West Side Story

6 - 17 Jan 2009; not Sun

Half a century after the show made its London debut, Joey McKneely's vibrant new stage production of the classic dance musical, West Side Story, comes to the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

The Sleeping Beauty

21 - 24 Jan 2009

The Scottish Ballet production of The Sleeping Beauty comes to the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

Aladdin

13 Dec 2008 - 24 Jan 2009

This year's pantomime at Cardiff's New Theatre, Aladdin, stars Chris Gascoyne (Coronation Street) as Abanazer, Antony Costa as Aladdin, Andy Jones as Wishee Washee, Ceri Dupree as Widow Twankey and features an amazing 3D genie.

St Dwynwen's Day at St Fagans

25 Jan 2009 (annual)

Celebrate St Dwynwen's Day at St Fagans National History Museum in Cardiff. Lovespoon exhibitions and demonstrations of traditional lovespoon carving honour the patron saint of Welsh lovers.

Six Nations Championship: Wales v England

14 Feb 2009

Wales play England at the Millennium Stadium in this Six Nations rugby union international.

Spider's Web

10 - 14 Feb 2009

The Agatha Christie Theatre Company presents a production of the great crime writer's, Spider's Web at Cardiff's New Theatre, starring Denis Lill, Melanie Gutteridge and Catherine Shipton.

Philharmonia Orchestra

19 Feb 2009 (various dates)

The Philharmonia Orchestra give three performances as part of the Orchestral Concert Series at St David's Hall in Cardiff.

The Jungle Book

17 - 21 Feb 2009

Cardiff's New Theatre presents the Birmingham Stage Company's production of Rudyard Kipling's classic, The Jungle Book, the story of Mowgli, a young boy who is raised in the jungle by a family of wolves.

Six Nations Championship: Wales v Ireland

21 Mar 2009

Wales play Ireland at the Millennium Stadium in this Six Nations rugby union international.

The RHS Spring Flower Show Cardiff

Apr 2009 (annual)

The RHS Spring Flower Show returns to Cardiff's Bute Park. Visitors can view inspirational show gardens, displays of spring flowers, floral marquees and the entries for the coveted RHS medals. Gardening experts give demonstrations and plants and flowers are on sale.

Owain Glyndwr

Daily

Right in the heart of the city, the Owain Glyndwr is named in honour of the renowned medieval Welsh leader and stands on the site of one of Cardiff's earliest ale houses, dating from 1731. It's split into two distinct sections, an old-fashioned bar and a more modern lounge and dining room, with seats upstairs. Shoppers, tourists and office workers hang out here during the day and there's a DJ every Friday and Saturday.

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park & Medieval Village

Daily

Much of Cosmeston Lakes Country Park is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to many plant and animal species. Cosmeston Medieval Village, within the park, is a unique Heritage Project that takes visitors back to the 14th century.

Clwb Ifor Bach

Daily

As the name suggests, Clwb Ifor Bach is geared towards Cardiff's Welsh-speaking community, but everyone is welcome. It's a big place, spread over three floors, and there's live music most nights, both from established acts and new talent looking for their first break. Some nights are for members only.

Howell's

Daily

A huge House of Fraser outlet, Howell's is Cardiff's biggest department store. Food, perfumes and clothes dominate the ground floor, with furniture, electronics and homeware upstairs.

Castell Coch

Daily

Cardiff's very own fairytale castle, Castell Coch, nestles in the woods on the outskirts of the city, with turrets and round towers straight out of the Rapunzel story.

Cardiff Central Market

Daily; not Sun

Shoppers can buy fruit, vegetables, fresh fish, meat and cheese on the ground floor of Cardiff's bustling Victorian market hall, or go upstairs for everything from pet supplies to records. There are also a couple of cafes where you can while away an hour or two.

Techniquest

Daily

Cardiff's Techniquest makes science fun through a multitude of hands-on exhibits and activities. As well as testing their reactions, launching a hot air balloon or firing a rocket, visitors can also take a tour of the night sky with a visit to the planetarium.

Cardiff Castle

Daily

Cardiff Castle is situated in the heart of the capital and is one of the leading tourist attractions in Wales. A new visitor centre, currently being built within the castle grounds, is due to open in March 2008.

Wales Millennium Centre

Daily

Cardiff's Wales Millennium Centre benefits from breathtaking design and since opening in 2004 has been the home of seven diverse and exciting cultural organisations - including Welsh National Opera and Diversions, the Dance Company for Wales.

