Events Overview

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.

Weekly Wicked Workshops every Tuesday at Artist in the Attic, Cwmdauddwr. Come create something magical.

Event Description: Come create something wonderfully whimsical in these weekly workshops run by local artist A.K.Skipsey. Every week we explore a different craft to create something magical that you can take home, from fun and funky earrings, magical clay wall hangings, fairy houses, witches hats and so much more. Held at Artist in the Attic in Cwmdauddwr, Rhayader. The studio is on the first floor above Neil's Wheels. The workshops are affordable and fun. For a full list of weekly workshops please visit 'Artist In The Attic' on Facebook.

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.

Traditional Welsh Male Voice Choir with 2 guests; young local harpist Isla Corbett and vocalist/musician Penelope George from Skewen near Neath.

The choir has enlisted two more wonderful guests for 2026. Soloist, Penelope George from LARS and local harpist, Isla Corbett. Isla is a very young accomplished harpist who has played with the choir on a few occasions and who joined us in the production of our new CD. We look forward to listening to this talented player on the night. Penelope is from Skewen near Neath, and joined LARS in early 2022. She is 20 years old and is currently in her second year at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama studying Vocal Performance and Opera Studies.

Tickets £10

A special ride for a special night - riding through the night and breakfasting as the sun rises over the Alyn Wallace memorial (supplement to include a light breakfast)

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.

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.

Over more than a decade The Achievers have garnered an international reputation for being one of the very finest, most accomplished and original live bands performing Blues, Americana and Roots music in Europe.

Their shows, headlining clubs and festivals around the world, are life-affirming demonstrations of the power of live music – creating intimate concert atmospheres brimming with laughter, positivity and rich musicality. Their infectious rhythms, joyful melodies and jaw-dropping vocal harmonies have gained them much critical acclaim, multiple UK Blues Award nominations and saw them win the highly prodigious UK Blues Challenge in 2019. They reached the semi-final of the International Blues Challenge inMemphis, Tennessee in January 2020 and the finals of the European BluesChallenge in Malmo, Sweden in 2022.

Try a tasting menu of delicious Indian food cooked from scratch in The Lost ARC kitchen!

Event Description: Thali night at The Lost ARC is an opportunity to savour a delicious Indian-inspired feast on the first Thursday every month. Derived from the Hindi word for "plate", a 'Thali' features a variety of small bowls containing different curries, lentils, and sweets, accompanied by rice, bread and sides. Our menu is developed in house and cooked from scratch using traditional spices and ingredients. A chance to try lots of different elements in one meal. Our main Thali menu is entirely plant-based, with the option to add a locally sourced meat dish, or a dessert to round out the experience.

Join our wonderful youth theatre group to Neverland, meeting Peter Pan, Hook, Wendy, John & Michael on their adventures

1hr 15 minute production at Rhayader Leisure Centre over 3 performances 3&4th July at 6.30pm and 5 July at 2.30pm. Tickets £8 over 16s and £4

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 following sessions. Booking required, please let us know of any dietary requirements or allergies.

Korason are Wales-based duo Josh Doughty (kora) and Tim Short (guitar) and were introduced to each other by world-famous Ngoni player Bassekou Kouyaté at the festival du Niger in Segou, Mali, back in 2007.

Josh is recognised as one of the greatest non-African kora players, mentored from a young age by Malian kora maestro Toumani Diabaté. Multi-instrumentalist Tim has toured and recorded for over 30 years, playing with The Waterboys,Afro Cluster, Matuki and Joe Driscoll and Seckou Kouyaté.

Through their music, they pay their respects to the great Mandinka traditions of West Africa alongside beautiful new compositions of their own and have appeared at a number of UK festivals including WOMAD, Shambala, Boomtown, Kaya and Llangollen Fringe.

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 following sessions. Booking required, please let us know of any dietary requirements or allergies.

A rare opportunity to see Georgia Ruth on a solo tour with her harp, ahead of releasing her fifth album – Uncanny Valley – later this year.

Performing songs from her back-catalogue (which includes Welsh Music Prize winning Week of Pines) along with some brand new material. Not to be missed!

Your chance to venture inside one of the iconic Elan Valley Dams. These self guided tours give you the chance to walk the dam at your own pace and enjoy stunning views from the top of the central platform.

Don’t miss an exclusive chance to venture into Pen y Garreg Dam in the Elan Valley, and up the central tower. One of our rangers will be on hand to answer all your questions so don’t be shy… These short self-guided tours are a perfect addition to your day’s itinerary at Elan Valley. Walk through the dam at your own pace, before emerging onto the central platform where you’ll enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the dam wall – and learn about the feat of engineering that made Elan. Booking ahead recommended, either online or from the Visitor Centre shop. Please bring the receipt from the shop if you buy on the day. We can take walk-ins at the dam but you must have the correct change for your party. £5.00 per adult, £2 per child

A fun summer workshop for children to learn animal tracking techniques, before exploring Cnwch Woods to discover signs of local wildlife.

Part of the Elan Valley Summer Fun Programme - these series of children's workshops are designed to engage curious young minds. The animal tracking workshop is led by an expert countryside ranger who will show you how to learn animal tracking techniques, before you explore Cnwch Woods to discover signs of local wildlife. £5 per child. Booking and more info here https://elan-valley.co.uk/events/childrens-summer-sessions/

Where better to try your hand at building a dam than the Elan Valley. Young engineers can learn how dams are built, then test their skills by constructing one that (hopefully) holds water!

