Cardiff city centre came to life this November with the annual City of Arcades celebrations. Spanning three days, the celebrations featured exclusive offers, exciting events, and live entertainment. This year’s festivities were the biggest yet, boosting footfall in the Morgan Quarter by an impressive 25%.

The Light of Winter Launch

The celebrations kicked off with the launch of Christmas in Cardiff, and the switching on of the 11 light and sound installations that make up the Light of Winter Trail.

The festivities started with the Inaugural Kids Christmas Lights Switch on, brightening up Churchill Way alongside the Illuminated Reeds Symphony installation on the dock feeder canal. Spectators were treated to live street performances during the switch on, from roller-skating baubles and Santa’s elves, to stilt walking ice characters.

Visitors could also experience ‘Cardiff Aurora’ lighting up the façade of Cardiff Central Station for the first time. Cardiff Aurora is a light and sound projection with the wonderful illustrations of local artists Jack Skivens, Sahar Saki, Frank Duffy and Beth Blandford telling a story of Welsh art, tradition and folklore. It runs every evening from 5pm – midnight until 5th January.

Local businesses also took part in the festivities, with special offers like a free coffee and bucks’ fizz at Asador 44, and 20% off all treatments at Nailcraft Emporium. There were also exclusive events throughout the evening including a sold-out Sherry and Cheese Tasting at Vermut Bar. The event was a huge success, Vermut manager Felix Ray said:

We had the queue for tickets well over full in less than 24 hours of it going live!

There was a great atmosphere throughout the city with lots of happy faces, 95% of people surveyed that night rated their experience of the events as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’.

You can enjoy the Light of Winter Trail for free until 5th January and download the trail map here. You can also collect a trail map from St Davids guest services desk, Cardiff Central Station, and Cardiff Castle.

Cardiff After Dark

For one night only, everyone’s favourite lunch spot, Cardiff Central Market, stayed open until 9pm. The market was buzzing with crowds of visitors queuing at their favourite stalls for a delicious street food dinner or browsing the indie retailers. Highlights of the evening included a visit from Santa himself and live musical performances.

5,248 people attended the event, a 71% increase on last year’s Night Market.

There was also plenty to enjoy throughout the city centre with venues such as Corner Coffee staying open late and offering boozy specials, and tasty treats at Ty Caws cheese bar. Businesses also held exclusive events, including a sold-out chocolate making workshop at Mrs Potts Chocolate House.

City of Arcades Day

A jam-packed day celebrating Cardiff’s iconic Victorian and Edwardian arcades. With guided tours, in-store offers and exclusive events, City of Arcades Day 2024 was the biggest and best yet!

Visitors could enjoy tours of the Morgan Quarter, along with Fogo’s Free Tours of the city centre and Loving Welsh Food’s tour of the best foodie spots in the city.

There were also some great offers from businesses including 15% off Cardiff’s iconic Kiwis Bowls, £5 City of Arcades cocktails at Head of Steam, and the chance to win £50 store credit at Hobos Vintage.

The streets were bustling with live performances from the Sparklettes, along with a beautiful string performance by Awen Duo on Castle Arcade’s balcony, and a stunning harp performance by Sam Hickman on Morgan Arcade’s balcony. Shoppers in Castle Arcade were also treated to some live painting in Masters Art Gallery, and Lush Spa held exclusive ‘Nessy’ bath bomb making workshops throughout the day.

Businesses hosted exclusive events into the evening, including Constantinou Hairdressing Salon’s ‘City of Arcades Dance Party’. Salon owner, Anna Constantinou, said

Our night was very successful. Everyone had fun and danced a lot!

94% of people surveyed on City of Arcades Day rated their experience of the event as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’.

The Highlights

Cardiff was buzzing with activity over the three days. Check out some of the highlights below.

Roll on next year!