21 free things to do during the Easter holidays in Wales
There are some amazing free activities in Wales to enjoy this Easter, from seeing dinosaurs in the capital to exploring one of Europe's best national parks
Easter in Wales is the perfect time to get outdoors, explore the beauty of the countryside, and enjoy some of the many events that don’t have to cost a penny. Whether you’re looking to take in the spring colours of the landscape or tick off some of the best activities in Wales off your bucket list, there’s definitely no shortage of free things to do.
From scenic walks to family-friendly activities, Wales offers plenty of ways to make the most of the long weekend without spending a fortune. One of the best things about Wales during Easter is the sheer variety.
You could be walking along dramatic coastal paths one day, and wandering through a museum the next. There are also plenty of historic sites and nature reserves that are open to the public at no cost. It’s a chance to embrace the spirit of the season, with something for everyone - all while sticking to your budget. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here
So here’s our roundup (in no particular order) of some of the very best ways to soak up the sights and scenery of Wales this Easter, without breaking the bank.
1. Stroll around Caerphilly’s food and drink festival
Many towns and villages across Wales hold free festivals. Depending on where you are, events might include free live music, craft markets, or Easter parades.
The Food and Drink festival has been held in Caerphilly town centre for a number of years and takes place this year between 9am and 5pm on Saturday, April 12. You can wander through the many stalls from the top of Cardiff Road to Twyn Car Park, all while taking in the view of the impressive castle at the heart of the event.
2. Enjoy Llandudno’s Easter craft market
In Llandudno, another event with free entry is the Easter Craft Market on Saturday, April 19 at the Victoria Centre.
There will be a number of local craft stalls, offering handmade gifts, Easter treats, and more. This is an indoor event for the whole family with Easter activities soon to be announced too.Entry is free with one-hour of free parking in the centre’s multi-storey car park.
3. Head on a free Easter egg hunt in Newport
Glade café at Rogerstone Welfare Grounds is offering their customers the chance to go on a free Easter egg hunt on Friday, April 18.
Starting from 10am, people can collect the worksheet from the cafe, find all of the eggs and collect their prize at the end.
4. Take the kids to the free Easter party in Porthcawl
Waterfront Porthcawl is throwing two children’s parties on Monday, April 14 for children aged five and below from 1pm until 3pm and for ages six and above from 4pm until 6pm.
There will be a number of activities to take part in including music, games, dancing, an egg hunt and more, as well as some treats as they go.
5. Head to the Easter bunny fayre in Pontardawe
With over 40 stall, inflatable fun and an Easter bunny meet and greet, the Easter bunny fayre at Ystradgynlais Leisure Centre has free entry, with hot foods and refreshments, gifts, facepainting and an art corner and is being held on Sunday, April 13.
6. Enjoy an Easter fun day in Wrexham
If you’re based in Wrexham, you could enjoy an Easter fun day and dog show for Jackson’s Animal Rescue on Saturday, April 12. This is at Bellevue Park in Wrexham is offering free entry to people alongside various costs for different stalls.
There’s set to be lots of outdoor and indoor stalls, food, fairground rides, games, an Easter egg hunt, a dog show, dance shows, a choir, street music performances and more.
7. Visit a national park
Wales is home to three stunning national parks, each offering miles of free walking trails for no cost. Snowdonia is the perfect day trip if you’re in need of some fresh air and some mountains, and it's previously been named one of the best national parks in all of Europe, or if you fancy doing a spot of waterfall-chasing, you have Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons).
Or for one of the best coastline’s in the world, there is the Pembrokeshire Coast for a day of hiking, birdwatching, or simply soaking in some stunning views.
8. Explore the Wales Coast Path
As well as the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, stretching for over 870 miles, the Wales Coast Path offers some of the most scenic walks in the UK. Whether it’s a cliff-top stroll or a peaceful beach walk, this path is the perfect way to get close to nature and the sea at no cost - and the best bit is that it’s accessible from lots of places in Wales.
9. Visit Cardiff Bay
A day out in Cardiff Bay is an easy way to enjoy the sights without spending money. Take a stroll around the bay, admire the architecture, or just sit by the water and watch the boats go by.
You could also head on down to the Wetlands, which is a hidden gem in the area and a spot which lots of tourists miss. It was also around here which Taylor Swift’s entourage stayed when she performed in Cardiff - and based on their social media posts, it looked like most of the team spent most of their time enjoying the bay area during their stay, and taking in lots of the sights for free. You can read more about that here.
