On Friday 17th November, Cardiff Indoor Market will open its doors after hours for an evening of shopping food and entertainment.

17:00 - 21:00. Free to attend.

Visit Central Square in Cardiff on Saturday 18th November to play our life-sized City of Arcades themed board game.

Free game sessions will take place at:

10:30am - 12:45pm

15:00 - 16:30pm

Roll the dice, pass GO and avoid jail for a chance to win over 60 amazing prizes, including limited edition City of Arcades board games. Click here to read the game rules.

Celebrate the City of Arcades with our free family-friendly trail. In place from Friday 17th November to Sunday 19th November 2023, there are 14 game tiles dotted around the city centre to find. Approximately 1 hour long. Step-free access.

How To Play

(1) Pick up a playbook from the Guest Services desk on the upper floor of St David’s Dewi Sant (pencils are available).

(2) Go on a hunt to find all 14 game tiles, answering the questions along the way.

(3) Return your completed map to the St David’s Guest Services Desk for a free bag of milk chocolate coins.

Click here to find out more.

Learn about the history of Cardiff’s arcades on a 2 hour walking tour of Cardiff’s seven historic arcades and Cardiff Market.

Saturday 18th November at 2pm

This tour is tip-based or ‘pay as you feel’. Please book in advance at www.fogosfreetours.com

Get a true taste of Cardiff on the City of Arcades Tasting Tour by Loving Welsh Food. Join fellow foodies on a leisurely stroll around Cardiff city centre passing through the historic arcades and by iconic landmarks such as Cardiff Castle and the Principality Stadium. With an eclectic mix of cuisine and culture, you'll get to know the people behind the food while savouring the sights and flavors of the Welsh capital.

Tours are available on:

Friday 17th November, 11:00 - 15:00
Saturday 18th November, 11:00 - 15:00

Advance booking is required. Visit www.lovingwelshfood.uk to book.

Once you’ve check out the life-sized City of Arcades board game, head to Chance and Counters to play the regular sized version.

They also have a 2 for £12 cocktail offer for #CityofArcadesDay

Discover the dark side of Cardiff on a 2 hour walking tour of Cardiff city centre.

Saturday 18th November, 17:00 - 18:30

This tour is tip-based or ‘pay as you feel’. Please book in advance at www.fogosfreetours.com

Discover the secrets of Morgan and Royal Arcade on a free 1 hour history tour with a twist. Your tour guide will take you to hidden tunnels and rooms to reveal the secrets of the past.

Saturday 18th November

11am - 12pm

1pm - 2pm

3pm - 4pm

Booking is required. Click here to book.

Saturday 18th November, 2:30pm

Visit the sites where protests have animated the city and paved the way for change on this 1.5 hour guided walking tour by Invisible Cities - a project supported by The Wallich that supports those that have been impacted by homelessness.

To celebrate CIty of Arcades Day, you can use the discount code COADAY10 at checkout to get £5 off your ticket. Each guest will also get a free poetry postcard gift. Click here to find out more and book.

Pettigrew Bakeries are opening a pop-up sourdough masterclass at 27 Castle Arcade on Saturday 18th November for City of Arcades Day. There will be three free masterclasses at:

11:00 - 11:30
13:00 - 13:30
15:00 - 15:30

As well as dough mixing, troubleshooting with their sourdough experts and samples of baked goods throughout the day. 50 person capacity per masterclass. Seating unavailable. No need to book, accepting walk-ins all day.

How many oysters can you eat in a minute? Jackson’s are holding their first ever oyster eating contest on at 3pm on Saturday 18th November for City of Arcades Day. Just £10 to enter, with some big prizes up for grabs! Click here to enter.

1st place: £100 bar tab
2nd place: £50 bar tab
3rd place: a case of Jackson’s IPA

There will also be beers, wine, cocktails and music to enjoy. Free entry for those not taking part in the contest.

*FULLY BOOKED

The Museum of Cardiff is teaming up with Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to run guided tours of the Old Library Building with special live music performances. The tours will take place at 11am & 1pm, each lasting approximately 1.5 hours.

Fully booked
Santa is coming to the Morgan Arcade on Saturday 18th November. Click here for tickets.

Visit Gin & Juice or Rum & Fizz on Saturday 18th November between 18:30 - 20:30 to enjoy music by The Cesarz Tabor Duo, a highly trained guitar and violin duo whose repertoire include fiery Tangos, melancholic Eastern European folk and danceable pop tunes.

