A Christmas Cracker Of Festive Events!

Christmas has come early to Caerphilly county borough, with the council busy gearing up for a festive programme of events which promises to offer something for all the family. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

First up is Ystrad Mynach Festive Fayre on Saturday 19th November between 10am and 5pm. The town promises to be a hive of activity, with festive stalls, local choirs and bands, reindeer, children’s rides, Santa’s grotto at Siloh Church and Christmas light switch on creating a magical start to the festive events programme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Hot on its heels is Bargoed Christmas Market, which will be held on Saturday 26th November between 10am and 5pm. Food, craft and charity stalls will fill the high street, with a host of festive activities on offer for the whole family to enjoy including street entertainers, funfair rides, reindeer and much more. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Also taking place on Saturday 26th November between 12pm and 5.30pm is Risca Christmas Market and Light Parade. Held in Tredegar Park, there’ll be plenty of stalls and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. A fun light parade is the finale to the event, along with the Christmas lights switch on and carols around the Christmas tree. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Next up is Blackwood Christmas Market, which this year takes place on Saturday 3rd December between 9am and 5pm and Sunday 4th December between 10am and 4pm. With street theatre, food, craft and charity stalls, fun fair rides, real reindeer and a spectacular Santa’s Grotto inside Tidal’s Store, all the fun of Christmas will be brought to life in Blackwood town centre. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Caerphilly Christmas Market is next on the list, taking place this year on Saturday 10th December between 9am and 5pm and Sunday 11th December between 10am and 4pm. Visitors will be able to experience the sights, sounds and smells of a town and castle preparing for Christmas, with over 100 food, craft and gift stalls filling the town centre. There’s also a traditional farmers market, craft fayre, funfair rides and the Love Caerphilly Shop on Cardiff Road will be running a Santa’s Grotto (10am – 4pm) on both days from the shop (£5 per child). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Also returning this year is the ever-popular Bargoed Ice Rink. Between Wednesday 14th December and Sunday 18th December from 10am until 7pm, families will be able to enjoy this favourite winter pastime – all from Morrison’s underground car park! Operating in half hourly slots throughout the day, skating costs just £3 per person. No pre-booking is available, so please arrive in advance of the preferred session to avoid disappointment. This event is possible thanks to financial support from Bargoed Town Council and support from Morrisons. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The finale to the Christmas events programme is the spectacular Caerphilly River of Light Lantern Parade, which this year takes place on Thursday 22nd December. Starting at Caerphilly train station at 6.30pm, the impressive procession will make its way through the town centre, before coming to a stop on Crescent Road for a fantastic fireworks display over the skies of the castle. Workshops for the lantern making session will take place on 10/11 and 17/18 December. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​