Cardiff Music City Festival to return this autumn

Cardiff Music City Festival will return for the second time this autumn Photo credit: Unsplash

Cardiff Music City Festival will return this autumn, running from 3 to 18 October 2025.

The event will take place in venues, clubs and pop-up spaces across the city, showcasing music, performance and technology over fifteen days.

It brings together musicians, promoters and immersive tech specialists to create one-off events and collaborations.

This year’s programme will include established artists, underground acts and rising talent based in Wales. Urban soundscapes, talks and industry sessions will also feature.

Supported by Cardiff Council, the festival will include performances and activities in the city centre.

Labour Cllr Jennifer Burke, cabinet member for culture, parks and events, said: “Cardiff is such a vibrant city, full of music, artistic expression and innovation. The festival is an amazing opportunity to bring people together to celebrate that creativity and to showcase the city's diverse and exciting culture to a wider audience.”

It will encompass new music showcase Sŵn, international arts weekend Llais at the Wales Millennium Centre, and the Welsh Music Prize, which recognises music made in Wales or by Welsh people around the world.

Last year’s festival included performances from Leftfield, Orbital and Ms. Lauryn Hill and The Fugees.

It brought nearly £3.5m to the city and attracted over 60,000 attendees, according to figures released by Cardiff Council. 

The festival is part of the Cardiff Music Strategy, which supports the city’s music sector.

For more information, visit cardiffmusiccityfestival.wales.