Rhayader hosts a variety of events all year round, ranging from Carnival week, Round the lakes races, cycling events, arts exhibitions and many more.
Are you a charitable organisation who wants to promote an event in Rhayader and District? Are you a registered Rhayader 2000 member who has an event happening?
The Mid Wales Heritage Hunt map is a handy guide to places you might enjoy visiting if you want to find out more about Rhayader and Mid Wales, like history or stories. Hard copies are available from most venues, with TimeScape Rhayader and Quillies in Rhayader having some available in the shop.
Watercolour Wednesdays are a weekly whimsical painting class exploring the fun side of painting. Delving into vibrant colour and fantasy this class is open to everyone, whether you are a complete beginner or just want to find a different approach to watercolour painting. A fun, friendly and relaxed class. We are on the first floor above Neil's Wheels in Cwmdauddwr. Come to one or come to them all. All materials are provided. Booking essential.
Natural Voice Singing at The Lost ARC.
Every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month join with others in singing for pleasure at The Lost ARC, No experience necessary!
We sing a variety of songs: world music and folk songs to uplift and inspire.
We sing together to make community, letting the words and music, harmonies and shared sound do their magic.
No auditions, all the music and words are learnt by ear.
We have a variety of Natural Voice leaders: Clara Clay, Liz Ikamba, Liv Preye, Ben Webb. Every three months we do a DIY self lead session.
Everyone is welcome!
2nd and 4th Mondays each month, 7 til 9pm. £10 per session or pay what you can afford.
Carad - Summer Of Fun!
Art & Craft activities inspired by our local history
East Street Rhayader LD6 5ER
JULY
7th July - Crafternoon
1.30-3.30 Ages 11+ Free
TimeScape Museum open Thurs - Sat 10.30 - 4.00
AUGUST
4 x OPEN VOICE' drama workshops with Ben Sheldrick
Saturdays 11-1 Adults (from 14+)
Free Children's workshops:
drama, lego + duplo, sculpture, + creative workshops
Make a Crankie
Garden Creation
Extra activities in Museum
Thurs - Sat 10.30-4.00
SEPTEMBER
TimeScape Museum
open: Thurs Sat, 10.30
4.00
Pay what you can days on Sats:
19th+25th July, 29th August, 26th Sept
“The Indoor Gem In The Outdoor Capital Of Wales”
'Absolutely original and unique, one in a million, needs a 2nd or 3rd visit'
Bespoke Tours Available
See: carad.org.uk or FB CARAD-TimeScape Rhayader
For details
Come along to learn new recipes and enjoy some good food in good company. We’ll be running alternate lunchtime and evening sessions, so hopefully everyone who wants to come will have a chance to attend. Please get in touch to book a place at one of the sessions. Booking required and please let us know if you have any dietary requirements or allergies.
As a round of the FIA European Rally Championship and the Probite British Rally Championship, the event continues to attract some of the world’s most aspiring rally drivers and delivers a significant global media coverage with all the action broadcast live in partnership with WRC Promoter. There will be a spectacle at the Smithfield in Rhayader and 2 epic Cwm Elan Stages on the Saturday!
The best time to see the night sky in all its glory
Shropshire musician Sean Gaffneyjoins us at The Lost ARC on Friday 11th September in support of the release of his latest album “Get Haunted”.
The 11-track album, which features William The Conqueror’s Harry Harding on drums and production, is a blend of jazz and synth-based music with elements of funk-rock, more reminiscent of Sean’s early work with his first band, ‘Funk The System’. Lyrical themes on the album explore isolation, coffee enemas, playlists, ghosts and the absurdities of modern life. Whilst the majority of the vocals and instruments are played by Sean himself, the album also features numerous tracks with Jack Gonsalez on piano, a young jazz pianist from mid-Wales who is also a member of Welsh progressive jazz band and Lost ARC favourites ‘Will Barnes Quartet’.
October 2015 was the last time Sean released any solo music officially, with his more acoustic-based debut LP, “The Story of How We Lose Control”. In that 11 year gap he has written and released two records with his ska and reggae band, BC Allskas, as well as working as an Apres Ski musician in the French Alps during the winter months.
An epic family festival celebrating everything about the Elan Valley. Including live music, a fun dog show, arts and crafts, dam open day and more.
Join us for a two day family festival celebrating everything about the Elan Valley. We'll have live music, a fun dog show, planetarium sessions, a dam open day, arts and crafts stalls and more. Everything you love about the Elan Valley and this wonderful area will be showcased. Get the family together and celebrate the end of summer with us at Elan Fest. The event is free to attend but some sessions include a small entrance fee.
