This summer, a series of special celebrations will mark 850 years since the first National Eisteddfod was held, providing an opportunity to celebrate Wales’s rich cultural heritage and encouraging more people to take part in Welsh language events.
Supported by £250,000 of Welsh Government funding, alongside a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the programme will bring the story of the first Eisteddfod to life through educational, creative and community activities. It aims to inspire people to use the Welsh language, participate in cultural events and bridge the past and the present.
The Eisteddfod week (1 to 8 August 2026) will also feature a wide range of activities and events celebrating 850 years, blending past and present across its various platforms. The investment will also support a digital campaign to extend the celebrations online, raising the profile of the Eisteddfod and introducing its story to new audiences across Wales and internationally.
As Wales’ largest cultural event, the Eisteddfod attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The funding will support the Eisteddfod’s work to introduce further practical measures to cut emissions and help the festival continue to lead the way as the first festival in Wales to reach net zero.
For further information please select the following link: Celebrating 850 years of the Eisteddfod and inspiring new audiences | GOV.WALES.
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