The UK is gearing up to celebrate the Queen in all her glory, toasting her platinum jubilee which marks 70 years since she ascended the throne, becoming the longest reigning monarch in British history. With street parties, television programmes, concerts and more to enjoy the weekend to the fullest, it's sure to be one for the memory bank.
But what if you couldn't think of anything worse than attending a street party adorned with union jacks and a soundtrack of 'God Save The Queen' playing on repeat?
Read More The unmissable events coming to Wales in 2022
Thankfully, you've come to the right place as we've put together a list of non-jubilee related activities and events for you and your families to enjoy to your patriotically Welsh heart's content here in Wales - though we can't promise you won't come across as corgi or two or be shielded completely from a shout-out to Her Majesty. For more ideas of things to do in Wales , why not look at our big gigs list for 2022 or have a look at Wales' best family days out, here.
The Snoopy Trail
Grab your dogs and take them on a walk that will not only fulfil their needs, but entertain you and your friends along the way. Each Snoopy sculpture has been made lovingly made and decorated by local, regional and national artists, designers and illustrators, and is sponsored by a business or individual. Each has its own tale to tell, "whilst celebrating the vibrance, culture and creativity that South Wales has to offer," according to its website. Full details of the trail are here.
The trail is free and spreads across the regions of Cardiff, Caerphilly and Porthcawl.
When: Runs until June 5
Gerry Cinnamon
Playing in both Swansea on Saturday, June 4 and Cardiff Castle on Sunday, June 5 , these shows are set to be Cinnamon's biggest ever Welsh performance to date - and what better way to spend the Jubilee weekend than listening to some cracking music. You can find all the details on Gerry Cinnamon in Swansea here.
Where: Singleton Park, Swansea and Cardiff Castle, Cardiff
When: June 4 and June 5
In It Together Festival
In It Together Festival is a brand new festival with a capacity of 40,000. The event will be hosted at Newlands Farm in Margam, just off the M4, and will take place between Friday, June 3 and Sunday, June 5.
Throughout the weekend, you can dance the night away to Clean Bandit, Two Door Cinema Club and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. For more on the acts and weekend itself, see here.
Where : Newlands Farm, Margam
When: June 3 - June 5
Let's Rock Wales
Let's Rock Wales was due to be held in Newport's Tredegar Park in June 2021 but was rescheduled by the music festival's organisers to take place on the Saturday of the jubilee weekend.
The retro music festival, which first came to Wales in 2019, is set to bring '80s stars including Adam Ant, Kim Wilde, T'Pau and Chesney Hawkes to Welsh shores.
Where : Tredegar Park, Newport
Where: June 4
Dreamachine
This immersive art experience has been designed to be ‘seen’ with your eyes shut. Dreamachine is a free exhibition that uses music alongside light to give visitors a multicoloured and multisensory experience without even having to open your eyes.
Some people may see patterns and shapes, while others might see cities, landscapes or abstract waves of colour. For more information, see here.
Where: Temple of Peace, Cathays Park.
When: May 12 - June 18
Hay Festival
Hay-On-Wye, the so-called 'town of books' is putting on its world-renowned art and literature festival, "bringing readers and writers together to share stories and ideas". Described once by Bill Clinton in 2001 as the "The Woodstock of the mind", it certainly lives up to its reputation, with a star-studded line-up, including Jay Blades, Jenny Eclair, Greg James, Benedict Cumberbatch and more. Music, craft making and children's activities are also on offer.
Tickets are still available for many of the sessions to be attended in person. If you can only make it virtually, you can purchase an online pass to watch the festival from the comfort of your own home.
Where: Dairy Meadows, Brecon Road, Hay-On-Wye
When: May 26 - June 5
The Wye Valley River Festival
There is a wide variety of activities, exhibitions and cycle-rides at this festival that, according to its website, brings " local people, environmentalists, and talented artists together in an internationally important landscape, for a creative exploration of what is possible." A biennial arts and environment festival, their website says dogs are welcome and it's fun for all the family.
Most events are free and do not require booking in advance, however they do recommend to check ahead of time as some of the smaller shows and workshops on may be ticketed for a small fee.
It is a festival that spans the Wye Valley region, which travels from Hereford to Chepstow.
When: May 27 - June 5
St Davids Cathedral Festival
World class music in one of Wales' most beautiful and historic cities? What more could you want from a Welsh festival. Expect a combination of performances from renowned musicians - such as the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Rachel Starritt - as well as talks from historians, musicians and even the Welsh Minister for Health and Social Services.
Tickets are still available for the events and can be booked online or in person at the Box Office in the Cathedral Bookshop and at Domus Gift Shop.
