandar (14th-16th).
9. See the Christmas Lights
Grab a sparkly mulled wine from the Queer Emporium (10% off during the City of Arcades celebrations) and take in the stunning festive decorations adorning the entrances to each of Cardiff’s seven arcades. The arcades form part of the Light of Winter Trail launching this Thursday. Click here to find out more.