Events

The most famous of all Llanwrtyd's wacky events. Competitors are allowed wetsuits, snorkels and flippers to traverse a trench cut out of a peat bog, using no recognisable swimming stroke and surfacing only to naviga…

The event that kicked off all the craziness in Llanwrtyd Wells, the Man vs Horse Marathon has been held every year since 1980 and has resulted in some tense finishes. Two-legged runners have won only twice, most rec…

Over 200,000 people descend on Builth for four days every July for the Royal Welsh Show (founded in Aberystwyth in 1904) to see everything from gussied-up livestock to lumberjack competitions, falconry and a food ha…

In mid-July, the Powis Castle Showfield becomes the unlikely venue for a weekend hoedown. Proceeds benefit people with disabilities, through the Heulwen Trust, which runs two narrowboats to take its beneficiaries on…

Specially designed chariots harnessed to two mountain bikes are raced by teams of three during Llanwrtyd's revival of Saturnalia, the Roman festival of misrule. There's a 'best dressed Roman' competition, the devour…

Since 1933 this festival has brought classical music to various historic locations across rural northern Powys. The epicentre of it all is the eponymous Gregynog Hall near Newtown, the historic seat of the Blayney f…

In conjunction with the Mid-Wales Beer Festival, every November cyclists and walkers follow waymarked routes (10, 15 or 25 miles for ramblers; 15 or 28 miles for wobblers), supping real ales at the 'pint stops' alon…

Takes place in the Tabernacle at MOMA Machynlleth during the third week of August, with music ranging from kids' stuff to cabaret, plus a lively fringe festival.

A revival of the ancient practice of parading a horse's skull from house to house on New Year's Eve while reciting Welsh poetry. The procession leaves from the centre of Llanwrtyd Wells at 10.30pm.

This long weekend of laughs also involves theatre and kids' shows and is increasingly attracting top-flight UK comics.