9 Best Performing Arts Venues in Wales

Held on the third weekend in September, the Abergavenny Food Festival is a celebration for foodies and a symbol of the growing interest in Welsh cuisine, regularly attracting leading figures from the British food scene. There are demonstrations, lectures, special events, and, of course, a huge indoor and outdoor food market. Be sure to sample the delicious local cheese called Y Fenni, flavored with a piquant combination of mustard seeds and ale.

The six-day Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, held in early July, brings together amateur choirs and dancers—more than 4,000 participants in all—from all corners of the globe for a colorful folk festival. The tradition of the eisteddfod, held throughout Wales, goes back to the 12th century. Originally gatherings of bards, the eisteddfodau of today are more like national festivals.

For a week in late August, the Victorian Festival takes over Llandrindod Wells. Everyone from shopkeepers to hotel clerks dresses up in period costume for events from tea dances to street parades.

In addition to a cinema, the lively Aberystwyth Arts Centre has a theater, a gallery, shops, and a good café and bar. The list of movies is varied, including an international horror movie festival every fall (the rather brilliantly named "Abertoir").

This international music festival takes place across the town of Brecon over the first three weekends of August. Although the headliners perform at various venues in the evenings, roads are usually closed to traffic to make way for street entertainment and a market.

In the suburb of Canton, a 10-minute cab ride from Cardiff's center, Chapter is the hippest place in town to hang out. There's a cinema showing art-house and independent films; an auditorium for theater, live music, and comedy; a contemporary art gallery; and a bar serving food and Welsh craft beer.

This prestigious literary festival, which runs for 10 days from the end of May into June, has featured an illustrious line-up of speakers (including Bill Clinton) since its inception in 1988. They also run a more low-key Winter Weekend, which is held at Hay Castle in late November.

This 1970s theater near the university puts of plays by Welsh and Wales-based writers in both English and Welsh.

On the canal, Theatr Brycheiniog is the town's main venue for plays, live music, and comedy shows. It also has a café (lunch only) and a bar.