This is old-school mountain biking at its absolute best.
Big climbs. Fast flowing descents. Technical sections. Wild open landscapes. Remote trails. That feeling of being completely out in the middle of nowhere with nothing but mountains, fresh air and your bike.
This is what proper mountain biking is all about.
The Elan Challenge is not a race. Never has been.
It’s a challenge — ridden at your own pace with chilled-out vibes, friendly riders and one of the most relaxed atmospheres on the MTB calendar. That’s exactly why so many riders return year after year.
Relaxed doesn’t mean unorganised though. Safety, planning and professionalism are always at the heart of everything we do, so you can focus on enjoying an incredible day on the bike knowing everything else is taken care of.
An evening of fun and prizes for Rhayader Carnival Bingo
Kristy Cox is blazing a trail across the bluegrass world, bridging the sounds of Australia and the heart of American roots music with undeniable flair. Crowned the “Australian Queen of Bluegrass,” Kristy has carved out a powerful reputation for her fearless artistry, soulful vocals, and genre-bending creativity. After first captivating audiences in Australia’s country music scene, she has gone on to dominate the U.S. bluegrass charts, earning multiple Billboard #1s and widespread acclaim on both sides of the globe.
She brings her band to the UK in 2026 and makes a stop at The Lost ARC on Saturday 19th September!
Her latest release, Let it Burn, is a bold statement of artistic evolution — fusing high-energy bluegrass with the raw emotion of evangelical gospel. Fueled by Cox’s commanding vocals and impassioned delivery, the album lit up the Billboard Bluegrass chart with another #1, marking yet another milestone in her ever-growing legacy.
Nantmel Show is an outdoor event with competitions ranging from. Sheep, horses, dogs, marquee section with cookery, craft, flowers, photography and more.
Event Description: The show welcomes all to look around with a small admission on the gate, for entries to show please see website for contacts www.nantmelshow.co.uk
The beauty of the full moon over the water with the stars in attendance
Exploding Cinema returns to The Lost ARC on Saturday 26th September!
Join us for a night of independent and democratised creativity! All welcome both to watch or participate!
Regardless of subject matter, taste or filmmaking ability – whatever the genre, style or format – as long as it’s under 20 minutes long Exploding Cinema will show it! Last time they joined us we had some incredible short films on display from independent film-makers, including some great local talent… And these guys really don’t hold back, there were projectors everywhere inside and out, with light shows and visual art displays throwing The Lost ARC into a whole new dimension with lots to explore away from the big screen!
The night is a celebration of creativity, not stuffy and formal. Audience feedback is encouraged and everything is welcome – it’s a bit like an open mic for film-makers!
Sunday 27th September – Simon Rees Memorial Hare ‘n Hounds
This will be the 23rd running of this popular event.
Again this will take place at Cwmythig Hill, near Rhayader, Mid Wales.
Always a favourite with the Sportsman riders, with the Simon Rees Memorial Cup up for grabs (best local Sportsman B rider).
We will use both motocross tracks along with nearby fields making up an enjoyable 3 mile lap to suit all abilities.
Classes: Championship, Expert, Clubman, Under 19’s, Over 40’s, Over 50’s, Over 60’s, Ladies, Sportsman A, Sportsman B & Under 16’s (85cc only – minimum age 14)
Awards for Top 3 in ALL Classes.
The event will start at 11am. The duration of the race will be 2.5 hours.
Overnight camping welcome (£5 fee).
Cwmythig hosts a signing on/presentation building & huge hard standing paddocks!
Last chance to ride Cwmythig before next year!
Entries will open nearer the time of the event via the ACU Sport 80 & Go Race websites
Chasing 'Draconids' under the darkest skies
The Lost ARC wish to invite you to a fun filled Sunday swapping your old clothes for new (ish), and having lot's of fun in the process... WOMEN'S, MEN'S and KID'S clothing will be available for swapping so be sure to come along and bag yourself an outfit or two. Bring a bag of clothes to swap for free entry, or alternatively just come and have a browse for £3 per person (kids go FREE (C) All clothes leftover from the swap will be be donated to local charities. So here's a chance for you to clear out your old wardrobe, get yourself a new outfit, enjoy a fun filled family friendly Sunday and support a good cause at the same time.. not to be missed!
Zion Train are Dub/Dance pioneers and have been undisputed leaders in the genre for the past 3 decades. The band were heavily involved in alternative and DIY underground culture in the UK during the 1990s as well as being purveyors of the finest Roots Reggae music throughout this period.
