Cardiff City of Arcades 2024
I’ve captured imagery for Cardiff City of Arcades every year since 2018 and this November, I had the privilege of capturing the City of Arcades 2024 celebrations in Cardiff City centre. I always set myself a personal brief to capture the energy, interactions, humour and warmth to go alongside the very detailed brief set by the fantastic team at Cowshed for their client For Cardiff.
Over three eventful days, the city was brimming with activity, from light displays and installations to vibrant performances and bustling markets. It was a fantastic opportunity to document the energy and excitement of Cardiff during one of its busiest weekends.
Light of Winter Trail
The celebrations began with the launch of the Light of Winter Trail, a series of 11 light and sound installations spread throughout the city. One standout was the Illuminated Reeds Symphony on the dock feeder canal, which created a striking visual, especially during the kids Christmas lights switch-on at Churchill Way. The joy on children’s faces as the lights came to life, alongside performances from roller-skating baubles and stilt-walking ice characters, made for some unforgettable moments to photograph.
The Cardiff Aurora projection on Cardiff Central Station was another highlight. The projected display showcased the artwork of local talents, blending Welsh folklore and tradition with vibrant light and sound. Capturing the crowd’s reactions and the dynamic visuals was a rewarding part of the evening.
Cardiff After Dark
The second evening brought Cardiff After Dark, where Cardiff Central Market stayed open late, transforming into a packed and lively evening venue. Photographing the market was a real treat, with the warm glow of the lights, the buzz of people exploring the stalls, and the aroma of street food created some interesting visual opportunities. We met some truly amazing people along the way.
Santa’s visit added a festive touch, and I captured him mingling with visitors surrounded by a cheerful crowd. Businesses across the city joined in the fun, from Corner Coffee serving festive drinks, Ty Caws Cheese serving world class cheeses and wine and live rapping at Knight Vintage.
City of Arcades Day
The final day celebrated Cardiff’s Victorian and Edwardian arcades with live music, guided tours, and exclusive events. The arcades provided a perfect setting for photography, with their charming architecture serving as a beautiful backdrop for activities like Awen Duo’s string performance and Sam Hickman’s harp recital, both staged on arcade balconies.
Shoppers enjoyed live painting at Masters Art Gallery and interactive workshops at Lush Spa, where attendees created their own bath bombs.
I tell everyone who visits the arcades to spend time looking up to enjoy the world class architecture (as well as looking in the shop windows of course!).
Here are a selection of my favourite images taken over the three days.