The duo will be playing in Castle Arcade so you can sip on cocktails from Gin and Juice or Rum and Fizz while enjoying the ambient tunes and beautiful setting.

Free tastings of continental charcuterie, Welsh cheeses and Welsh artisan Gin from Cascave Gin at Wally's Delicatessen between 11am - 4pm on Saturday 18th November.

Sample a range of spirits at Wally’s Liquor Cellar on Saturday 18th November between 11:00 - 16:30.

Saturday 18th November, 19:00 - 21:00. Doors open 6:30pm.

Get ready for a hilarious evening of non-stop laughs as Beyond Retro Cardiff transforms into a comedy wonderland! We've got a fantastic lineup of comedy acts that will leave you in stitches and create memories to cherish. What to Expect:

🤣 A diverse selection of comedy acts

🍻 Enjoy free drinks with your ticket

🤠 Vintage shopping!

🎉 A night of unforgettable fun with friends and fellow comedy enthusiasts

Tickets are just £12, and not only do they grant you access to the event, but they also include complimentary drinks to keep the good times rolling. Click here to book.

The Line-up

A night of sparkling stand up from some of the best acts on the circuit. Curated and hosted by Lorna Prichard (as heard on BBC Radio Wales and seen on ITV Wales).

Leroy Brito (IG @leroybrito)
Leroy Brito is a multi-talented comedian, writer, and presenter who has been entertaining audiences up and down the country for over 13 years. A seasoned stand-up, Leroy has had four sell-out solo shows, starred on television series such as Tourist Trap and Live From Barry Island and was recently a judge for the BBC New Comedy Award. As seen on BBC Wales and heard on BBC Radio Wales, he was described by Kiri Pritchard-McLean as the ‘real king of Wales’. Leroy has just co-written Late Night Football Club - charting Wales’s progress in the World Cup (BBC iPlayer) and is currently on tour.

Don Biswas (IG @donbiswascomedy)
Don Biswas is a politically charged gag merchant who likes to cover a wide range of subjects including his Asian upbringing, his neurodiversity and the most important of topics…conspiracy theories. As heard on BBC Radio 4 and seen on UKTV. “A phenomenal gag teller with an engaging stage persona” - Broadway Baby

Lorna Prichard (MC) (IG @lornacomedy, @howlcomedy) Lorna Prichard is a Welsh comedian from North East Wales. She is also a trusted broadcaster, having appeared regularly on TV and radio for the last 14 years. She can frequently be heard on BBC Radio Wales, and takes her offbeat stand up to comedy clubs across the UK and beyond. "I laughed so hard I spat my wine out" Tudur Owen

plus support from Bethan Martin.

Discover the benefits nature brings for your physical and mental health, while exploring Bute Park and Cardiff’s amazing arcades with Wild Rhythm on Saturday 18th November at 10:00 - 12:15.

Each workshop includes a complimentary drink from Coffee Barker, guided meditation in a woodland, a nature-based sound activity and and advice from Plant & Pot on the benefits of indoor plants on boosting mood and concentration during the winter months. Tickets are free. Please book in advance by clicking here.

*Please note, this event is fully booked.

10:00 - 11:30

Lucy & Yak are teaming up with Silly Panda to host two customisation workshops on Saturday 18th November at 11am-12pm and 1pm-2pm. Learn how to paint onto fabric, make a cute patch or decorate your favourite tote - perfect for upcycling your old yaks!

Tickets are just £5pp and include a free goody bag with treats from Beanfreaks and Annie & Lolo. Click here to book.

Remember to bring along your old yaks or clothing to customise. Guests will also be able to purchase an item in-store to customise or use the free tote bag provided. Paints, fabric cut-offs and other materials will be provided.

Saturday 18th November

3:00 pm – 3:50 pm

4:00 pm – 4:50 pm

Learn how to create a posy pin for your favourite Yaks as well as a dried flower hair accessory/ crown!

Book here

Free product making at LUSH Spa Cardiff on Saturday 18th November between 1pm-3pm.

Saturday 18th November

11:00 - 18:30

Bubbly and cookies with every purchase. Raffle tickets available for purchase to win 2 x £50 gift cards.

Saturday 18th November

Artist Sarah Millman will be doing a live painting on the windows of Bird & Blend Tea Cardiff between 12-4pm on Saturday 18th November. The piece is inspired by this history of Cardiff. Sarah is a comic artist, illustrator and creator of The Heart of Time webcomic and NPC Tea.

