Cardiff – A Winter Wonderland and Calennig
This Christmas Cardiff has a wide range of events to make it an extra special time in the holiday season, please see following events that maybe of interest over Xmas.
Cardiff’s spectacular Winter Wonderland is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary which begins on November 10th and runs until the 3rd of January 2011. The Winter Wonderland tradiotionally starts on with the switch on of the cities lights, this year several well known cast members of the cult series ‘Doctor Who’ were on hand to do the honours, Matt Smith, Karan Gillian and Arhtur Darville. Serviced City Pads supply short stay apartments in Cardiff.One of the main attractions of Winter Wonderland is the Admiral Open Air Ice Rink, offering almoast 50 days of skating for visitors. With tickets now on sale for visitors, customers can enjoy a wonderful afternoon skating right in the heart of the city on skates almost feeling like a member of the hit ITV show ‘Dancing on Ice’.
Cardiff’s answer to the London Eye will be sponsored by John Lewis the Christmas. The big wheel, which is a feature of the bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland, will be know as the John Lewis Eye. The 180 ft-high Cardiff Eye is the largest of its type ever seen in Wales and although it is less than half the height of the London Eye, it is almost 10m taller than New York’s Statue of Liberty. It can carry up to 240 people at a time in its 40 observational pods. Ten minute rides offer views over Cardiff Castle, the Millennium Stadium and the Bristol Channel. You can book apartments in Cardiff by contacting the Serviced City Pads reservations team on 0844 335 8866.
Cardiff’s council executive member for sport, culture and leisure, Nigel Howells, said: ‘John Lewis sponsoring the John Lewis eye marks a new chapter for Cardiff Winter Wonderland. The event is firmly established as a family favourite at Christmas Time.’ John Lewis Cardiff managing director Liz Mihell said: We are proud to be part of such an important event for Cardiff.
Cardiff also holds Calennig celebrations in the form of a three day festival to welcome the New Year. The Calennig Lantern Parade through the city and fireworks displays are part of gthe celebrations. On New Year’s Eve, a large outdoor party with live bands held in front of Cardiff City Hall. A family fire show is held at Cardiff Castle and free bus services are provided to the city centre by Cardiff Bus every year. Celebrations are also held on the city’s waterfront in Cardiff Bay. Serviced City Pads supply a large range of accommodation in Cardiff
The tradition of giving gifts and money on New Years Day is an ancient custom that survives even in modern-day Wales, though nowadays it is now customary to give bread and cheese.
Many people give gifts on New Years morning, with children having skewered apples stuck with raisins and fruit. In some aparts of Wales, people must visit all their relatives by midday to collect their Calennig, Ronald Hutteon gives an example of Calennig rhyme from 1950’s Aberystwyth. ‘Today is the start of the new year, and I have come to ask for my money, or bread, or patry, and bread and cheese. O come to your door smiling without waking anyone up; Before the next arrival of the new year many will be dead’