Where: St Davids Cathedral, The Pebbles, St Davids, Haverfordwest
When: May 27 - June 5
Urdd Eisteddfod
It's that time of year again for the annual festival that celebrates the best of the best in Wales. It is regarded as the "pinnacle of the Welsh cultural calendar" and is held in a different location every year - this year, it's in Denbighshire.
It welcomes more than 150,000 visitors over the course of the week-long event and hosts a number of music, dance, visual arts and literature competitions, as well as concerts.
Where: Kilford Farm, Whitchurch Road, Denbighshire
When: May 30 - June 4
Gŵyl Triban Festival
This festival within a festival (the Eisteddfod) is a family-friendly event which takes place over the bank holiday weekend and is being held as part of the Urdd’s Centenary celebrations. Expect three days of live performances, fantastic food and drink activities for all ages.
Where: Kilford Farm, Whitchurch Road, Denbighshire
When: June 2- 4
HowTheLightGetsIn Festival
Another festival to grace Hay-on-Wye, HowTheLightGetsIn is a music and philosophy festival on the bank of the River Wye. With debates and speakers, musical performances, street food traders, a wellbeing workshop, and a fayre - to name a few - this delightful quaint folk festival is the perfect way to celebrate the bank holiday weekend.
Day tickets and flexi-passes are still on sale.
Where: Newport Street, Hay-On-Wye
When: June 2 to 5
The Big Retreat Festival
This festival is determined to help you "find your feel good". With three unforgettable days of unwinding, relaxing and rebooting, you'll leave Pembrokeshire feeling like a whole new person. Voted for as one of the 'Top 5 Wellbeing & Adventure Festivals' by The Guardian, there are over 200 carefully curated, experiences, classes, workshops and inspirational talks to indulge in.
Where: Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire
When: June 3 - 6
Go to the theatre
The Wales Millennium Centre and New Theatre in Cardiff have so many amazing shows on offer to get your fix of flamboyancy and flare. Grab some last-minute tickets to see Waitress The Musical, from Monday, May 30– to Saturday, June 4 at the WMC or, if you gotta cut loose, go and see Footloose at the New Theatre, also from Monday, May 30– to Saturday, June 4.
If you're up for a bit of comedy, and a fan of the global podcast, The Guilty Feminist, there are still tickets available to see her live at St David's Hall on Saturday, June 4. With some amazing guests lined up, you'll be in for a night of belly-laughs, stand-up comedy, "enlightened discussion, and live music like no other!"
Watch the footy
Wales will host either Scotland or Ukraine (it is still TBD) in the World Cup play-off final on Sunday (June 5) at Cardiff City Stadium. And while tickets for the match have sold out, you can't beat watching it on the big screen with a pint and your favourite watering hole.
Where: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
When: June 5
Dyffryn Gardens
Have a fabulous family day out at Dyffryn Gardens with a variety of activities for kids on offer throughout the bank holiday. Discover the top five nature activities with the gardens' ‘50 Things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ - build a den, get to know a tree, go cloud watching, roll down a really big hill, and discover what’s in a pond!
These are all on from May 28 to June 4, there’s no need to book, just pick up all the information from the Welcome Centre when you arrive (normal admission applies).
Then on May 30 and June 2, join author Lucy Owen in Dyffryn’s Theatre Garden for an interactive reading of her new children’s book, Flower Girl.
For more fun-filled activities that your kids will enjoy this half term, click here
Where: Dyffryn Gardens, St Nicholas, Cardiff
When: May 28 to June 4 and May 30 to June 2
Elan Valley
If you're lucky enough to have the day before the bank holiday begins this week (Wednesday, May, 31) then you must take a trip to the Elan Valley Lakes where visitors can turn to their inner Bear Grylls and venture inside Pen y Garreg dam, the Valley's third victorian dam, where you'll be able to marvel at its internal spiral staircase before reaching the central platform, at which you are met with stunning panoramic views up and down the stream.
But don't fret, you won't be left to your own devices. Leading the way will be an Elan Valley Ranger.
Booking is essential and prices start at £5 per adult and £1 per child. What's more is it's for charity and half of the proceeds will go to Dŵr Cymru’s WaterAid.
On Thursday June 2, kids can design and make and soar their own rocket into the sky at Elan Valley's ‘bottle rockets workshop’. The activity costs £3 per child and children must be supervised - again, booking is essential. If you're after a more adventurous activity, hire out some bikes and take in the views of the Elan Valley Cycle Trail.
Where: Elan Valley, Rhayader, Powys
When: May 31 and June 2
