If the regular Carling/Carlsberg/Stella-style options at your local bar are boring your palette,…read moredon't hesitate to head to The Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival, the Campaign For Real Ale's flagship annual three-day drinking fest in Wales. Always rolling out a list of barrelled British ales as long as your arm, with understandable emphasis on Welsh brewers, plus many German beers, every year brings a handful of comedic names - try ordering past example Pheasant Plucker after a couple of pints without accidentally insulting the serving staff. The cider and perry options are plentiful and strong, too. The festivalgoers vary from 14-pint-a-night rugby fan types to stereotypical beardy real ale enthusiasts and though admission is charged that does get you freebies (at the 2010 festival, for example, it was a fiver in with a free beer glass, and under 26s got complimentary beer tokens). The earlier you get there, the better the availability - arrive late on the last day and chances are stocks of most popular drinks will have been drained already. The downsides: the food choices could do with improving, although live entertainment/music will take your mind off any rumbling stomachs. And the venue, Cardiff International Arena, is somewhat grim and lit like a school assembly hall; you'll certainly be left wishing they had an outdoor beer garden. For anybody in doubt over the middling mark: the beer, ciders and perry ranges are as imaginative as such tipples come, it's just the venue makes it more likely that alcohol's depressing qualities will win out if you spend too much time there - and running for 12 hours every day, a serious drinking session is certainly on the cards for those who can last the pace.

The Big weekend is an annual 3 day music festival in the city that encompasses a range of different…read moremusic types and aspects for families as well as the adults. Last year The Zutons and The Lightening Seeds were headlining and this year you can see Chaka Demus and Pliers (I'm excited about that!) as well as Welsh rockers The Blackout and Feeder. There's also a funfair, fireworks and the whole town comes to life.

The summer counterpart to the annual Winter Wonderland, Cardiff's Big Weekend is an event that…read morebrings the whole city to life. Sponsored by Admiral, the Weekend is an annual three day festival based in the heart of the city, completely swallowing up the civic centre and the museum area with its fairground rides, games stalls and massive stage. Every year, the festival puts on three nights of gigs from a selection of local talent, old stalwarts (such as this year's fantastic Chaka Demus and The Pliers) and major contemporary bands such as The Zutons or Athelete, all for free. The atmosphere is always loud, lairy and happy with most people being there just to have a good time. There are the occasional problems amongst the teenage crowd, loaded up on adrenaline and this can put a damper on small pockets of the area, but nothing that isn't resolved quickly. Everyone's too busy thinking of what to do next to stay mad for long.

The absolute highlight of summer in Cardiff to me is and always will be the Cardiff International…read moreFood & Drink Festival. If you're a foodie in Cardiff, attending the International Food & Drink Festival is an absolute MUST! -- TIPS: -- ~ Make sure you have plenty of cash on hand way before the event. Nearby ATMs will have a massive queue of people getting cash out. If you can get cash out somewhere else before attending, you can avoid the mad rush to the ATMs. ~ Bring your own bottled water / soft drinks. Drinks here are really expensive, and while meandering around the food stalls trying all the different things, I found myself getting really thirsty and forking out over £2 for a standard bottle of Diet Coke. -- ATMOSPHERE: -- I really enjoy the atmosphere here. You're surrounded by a bunch of other folks who love food as much as you do - what could be better? However, if you're not a crowd person, you might hate it. Try to get there extra early right around opening time, the crowds may be a bit less then. -- FOOD: -- There's a decent amount of variety of food here. The only thing is that I'm hesitant to say that the variety fits the name of it being 'international'. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely some international choices (I loved the paella stand!) the vast majority of places were definitely Welsh/British cuisine. However, there should still be something for everyone here. Again, go and get the paella - amaziiiiinnngg! Not only can you get hot foods here, but you can also check out the Producer's Fayre or Farmer's Market for goods to take home such as regional cheeses, chutneys, and chocolates. Well worth the browse. --- I'm really sad that I have to wait a whole year to come back to the Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival. Definitely a must-go if you're in South Wales for the summer!

If you're tearing your hair out trying to find yet another entertaining and engaging activity your…read moreout-of-school kiddies will enjoy, head over to Cardiff Bay's Harbour Festival, where I guarantee at least a few hours of sugar-high fun. Normally held every August Bank Holiday weekend, the Cardiff Harbour Festival offers a range of activities, live music, carnival rides, games, food and craft stalls the whole family will enjoy. Thankfully, this year saw a batch of fine weather, so visitors were able to make the most of the street and water entertainment on offer. Embarrassingly, I panicked yesterday as I looked out my window to see the Royal Artillery Parachute Team pulling a body out of the Bay - thankfully, it was just their teams performing high-speed rescues for the crowds packed along the shores. Phew. Typically, I peruse events like these to investigate the food stalls (I love cheese and cakes), and I'm here to tell you the Festival has enough grub from around the world that will ensure satisfaction any picky eater (try the coconut macaroons the size of your fist!).

