In the wet and miserable summer of 2006, the clouds parted for one special day to let the sunshine through on Wales. Cardiff Mela was established that year — a community and social cohesion event open to everyone, all ages and all colours, and always free entry. The first major Mela followed in 2007, held at Coopers Fields in the city centre.
What started with local performers has grown into Wales' largest single-day multicultural event, now held on Roald Dahl Plass in the heart of Cardiff Bay. The Mela's roots are in Asian culture, but the festival belongs to the whole city — showcasing diversity through music, dance, art, fashion and food, and bringing 30,000+ people together for one unrepeatable day.
Highlights from a previous year's Cardiff Mela — a taste of the atmosphere, the stage and the crowd on the day.
Presented in partnership with BBC Asian Network, who have hosted the Mela stage every year since 2009 with celebrity hosts including Adil Ray in 2009 and Haroon Rashid in 2023. Below are some of the artists who have headlined previous year Mela events.
Funfair, food, market stalls, mehndi, workshops and a dedicated community zone — the whole plaza comes alive.
Classic fairground rides and games running the full length of the day, including a carousel and big wheel.
Mouth-watering multicultural cuisine and exotic drinks from a wide range of local and national caterers.
100+ trading stalls selling clothing, jewellery, handicrafts, toys and more — with exciting product launches on the day.
South Wales Police, Race Equality First, Carers Wales and more on health, housing, training and employment.
Traditional henna body art all day — we host a maximum of two henna artists on site each year.
Hands-on sessions for all ages. Full schedule announced closer to the date.
Email or WhatsApp us for an information pack covering sponsorship, stalls and performer registration — but be quick, every year sells out.
From local performers on Roath Park to international headliners on Cardiff Bay — scroll through twenty years.
Mela is a Sanskrit word meaning "gathering" or "to meet" — used across the Indian subcontinent for fairs of every size, from religious to commercial to sporting. The Kumbh Mela alone once drew over 60 million people, the largest gathering ever recorded.
Since the 1980s, Melas have taken root wherever South Asian diaspora communities have settled — from London to North America — evolving into wider intercultural festivals of music, dance and food. Cardiff's is Wales' first and only large-scale outdoor Mela, community-owned from day one.
Launched by a voluntary committee in 2006, incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee in 2010, and restructured as a Private Limited Company in 2019. A board of directors and community committee run the organisation year-round, with a local event management company delivering the day itself.
The Mela has been part-funded over the years by Cardiff City Council and the Arts Council of Wales, alongside partners including O2, BBC Asian Network, South Wales Police and South Wales Fire & Rescue Service.
A public plaza in the heart of Cardiff Bay, named after Cardiff-born author Roald Dahl, and home to the Senedd and Wales Millennium Centre.
Yes — every Cardiff Mela has been free entry since 2006, and it always will be. The event received public funding in its earlier years, but has been completely privately funded since 2019, supported by sponsors and partners so it can stay open to everyone.
Email info@cardiffmela.com with a short introduction and any performance history. The Mela is open to performers of all ages and levels, and every year gives space to acts performing brand-new work for the first time.
Absolutely — email info@cardiffmela.com for our information pack covering stalls, marquees and sponsorship tiers. Spaces sell out every year, so early registration is strongly recommended.
No — the event takes place on a concrete surface, so own stalls aren't permitted. All traders are set up in our on-site marquees, constructed and ready for occupation on the day.
Roald Dahl Plass, Bute Place, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5AL — a public plaza next to the Senedd and Wales Millennium Centre, running 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Free entry, all ages, all welcome — mark the date and bring everyone.