About

The Eisteddfod is Wales’ largest cultural festival attracting over 160,000 visitors annually. The Eisteddfod is based on almost 850 years of tradition and is held during the first week of August every year and travels around Wales visiting a different area every year.

The Eisteddfod is the natural showcase for music, dance, visual arts, literature, original perfomances and much more. Encompassing all aspects of the arts and culture in Wales, it is an inclusive and welcoming festival, which attracts thousands of Welsh learners and those who do not speak the language as well as Welsh speakers every year. Translation services are available in the Pavilion and bilingual information is available.

Traditionally it is a competition-based festival, attracting over 6,000 competitors.  The festival has developed and evolved over recent years, and whilst the competitions form the central focus for the week, the Maes (site) itself has grown and developed into a vibrant festival with hundreds of events and activities for the whole family.

Ynysangharad Park in the centre of Pontypridd will provide a focus for most activities and pavilions, with the town also playing an important role during the week, creating an urban, alternative and exciting Eisteddfod, combining the local area with the festival itself.

The Maes
The Pavilion is usually in the middle of the Maes, with a number of smaller pavilions and tents dotted around the field, including Y Babell Lên, Y Lle Celf, Maes D, Tŷ Gwerin, Pentref Plant, Llwyfan y Maes and much more, offering all kinds of performances and sessions from morning till night. Everything on the Maes is held in Welsh and it has over 200 stalls, including quality Welsh gifts and crafts, souvenirs, books, jewellery, art, musical instruments and much more.