August in Cardiff is packed with great summer festivals, and the Harbour Festival (usually held on…read morethe Bank Holiday Weekend) is just one of them. Hosted down in the Bay on Cardiff's redeveloped waterfront, every year organisers keeps their fingers crossed for good weather because it makes it so much more enjoyable when the water's sparkling and everyone can enjoy being outside. There are plenty of water-based attractions, including the Tall Ships, which you can hop on board and explore; a jump by the Royal Artillery Parachute team; and a high speed rescue demo by the RNLI. My favourite, however, is the rather cuddly Newfoundland Dog rescue team's display! Back on dry land, there's a continental market which is good for a browse but a lot of the produce is rather overpriced - and there's also the Welsh Oyster Opening Championships, and plenty of live music and street entertainment. All in all, it's a good day out - particularly if (like this year) the weather holds out!

You thought opera was only for people who can afford to decorate their bodies like Chanel Christmas…read moretrees? Thought hill-billy was only for those who have pet names for their cousins? Reluctant to hit a Radiohead gig because you actually had a happy childhood? Followers of these genres don't know the meaning of exclusive like those trying to get to grips on the capitalised and allusive category of New Music. Compared to us, these Chanel-clad, incestuous whiners don't know the meaning of struggling to fit into a fan-base. They don't have to put up with a scene that, by definition, has to constantly slip through your fingers. This does make SWN seem mighty intimidating for one who doesn't spend their days tuned into Huw Stephens showcase for 'unsigned, underground and under the radar music', with their thick rimmed glasses pointed to the NME's website. Nevertheless, the festival really brings Cardiff's finest venues together and is a great way to find out which bands you should be spending your next year listening to. URBAN CHALLENGE: Volunteer. This is a great way to infiltrate the festival.

Swn started off as a music festival in 2007, promoting and celebrating new music coming in and out…read moreof Wales. It means 'Sound' and is pronounced 'soon'. Now, as well as the annual three day event, they also put on gigs all year round, predominantly in Wales and they also curate stages at other festivals and events. Based in Cardiff and set up by Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens and music promoter John Rostron with the aim of bringing some of the SXSW vibe to the city, AKA one city, lots of great bands, lots of venues, one wristband. Over 100 bands played in the first year of the multi-venue festival. My faves that year were Beirut, Sky Larkin, Two Gallants, Yeasayer, Those Dancing Days, The Duloks, Pagan Wanderer Lu, 9bach, Sam Isaac and Pony Up. Since then the event has got bigger and better, now including daytime seminars on the music industry and making it as a band, and art, film and literature events. I loves it, I do.

Oh Yes! Oh Yes! It's big... so very big, and it's beautiful! It's The Great British Cheese…read moreFestival! And it's coming soon! "Where?... Where?" I hear you cry... Well, it's in the heart of our nations capital my dears... in the gorgeous grounds of cardiff castle no less! And did you know, this is the largest event of its kind in the UK? No? Well, now you do! Weather permitting (please God, don't let it rain!) there will be picnicing, samplings, tastings, and masterclasses and demonstrations, leaving you in no doubt about how cheese actually comes into being! Only the very best of the best will be covered... There will be no talk about how to get triangles from a cow here I promise you! Tickets are available from the website, or you can buy them on the gate. Dates: 25 Sep 2010 to 26 Sep 2010 http://www.greatbritishcheesefestival.co.uk/

YUM. Happiness is a…read moregood cheese board. As this festival is coming, I thought you ought to have these handy tips from the British Cheese Board on how to enjoy cheese: * Cheese is best enjoyed fresh, although it can be stored in a cool environment for anything from a couple of days to several months, depending on the type of cheese. * When storing cheese, either wrap tightly in foil or cling film or keep in an airtight container in the bottom part of the fridge. * To bring out its full flavour, cheese should always be served at room temperature. Remove from the fridge at least one hour before serving and keep loosely wrapped. * Liven up your cheeseboard with a natural garnish such as grapes, apples, tomatoes and celery. Or try some of the more unusual accompaniments, such as olives, pickled walnuts or pickled gherkins. Dates, figs, sultanas currants and other dried fruits also work well as an accompaniment to cheese. But remember, all pickles should be served in separate dishes. Don't be afraid to let your imagination go wild! * Alternatively serve with bread, crackers or water biscuits. Skip the margarine or butter if you are keeping an eye on the calories! * Have a number of knives to hand and always use separate knives to cut blue cheese and mould ripened cheeses such as Brie. * Wrap any unused cheese and keep in the refrigerator. If the remaining cheese is an odd shape, and can't be re-used on the cheese board, grate to use in cheese sauces, sandwiches or other cheesy dishes. [http://www.britishcheese.com/enjoy_cheese] Do you feel better informed now? Personally I just buy it, unwrap it, and devour it in one. Especially if it goes by the name Y Fenni. Lush. There will be over 450 amazing British cheeses to try at this festival. I may move in and turn into a mouse for real.

