Events

30 km – A stunning and rewarding route through the iconic Elan Valley dams, perfect for those looking for a challenge.
10 km – A shorter but equally beautiful run, taking in the scenic roads and cycle paths around Rhayader and the Elan Valley Visitor Centre.

More than just a race, Rhayader Round the Lakes is a true community event, known for its friendly atmosphere, incredible local support, and the dedication of our fantastic volunteers.

Whether you're an experienced runner, a first-timer, or cheering from the sidelines, you’ll be part of something special.

An evening of history, storytelling and music is coming to Pant-Y-Dwr on Saturday 21st March , hosted by historian, author and broadcaster Graham Loveluck-Edwards who you may recognise from his various TV appearances on programmes such as Charlie Coopers Myth Country and Vanished Wales. These events have been getting rave reviews from critics and audiences as Graham has been performing to packed venues across Wales since the start of 2026. The event in Pant -y-Dwr is part of a Wales wide tour, and it is based on his Graham’s new book “Scoundrels cads and vagabonds from Welsh history”. Tickets are £12 for adults, children under 12 go free and they are available online at www.grahamloveluckedwards.com.

Join Radnorshire Mammal recorder and livestock and wildlife farmer Sorcha Lewis for a walk and talk where you’ll find out more about the nocturnal creatures which live in Elan Valley and may meet one or two. Tickets: £7.65 Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026. Find our more https://elanvalley.org.uk/events/nocturnal-creatures-walk/

An unforgettable weekend of star-studded activities and performances in one of the top stargazing locations in the world. Welcome to the Elan Dark Sky Festival.

27th March - 6pm until 10.30pm

28th March - 11am - 11.30pm

Elan Valley will be host to two nights and a day of workshops, activities and performances which bring the night sky alive. From planetarium shows, to wildlife walks, concerts and stargazing, we have a programme of cosmic events for all ages. Activities will take place at different sites across Elan Valley and Rhayader; some events are drop-in and others will be ticketed. Galactic fun for all the family! Visit: https://elanvalley.org.uk/elan-dark-sky-festival-2026-full-programme/

A night-time, off-road bike ride in Cwm Elan International Dark Sky Park. Hosted by mountain bike guide Pippa Boss, you will experience the magic of riding your bike under the night sky. Tickets: £15.98 Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026. Find out more: https://elanvalley.org.uk/events/riding-with-pippa-dark-skies-night-ride/

Feeling peckish during your adventures at the Elan Dark Sky Festival? Don’t look any further as Ty Penbont, in the heart of the Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park will host a special dinner for festival goers. Places are limited so be sure to boo your table! Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026 Book your table by messaging Ty Penbont on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/typenbont/

The Punk, Rap, Rave Apocalypse that is China Shop Bull, has gained the hearts and respect of people around the world, on the back of consistent touring and the success of three album releases thus far. They make their long awaited return to The Lost ARC on Friday 27th March ’26.

Fusing the worlds of electronic and live music, china shop bull spans countless styles and genres; Drum & Bass, Rap, Rave, Ska and Dub. All this mixed up and spat out with intense energy, punk ethos and attitude – is guaranteed to get you jumping!

A one-off acoustic folk concert under the stars with enchanting musicians Toby Hay and Holly Blackshaw. With elliptic, soaring vocals and impressionistic song writing, Holly sings songs of old and new, traditional and self-penned with the aid of an old guitar and the occasional shruti box. Toby Hay is a guitar player and composer. Fascinated by the connection between landscape and music, he is inspired by the landscapes of the Cambrian Mountains. In the case of wet weather, this concert will take place under cover. Attendees will receive instructions of where and how to go the day before. Tickets: £10.80 Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026. Find out more: https://elanvalley.org.uk/events/starlit-concert-with-toby-hay-and-holly-blackshaw/

Join astrophotographer Dafydd Wyn Morgan for this workshop where you can develop your night photography skills and create eye-catching images with ‘light painting’. Inspired by the talented Eric Pare and Kim Henry, you’ll get to grips with how to capture short flashes of light in twilight/moonlight. Tickets: £20.20 Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026. Find out more: https://elanvalley.org.uk/events/light-painting/

Join the Elan Valley Dark Sky Team as they take you on a cosmic tour with their telescopes in the heart of the Elan Valley International Dark Sky Park. If the skies are clear, they will offer views of the Moon, Jupiter and glittering star clusters. Meet at the Claerwen Dam Lower Car Park SN871633 Wrap up warmly and feel free to drop in between 9.00pm-10.30pm! Please note, this is a weather-dependant event and will not happen if the weather is bad / cloudy. Free Event. Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026.

Traditionally in the past a 1 day event, however the club has decided to make it into a 2 day event & host the 1st rounds of the British & Welsh Enduro Championships. The start/finish area at Cwmythig will host some of the excitement, featuring one of the special tests and refuelling check right within reach. Cwmythig boasts large hard standing paddocks with great access & has a large purpose built building on site for signing on & entertainment. Lap mileage will be approx 25 miles (plus Special Tests) & will include some country roads linking up sections of the route. There will be an enjoyable”out test” at Saintswell too, similar to last years Jack Frost.

Riders will be treated to an action-packed 2 days as the local hills & trails become the backdrop for our thrilling enduro. Riders will navigate the captivating tracks winding through the local hills, offering an engaging and challenging experience. Whether you’re competing or spectating, the Jack Frost Enduro promises 2 days filled with adrenaline, camaraderie, and unparalleled off-road excitement. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness the thrill of off-road riding amidst the beauty of the Mid Wales landscape! Spectators can enjoy prime viewing of a shorter than normal Cwmythig test while taking advantage of excellent catering facilities on the hard-standing paddock area. We will have our Enduro GP of Wales merchandise container on site too!

