Top 7 Must-Visit Festivals in Cardiff for Students

Studying abroad and searching for the ‘best student festivals in Cardiff?  We have the names and details for you. Art, culture, food, music, and the city have festivals for everything out there. In fact, many of these festivals are closer to the student accommodation in Cardiff. They are pocket-friendly and full of enthusiasm. So, let’s cut the chase and get straight to the list of Cardiff festivals for students. 

What are the Top 7 Student Festivals in Cardiff?  

Check out these 7 of the best festivals in Cardiff that students should try at least once.  

Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival

First, the Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival is organised at Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay (CF10 5BZ). Every summer, Roald literally becomes a foodie paradise. Try globally loved street food, local Welsh cheeses, and craft cider is like cherry on the top. The smell at the spot is just WOW!  

Now, a very self-explanatory question. Why do students love this festival?  

• Affordable and tasty Gourmet meals  

• Perfect for bonding with your flatmate or roommate   

• You might meet your favorite eatery vendors to follow all year  

Bring a lil empty tummy and some cash because many stalls are cash-only. Bus routes like 1, 2, 6, or 8, are ideal to get here from the student houses in Cardiff.  

Cardiff Festival of Voice

Also known as Llais, The Cardiff Festival of Voice is held at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay on an annual basis. The festival was launched in 2016, and till then, the spirit has been getting higher. Every year, it’s attended by lot of indie folk singers, poets, and gospel choirs. There are some popular names hosted by this festival like Van Morrison, Patti Smith, Elvis Costello, Gruff Rhys (with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales), Brian Eno, and many more popular artists. Why is it loved by the students?  

• Affordable and accessible   

• Youth engagement opportunities  

• A refreshed vibe through music  

• Best for music lovers  

Plus, a lesser talked aspect is that if you’re living in shared rooms Cardiff, this festival is often a great choice to enjoy and bond with your room partner.  

Cardiff Mardi Gras

Attend this festival if you want a bright carnival energy. Cardiff Mardi Gras or Pride Cymru, is one of the biggest celebrations to support LGBTQ+ community and encourage their equality. In 2025, the festival attracted over 50,000 visitors. The main event is usually held at the City Hall Lawns, and sometimes Bute Park as well. You’ll see people drumming excitedly, dancing and performances from many cultures. Now again, why should students go there?  

• Enjoy a big street party without leaving the city   

• Friendly atmosphere with so many colours  

• Diverse communities of Cardiff all together  

So, mark it in your calendars for this year! This festival will be an experience full of fun, dancing, singing, instruments, and heartfelt enthusiasm.   

Cardiff Science Festival

An annual festival in Wales, the Cardiff Science Festival hosts interactive events in the city related to science, mathematics, technology, and engineering. Basically, a full-funnel STEM-focused science festival. It’s held around February or March, and features different activities, workshops, and programs, for diverse ages and locations. Now some student-friendly aspects:  

• Most events are free  

• STEM students can network with pros  

• Non-STEM students have a blast anyway  

The city becomes an interactive lab during the festival. You get to experience explosive demonstrations, hands-on exhibits, and those rocket science kinda talks happening around your Cardiff student homes in shopping centres, museums, and cafes.  

Cardiff Christmas Market

As winter starts, central Cardiff is full of buzz around the Cardiff Christmas Market. Organised in Cardiff’s pedestrianized city centre, over 200 festive wooden stalls line the streets with handmade gifts, decorations, candles and art. You get that lovely jingle vibes everywhere! You can grab hot chocolate, mulled drinks, churros, crepes and other winter treats while you browse. Students love it because of:  

• Unique Secret Santa gifts   

• Festive vibe without the tack  

• End-term celebration spot   

December turns the city centre into a winter wonderland. Wooden chalets sell handmade gifts. Mulled wine flows. The smell of roasting chestnuts follows you everywhere. The ice rink adds magic. You might regret missing it!  

Green Man Festival

 In 2026, the Green Man Festival will be held at the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, Wales, near Crickhowell. The festival is full of so many Cardiff students every year. With stage performances, music, comedy, films, literature, electronic acts, you get a whole bunch of variety here. Have you heard of “Einstein’s Garden?” That’s also a part of the epic Green Man Festival. Here are the reasons students love it for:  

• Exposure to a grand level of art and talent   

• Camping opportunities with split cost   

• Early-bird student tickets at a low cost    

• The best escape from stress   

Living in shared rooms Cardiff? What are you waiting for? Take your roomie to this festival for a memorable experience. Music, art, drums, films, poetry, literature legends, everything!  

Cardiff International Film Festival

If you’re someone who loves attending film festivals, you must not miss out on the Cardiff International Film Festival. It hosts international and local Welsh cinema masterpieces. And it’s interactive! Directors and actors often do Q&As with the audience. It includes workshops, panel discussions, award ceremonies, and excellent networking opportunities. The festival attracts so many students every year due to following reasons:  

• Many screenings are free with your student card  

• Feel wildly sophisticated  

• Discover films before they hit Netflix  

It’s easy to drop into an evening screening after class, especially if you live in central student accommodation Cardiff. Grab a friend, pick a film at random, and try something new.   

Spruce Up Your Student Life with the Best Cardiff Festivals!  

Cardiff gives you much more than lectures and late‑night study sessions. From food and music to science, film and festive fun, these student‑friendly festivals help you see the city at its best. They’re not just excuses to procrastinate, though they work brilliantly for that as well. They help you make friends, understand Welsh culture, and build stories you’ll keep telling for years.  

Many of these are close enough to the student housing in Cardiff. At University Living, we show you exactly where the accommodation is and what’s nearby, so you can choose a spot that puts you in the heart of the action.  

Get out there. Try something new. Make your time in Cardiff unforgettable. The city’s waiting, what are you waiting for?

Frequently Asked Questions