Copyright walesonline
Preparing for Christmas can be stressful, but let's face it, there's nothing like a weekend, or night away enjoying some festive food, browsing market stalls and picking up some stocking essentials off the high street. Christmas shopping shouldn't be a thing of dread it can be a couple of hours of mooching, stopping for a coffee and having a good day out with your besties, kids or even just by yourself. And while there are dozens of markets all across the country, popping to Cardiff for that all-important pre-December 25 blow-out is a no-brainer. Unlike places like Bath or Birmingham, which get way, way too crammed, modestly-sized city, Cardiff has everything you need within walking distance, from Christmas-only stalls to restaurants and bars and the last minute essentials you might need for a night away. .If you're after a rundown of Christmas events in Wales for 2025, click here . Or for Father Christmas Grottos, you'll find those, here. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Here's why we reckon your Christmas shopping weekend trip should be Cardiff: Picture the scene, rows of wooden huts selling one-off pieces of jewellery, keepsakes and toys, boozy treats and loads more Christmas gift ideas. If you like browsing Christmas markets the Cardiff city centre one should be on your radar. The traders rotate so you could even visit it more than once! While it does get busy, it's not as rammed as say, Bath, and the setting is also just as festive as you're surrounded by the huge tower of St John's Church, the German bar and bratwurst stall and lots of Christmas decorations to get you in the spirit. There's also the huge Cardiff Castle smack dab in the centre trimmed up for the season. As you mooch the snake of stalls don't forget to check out the seven Victorian and Edwardian arcades. These beautifully lit up corridors house more than 100 independent shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Make sure you get a pastry and coffee from Pettigrew in Castle Arcade, where you'll also find cosy bar, Nighthawks for the best wines and cheese toasties in town. Wally's Deli in Royal Arcade screams Christmas hamper treats, too - and they've a traditional Viennese Kaffeehaus with brilliant lunches, traditional cakes and coffee. Don't forget, too, there's the Victorian Cardiff Market found just off the Hayes and opposite St John's Church Gardens - you should defintely explore this venue if you love vintage clothes stalls, Hatt's Emporium, record stores - Kelly's - and enough brilliant streetfood you can shake a stick at - Greek, Jamaican, pizza, Japanese and loads more. For up-to-date traders at Cardiff's Christmas markets, click here. Aside of shopping Cardiff city centre has a huge list of Christmas activities to enjoy, not least a very festive Cardiff Castle - where there'll be a Santa's grotto - the Winter Wonderland, spread across the castle and City Hall lawns - Cardiff Christmas Festival and the gorgeous and twinkly, Christmas at Bute Park light trail. If you've never been to Cardiff before at Christmas time, you'll definitely leave feeling in the spirit of the season. The Welsh capital's theatres have you covered. The Edwardian New Theatre has Sleeping Beauty with BBC faves, Gethin Jones and Owain Wyn Evans, while a little outside the city centre, in Cardiff Bay , the Wales Millennium Centre's big Christmas show is Mary Poppins. All the essential dates and booking information can be found in this round-up, here. Meanwhile at National Museum Cardiff there's a screening of It's a Wonderful Life as well as a Christmas silent disco on December 13 - what a setting! For booking and more on these events, click here. While a day browsing might sound appealing, it's obvious that many shoppers will have a list of must-buys from the high street but don't worry, Cardiff has you covered for that, too. St David's Shopping Centre is packed with your go-tos, John Lewis, JD Sports, Boots, M&S, Primark. The big attractions for this Christmas shopping season, though, will be beauty giant, Sephora and the brand new, bigger Lego store. We've already mentioned Cardiff Market and Wally's as must-visits for lunches, Hard Lines for coffee on the go at the main market, too is a must. You'll spot the usual Starbucks. Costas and Black Sheeps across the city for that all-important caffeine boost. As well as the dependable chain restaurants where you know what you'll get eg. Wagamama's, Honest Burger, Franco Manca, Slim Chickens - we have them all and more spread across the main shopping area (St David's Shopping Centre food spots can be found on the Hayes and in the Grand Arcade.) If you want a really nice dinner in the city centre, Pasture, Parallel, Asador 44 are must tries for top quality steaks and inventive but super tasty dishes. Bacareto is is the perfect place to stop for a well-sourced wine, beer and a crostini at the counter - a splash of Venice in the heart of Cardiff. Love tapas? Bar 44 and Curado are ideal places to check out. Like with so many other cities, many of the brilliant restaurants worth visiting are in the surrounding neighbourhoods, and you can find our full Cardiff best restaurant list, here.
