Events

Wrexham’s events calendar has grown dramatically in recent years, fuelled by the city’s rising profile and a cultural infrastructure that punches well above its weight. We are even going for the UK wide City of Culture title!

Whether you are timing a visit around a specific event or simply want to know what is on while you are in town, this guide covers some key fixtures in the calendar and where to find out what is happening.

2026: The Year of Wonder

If you are visiting Wrexham in 2026, you are arriving during a very special year. The city is marking the 150th anniversary of 1876 – Wrexham’s annus mirabilis – with a year-long programme of events under the banner 1876: The Year of Wonder.

What happened in 1876? An extraordinary amount. The Football Association of Wales was founded at the Wynnstay Hotel in Wrexham (and then later formalised at the other Wynnstay in Ruabon!), establishing the city’s place in football history. The National Eisteddfod was held in the town for the first time. A four-month Art Treasures and Industrial Exhibition attracted over 80,000 visitors to a purpose-built pavilion on what is now Argyle Street (the original entrance arch still stands today, connecting Regent Street to Argyle Street). The Ruabon Road garden cemetery was opened. Wrexham’s tram system launched. The circus came to town on a grand scale. It was a year of civic ambition and cultural confidence that helped shape modern Wrexham.

Over 30 organisations have come together to mark the anniversary throughout 2026. Planned events include:

• A Football Association of Wales programme of commemorative events, including matches in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship hosted at the Racecourse
• A special St David’s Day parade on 1 March
• A celebratory edition of the Wrexham Carnival of Words literary festival in April, focusing on Wrexham-linked and Welsh-language writers
• Guided walks and commemorative events at Ruabon Road Cemetery
• An Industrial Expo and Conference at Wrexham University
• The reopening of Wrexham Museum after refurbishment, with new exhibitions on the FAW, Grove Park Theatre and the 1876 Art Treasures Exhibition
• Events marking the centenaries of Grove Park Theatre and the Stiwt in Rhos
• Performances by the Wrexham Symphony Orchestra and local choirs

The programme is co-ordinated by the Wrexham Carnival of Words team and updates are published on the 1876 Year of Wonder website. If you have any flexibility in your visit dates, try to coincide with one of the Year of Wonder events, it promises to be a memorable year for the city.

FOCUS Wales

FOCUS Wales is Wrexham’s flagship music festival and one of the most important showcase events in the UK for emerging talent. Now in its 16th year (after being founded in the same office Wrexham.com started in!), the festival takes place annually over three days in early May (7–9 May in 2026), transforming the town centre into a multi-venue music event with over 250 artists performing across 20 or more stages.

The festival was created to highlight the Welsh music industry but has grown into a genuinely international event. Alongside the live music, FOCUS Wales features industry panels, film screenings, arts events and comedy. Over 25,000 people attended the 2025 edition – a record – and the 2026 festival is expected to be bigger still.

Venues range from pubs and bars to churches, Ty Pawb and the William Aston Hall. A wristband gives access to all stages, and the festival has an infectious energy that takes over the whole town for the weekend. If you enjoy discovering new music, it is one of the best weekends of the year to be in Wrexham.

FOCUS Wales has been awarded ‘Best Festival for Emerging Talent’ at the UK Festival Awards. Tickets and the full programme are available at focuswales.com.

Tŷ Pawb

Tŷ Pawb (“Everybody’s House” in Welsh) is  “cultural community hub”, combining arts, markets and food under one roof on Chester Street.

Tŷ Pawb hosts a rolling programme of events throughout the year, including:

• Exhibitions  a contemporary gallery programme featuring high-profile and community exhibitions, including the annual Tŷ Pawb Open showcasing over 100 artists (most works are also for sale)
• Makers Markets  regular markets featuring ceramics, textiles, woodwork, jewellery, glass, printmaking and affordable art from local makers. The Christmas Makers Market in December is a highlight.
• Live music and comedy  gigs, open mic nights and comedy evenings
• Family activities  free arts workshops and activities for children throughout school holidays
• Film screenings
• Dydd Miwsig Cymru (Welsh Language Music Day) in February, a celebration of Welsh-language music

Beyond the events programme, Tŷ Pawb houses a range of independent traders in its arcades, market and food court. It is free to enter with or without a specific event. Check the Tŷ Pawb programme for what is on during your visit – but it is probably better to keep an eye on their Facebook page.

William Aston Hall

The William Aston Hall is Wrexham’s largest theatre and concert venue, with a capacity of up to 1,200. It sits on the Wrexham University campus, right next to the Racecourse , and is operated by the award-winning Theatr Clwyd.

