Cardiff Mela 2025

Sunday, June 15, 2025 Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay, Wales

The Cardiff Mela 2025 is set to light up Roald Dahl Plass in the heart of Cardiff Bay on Sunday 15 June, marking nearly two decades of vibrant multicultural celebration in Wales. A cornerstone of Cardiff’s summer events calendar, this free, family-friendly festival celebrates South Asian culture in all its richness—through music, dance, food, fashion, and community spirit.

Launched in 2007, Cardiff Mela has grown into Wales’ largest multicultural event, attracting thousands of attendees from across the UK. Though rooted in the South Asian traditions of communities from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the Mela has blossomed into a broader celebration of the city’s diverse identities—bringing together people of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

At its heart, the Mela is about unity, culture, and joyful expression. From sunrise to sunset, the wide-open plaza of Roald Dahl Plass transforms into a colourful celebration of diaspora identity. Bright saris and salwar kameezes swirl alongside hip-hop tees and kurta shirts. Children wave balloons, teens take selfies with their favourite artists, and aunties and uncles enjoy snacks while catching up with neighbours and relatives. It’s not just a festival—it’s a community reunion.

A Star-Studded Main Stage

One of the biggest draws of the Mela is its main stage, where audiences are treated to a packed programme of performances spanning the spectrum of South Asian entertainment. Headlining this year is Zack Knight, the British-Pakistani R&B star known for hits like “Bom Diggy Diggy” and “Galtiyan.” Knight’s blend of Urdu, Punjabi and English lyrics over slick pop beats makes him a favourite with young audiences across generations.

But the stage isn’t just for chart-toppers. Cardiff Mela has long been a platform for emerging local talent, and 2025 will be no different. Expect appearances from Welsh-based bhangra bands, grime artists of South Asian heritage, soulful female vocalists, and dance crews performing Bollywood-style and fusion routines. The variety is enormous—each act proudly representing their own version of what it means to be British and Asian.

Live dhol drumming sets, qawwali singers, and Bengali folk ensembles provide a balance between tradition and modernity, creating a sonic journey from the fields of Punjab to the nightclubs of East London.

Street Food and Family Feasting

You can’t have a Mela without food—and Cardiff Mela’s food court is a festival in itself. Lining the edges of the square, dozens of independent traders, local restaurants and home-based chefs serve up delicious dishes from every corner of the subcontinent. Attendees can sample chicken biryani, paneer wraps, lamb samosas, butter chicken, masala dosa, and Peshawari naan, followed by gulab jamun, rasmalai, jalebi, and kulfi.

The Mela food area is also home to fusion flavours and street eats, with everything from Indo-Chinese stir fry and tandoori burgers to vegan chaats and sugarcane juice. Tables and benches are scattered throughout the venue, creating a true open-air dining experience with live music in the background and the scent of spice in the air.

Market Stalls and Creative Culture

Adjacent to the food area, you’ll find the bazaar zone, a vibrant space filled with stalls selling handmade crafts, jewellery, clothing, books, art, and natural beauty products. Whether it’s a bridal lehenga, an embroidered shawl, a printed Urdu poetry zine, or handmade Ayurvedic oils, there’s something for everyone. Many of the sellers are local, offering unique gifts that reflect Cardiff’s growing South Asian creative scene.

Meanwhile, artists and youth organisations host creative workshops—offering kids and teens the chance to get hands-on with rangoli, henna art, Bollywood dance, and block printing. A storytelling corner allows families to listen to South Asian fables and folktales brought to life through puppetry and drama.

Community Spirit and Education

Beyond entertainment, Cardiff Mela is a platform for community engagement and awareness. Numerous charities and non-profits host stalls offering support on topics such as mental health, domestic abuse, refugee rights, education access, and elderly care—all with materials in multiple South Asian languages.

In addition, there’s a "Voice of the Youth" tent, where young British Asians can share poetry, discuss identity, and perform spoken word. This space nurtures activism, representation and inclusion—creating a Mela that is not only celebratory, but socially conscious.

A Festival for All

What sets Cardiff Mela apart is its open, inclusive ethos. There’s no entry fee, no VIP zones, and no cultural barriers. It’s a day for people of all backgrounds to experience South Asian culture in a way that’s vibrant, accessible, and authentic. From families and students to elders and toddlers, everyone is welcome—and encouraged to join in the dance.

Cardiff Mela also prides itself on accessibility. The location at Roald Dahl Plass offers full wheelchair access, and the event features BSL interpreters, multi-faith prayer spaces, baby changing areas, and quiet zones for those needing a sensory break. It’s an event designed with care.

 

Cardiff Mela 2025 takes place on Sunday 15 June at Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay. Entry is free and no booking is required, though early arrival is encouraged for the best views. Updates, line-ups and full performance schedules will be available soon at:
 www.cardiffmela.com