One of the most unique and enjoyable live dub acts on the planet, their use of dynamic onstage dub mixing whilst performing alongside acoustic instruments and exceptional vocalists make Zion Train one of a kind.
They perform headline slots at gigs and festivals world-wide, and have sold out The Lost ARC quickly on previous visits!
An exciting opportunity to sell off any surplus stock taking up too much space in your craft area...see details below👍😎
Free Autumn half term events for all ages:
TimeScape Rhayader will be open two extra days, Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th October over half term for Dragon Festival, as well as Thursday – Friday, until the end of October. There will be arts, heritage and craft activities from 10.30 – 3.00, closing at 4.00
24th Oct Sat: Dragon Festival activities, heritage crafts and trails. Free, donations welcome
• 2.00 -3.30 Lego and Duplo play session
25th Oct. Sun: closed
26th Oct. Mon: Closed
27th Oct. Tues: Dragon Festival activities, crafts and museum trails. Free, donations welcome
• 1.30 – 3.30 Traditional Crankie Storytelling. Make a moving story box • 7.30 pm Elan Time Traveller. Fun interactive storytelling. Journey back to Victorian Elan with Museum Facilitator Katherine Hart. Refreshments
28th Oct. Weds: Dragon Festival activities, crafts and trails. Free, donations welcome
• 1.30 -3.30 Block printing and folding a paperPrinter’s Hat
29th Oct. Thurs: Dragon Festival activities, crafts and museum trails. Free, donations welcome
• 2.00 -3.30 pm Potion Making and Dragon Making and Racing with So Silly Crew, in CARAD theatre. Free
30th Fri: Dragon Festival activities, heritage crafts and trails. Free, donations welcome
• 1.30 – 3.30 Spindle spinning and natural dyes
31st Sat: Welsh Museums Festival activity day. Dragon Festival activities, crafts and trails, Mystic Marge. Free, donations welcome
• 1.30 -3.30 Crafting Bees and Bugz with beads and other materials!
Town wide Events
CARAD October – November
Crafternoons
Crafting sessions every Tuesday in term time from the 13th October – 15th December, 1.30 – 3.30: 9 sessions. Ages 11+, Free with Refreshments.
TimeScape Rhayader Museum
Open October 1st – 23rd : Thursdays – Saturdays, 10.30 – 3.30.
Explore the stories of our landscape, communities and heritage
Adults £6.00, Children free, 1 accompanying Carer Free.,
Registration and race HQ will be at Elan Valley Visitors Centre, just a 5-minute walk to the start line. Parking, café and toilet facilities are available at the Visitor Centre. The car park fills quickly, so please try to car share. Entries will close shortly before the event (date TBC). There are just 200 places available, so don’t miss out! Race day information will be emailed out to all participants before the race.
The stars may play tricks tonight!
Martin Harley stands at the crossroads of Americana, Blues, and Folk. With a career spanning three decades, Harley has captivated audiences around the world, recording critically acclaimed albums in Texas, Nashville, and the Wild West of Wales. His latest release, Morning Sun, showcases his finest songwriting to date and affirms his status as a celebrated figure in the global roots music community.
Harley’s music is defined by his expressive slide guitar style, which Roots Magazine hails as the work of “a slide guitar master” and The Guardian describes as “spellbinding.” Seamlessly blending American roots, blues, and folk traditions, his innovative approach has earned him nominations for the Americana Music Awards Instrumentalist of the Year, Best Acoustic Guitarist, and Best Acoustic Blues Artist.
Captain Accident creates his unique blend of rock-driven soulful roots reggae, ska & dub at his home studio in Cardiff. With the help of the finest musical collective dubbed “The Disasters” this sound is then explosively transformed onto the stage, bringing an energetic & captivating live show. With soulful vocals, luscious harmonies, soaring twin guitars and a truly infectious groove, there’s no standing still when Captain Accident and his clumsy companions hit the stage! They have been firm favourites at The Lost ARC since our early days and it’s a pleasure to welcome them back to Rhayader in 2026.
Captain Accident currently has 4 self-produced albums under his belt: “Pick up the Microphone” (2010), “Slippin Up” (2013), “Wake & Break” (2016) and the critically acclaimed “Bad Press” (2021) which has received great reviews and praise, including that from the legendary David Rodigan on his BBC Radio 1xtra Reggae Show. A recent single “Slither On The Dashboard” (2026) heralds the release of a new album on the horizon!
A magical ride under the stars on the shortest day