Caerleon Arts Festival – Caerleon, Wales 2026

Overview

Caerleon Arts Festival is a heartfelt, non-commercial community celebration of creativity and heritage, weaving music, theater, literature, sculpture, and crafts into a ten-day tapestry that honors the ancient town’s Roman and Arthurian legacy along the River Usk. Founded in 2002 by Dr. Peter Rhys as a sculpture-focused event inspired by Hay-on-Wye, it has blossomed into a year-round enterprise by Celf Caerleon Arts CIC (No. 8625012), culminating in a vibrant July summer festival that draws locals and visitors to historic sites like the Roman Amphitheatre and Festival Meadow; with a 2026 program pending but expected to echo recent editions featuring jazz orchestras, folk choirs, and open mics, it spotlights both emerging talents and established acts amid wildflower meadows and medieval echoes.

What truly animates Caerleon is its ethos of inclusivity and grassroots passion—volunteer-driven with values of equality, diversity, and freedom of expression, it transforms “wasteland” into the Gateway Meadow while rejecting discrimination; from Shakespeare under the stars to Big Free Weekend fairs with 50+ performers, it’s a joyful rebellion against commercialism, fostering connections in a place Tennyson called “the fairest that I saw.” See official site: https://caerleon-arts.org/

Event Highlights

• Main activities or performances: A eclectic lineup of music and arts across ten days, including choirs in St. Cadoc’s Church, folk and jazz at pubs like The Red Lion Open Mic, and headline acts like the Capital City Jazz Orchestra; past summers featured Festival Players’ Shakespeare in the Amphitheatre, All Wales Comic Verse Finals, and 50+ free weekend performers on Hanbury Quayside and Bell Inn Garden; 2026 music focus likely includes big bands, Celtic folk, and acoustic sets amid sculpture trails.
• Special traditions or features: Annual Big Free Weekend (e.g., July 12-13 in recent years) with bands, dancers, and arts fairs; Gateway Project transforming the Festival Meadow into a wildflower haven; year-round events like Christmas Farmers’ Markets, Hen Galan Welsh New Year, and St. David’s Day celebrations; crowdfunded via JustGiving for sustainability.
• Unique attractions for visitors: Shakespeare in the Roman Amphitheatre with choral support; “Lit on the Lawn” at Priory Hotel blending poetry, comedy, and music; Chainsaw Dragons sculptures and Open Studios; family-friendly with volunteers from local schools, celebrating Caerleon’s myths from Arthur to Glyndwr in a riverside setting.

Why attend

Caerleon Arts Festival is a living ode to cultural alchemy, where ancient stones host modern melodies and community spirit turns a village into a stage—ideal for those seeking an antidote to glossy events, offering free fairs and intimate gigs that feel like joining a family jam session by the Usk. Its CIC model ensures every note and sculpture fuels local dreams, blending history with heart in a way that sparks inspiration without overwhelming the senses.

More than performances, it’s a portal to Caerleon’s soul: wandering sculpture trails at dusk, debating verse over meadow picnics, and leaving with handmade treasures and echoes of choirs that bind past and present; as a volunteer-powered haven of diversity, attending nourishes creativity and connection, proving small places hold the biggest magic—perfect for rediscovering joy in shared stories and songs.

Date & Duration

Dates: July 3 – July 13, 2026 (based on 2025 pattern of May/July events; full program TBC via sponsors like Literature Wales), Duration: 11 days

Venue / Location

Historic venues across Caerleon, including Roman Amphitheatre for theater, St. Cadoc’s Church for choirs, Festival Meadow for fairs, and pubs like Hanbury Arms and Bell Inn for music; no additional off-site. Main Google location address: High Street, Caerleon, Newport, NP18 1AG, United Kingdom

Ticket Information

• Tickets sold online via Eventbrite (eventbrite.co.uk/o/caerleon-arts-festival-11346771272) and site buttons; also at Caerleon Post Office or Diverse Records (Newport) for fringe; contact for queries.
• Admission mixed; many events free (e.g., Big Free Weekend), others paid; all-ages with some adult-oriented content.
• Ticket pricing in USD: Individual events range from free to ~$13-$26 USD (£10-£20); passes or bundles ~$39-$65 USD (£30-£50); sponsor discounts via JustGiving donations.
• Special seating or VIP options include sponsor perks (e.g., priority seating via email); accessible areas with proof (e.g., Blue Badge); no formal VIP but volunteer access for sponsors.
• Minimum and maximum ticket price range: Minimum free (many events); Maximum ~$65 USD (£50, multi-event pass).

Booking with Euro Travelo

Planning to enjoy this arts festival without the stress? Euro Travelo can help you book tickets, organize travel, and handle your entire trip from start to finish. Whether it’s a vibrant arts festival, live concert, or cultural celebration, our team ensures a smooth experience for culture lovers across Europe. Contact Euro Travelo today to secure your festival tickets and travel arrangements.

Contact Information

• Email: editor@caerleon-arts.org (general inquiries); sponsors@caerleon-arts.org (sponsorship).
• Phone: +44 1633 430194.
• Website: https://caerleon-arts.org (official site for events, tickets, newsletter).
• Social Media: @CaerleonFestival (Facebook primary).
• Key Staff: Tim Davidson (Chair); Catherine Davidson (Secretary); Lynne Nelmes (Events); Wilf Worrall (Treasurer/Sculptor Liaison).
• Press/Volunteers: Press via email; volunteer opportunities via site/newsletter (e.g., meadow prep).
• Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. English/Welsh support; subscribe to newsletter for updates.

Getting There

• Nearest airports: Cardiff Airport (CWL, ~25 miles/45-min drive); Bristol Airport (BRS, ~40 miles/1-hour drive).
• Public transport: Trains to Newport Station (5 miles/15-min bus, ~2 hours from London Paddington); buses 29/73 to Caerleon (every 30 mins); walk from town center to venues (~10 mins).
• Parking: Free on-street in Caerleon; Festival Meadow access for events; avoid peak hours.
• Driving directions: From M4, exit J24 to A449 toward Caerleon; sat-nav NP18 1AG; ~2 hours from London, narrow lanes post-Newport.

Accommodation Options

• On-site camping: Not available; day-based with meadow picnics.
• Glamping and VIP: No; some sponsors offer packages.
• Nearby hotels: Celtic Manor Resort (3 miles, luxury with spa, ~$260 USD/night) or Three Salmons Hotel (Caerleon, 0.5 miles, historic charm, ~$130 USD); book via Booking.com.
• Local B&Bs and rentals: Bulmore View B&B (1 mile, river views/breakfast, ~$110 USD) or Airbnb cottages in Usk (5 miles, ~$150 USD); 20+ options—list via site form.

Reviews

• Meadow magic with folk under the sun—Big Free’s 50+ acts were a delight, sculpture trail enchanting, and community warmth genuine; Caerleon’s hidden heart.
• Jazz at St. Cadoc’s soared—volunteer vibe inclusive, fringe crafts inspired kids, and that Usk riverside picnic perfection; timeless fest joy.
• Shakespeare in the Amphitheatre was epic—diverse lineup from choirs to comics, easy access, and the meadow’s bloom a bonus; back for the legends.