Hobo's

Daily

If you're looking for a pair of flares, snazzy hotpants, a paisley shirt or any other retro, psychedelic Sixties or Seventies fashions, the overstuffed Hobo's second-hand shop is just the place.

St Fagans National History Museum

Daily

St Fagans National History Museum in Cardiff is the country's most popular open-air heritage attraction and brings to life 500 years of Welsh experience in the 100-acre grounds of the 16th-century St Fagans Castle in Cardiff.

Welsh Tartan Centre

Daily; not Sun

It's not just the Scots who can don family tartans. If you're a Jones, Jenkins, Morgan or have any other Welsh surname, you'll probably find a tartan just for you at the Welsh Tartan Centre. If a kilt is a step too far, pick up a natty tie or scarf instead.

Butetown History & Arts Centre

Daily; not Mon

Cardiff's Butetown History & Arts Centre collects and preserves the social and cultural history of Cardiff Docklands. Researchers, artists and media professionals work with the local community and industries to provide a unique archive and an insight into the time when the area was known as Tiger Bay. A full programme of exhibitions and activities make this an an invaluable local resource.

Cardiff Bay

Daily

Wales' capital city has an impressive waterfront development - Cardiff Bay. A mixture of restored buildings and modern architecture house the bars, restaurants and visitor attractions that sit around a magnificent freshwater lake. The National Assembly for Wales, the Wales Millennium Centre and the Coal Exchange are all found on the waterfront. A trip to the Visitor Centre offers panoramic views across the bay and local information.

Millennium Stadium

Daily

Cardiff's Millennium Stadium opened in summer 1999. The venue has the first retractable roof in the UK and is established as a world class arena. It hosts spectacular sporting events like the FA Cup Final, the Carling Cup Final and the British Speedway Grand Prix, on a monthly basis, as well as staging concerts by international perfomers.

Castle Welsh Crafts Centre

Daily

Pick up traditional and contemporary Welsh souvenirs at the knick-knack filled Castle Welsh Crafts Centre. Wooden lovespoons, Celtic jewellery, stuffed toys and t-shirts are just some of the items on show, along with some local food products.

Llandaff Cathedral

Daily

Nestling in a grassy hollow, Cardiff's Llandaff Cathedral is a prime attraction for both worshippers and visitors, who take the woodland path to the cathedral from Llandaff Green.

The Taff Trail

Daily

Established in the early 1990s, the stunning Taff Trail offers walkers and cyclists the opportunity to sample the picturesque delights of the Welsh countryside at any time of the year.

Spiller's

Daily

In the centre of Cardiff, Spiller's has been in business since 1894 and claims to be the world's oldest independent record shop. It may be small, but its range of vinyl and CDs is legendary. Take time to browse through diverse offerings of punk, jazz, folk, hip-hop and more.

The Prince of Wales

Daily

This grand former theatre has been attractively restored and converted into a huge two-level bar by the Wetherspoon chain, with much of the original stucco ornamentation retained. Downstairs, it's a lively, spacious pub which packs out daily, while upstairs there's a dining section facing the old stage.

The Goat Major

Daily

Just across the road from Cardiff Castle, the olde worlde Goat Major pub is a traditional ale-and-pies kind of place, filled with dark wood and old-style furnishings. It's a venerable establishment, named after the mascot of the Royal 41st Regiment of Wales, and is popular with tourists and office workers.

National Museum Cardiff

Daily; not Mon

The National Museum Cardiff, set in pleasant surroundings in the city centre, is unusual in that it focuses on both art and science.

No monthly events available.

Winter Wonderland

Nov 2009 - Jan 2010 (annual)

Every winter the lawn in front of Cardiff City Hall is transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland skating rink. There is a heated terrace overlooking the ice and a full programme of free entertainment to celebrate the festive season.

Welsh Proms

Jul 2009 (annual)

The Welsh Proms at St David's Hall are an annual highlight of Cardiff's summer festivities.

Wales Rally GB

Dec 2009 (annual)

The Wales Rally GB is the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship 2008 and one of the UK's leading sporting events.

Twenty20 Cup: Mid/Wales/West Zone

Jun 2009 (annual)

Twenty20 has brought a new generation of fans to English cricket, and the Twenty20 Cup is expected to fill grounds across the country this summer.

Twenty20 Cup: Glamorgan Dragons

Jun 2009 (annual)

Twenty20 has brought a new generation of fans to domestic cricket. Glamorgan Dragons play their home games at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.

