Four unusual Welsh festivals you should try

Wales has its fair share of mainstream festivals. But if you’re looking for something a bit quirkier, you won’t be disappointed either. Mari Lwyd, the Elvis Festival, the Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival and Wakestock are four unusual Welsh festivals that will delight and entertain with their eagerness to play outside the traditional festival box.

Hold onto your horses and enjoy the ride into the New Year with Mari Lwyd

Mari Lwyd is a welcoming of the New Year and takes place on 1 January. Mari Lwyd has been around for some time but is practised in its most traditional form within Llangynwyd near Maesteg. Known as Y Fari Lwyd in Welsh, meaning the Grey Mare or Grey Mary, this celebration involves a group of people travelling to different homes or pubs with a decorated horse’s skull. At each destination, they need to sing some verses, after which a witty battle of sorts commences. Known as pwnco, this battle involves the people both within and without the building exchanging creative and humorous insults and the like in rhyme. The goal is for each group to outwit the other. The outside party will ultimately be let inside as a sign of bringing luck to the home or pub. Once inside the building, the travelling group are provided with refreshments and a number of songs are sung.

Mari Lwyd is free and there are camping and caravanning sites within a 15 minute drive away from Llangynwyd. Before and after experiencing Mari Lwyd, you might want to visit attractions near Llangynwyd such as the Maesteg Golf Club or Go Ape High Wire Forest Adventure which. There’s also a swimming pool and further afield bike trails to enjoy the outdoors.

Get ready to rock the Elvis Festival

If song and dance is your cup of tea, the Elvis Festival in Porthcawl offers an abundance of shows that would make The King himself proud. Get to experience The Elvies Awards, an awards show featuring first-rate Elvis tribute artists. There are fun competitions such as the Best Festival Elvis, as well as lively music shows and a movie show. The Elvis Festival takes place in September over the courses of a weekend.

The Elvis Festival has a range of events, with ticket prices from £6 to £32.50 depending on the event. There are several nearby camping and caravanning sites to choose from. A Fringe Festival takes place in various venues around and within Porthcawl during the Elvis Festival which is also well worth checking out.

Catch some waves and live shows with Wakestock

Perhaps you like your music with a good dose of action sports thrown into the mix. Wakestock is a music and wakeboarding festival that has been riding high for over a decade. The action of wakeboarding competitions is paired with numerous live acts to keep the party going all weekend. The festival is located on the Llyn Peninsula and takes place in three different sites. The main festival site can be found between Abersoch and Pwllheli, with a shuttle bus service available so you can access all three sites conveniently. Surf’s up for Wakestock in mid-July, held over a weekend from a Friday to a Sunday. Wakestock costs £40 for a single day, a ticket for the weekend with camping is £135 and a weekend ticket without camping is £110.

There is a main festival campsite as well as a female-only campsite that is separate from the main campsite. Outside of the festival area, you will find several campsites in Abersoch. In addition to viewing the music acts and wakeboarding, there are beautiful beaches, pubs, dining places, and shops to visit in Abersoch and Pwllheli. Plus, you can get your own adrenaline fix with local surf or wakeboarding lessons.

Experience history with the Victorian Festival

From modern-day sports and music to a revival of the past, the Victorian Festival within Llandrindod Wells in Powys will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. There is a host of attractions on offer including musicians and balls, Victorian costume parades and best-dressed competitions, a variety of exhibitions and talks on the Victorian era, eye-catching street performers and even a dog show. The Victorian Festival occurs in late August and lasts for 9 days. Ticket prices vary by event but most cost less than £10. There are also some free events. The Victorian Festival has a holiday park and campsites nearby.

While enjoying the Victorian Festival, you may want to benefit from the town’s soothing springs and take some time out at the Rock Park Spa. Alternatively, experience some magnificent wildlife by visiting the Red Kite Centre. The Tourist Information Centre is a good place to gather visitor information for nearby attractions within and just outside the town.

Other quirky events in Wales to pique your interest

In addition to the above festivals, Wales has no shortage of other quirky and delightful events to keep you entertained. Foodies will love events such as the Pembrokeshire Fish Week, Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival and Great British Cheese Festival. If you’re a fan of literature, science, music and art, National Eisteddfod and the Green Man are two Welsh festivals that are well worth attending.

If your interests lie in outdoor pursuits, how about diving into the quirkiness of the World Bogsnorkelling Championships, or if you prefer two wheels the Mountain Bike Bogsnorkelling competition? Keeping cycling on dry land but with plenty of refreshments, the Summer Cider Cycle is sure to whet your appetite. The Welsh Open Stoneskimming Championships may put a hop, skip and a jump in your stride or perhaps you want to compare the strides of man and beast with the Man versus Horse Marathon.

Something for everyone

With the array of unusual Welsh festivals on offer throughout the year, Wales really does have something to keep everyone in high spirits. Whether you’re welcoming in a new time, stepping back in time, or making time for great music and adrenaline sports, these four unusual festivals won’t fail to delight.