Calan Gaeaf in Wales
This October half term, bring the whole family and join us as we celebrate Calan Gaeaf with a programme of fun, family-friendly events inspired by Welsh tradition and folklore - with a touch of Halloween spirit. Children can enjoy lots of fun activities, including crafts, storytelling, garden trails, and face painting. For the brave, there are spooky creatures to discover, along with folklore tours and after-dark experiences to explore. Whatever your age, why not come dressed in your best fancy dress costume!
What is Calan Gaeaf?
‘Calan’ meaning the first day of the month and ‘Gaeaf’ meaning winter marks the ‘First Day of Winter’ and falls on 1 November. It has distinct roots in Welsh tradition, shaped by folklore, seasonal change and a rich cultural heritage. On the eve before, known as Nos Galan Gaeaf, communities would come together to light fires, gather, and take part in protective customs believed to guard against wandering spirits and mischief. Today, Calan Gaeaf is celebrated as a traditional Welsh autumn festival marking the start of the darker half of the year, when it was believed the boundary between the living world and the spirit world grew thin.
Calan Gaeaf in North Wales
Chirk Castle and Garden
Celebrate Calan Gaeaf at Chirk Castle from 17 October to 1 November with a family-friendly autumn trail inspired by Welsh folklore and seasonal traditions. Follow interactive activity stations through the garden, uncovering stories and curious local legends beneath the medieval castle towers. On 31 October, return after dark for a brand-new immersive experience (ages 14+) featuring mystical characters, eerie encounters and Halloween-inspired fun throughout the castle. Fancy dress is encouraged, with food and drink available from the Courtyard Café.
Erddig Hall and Garden
Celebrate Calan Gaeaf at Erddig this October half term with family-friendly activities inspired by Welsh folklore and seasonal traditions. From 17 October to 1 November follow themed trails through the house and garden, discovering stories linked to the changing seasons and the mysterious traditions of Calan Gaeaf. Enjoy seasonal crafts, wish stone decorating, bilingual storytelling and marshmallow toasting. On 31 October, the celebrations continue with extra family fun, including pumpkin carving, face painting and more amidst the beautiful autumn colours of Erddig.
Penrhyn Castle and Garden
Celebrate Calan Gaeaf at Penrhyn Castle from 24 October to 1 November with a family-friendly autumn adventure inspired by Welsh harvest traditions. Follow a trail through the gardens and woods, where giant harvest vegetables have sprung up. Enjoy seasonal activities and colourful displays, and learn about the traditional feast of ‘Stwmp Naw Rhyw’. Special events include autumn printmaking with local artist Jŵls Williams on 29 October and storytelling with Mair Tomos Ifans on 30 and 31 October.
Bodnant Garden
Celebrate Calen Gaeaf with a monster hunt at Bodnant Garden from 24 October to 8 November. Step into the 'Otherworld' and keep your eyes - and ears - open for beasts, monsters and creatures on this fun, spooky trail around the garden. Play games and do some tasks to keep the monsters happy - can you escape being caught by the Hwch ddu Gwta, solve Y Ladi Wen’s riddle or calm the Conwy Afanc? Follow the stories from local author and illustrator Rowynn Ellis as you explore the garden and find out more about the Welsh traditions of Calan Gaeaf.
Plas yn Rhiw
Celebrate Calan Gaeaf with a family-friendly outdoor adventure at Plas yn Rhiw from 24 October to 1 November (closed Mon, Tues and Fri). Follow a creature trail through the gardens and grounds, discovering mysterious beings inspired by Welsh folklore along the way. Before setting off, stop at the craft station to create your own protective charm to carry on your journey. Then venture towards the orchard, a place of safety from the creatures, where you'll find hands-on activities inspired by the harvest season and traditional Calan Gaeaf customs.
Aberconwy House
There’s plenty to discover at Aberconwy House this Calan Gaeaf. Create your own shadow puppets on 24, 29, 30 and 31 October, enjoy family-friendly storytelling and fairy charm-making sessions with Welsh Witch Mhara Starling on 30 October, and celebrate Calan Gaeaf on 31 October with magical entertainment from local storyteller Professor Llusern.