10. Enjoy the Rhondda Heritage Park
While some activities at Rhondda Heritage Park charge admission, the surrounding area and its walking paths are free to enjoy. You can learn about the area’s industrial past all while taking in the beautiful scenery. Wander down to Barry Sidings Country Park and feed the ducks!
11. Wander through the Gower Peninsula
The Gower Peninsula, recently named the best place to live in Wales, is famous for its stunning beaches and wildlife. Whether you’re walking along Swansea Bay or hiking to the top of Rhossili Down, the Gower has plenty to offer without any entry fees.
We actually recently visited ourselves without spending a penny - it involved lots of walking but the views were well worth the trip. You can read about this here.
12. Visit a Free Museum or Gallery
Many of Wales’ museums and galleries offer free entry, including the National Museum Cardiff and the Museum of Welsh Life in St Fagans. Perfect for a rainy day or when you want to learn something new about Welsh history and culture.
You can read about the top 10 Welsh museums which don’t cost a penny to visit in our list here.
13. Take a stroll through Bute Park
We can’t do a list like this without mentioning Cardiff’s beloved Bute Park. Located in the heart of the city, Bute Park is one of the city’s most impressive green spaces and worth making the most of in as many ways possible.
From meandering along one of the many paths, relaxing on the grass or even - filming a TikTok or two (if that’s your thing), it’s easily a great place to enjoy nature, slow down and make the absolute most of where you live if you’re based in Cardiff, or exploring all the twists and turns if you’re travelling from further afield.
14. Explore the Dino Discovery Trail at St David’s
St David’s Cardiff will soon be home to giant dinosaurs for the Easter holidays as people will be invited to track down a collection of dinosaur models at the city shopping destination from a two-metre-tall Diplodocus and Stegosaurus to a Velociraptor and a mighty T-rex - measuring five metres in length from nose to tail.
It will take place from Monday, April 14 to Sunday, April 27 (excluding Easter Sunday). Families can collect a free trail map and dinosaur hat from Guest Services, located on the upper level of Grand Arcade, close to Bershka, Stradivarius, and Starbucks, and return their completed map for a fun sticker and a sweet treat.
15. Go Wildlife Watching at RSPB Reserves
Wales is full of RSPB nature reserves that are free to visit. Head to places like Ynys-Hir or the Newport Wetlands for a chance to spot rare birds, otters, and other wildlife. Some might require a fee for parking - to find out more about those fees and membership if you fancy signing up, click here.
16. Go to an Easter Sunday Service
For a spiritual Easter experience, you could head to your local church. While most services themselves are free, donations are often appreciated.
17. Walk around Llandaff Cathedral
Sometimes even if you aren’t a spiritual person, spending time in a cathedral can still give you a fresh perspective or give you a fresh perspective on life after visiting.
If you don’t fancy attending a service, Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff is a beautiful spot to visit over Easter. It’s open to the public, and while services may be happening, you can still enjoy the peaceful surroundings and impressive structure.
18. Discover the Taff Trail
This 55-mile walking and cycling trail runs from Cardiff to Brecon and offers some of the most scenic views in south Wales. You can explore it for free, passing through beautiful woodlands, valleys, and open countryside.
19. Attend a local festival
Many towns and villages across Wales hold free festivals. Depending on where you are, events might include free live music, craft markets, or Easter parades.
The Food and Drink festival has been held in Caerphilly town centre for a number of years and takes place this year between 9am and 5pm on Saturday, April 12. You can wander through the many stalls from the top of Cardiff Road to Twyn Car Park, all while taking in the view of the impressive castle at the heart of the event.
In Llandudno, another event with free entry is the Easter Craft Market on Saturday, April 19 at the Victoria Centre.
20. Spend the morning on a pier
You don’t have to splash out on ice cream or arcade slot machines to enjoy the seafront at your local seaside town. There’s nothing better than waking up early to see the sunrise on a pier, and noticing how the water sparkles differently first thing in the morning.
21. Go wild swimming
Wild swimming in Wales is truly one of the best free things you can do. No tickets are needed and there’s no need to book a slot. There’s something about diving into a cold river or lake that clears your head like nothing else and if you’re looking for spots, Blue Lake in Fairbourne is unreal, being tucked away and kind of hidden.
Then there’s the River Wye near Hay-on-Wye, which is perfect for a long float on a hot day. And if you’re up for a bit of a walk, the waterfalls at Sgwd yr Eira in the Brecon Beacons are definitely worth it.