listings


Bute Park Christmas Trail Bute Park, Cardiff, Thurs 25 Nov-Fri 31 Dec. Tickets: £18/£13 ages 3-15/FREE under-2s. Info: christmasatbutepark.com


This “festive illumination experience” in Cardiff city centre, boasting all manner of laser shows and public art for attendees up until New Year’s Eve. Christmas In Bute Park has been devised by promoters From The Fields and large-scale display specialists Ithica Studios, consists of a 1.4km-long route through the park, and is expected to attract nearly 100,000 people over its duration.


Bonfire Night


A tradition that combines the great outdoors, dangerous flammable objects, and hideous straw effigies? No, it’s not The Wicker Man, it’s Bonfire Night, taking place, for most, on November 5th. This year, that day is a Friday, a perfect comeback night for big, crowded events that felt like they had a whole different level of danger this time last year. Of course, we’re not quite out of the woods on that front yet, and a number of the usual displays have decided to skip this year as they did last. But if you’ve got a burning desire to stand outside for a few hours gripping a damp sparkler and topping up hot chocolate in a paper cup with corner shop liquor, these major displays should be up and running.*


Sophia Gardens Display


Cardiff, Fri 5 Nov, from 5.30pm Also known as ‘Sophiaworks,’ this local Cardiff staple is back with an exploding vengeance this year. Proceedings kick off in the early evening with food stalls and other forms of kid-friendly entertainment before the main event. As it’s been a sell-out in previous years, getting tickets ahead of time is highly advised, especially with a reduced capacity this month. Info and tickets: 029 2041 9311 / tickets.glamorgancricket.com


Swansea Council Fireworks Swansea Bay, Fri 12 Nov, from 6.30pm


For those that miss out on all the dog-bothering action on the main night, Swansea’s annual fireworks spectacular returns the following Saturday this year. Promising to be bigger and louder than ever, the switch to a different day is because of the low tide – providing a more COVID safe seaside event space. Admission: FREE Info: swansea.gov.uk


Carmarthen Charity Firework Bonanza


Carmarthen Town Park, Fri 5 Nov, from 4.30pm If you like whizzes, bangs and charity, Round Table’s billed ‘bonanza’ in Camarthen is going ahead, with an important caveat: you’ll need an NHS COVID pass to attend. All proceeds go back into local community events, so fill up on drinks and food in the name of a good cause. Tickets: £5. Info: eventbrite.co.uk


Porthcawl Fireworks


The Hi-Tide Inn, Fri 5 Nov, from 7.30pm If you prefer a slightly classier Bonfire Night, Porthcawl’s Hi-Tide Inn – an upscale events venue – might have you covered. Burger van favourites will be available, but so will the bar in an “Inn” that dates back to the 1940s. The listing on Facebook has generated interest from over a thousand people, so grab a spot as early as you can. Admission: FREE Info: Fireworks Display @ Hi-Tide on Facebook


7.30-9.45pm, £28.50. Info 01792 635432.


WEDNESDAY 17 NOVEMBER An Audience With Manchester United Legends Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £38. Info 0345 2263510. Bryan Robson, Brian McClair and Andrew ‘Andy’ Cole are the legends in question. There are silver and gold VIP ticket options for £95 and £185 respectively, also. Rescheduled from October 2021.


THURSDAY 18 NOVEMBER


Creative Pathways Career Fair Cardiff City Hall. 10am. 0800 0284844. Featuring presentations, workshops, discussion panels and performances from and for Year 10, 11 and 6th Form pupils and FE college stu- dents attending from schools and Colleges from south, central and south-east Wales.


FRIDAY 19 NOVEMBER


Ocean Film Festival Venue Cymru, Llandudno. 7.30pm, £16. Info 01492 872000. From the Banff Mountain Film Festival people.


SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER


The Lacey Lecture: North Wales Wildlife Trust Venue Cymru, Llandudno. 7pm, £14. Info 01492 872000. Talk by Erica McAlister.


TUESDAY 23 NOVEMBER


Cardiff Electronic Producers Network 8-10pm, free. Monthly (I think) event for local techno etc bods who want to discuss gear and so forth.


WEDNESDAY 24 NOVEMBER


uHay Festival Winter Weekend Various venues, Hay-On-Wye. Ticket prices vary. Info 01497 822629. Five days of Hay Fest type events that can be attended either in person or online. If the latter, you can get a pass to watch everything for £25, or pay £5 per event. In-person tickets are priced individually. A brief rundown of names: Neil Oliver, Bobby Gillespie, Paul Mason, Miriam Margolyes, Bear Grylls, David Hare, Jeanette Winterson, Clare Balding, John Barnes, Josh Widdicombe (in conversation with Henry Widdicombe who I had somehow never realised was his brother until now), Nell Frizell and Emerald Fennell. (Until Sun 28 Nov)


THURSDAY 25 NOVEMBER


uChristmas At Bute Park Bute Park, Cardiff. 4.30pm, £18/£13 ages 3-15/free under-2s. Info christmasatbutepark.com. Month-and-a-bit-long light trail (every day for the rest of the year apart from Dec 25) in Cardiff city centre. Tickets: £18 adults, £13 under-16s, free under-3s; family ticket £55. (Until Fri 31 Dec)


FRIDAY 26 NOVEMBER


Nigella Lawson New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £25-£35. Info 0343 3100041 An ‘evening with...’ sort of show, ostensibly to promote a new book. Doesn’t appear to feature live cooking like some shows by lesser TV cooks.


SATURDAY 27 NOVEMBER


10 Years Of Defend Independent Wrestling Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff. 7pm, £30. Info www.defendin- dywrestling.com. Two shows of Welsh


61 Monmouth Rowing Club Bonfire Night


Rotary Monmouth, Fri 5 Nov, from 6pm Situated right by the River Wye, Monmouth’s Rotary Rowing Club is crossing its collective fingers that neither bad weather nor COVID regulation complications (or both) interrupt its Guy Fawkes’ Day plans, which includes selling ice cream, apparently. Judging by the autumn weather so far, a cold dessert might not be so out of place. Tickets: £3-£15 (pay on the night). Info: rotary-ribi.org


Llandudno Fireworks


North Shore Beach, Sun 7 Nov + Mon 8 Nov, from 6.20pm Llandudno Council is playing it extra safe with its 2021 firework display, a necessary precaution for beach-set events – and why the traditional date of November 5 has been forgone. If all goes to plan, the action will happen on the Sunday after instead, which is more favourable for the weather and tide. If not, Monday night is the backup date. Admission: free. Info: llandudno.gov.uk


*All of the info here is accurate at the time of writing; however, these events may be subject to change or cancellation in line with COVID guidance.


Steve Arnold


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