A fun summer session for young engineers. Learn how the Elan Valley dams were made over 120 years ago and have a go at making your own dam! Using a variety of materials, we will design, build and test the new dam creations. In this creative Build A Dam Workshop, young visitors will be able to step back in time to explore the incredible engineering behind Elan Valley’s iconic dams. Perfect for families and curious minds, this workshop invites you to get creative and bring your own miniature dam to life. Will it be watertight? Whether your dam holds water or not, the fun is in the building! This workshop is just £5 - book your place now to avoid disappointment.

A fun summer session for children to follow a trail of hidden riddles through the woods to find the next clue – and the way back!

One for your young nature detectives. Follow a trail of hidden riddles through the ancient forest in Cnwch Wood, hunting hunt high and low for scrolls. Each scroll points you towards the next clue and ultimately, shows you the way back! This fun summer session is ideal for children, but they must be accompanied by an adult. £5 per child.

The Enduro World Championship returns to Wales for the season finale - and this time, it’s bigger than ever. Over three days of world-class racing, the fastest riders on the planet will battle across the famous Welsh hills for the ultimate prize: the EnduroGP World Championship crown.

The Enduro World Championship returns to Wales for an unforgettable season finale, bringing the world's best riders back to the legendary Welsh hills for three days of elite competition and off road action. From 6th to 9th August, EnduroGP of Wales will welcome riders, teams and fans from across the globe to Cwmythig Hill MX in the heart of Mid Wales. As the final round of the championship, every second counts as the sport's biggest names battle for crucial points and the chance to be crowned EnduroGP World Champion. Known for its challenging terrain, spectacular scenery and passionate crowds, Wales provides the perfect backdrop for one of the most anticipated events on the international enduro calendar. Spectators can expect intense racing, technical special tests, dramatic championship battles and a festival atmosphere throughout the weekend. Whether you're a lifelong motorsport fan or discovering enduro for the first time, EnduroGP of Wales offers a unique opportunity to witness the very best riders in the world competing at the highest level of the sport. With championship titles on the line and thousands of fans expected to attend, this promises to be one of the biggest and most exciting enduro events ever held in the UK.

Chasing 'Perseids" under the darkest skies

Looking for a wedding venue that’s truly one of a kind? Join us in the Elan Valley this August for our exclusive Wedding Dam Open Day at the stunning Pen y Garreg Dam.

Looking for a wedding venue that’s truly one of a kind? Join us in the Elan Valley this August for our exclusive Wedding Dam Open Day at the stunning Pen y Garreg Dam. Step inside the enchanting Victorian Tower, accessed via the dam’s internal gallery – your aisle for the day – and see the space beautifully dressed for a wedding, complete with nature-inspired floral arrangements. Whether you’re dreaming of a rustic celebration, a charming welly boot ceremony, or something more traditional, Elan Valley offers a wedding experience like no other. Exclusive offer: Couples who book their wedding at the Open Day will receive £100 off the venue hire fee. Entry is free, but we’ll ask you to complete a short wedding-themed questionnaire on arrival.

The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team will be bringing the stars to the Elan Valley Visitor Centre through their planetarium shows. An out of this world experience for budding star gazers. This 50 minute show is suitable for children aged 6 years and under. All children must be accompanied by an adult. £5 per person.

The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team will be bringing the stars to the Elan Valley Visitor Centre through their special pop-up planetarium! Ideal for curious star gazers and budding astrologists aged 6 years and under, this is a perfect session to come and learn about the Solar System. Starting from the Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park and finishing with the furthest man-made object in space, Voyager 1. This show is out of this world. The session is 50 minutes and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost £5 per person. Book here https://elan-valley.co.uk/events/childrens-summer-sessions/ Bydd Tîm Awyr Dywyll Cwm Elan yn mynd â chi ar daith o amgylch Cysawd yr Haul trwy eu sioe planetariwm. Gan ddechrau o Barc Awyr Dywyll Rhyngwladol Cwm Elan a gorffen gyda’r gwrthrych pellaf a wnaed gan ddyn yn y gofod, Voyager 1, mae’r sioe hon yn addas i bobl o bob oed.

The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team will be bringing the stars to the Elan Valley Visitor Centre through their planetarium shows throughout the day from 11am on Weds 19th Aug - 2pm on Fri 21st Aug!

The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team will be bringing the stars to the Elan Valley Visitor Centre through their planetarium shows throughout the day from Weds 19th August to Fri 21st August! These family friendly sessions mean you can come and learn about the Solar System, the night sky, planets, galaxies and beyond. Starting from the Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park and finishing with the furthest man-made object in space, Voyager 1. This show is suitable for curious stargazers and budding astronomers from ages 6 years plus. Cost £7.50pp. Book here https://elan-valley.co.uk/events/pop-up-planetarium/Bydd Tîm Awyr Dywyll Cwm Elan yn mynd â chi ar daith o amgylch Cysawd yr Haul trwy eu sioe planetariwm. Gan ddechrau o Barc Awyr Dywyll Rhyngwladol Cwm Elan a gorffen gyda’r gwrthrych pellaf a wnaed gan ddyn yn y gofod, Voyager 1, mae’r sioe hon yn addas i bobl o bob oed.

The last in the series of Elan Valley's Children's Summer Sessions - join us for a day of outdoor play and fun games!

It's nearly the end of the summer holidays! Join the Elan Valley activities team for some end of season silliness - our last summer workshop is outdoor fun and games. Can you beat the rangers? £5 per child.

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

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.

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

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 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.

A magical ride under the stars on the shortest day