It occurred to me recently that we actually missed out on a proper festive season last year. All the things we know, love, and associate with that time of the year, we’re taken away from us. So of course we’re all extra excited about this year.

Visits to Father Christmas, our traditional Festive Markets and even the parties filled with all those cheesy tunes were gone.

So this year it’s going to be bigger and better, and we know the appetite for all things seasonal will be massive. And if ever there is something which will get the whole family in the festive mood it’s CHRISTMAS AT BUTE PARK.

It really felt like we were right in the heart of this magical time when South Wales Life rolled up, suitably attired in our winter woolies, to the official preview of this incredible addition to the capital, in the most perfect setting.

More than 130,000 visitors are expected to follow during the trail’s five-week run (although we suggest you walk slowly around the park to take it all in) after a team of 25 technicians spent more than two weeks installing over one million twinkling lights to create the breath-taking spectacular.

The park has been taken over by laser shows, an enchanting fairy tree avenue, flickering fire sculptures and spectacular mirror ball displays after the trail’s creators spent more than two weeks on site laying 7km of cabling and 12,000 ground-protection matts to prepare. 

Andy Smith from the company behind the trail, From The Fields told us……

“We are honoured to have the opportunity to light up Bute Park and share in the Christmas spirit with the people of Cardiff. Following over a year of planning, it was great to see so many familiar faces come and share in that feeling of goodwill with us as we launched the trail this week.”

“It’s been an incredible effort by our hard-working technicians and crew so it’s a wonderfully rewarding moment to have finally opened our doors, and we can’t wait to share the experience with the thousands of visitors set to step into Christmas at Bute Park over the coming weeks and enjoy the magic for themselves.”

We’ll tell you more shortly, and how to get tickets, first of all, take a look at our film from the preview. We won’t spoil it all, just give you a little flavour of what to expect. We also took time to chat to a couple of the lighting wizards, who helped put this show together.

Christmas At Bute Park – Preview Evening

Christmas at Bute Park will take visitors on a breath-taking tour of festive delight around one of the capital city’s most beloved landmarks and through the biggest Christmas lights trail Wales has ever seen.

Culminating in a special ‘Sea of Light’ installation by Ithaca Studio, who have created stunning displays for Kew Gardens, Blenheim Palace, and Glastonbury festival, the trail is set to bring some much-needed festive cheer to Welsh shoppers and visitors alike up until, including, New Year’s Eve.

Local producers including Handlebar Coffee, based in Bute Park, Hello Good Pie from Treharris, Jol’s Food Truck from Merthyr and more will also be on hand for refreshments afterwards including churros and, of course, roast marshmallows over fire-pits. 

There were a few familiar faces at the special preview evening, did you spot them in our video?

The face of GoCompare and radio presenter Wynne Evans, broadcaster Jason Mohammed, TV and film actor Steve Speirs, TV host Lucy Owen and Welsh artist Nathan Wyburn were all there last night.

We need to let you know that demand has been so great that new dates to see Wales’ biggest ever Christmas lights trail have been introduced as demand for tickets to the magical new festive experience remains extremely high.

Visits to Christmas at Bute Park will now take place during timed intervals on every night of the week throughout November and December, as the majority of existing dates have almost sold-out. 

Andy Smith, part of the team behind the trail told us……

“We have been absolutely overwhelmed with the response since we first announced Christmas at Bute Park would be coming to Wales at the end of the summer.

“The majority of dates made available back then have now all but sold-out and we’re mindful that not everyone will have been able, or got round to, making their Christmas plans early this year.”

“For some, the festive season isn’t something they will have wanted to think about too soon, especially when it was still unclear how restrictions would pan out, while others will have been planning something special for much of the year.”

“After another year of uncertainty we just want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to make this Christmas as special as it can be, therefore, and are releasing a number of new dates today to try and help make sure it happens.”

Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure at Cardiff Council, Peter Bradbury told us…..

“We’re absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with the award-winning promoters, From the Fields, to bring this magical event to Cardiff. 

“Our residents and visitors love Bute Park and it will be fantastic to see it lit up in this spectacular way in time for Christmas 2021. Christmas at Bute Park is sure to help bring some much-needed festive cheer to all who visit and will be a great addition to all our Christmas events planned for Cardiff.”

All slots will be held outdoors and run on a timed basis to ensure the safety of all those attending, which means all patrons booking tickets will have the chance to give their family the gift of Christmas this year, come what may.

Tickets can be booked on the website. Adults (aged 16 and above) costs £18, Children aged 3-15, £13, under 3’s are free and a family ticket, for two adults and two children, is £55.

For more information on CHRISTMAS AT BUTE PARK and how to book tickets, visit HERE.