The National Eisteddfod is one of the world’s greatest cultural festivals and attracts 150,000 – 160,000 visitors every year. Businesses in different parts of Wales can benefit from the fact that Wales’ leading festival travels around the country, alternating between north and south Wales.

The Eisteddfod is the ideal opportunity for the local area to benefit economically and culturally during the period before the event, during the festival itself and following its visit, by encouraging Eisteddfod goers to return to the area in the future.

What is the Eisteddfod? 

• A cultural festival, held through the medium of Welsh, which provides a national stage for music, dance, the visual arts, original performances, family activities and all kinds of competitions, in a welcoming, fun and unique environment.
• A festival which lasts for 8 days at the beginning of August. The location changes every year, alternating between north and south Wales.
• A colourful Maes with a pink pavilion as the focus for the competing and the ceremonies, with hundreds of activities happening across the field.
• Over 300 tradestands and an Exhibition Hall full of crafts, jewellery and artwork.

The Welsh language is an integral and important part of the Eisteddfod, but the festival is much more than a Welsh language event. You don’t need to speak Welsh to get involved and make the most of the Eisteddfod’s visit, but why not find out more about how to offer a Welsh and bilingual service, and make the most of the help available to get you started?

The Eisteddfod works in partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association to plan the festival’s locations over a number of years, and we work closely with the local authorities in the catchment area for at least two and a half years before the Eisteddfod is held. We announce the decision to visit an area two years in advance, and the committees and fundraising structures are put in place and the local work begins. The Eisteddfod costs £3.4 million to stage, with a target of around £300,000 for the local fund.

This section of the website is an introduction to the Eisteddfod, and outlines some of the opportunities available locally and how we can work together to make the festival a success. We're also producing it as a business pack and our local fundraising committees will be distributing copies across the catchment area.