Cardiff Life Magazine

16/10/2026

Ibby Abdi founded IBY, Inspired By You, in 2021. A Cardiff-born Somali who grew up in the south of the city, he wanted a streetwear brand that represented where he came from.

In our October issue he writes about the November 2023 collaboration with Cardiff City Football Club and New Balance, which saw people queue through the city, and about the less glamorous side of running an independent label.

Read "IBY: made in Cardiff, inspired by you" in the October issue of Cardiff Life, guest edited by Gavin Porter for Black History Month. Pick up a copy now.

📷 courtesy of IBY
Cover: Saudade by Unify Creative and Ophelia Dos Santos

Read the October issue: https://issuu.com/cardifflife.wales/docs/cardiff_life_magazine_issue_306

16/10/2026

Forget the countdown, it’s officially Christmas at Pugh’s 🎄✨

has just launched its iconic Christmas Shops, with four dreamy new themes dressing every tree, wreath and shelf this year:

🎄 Gingerbread Joy,
🎄 Warm Wishes,
🎄 A Christmas Tale,
🎄 Winter Frost.

Think baubles, trees, candles, garlands and so much more, basically everything you need to deck the halls properly!

And the showstopper is back by popular demand. The illuminated reindeer sold out last Christmas, so Pugh’s has gone bigger than ever this year, for everyone who missed out the first time round.

New for this year: a Magical Christmas Light Wand that switches your tree and festive lights on with just a flick, as if by magic ✨

Looking for the ultimate way to get into the Christmas spirit? Head to their stores in Radyr or Wenvoe now!

16/10/2026

🚲 A free Halloween BikeFest is coming to Railway Gardens in Splott this half term.

Bring your bike for a free repair and tune-up, decorate it with spooky upcycled crafts, print your own hi-vis vest and try the bubble bike and the pedal-powered duck race. The fancy dress bike ride leaves at midday, and pumpkin soup is served from 12.30pm for a small charge.

Bikes, scooters, trikes, wheelchairs and assisted cycles are all welcome, whether you're a confident rider or brand new to cycling.

Tuesday 27 October, 10am to 2pm, Railway Gardens, CF24 2BH. Free, with optional registration.

Full details: https://cardifflife.wales/activities-and-events/halloween-bikefest-railway-gardens-splott/

Organised by Green Squirrel and Community Cycleworks.

15/10/2026

🍷 Beaujolais Day Cardiff 2026: ten places to book now

Thursday 19 November is Beaujolais Day, and the best tables are already going. Our new guide has prices, timings and booking links for all ten.

Le Monde and Matisse Bar and Lounge, St Mary Street: Matisse party sold out (waiting list open), after party from 7pm, £20
Coach and Horses by Martinez, Castleton: three courses £75
The Old Custom House, Penarth Marina: limited availability, ask Le Monde
The Ivy Cardiff: £50 for two courses, £55 for three, from 11.30am
The Parkgate Hotel: three courses in The Sorting Room, £98 with a glass on arrival
Laguna at Park Plaza: three-course lunch, £65 to £70, £25 deposit
The Cardiff Townhouse by Coppa Club: three courses £42.50
Cosy Club Cardiff Bay: set menu £49.95 with a glass of Beaujolais Nouveau
BOOM Battle Bar: bottomless brunch sittings at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm, after party until 4am
The Botanist: food, w**e and live sets all day

Most venues take payment or a deposit up front, so book early.

Full guide: https://loom.ly/I6H3Swc

Know one we've missed? Tell us below 👇

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15/10/2026

Pub grub with a view? We’re sold 🍻🌊

We headed down to On The River Cardiff for a proper feed, and it’s safe to say this is one to add to your list. Think hearty pub classics, good drinks and a riverside setting that makes it even better.

Who are you bringing here? 👀🍴

15/10/2026

A new Manic Street Preachers lyric artwork has been unveiled on Womanby Street, right in the heart of Cardiff's grassroots music scene.

Created by Welsh artist Sean Edwards, who grew up in Llanedeyrn, it features a Nicky Wire line from Deleted Scenes, from the band's latest album. It's designed as a ghost sign, as though it's always been part of the street, and you'll find it opposite the Gwenno mural.

It's the first in a series of lyric artworks celebrating Welsh music that will appear across the city, with future lyrics picked by people from the Welsh music scene.

Cardiff Music City Festival runs until Saturday 17 October.

Cardiff Council

15/10/2026

🎈 Looking up! Last night we caught Balloon Girl at the and it was such a fun, fantastical ride! 🎭✨

Written and directed by Hannah McPake, this vibrant new show weaves a wild adventure blending Welsh history, big questions, and incredible stage magic.

Balloon Girl promises uplifting, hopeful, big-hearted entertainment for everyone aged 8+

🎟️ Tickets: On sale NOW via the page and the show runs through October 24th, with tickets starting at £18 (and under-25s/children half-price).

Head over to the Sherman Theatre website to grab yours before they float away! ☁️

15/10/2026

🎃 Three things to know in Cardiff today: free Halloween fun at Museum of Cardiff, Cymru v Norway tickets on sale, and Cancer Bats at Clwb Ifor Bach.

@[page:107132475983141] is hosting free family events for Welsh Museums Festival from 24 October to 1 November: a Wall-E screening on Monday 26 October at 11am, a drop-in spooky crafts session on Wednesday 28 October, and Halloween zine making with Flossy and Boo on Thursday 29 October. All free, children with an adult. The museum is currently closed because of a leak, so check cardiffmuseum.com before you go.

Cymru take on Norway in the first leg of their FIFA Women's World Cup play-off at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday 1 December, 7.15pm. Early-bird tickets are £8 for adults and £3 for under-16s (£6 and £2 for Red Wall members) until 12pm on Tuesday 3 November, at faw.cymru/tickets.

@[page:7322602089] headline @[page:25932524737] on Wednesday 21 October with Ignite and Knives, as Marshall's Made of Loud tour puts money into grassroots venues. 7.30pm, £25, 14 and over. See Tickets was showing a waiting list at the time of writing, so check for returns.

Full stories:
https://loom.ly/iL0cR1Y
https://loom.ly/iWvfuJI
https://loom.ly/3qBYnbs