What’s happening at the summer of smiles festival 20th July -8th August (excluding Mondays)
Arts Active
Why not get active in our two arts active tents where a huge range of activities will be taking place in the both tents.
From baby raves to portraiture workshops and from have a go sewing classes to band Jams and hip hop workshops there is something for everyone who wants to get arty and active this summer . Activities are timed to suit younger children in the earlier session and older ones in the late afternoon!
Circus Workshops
Between the Arts Active Tents, Citrus Arts will be running Make and take sessions where you take what you’ve made home with you including Hula Hoops, Poispinners and lanterns as well as teaching you how to use them, then you’ll be already to host your own circus at home. On Saturday Evening Citrus will be presenting smoke cannister swinging sessions on Saturday evenings between 6:30 and 7pm
Table Football Plus
Missing the Euros already? Well take part in an exciting table football tournament playing as your favourite country. Challenge your friends and win a place on the tournament leaderboard. It won’t cost a penny in “Sterling” and you can “Bale” out anytime you like!
Performance Stage
Weeks 1 and 2
Acrobats, jugglers, comedians bring fun to outdoor stage set amongst the trees! Artists change everyday but will include include the amazing African acrobatic troupe, the Black Eagles, Live Art from John Hicks, Hula Hooping hi jinx from Angie Mack and man inside a balloon fun from Carlos Airhead.
In the final week watch out for two plays which will be visiting the site in the shape of Hoof! by Theatr Iolo and Kitsch n sync and Crafangau/Claws by The Sherman
Hoof (performance times 10.30, 12pm, 2pm)
Three little deer make an unexpected discovery when they stumble across an old, abandoned theatre in the woods. Investigating their new find, this cheeky trio quickly find themselves in spotlight and treading the boards for the very first time! Will the toe-tapping friends be able to bring the long-forgotten theatre back to life? Or will the lights be turned off forever? Age Guide: 4+ years and suitable for all the family
Crafangau/Claws (performance times 5.30, 6.30) In Welsh and English.
Mason’s Nan wants to straighten the blackness from her hair. She wants Mason to look like someone she isn’t. What should Mason do? In the woods near St Fagans Mason has an unexpected encounter with a panther. Perhaps this incredible creature can help Mason set herself free.
Follow us into enchanted woods, just beyond our everyday world with Nia Morais’s empowering, magical tale. Age guide 11 plus
Walkabout Performers
A Summer of Smiles is guaranteed as a colourful Cavalcade of costumed characters, including gym teachers, space cadets, stilted characters flowerpots and bouncing kangaroos roam the site!
The Happy Tent
Weeks 1 and 2, Platfform
Week 3. Grassroots.
Weeks 1 and 2. Write on the Love wall, print t shirts, play giant garden games, and other organised games, make gratitude jars and be filmed like a star in a tent that will be jammed with fun and happiness.
In week 3, Grassroots will supply a range of activities and workshops ranging from Larkdesign wall hangings, the Safe foundation wall and a range of upbeat music activities on the final Sunday.
Amazing Alpacas
Just outside the Happy Tent Platfform will present two beautiful alpacas who will certainly cheer you up! These furry friends have come all the way from The Andes (via Monmouth) to warm the coldest hearts and will pleased to see you at the festival.
Pedal emporium
Engage in bike-powered antics at Cardiff’s favourite fun factory, saddle up and re-“cycle” bubbles, spin paint and even power a disco without even plugging into the mains!
Promo Cymru/ The Sprout
As part of the festival, TheSprout are commissioning 10 young creatives aged 14-18 to who will be creating and displaying their artwork on site in a celebration of the extraordinary talent of young people in our city.
Inspire BMX shows
Grab a socially distanced place at the front to view live BMX shows by world class daredevil riders performing extraordinary feats. The shows will be followed by have a go workshops where you can learn to BMX like a pro.
Green Squirrel
Green Squirrel will create a number of collaborative pieces of street art showcasing issues and highlighting the messages that matter to young people around the climate and ecological emergency. Choosing either to create images of waves, depicting rising sea levels, or wildlife that is in decline. Staff will be fully trained to talk about these issues in a friendly and informative way, empowering the young people to speak up about the issues that matter to them and create a piece of art to communicate these messages to the public. These street art pieces will be created using wire mesh and cross stitch and weaving techniques with upcycled strips of material. They can be displayed on Heras fencing as part of the festival and then re-homed across Cardiff communities.
National Museum of Wales Cardiff Tent
Delve into art and history in the Museum tent featuring Storytelling, fun with movement and rhymes, make and do workshops and meet the Romans and Celts sessions featuring.
Later sessions for teenagers include looking the history of protest. Wellbeing and mindfulness using objects and making mindful maps. Photography. how to take a selfie etc
Sport Cardiff
Squash, athletics, tennis, football, wheelchair basketball, rugby, free running and table tennis are just some of the sports you can try over the three weeks in our wonderful sport Cardiff area.
Note activities vary from day to day.#
Cardiff And Vale College
A fantastic range of exciting courses and activities are available from the CAVC Team including Hair and Make Up, Minecraft, Drama workshops, Code and Drone, Deejay for a day, Make and Race Sessions and much more, see front of tent for individual activities each day.
Early year help tent
Get the help you need from this useful tent with activities such as diet services, speech therapy and a host of contacts to help with a range of early years issues