Saturday 18th November

10:00 - 14:00

Celebrate City of Arcades Day at Nighthawks’ Champagne Brunch. For £15 you will receive their famous Croque Madame Toastie and a glass of specially selected champagne.

Book here.

Choir with No Name will be performing on Saturday 18th November at 3pm on the Castle Arcade balcony in aid of the Wallich - Wales' leading homelessness and rough sleeping charity.

Saturday 18th November

14:00 - 20:30

Visit the Blue Bell on Saturday 18th November between 17:00 - 19:00 for happy hour deals.

2 for £12 Cocktails • 241 House Wine • 241 House Spirits • 241 Selected Bottles and Cans • £3 Pints of Glamorgan Ales, Brixton Coldharbour and Strongbow.

Visit Brewhouse on Saturday 18th November between 5pm - 7pm and enjoy their happy hour deals

• 2-4-1 Cocktails • 2-4-1 House Wine and Prosecco • 2-4-1 Coors Light and Sol • 2-4-1 Pizzas

There will also be live music from 1pm.

Visit the Pen & Paper on Saturday 18th November between 10:00 - 16:00 and spin the wheel for the chance to win a prize. Prizes include a limited edition tote bag designed by local illustrator Chaunce Lewis, stationary and sweets.

Visit Retro’s on Saturday 18th November between 12:00 - 20:00 and enjoy their happy hour deals.

£3.50 selected pints: Cruzcampo, Heineken, Amstel, Inch’s
2-4-1 cocktails, Budweiser, Coors Light, 125ml Wine
25% off all spirits

Visit The Philharmonic from 16:00 - 19:00 for happy hour deals.

2-4-1 Cocktails • 2-4-1 Prosecco • 2-4-1 Wine • 2-4-1 Budweiser Bottles • 2-4-1 Corona Bottles • £5 any spirit and mixer

There is also live music in their 360 bar from 5pm.

Explore Doctor Who filming locations with tour guides from the TV and Movie Store.

Tours at 12:00 and 15:00, limited to 20 people per tour.

Book via Instagram, Facebook, or by phone 02920342306

Enjoy some live Jazz music in the Bar from 18:00, followed by Laguna’s resident DJ from 21:00.

Enjoy free bachata dance lessons at Constantinou in Castle Arcade on Saturday 18th November to celebrate City of Arcades Day.

4pm-6pm: dancing
6pm-8pm socialise over drinks and nibbles

Reserve a spot here

All it takes to enter the spin is to buy one scoop of Gelato, the prizes will range from a free scoop of gelato to a £25 in store gift card.

Explore Cardiff’s rich history on this self-guided photography trail. View pictures of Cardiff from the 1800s – 2000s and see how the city centre has changed across the decades. Photography has been sourced from library archives and businesses so many photographs are not widely available. There are seven window displays:

Capitol Centre

Queens Arcade

Dominions Arcade

High Street Arcade

Castle Arcade

Royal Arcade

Wyndham Arcade

Free. Booking not required. Click here to view the trail map.

Explore wooden stalls with handcrafted gifts, sample delicious festive food and enjoy a mulled drink at the market bar.

Located along the Hayes in Cardiff city centre. Click here to find out more.

Cardiff’s famous and much loved Winter Wonderland. Split once again across two locations in the heart of the city centre, visitors will now be able to experience Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland at both Cardiff Castle and City Hall Lawn.

Click here to book tickets for the Big Wheel, the Ice Bar and ice skating at Cardiff Castle.

Find The Sparklettes in Royal, Morgan, Castle, High Street and Duke Street Arcades!

Performances will take place on Saturday 18th November at:

11am - 11.30am

12pm - 12.30pm

1pm - 1.30pm

Enjoy live music at the Philharmonic in their 360 bar on Saturday 18th November between 17:00 - 19:00.

Find and scan QR codes across Cardiff city centre to talk to Ceri, a friendly virtual tour guide, via a web-based app.

Powered by AI technology, your virtual tour guide will talk to you about the history of Cardiff by sharing facts, asking questions, and sending pictures.

With interactive points at iconic landmarks including Cardiff Castle, the Principality Stadium, and the historic arcades, the Talking City Trail is a fantastic way to explore the Welsh capital while learning about its fascinating history.

Click here to find out more.