Calan Gaeaf in Mid Wales
Powis Castle and Garden
Follow a family-friendly trail through the garden at Powis in search of the Hwch Ddu Gwta's den from 24 October to 1 November. Take care, there are ten Hwch Ddu Gwta hiding around the garden, ready to chase unsuspecting visitors. Follow the pumpkins and see if you can spot them all. Along the way, discover more about Calan Gaeaf and the story of the Hwch Ddu Gwta, and listen out for the sounds of snuffling and squealing coming from the creature's den.
Llanerchaeron
Celebrate Calan Gaeaf at Llanerchaeron from 21 October to 1 November and discover the traditions that marked the end of the harvest season in Wales. Enjoy family-friendly storytelling, crafts and games, explore Ffest y Wrach in the house, and learn about the herbs, remedies and rituals of the Ceredigion witches. Collect ingredients and spells. On 29, 30 and 31 October, after-dark tours offer a chance to explore the house by night and hear stories of its past residents.
Calan Gaeaf in South Wales
Dinefwr
Step into the magic and mystery of Calan Gaeaf at Dinefwr from 17 October to 1 November, where Newton House is transformed into an immersive experience filled with storytelling, imagination and discovery. Dare to seek out the life-sized Hwch Ddu Gwta in the basement, stir magical potions in Ceridwen’s Kitchen, listen to tales in the indoor forest and uncover Welsh myths and legends throughout the house. On 28 and 30 October, Dinefwr at Dusk offers atmospheric costumed tours and an after-hours experience (12+).
Tredegar House
From 24 October to 1 November, celebrate Calan Gaeaf at Tredegar House with a family-friendly programme inspired by Welsh folklore and tradition. Race broomsticks through the gardens, follow the trail of the mischievous Coedcernyw Pwca through the house, and create your own folklore character from clay in the Orangery. On 31 October and 1 November, enjoy special performances from The Gentle Good (Gareth Bonello) and Osian Meilir, bringing Welsh stories, music and movement to life.
Dyffryn Gardens
Step into the magical world of the Tylwyth Teg (fairies) at Dyffryn Gardens from 23 October to 1 November. Follow a family-friendly trail through the gardens, searching for hidden fairy doors, giant mushrooms and enchanting places the fair folk might call home. Along the way, enjoy games, discover mythical stories and spark young imaginations with an adventure inspired by Welsh folklore and the changing season.
Dolaucothi
This Calan Gaeaf, discover the folklore woven through the landscape of Dolaucothi from 28 to 31 October. Journey through a world of ancient mines, legendary figures and mysterious creatures, including Merlin, the Five Saints and the Hwch Ddu Gwta. Follow immersive trails, uncover forgotten stories, meet intriguing characters and explore how myth and history intertwine.
Colby Woodland Garden
This Calan Gaeaf, venture into the woodland at Colby and create your own Calan Gaeaf mask on 28 October, then return on 31 October for bilingual storytelling sessions filled with mysterious tales and seasonal traditions.
After-dark experiences
For older children and adults, there are spine-tingling after-dark experiences to enjoy, recommended for ages 12 and above.
Dinefwr at Dusk
On 28 and 30 October, step inside Dinefwr at Dusk and experience the Dark House after hours, when the stories, characters and traditions of Welsh folklore begin to emerge from the shadows.
After Dark at Chirk Castle
As darkness descends, join Chirk Castle for Calan Gaeaf on 31 October with a touch of Halloween spirit. Inspired by Welsh folklore and wandering spirits, this immersive after-hours experience promises magic, mystery and mischief. Booking essential.
After Dark Tours at Llanerchaeron
As darkness falls, visitors are invited to step inside the villa and discover some of the strange happenings, unexplained stories and ghostly sightings associated with its past. 29, 30 and 31 October. Booking essential.
Figures and folklore of Calan Gaeaf
Hwch Ddu Gwta
A tailless black sow. In traditional stories, children would gather around a bonfire on Nos Galan Gaeaf. As the fire died down, everyone would run home, fearing that the Hwch Ddu Gwta would chase or catch the last person left behind.
Ladi Wen
'The White Lady', a ghostly figure from Welsh folklore, usually depicted as a woman dressed entirely in white. She is evoked to warn children about bad behaviour.
Tylwyth Teg (Fairies)
Powerful supernatural beings who lived alongside humans but in a hidden realm. They could be helpful or dangerous, depending on how they were treated.
Pwca (Puck)
The Pwca, or Puck is a shape-shifting trickster of Welsh folklore. It was said to delight in leading travellers astray and playing tricks on unsuspecting people.
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