Christmas at Bute Park has returned to Cardiff for its fifth year and the popular light trail is bigger and brighter once again.
With more than 104,000 tickets sold last year, the award winning event has become one of the capital’s staple festive attractions, and this year’s reimagined route brings a fresh mix of installations, street food and entertainment.
From the moment you arrive, the improvements are easy to spot. The food court and bar area at the start and end of the trail has had a major upgrade. There is plenty of cover, much better layout and a proper space to shelter if the weather turns. It feels more organised and far more welcoming than in previous years.
One of the first changes regulars will notice is the direction of the route. This year the trail sets off anti clockwise. It does not take long to settle into it, but it is a noticeable switch for returning visitors. The path itself is by far the best it has been. Most of the route is wide and smooth under foot with only one narrow point early on where a build up of pushchairs caused a short wait. Aside from that, the trail flowed well and was easy to move through.
Accessibility has clearly been a priority. Wheelchair users and families with prams should find the experience straightforward. Only one small patch felt boggy while the rest of the trail had proper pathways or temporary flooring where needed.
The scale of the route remains impressive. It stretches across a large part of Bute Park and easily fills an evening. While the installations are eye catching, this year’s trail does feel a little different.
Previous editions have often saved up a big finale, but this time there was not that same standout moment at the end.
Some of the changes to the route will divide opinion. The trail now bypasses the castle wall and outer gate, which has always been one of the most striking backdrops.
Delilah y Ddraig is still part of the journey, now placed deep inside the Fire Garden, but the famous effect of the dragon tail emerging from the castle is missed.
There is also no return of the fire displays that have been a favourite in the past. They have been replaced with a new light installation which is well presented, but long time visitors will still feel the absence of that fiery centrepiece.
The new features do bring plenty of fresh appeal. Water Willows delivers a bold display of lights and sound using three towering tree structures. Crystal Avenue offers a glowing run of illuminated chandeliers, and the projections on the trees have a warm festive charm. The trail also features two works by Welsh artists through the Ignite Cymru scheme, adding a creative local touch.
Across the route, visitors can warm up with hot chocolate, toast marshmallows or take a break for food. Street food traders include favourites such as Cattle Co Burgers, Hash and Dash, Frico Pizza and Loaded Fries, Daddy Macs and Oh My Sausage. Crumble Pots, Chocomelt and several coffee and drinks stalls round off the line up. Prices sit around the usual event range. Meal deals were roughly sixteen pounds, our margherita pizza was eleven pounds, soft drinks started at three pounds and hot chocolate was about five pounds.
The Bute Park Tavern continues to be a popular stop. The heated Alpine style cabin gives visitors a cosy place to relax in the middle of the park’s festive glow.
As part of this year’s programme, there will also be choir performances from groups including the Mark Jermin choir, Mind’s super choir, Cor Seren Choir 2Wish and Pencaerau Primary School. Two inclusive evenings will also take place for visitors who prefer a quieter, calmer experience.
Christmas at Bute Park remains a major attraction in the heart of Cardiff and still delivers a memorable night out for families, friends and festive day trippers. The infrastructure is much improved, the trail is long and varied, and the new installations bring fresh life to familiar surroundings.
While it may lack the big finale of previous years, it still offers a strong dose of Christmas magic and is well worth a visit before it closes on 31 December.
