Music in the mountains
Green Man Festival takes place every August in the Glanusk Park estate near Crickhowell, in the shadow of the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons. It is a mid-sized festival with a reputation for quality over quantity, and it regularly sells out months in advance.
The lineup typically mixes indie, folk, electronic and world music across several stages, with comedy, literature and science talks running alongside. Past headliners have included Pixies, Fleet Foxes, Michael Kiwanuka and Khruangbin. The atmosphere is relaxed, the crowd is friendly, and the setting, with mountains on the horizon and the River Usk nearby, is hard to beat.
What to expect
Green Man runs from Thursday to Sunday. Beyond the music, there is a dedicated comedy tent, a literature programme with author talks and readings, a science area called Einstein's Garden, and a children's area called Little Folk. The food stalls are a step above most festivals, with a focus on Welsh and independent producers.
The festival site is in a natural amphitheatre, which gives it an intimate feel despite holding around 25,000 people. Late-night sets run into the small hours, and there is a tradition of burning a large wicker Green Man effigy on the final night.
Where to stay and extend your trip
Most festival-goers camp on site, but if you prefer a bed, accommodation in Crickhowell, Brecon and Llanwrtyd Wells fills up quickly. Book well in advance.
If you are travelling to Mid Wales for Green Man, consider extending your trip. The Brecon Beacons offer walking, waterfalls and market towns. Drive north through Powys to the Elan Valley reservoirs or west to the Ceredigion coast. A few extra days turns a festival weekend into a proper holiday.
Green Man is not the biggest festival in Britain, but it might be one of the best. The combination of good music, good food and a Welsh mountain backdrop makes it something worth planning a trip around.
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