Summer always brings a fresh wave of things to see, taste and experience. From food festivals to family days out in the countryside, the season is packed with events that celebrates the best of local culture, creativity and community spirit. We’ve rounded up a mix of highlights happening across Cardiff and the Vale, so here’s what to add to your summer calendar.
Penarth Summer Festival
11 July, 12pm – 8pm
The Kymin Gardens, Penarth
A full day of live music, family activities and relaxed seaside atmosphere, this much-loved community event brings together great food, local performers and plenty of space to unwind on the lawns. It’s a long-standing highlight of Penarth’s cultural calendar, and the perfect excuse to gather friends, pack a picnic and enjoy one of the town’s most scenic spots at its summary best.
Bubble Rush for Llamau
26 July
Pontcanna Fields, Cardiff
The fun-filled, family-friendly 5K event like no other is back again in 2026. Get ready to run, walk, dance or wheel your way through clouds of colourful bubbles and foam, with four epic bubble stations and a festival atmosphere that’s fun for everyone. This event is all about enjoying the experience with your family and friends. And by taking part, you’ll be supporting Llamau’s vital work to put an end to homelessness for young people and for women across Wales.
The Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show
12 August
Penllyn Estate, Cowbridge
The Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show brings together the best of rural life for one of the region’s biggest family days out. Expect livestock competitions, craft and produce stalls, arena displays and plenty of hands-on activities that celebrate the area’s farming heritage. With food vendors, trade stands and a lively community atmosphere throughout the day, it’s a great chance to explore local agriculture up close and enjoy a classic summer tradition in the Vale.
Exciting summer of theatre
It’s an exciting season for theatre lovers, with stages across South Wales buzzing throughout the summer. At Wales Millennium Centre, audiences can look forward to Annie on 7 – 18 July 2026, the iconic musical The Bodyguard on 20 – 25 July 2026, and the high-energy Karate Kid Musical running 28 July – 1 August 2026. Over at the Sherman Theatre, the programme is just as lively, with Guys and Dolls on 1 – 6 July 2026, the Cardiff-set comedy Clueless in Cathays on 23 – 25 July 2026, and Tom Read Wilson: The A-Z of Me on 9 September 2026. Together, they make this a standout summer for live performances, offering something for every kind of theatre-goer.
Local theatre is also taking centre stage this season, with two community groups bringing plenty of character and creativity to their summer programmes. Cowbridge Amateur Dramatics Society (CADS) present a one-act double bill of Dumb Waiter and The Real Inspector Hound at the Market Theatre on 22 – 25 July 2026, offering an evening of sharp writing and classic comedy. Later in the year, Penarth Operatic and Dramatic Society (PODS) return to the Paget Rooms with their production of Hi-De-Hi! on 7 – 10 October 2026, bringing the beloved holiday camp sitcom to the stage.
Onzon Thai Summer Festival
15 – 16 August
Belle Vue Park, Penarth
Food lovers have a date to add to their calendars with Onzon Thai’s Summer Festival, taking place in Penarth. This vibrant cultural event brings together authentic Thai street food and drink, as well as featuring Thai superstars Phai Phongsathon and Thai Orathai, creating a lively, family-friendly celebration of Thai culture. With plenty to taste and explore, it’s a great way to spend a summer afternoon discovering new flavours close to home.
St Fagans Food Festival
12 – 13 September
St Fagans National Museum of History
A firm favourite in Wales’s foodie calendar, St Fagans comes alive with over 80 food, drink and craft stalls nestled among the historic buildings. Enjoy a feast of family-friendly foodie activities, cookery demonstrations, live music, circus skills and tasty treats from some of Wales’ finest producers.
As this issue celebrates The Power of Voice, these events remind us that communities find their voice in many different ways. Through music, theatre, food, fundraising and shared experiences, they bring people together and create the memories that make the summer.