October sees the follow up to last year's hugely successful Made In Roath Arts Festival. The…read morefestival will be taking place on 15th-17th October 2010, in various locations around Roath, Cardiff. A community-based project promising an exciting and eclectic mix of exhibitions, residencies, workshops, performances and more, Made in Roath aims to give local people the opportunity to view, enjoy and celebrate local arts. Made in Roath is open to everyone from professional artists to those trying out a new hobby. They are now gathering ideas and recruiting volunteers to get involved in this year's festival. If you're interested in showing work, helping out and/or just feel you might have something special to offer please contact madeinroath@gmail.com

The National Eisteddfod is a large annual festival celebrating Welsh language culture. I takes…read moreplace during the first full week of August a different venue every year, alternating between north and south Wales. In 2008 it is Cardiff's turn to host the Eisteddfod (between 2-9 of August), and unlike other Eisteddfods which take place on large out of town sites in the countryside, this one will be in the middle of the capital city. On the 'Maes' (main site), there are competitions and demonstrations for singing, traditional dancing, traditional instruments, poetry, drama. There are also fringe event taking place on and off the Maes, like gigs (at Cardiff Student Union Hall, Clwb Ifor Bach (http://www.qype.co.uk/place/89592-Clwb-Ifor-Bach-Cardiff) and other smaller venues TBC). Great efforts are taken to make the festival accessible to those who do not speak Welsh, or who are not fluent, with simultaneous translation available for major ceremonies and competitions, and any army of helpers around the Maes in red t-shirts with 'Here to Help' written on them. There's a special tent called Maes-D which give information on learning Welsh. There's a large art and craft tent (when I say tent, I mean a massive temporary structure), that shows different types of work from paintings, to sculptures and installations. In the last two years, bars selling alcohol have been added to the Maes (despite much resistance from non-comformists!), and there's nothing better than being in the bar areas on the last Saturday afternoon when members of all the male voice choirs congregate after their competition and down a few pints before bursting into song again. I'll add more info here as more events are confirmed.

The Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru in Cardiff 2008 is a BIG highlight in the Welsh calendar. The…read morecultural event Eisteddfod is explained many times elsewhere so I won't repeat it here. The location is great this year. It is held in the capital itself because it was invited by the council as part of the capital of culture bid. It receives money from BIG and from private sponsors. I have a friend who gives generously supporting a musical competition. In the past I was interested in the Welsh learner of the year competition because I have learnt Welsh myself. The choirs always perform very well. Cerys Matthews here on the Maes B this year sounds very tempting indeed and the price is good with 15 GBP. Also, I like Bryn Terfel whom I have met in the Eisteddfod in Newport. Going round the stalls is fun and also buying the latest Welsh novels: mae hi'n bwysig achos 'rwy'n hoffi darllen.

This annual celebration of Welsh design talent takes place each October, packing in stacks of…read moredesign-related events. Aimed at members of the public, businesses and fellow designers, the festival showcases Welsh design by turning the spotlight on a wide range of areas within the sector, hosting talks, exhibitions and even drawing workshops where you can turn up and try out your own design and drawing skills with Cardiff School of Art & Design, and Cardiff Open Art School tutor and artist Christopher Holloway. Events take place in various venues, so you need to check out the website's events page to find out more - for example the drawing workshop mentioned above takes place in a unit within Morgan Arcade, just opposite Neal's Yard Remedies, while other events take place at the art college. The 'Best of Welsh Design' awards event, announcing this year's winners, is also incorporated into the festival - having received submissions earlier in the year (and with the shortlist announced today, 1 October!).

This is definitely one for your diary...!…read more The Cardiff Design Festival really is an annual treat! Hosted at various venues around our nations capital, it is a positively splendid affair! Held every October it showcases 'The Best of Welsh Design', which really is more diverse than you might think! There's also a programme of design related events curated with the intention of educating and informing, as well as to inspire and perhaps even provoke. In addition there's also a series of talks, alongside the exhibitions and events. These run from 1st to 16th October. Don't miss it, especially if you are looking for that wow factor for your home!