The venue hosts a year-round programme of touring acts including big-name comedians (Sarah Millican, Chris McCausland and Katherine Ryan have all appeared), live music from national and international touring artists, tribute acts, theatre productions and family shows. It is the go-to venue in Wrexham for ticketed live entertainment.

Check the William Aston Hall website or the Theatr Clwyd listings for current shows and booking.

Concerts at the Racecourse

Since the Reynolds and Rob Mac takeover raised the ground’s profile, the Racecourse has hosted major outdoor concerts with a capacity of up to 21,000. Kings of Leon played two shows in the summer of 2023, supported by Far From Saints (Kelly Jones of Stereophonics’ side project) and the Declan Swans. Stereophonics, Olly Murs, UB40 and Elton John have also performed at the Racecourse.

Concert announcements tend to come in the spring for summer shows. Tickets sell quickly, particularly since the ground’s global profile has risen. If a concert is announced, book early. Road closures and transport arrangements for concerts are similar to but more extensive than those for matchdays, check the event details and our parking guide for specifics.

Christmas in Wrexham

Wrexham’s Victorian Christmas Market is one of the highlights of the year. Running from late November into December, the market fills some town centre streets with stalls selling food, drink, gifts, crafts and local produce. On-street Victorian-themed entertainment, live music from local choirs and brass bands, and a festive atmosphere make it one of the best Christmas markets in North Wales.

The market has grown in recent years and the 2024 edition was billed as the biggest ever, coinciding with the reopening of the refurbished Butchers and General markets.

Other Christmas events include the annual Christmas lights switch-on, carol services at St Giles’ Church, pantomimes and festive shows at the William Aston Hall and Theatr Clwyd, and family events at venues across the town.

Regular markets

Wrexham’s market tradition stretches back to 1292. Regular markets still operate in the town centre, the General Market , The Butchers’ Market, The Monday Market on Queen’s Square

See our shopping guide for more detail on Wrexham’s markets.

Wrexham Carnival of Words

Wrexham’s “literary festival with a difference” takes place each April and is now in its 11th year. The Carnival of Words brings together authors, poets, storytellers and literary events across venues in the town centre. It is also the team behind the Wrexham Revealed guidebook and the organisers of the Clwyd Crime Fest, a crime fiction festival held each November.

Both festivals are friendly, accessible events with a strong local character. For details, visit wrexhamcarnivalofwords.com.

St David’s Day

Wales’s national day on 1 March is celebrated in Wrexham with a St David’s Day Parade through the town centre. The parade features community groups, local schools and cultural organisations. St Giles’ Church usually holds a special service.

The Stiwt

Theatre Stiwt in Rhosllanerchrugog ( or just “Rhos”), a few miles south of the town centre, is a much-loved community arts venue hosting live music, theatre, comedy, film screenings and community events. Built in 1926, it celebrates its centenary in September 2026 with special events planned. The Stiwt has a distinctive character and a loyal local following. Check stiwt.com for the current programme.

Sporting events

Beyond Wrexham AFC’s home fixtures (see our matchday guide), the Wrexham area hosts other sporting events throughout the year:

• Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse  a small National Hunt horse racing course approximately six miles south of Wrexham, hosting race meetings through the autumn, winter and spring
• Wrexham AFC Women  the women’s team plays home matches at The Rock stadium in Rhosymedre and has benefited from significant investment since the takeover
• Wales international football The Racecourse hosts Wales matches periodically, including UEFA Under-19 Championship fixtures scheduled for 2026
• Running events local running clubs organise races and fun runs through the year, including the Wrexham Walking Festival and Wrexham 10k.

Food and drink events

Wrexham hosts periodic food and drink festivals including beer festivals, the Sausage and Cider Festival (typically in August), and smaller food-themed events at Tŷ Pawb and in the town centre. The nearby Llangollen Food Festival is one of the best-known food events in the wider region.

Finding out what’s on

Events in Wrexham change frequently, with new festivals and one-off events appearing throughout the year. The best sources for current listings are:

• Tŷ Pawb programme — for exhibitions, markets and cultural events
• William Aston Hall — for concerts, comedy and theatre
• Wrexham AFC fixtures — for home match dates
• Skiddle — for ticketed gigs, clubs and festivals

If you are planning a visit and want to coincide with a specific event, check these sources a few weeks ahead. For major events like FOCUS Wales or Racecourse concerts, book tickets and accommodation as far in advance as possible,  these sell out.