The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team will be bringing the stars to Rhayader through their planetarium shows throughout the day! 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 suitable for people of all ages. Location: CARAD, Rhayader Cost:£4.50 Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026 Find out more and book your place: https://elanvalley.org.uk/events/planetarium-show-solar-system/

Join astronomers, artists, wildlife experts and more at Mission Control for a day of hands-on demonstrations, crafts and talks about everything under (and around) the sun. Find out how the stars, moon and planets shaped the beliefs of ancient cultures with Timescape Archaeology and make your own star-aligned artefact. Join Gary Palmer for a solar observing session and learn about how dark skies protect wildlife with Radnorshire Wildlife Trust. Plus much, much more! Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026. Some events require registration. Find out more: https://elanvalley.org.uk/events/mission-control-elan-dark-skies/

10am – Lost Arc, Rhayader Learn how to make willow and paper lanterns inspired by nocturnal creatures in and around Elan Valley. Artist Zoe Matthews will lead groups through lantern making workshops using willow structures and crepe paper in preparation for a lantern procession at a secret location on Saturday evening. Free Entry Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026 Find our more: https://elanvalley.org.uk/events/lantern-making/

Did you know the ancient Celtic people of the UK had their own stories and mythologies about the night sky? The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team will take you on a magical tour of the night sky and reveal our well-known constellations in a new light. The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team will be bringing the stars to Rhayader through their planetarium shows throughout the day! Come and learn about the Solar System, Celtic Constellation mythology and hear wonderful dark sky-themed tales under the stars with Welsh Storyteller Mair Tomos Ifans. Location: CARAD, Rhayader Cost: £4.50 Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026. Find out more and book your place: https://elanvalley.org.uk/events/planetarium-show-celtic-constellations-and-mythology/

• The Elan Valley Dark Sky Team will be bringing the stars to Rhayader through their planetarium shows throughout the day! Storyteller Mair Tomas Ifans will present a magical collection of ancient Welsh tales about the night as the majesty of the cosmos spins overhead, interwoven by enchanting music from her harp. Location: CARAD, Rhayader Cost: £4.50 Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026. Find out more and book your place: https://elanvalley.org.uk/events/planetarium-show-storytelling-under-the-stars

With Janice Vincett, Hsin-Jung Lu and Hazel Lee Take a walk at dusk with local wildlife experts and learn about the winged creatures who call Elan Valley home. Use bat detectors to listen for newly emerged bats which depend upon dark skies for insects. Listen to the evening chorus and observe moths up close! Tickets: £7.65 Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026 Find out more and book your place: https://elanvalley.org.uk/events/nocturnal-birds-bats-and-moth-walk/

In celebration of our dark skies, join young people from Elan and beyond in a lantern procession to put Elan Valley on the map! We will form a spectacular procession across the dam, filmed by a professional videographer. Location to be announced Free Entry Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026.

Join astronomer Rob Davies for a delicious two-course dinner at Ty Penbont. Afterwards, he will introduce you to the world of astronomy and observing through a talk where you’ll learn what you need to get started with this amazing hobby. Rob will show us what we can expect to see in the sky across the different seasons. Tickets: £30 Find out more and book your place: https://elanvalley.org.uk/events/talk-and-dinner-how-to-get-started-in-astronomy/

Mair Tomos Ifans is a teller of traditional legends, myths and tales, who draws on a deep repertoire of stories and folk songs from across Wales in her work as storyteller, singer, actress and wordsmith. Join her for an intimate outdoor performance under the stars where she’ll share a selection of stories set at night, accompanied by her enchanting harp. Tickets: £8.20 Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026. Find out more and book your place: https://elanvalley.org.uk/events/storytelling-under-the-stars/

Join stargazers Rob Davies and Sam Price as they take you to an exclusive stargazing site on top of a hill! If the weather plays ball and the skies clear, they will show you close-up views of the Moon, Jupiter, glittering star clusters and teach you about the constellations. Tickets: £5.50 Part of the Elan Dark Sky Festival 2026. Find out more and book your place: https://elanvalley.org.uk/events/stargazing/

• Rhayader Running Club annual evening 5k running race. A unique opportunity to gain a PB on a downhill course. More details at https://www.rhayaderrc.wales

Back for 2026! Rhayader Evening Motocross Cwmythig Hill, Rhayader, Mid Wales 1st Race: 6:30pm Classes for: Group 1 - Pro/Experts, Group 2 - Clubman/Veterans, Group 3 - Novices/Ladies Full Trackside PA System - Catering Units - Licensed Bar - Trade Stands

3:00 pm – The gates swing open, welcoming all enthusiasts and thrill-seekers. 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm – Sign-on period for participants, ensuring everyone is set for the action. 5:30 pm – Practice rounds kick-off, giving riders a chance to get acquainted with the course. 6:30 pm – The intensity ramps up as the first race launches, setting the tone for an electrifying evening. Join us for an unforgettable experience filled with speed, competition, and the thrill of motorsport. Whether you’re racing or cheering from the stands, the event promises high-octane excitement and nail-biting action. Stay tuned for further details and surprises that await at this sensational racing extravaganza! Don’t miss out on the rush of the races and the excitement of the ‘Dash for Cash’ Grand Final.

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.

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!