The RHS Spring Flower Show Cardiff

Apr 2009 (annual)

The RHS Spring Flower Show returns to Cardiff's Bute Park. Visitors can view inspirational show gardens, displays of spring flowers, floral marquees and the entries for the coveted RHS medals. Gardening experts give demonstrations and plants and flowers are on sale.

St Dwynwen's Day at St Fagans

25 Jan 2009 (annual)

Celebrate St Dwynwen's Day at St Fagans National History Museum in Cardiff. Lovespoon exhibitions and demonstrations of traditional lovespoon carving honour the patron saint of Welsh lovers.

St David's Day

1 Mar 2009 (annual)

St David's Day (Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant) is celebrated nationwide in Wales with parades in honour of the country's patron saint.

Sparks in the Park

Nov 2009 (annual)

Sparks in the Park is an enormous fireworks display held at Coopers Field in Bute Park, with Cardiff Castle as a backdrop. Children's rides entertain the little ones before the bonfire is lit and the fireworks take over.

Soundtrack: The International Film and Music Festival for Wales

Nov 2009 (annual)

In its first year, Soundtrack: The International Film and Music Festival for Wales presents a wealth of events in and around the Cardiff Bay area, with internationally renowned film-makers and musicians set to descend on the city.

MAS Carnival

Aug 2009 (annual)

Cardiff bay waterfront is brought to life during the Caribbean-inspired MAS Carnival, a celebration of cultural diversity featuring flamboyant costumes, giant puppets, headpieces and masks, all moving to samba beats, steel drums and Punjabi and African street-drumming.

Great British Cheese Festival

26 - 27 Sep 2009 (annual)

Sample more than 450 different varieties at Britain's biggest celebration of cheese, the Great British Cheese Festival, at Cardiff Castle.

Everyman Open Air Theatre Festival

Jul - Aug 2009 (annual)

Everyman, the resident theatre company at Cardiff's Chapter Arts Centre, presents its annual Open Air Theatre Festival, set in the beautiful parkland around St Fagans National History Museum. The event celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2008.

Childrens Festival

Jul 2009 (annual)

The Children's Festival is part of the summer Cardiff Festival and features two days of fun at Coopers Field, behind Cardiff Castle. Attractions include crazy walkabout characters, circus and theatre shows, live music and a variety of interactive workshops.

Cardiff Pride

Sep 2009 (annual)

Cardiff Pride celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life with an all-day party at Coopers Field in Bute Park. Attractions include a dance arena, cabaret marquee, women's tent, men-only zone and funfair.

Cardiff Mardi Gras

Sep 2009 (annual)

The Cardiff Mardi Gras, staged in Coopers Field behind Cardiff Castle, is the biggest annual gay party in Wales and one of the UK's top gay and lesbian events. After a year off the event returns in 2009.

Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival

Jul 2009 (annual)

The Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay is transformed into a tented village with food producers from all over Europe for the Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival, part of the summer Cardiff Festival.

Cardiff Half Marathon

Oct 2009 (annual)

The fast, flat and scenic route of the Cardiff Half Marathon makes it one of the UK's most popular long-distance races. The route heads past the Wales Millennium Centre and Cardiff Castle before a grandstand finish in the Millennium Stadium.

Cardiff Festival

Jul - Aug 2009 (annual)

The Cardiff Festival offers a programme of outstanding events each summer featuring the best in street theatre, live music, family entertainment, funfairs and drama.

Cardiff Blues Rugby Season - Magners League

Aug 2008 - Apr 2009 (annual)

Rugby union side Cardiff Blues welcome Magners League teams to the Cardiff Arms Park for the 2007/2008 season. Please visit the club's website for full details of all fixtures.

Cardiff Big Weekend

Aug 2009 (annual)

The grand finale of the summer Cardiff Festival, the Cardiff Big Weekend is the UK's biggest free outdoor festival, taking place outside the city's Civic Centre, offering top live music and a fairground.

Artes Mundi Prize Exhibition

Mar - Jun 2009; not Mon (annual)

Cardiff's National Museum and Gallery shows work by the nine contenders for the third Artes Mundi Prize. Man's destruction of the environment, AIDS' destruction of man and the problems of marginalised societies are just some of the issues explored.

BBC Cardiff Singer of the World

Jun 2009 (biennial)

The biennial BBC Singer of the World competition returns to Cardiff's St David's Hall, with 25 of the best classical singers in the world competing for the coveted title. Five preliminary concerts provide the five contestants for Sunday's final.