Families across Wales are being invited to enjoy a week of Croeso (welcome) and Hwyl (fun) when the Welsh Museums Festival 2025 gets underway this autumn half term.
Running from Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November, more than 40 museums across the country will open their doors with a packed programme of free events and activities. Highlights include the launch of a new free booklet on ‘Hwyl’ (fun or joy) by poet, broadcaster and performer Aneirin Karadog, who will officially unveil it at Carmarthenshire Museum on 16 October.
Karadog said: “It will be a privilege to be part of Welsh Museums Festival. We have so many treasures in our country and so many interesting opportunities for the children and our young people. The resource we’ve created will hopefully add to the hwyl (fun) and raise even more interest in our museums.”
The festival coincides with Calan Gaeaf (Welsh Halloween), offering families the chance to explore autumn traditions alongside interactive experiences. From craft workshops and storytelling to film screenings and archaeology sessions, there is something for all ages.
Organised by Museums Federation Cymru and funded by the Welsh Government, the festival has been running since 2014. It aims to celebrate Wales’s museums and heritage while making culture more accessible to communities across the nation.
Rachael Rogers, spokesperson for Museums Federation Cymru, said: “The Welsh Museums Festival showcases the amazing work done by museums across Wales. Our museums not only offer visitors the chance to learn about our Welsh heritage, but they offer free events in a warm and welcoming space, which is more important than ever. So, if you’ve already started to scratch your head about what you might do during half term, then we have the answer.”
Some of the upcoming events
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Rhondda Heritage Park, 25 October
Archaeology Crafts – Children aged 5 to 16 can make their own medieval coin purse from faux leather and craft replica coins using air-dry clay. The Royal Mint Museum will also be on hand with their coin striking activity. -
Storiel, Gwynedd, 25 October
Eerie Eryri – Celebrating 50 years of Welsh-language horror films, Storiel will host a special event in partnership with Pontio, Abertoir Film Festival and Matchbox Cine, showcasing work directed by Wil Aaron. -
Newport Museum and Art Gallery, 29 October
Family Crafts – Community artist Nathan Sheen will lead free craft sessions, ideal for children aged 3 to 10. -
Yr Ysgwrn, 30 October
Calan Gaeaf Stories – An evening of ghostly tales with renowned storyteller Mair Tomos Ifans. The event is suitable for children and young people, with free soup and drinks available.
The popular Wales History Trails Passport Challenge also returns, giving families the chance to win a prize simply by visiting at least one participating museum during the festival week.
For the full programme and more details, visit: museumsfestival.wales/our-events
