Cardigan is set for its best ever Christmas thanks to a £30,000 grant from Visit Wales. The town will be the place to visit with a Festive Fortnight starting in early December with a packed programme of events and special attractions.

Highlights include a Christmas and Eisteddfod-themed lantern parade through the streets, riverside fireworks display, a two-day Christmas fair at Cardigan Castle, reindeer in the Guildhall courtyard, late-night shopping, concerts, live music, pop-up events and a Christmas cabaret.

The fortnight starts on December 3 with the switching on of the Christmas Lights and includes free parking on Saturdays thanks to Ceredigion County Council.

The initiative has been spearheaded by the Cardigan Town Centre Partnership under the umbrella brand of Creative Cardigan - Aberteifi Creadigol.

Lead partner Small World Theatre will manage the project and run The Greatest Ghost Adventure with support from fforest at Halloween. They will also run exciting public lantern workshops in October and November in advance of the spectacular lantern parade on December 9.

Ann Shrosbree, director at Small World, said: “We want as many people as possible to get involved with Creative Cardigan and show what a creative and innovative community we have here in the town.

"This Christmas is the 840th anniversary since the first eisteddfod at Cardigan Castle in 1176 and the giant lanterns and procession will reflect this theme.”

Makers, creatives and traders are invited to organise pop up events along the High Street during Festive Fortnight. town mayor Cllr Clive Davies, who chairs the partnership, said: “This funding will really help put Cardigan on the map and attract people to the town in the run up to Christmas.

"It will allow Cardigan to showcase its original shops and unique cultural and historic attractions to visitors outside of the traditional tourist season.”

Make sure you keep updated by visiting the creativecardigan.co.uk and social media links for the latest news @CreativeCardi @TeifiCreadigol, Facebook and Instagram.

The project is funded by the Welsh Government’s tourism product innovation fund.