More evening events than ever at this year's Eisteddfod

And this year's programme includes a host of evening events and activities, with something for everyone. Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, "We’re very aware of the need to offer a wide variety of evening events across the Maes and across the different artistic genres and I’m delighted to assure everyone that we have a strong and varied programme this year.

"Visitors had their say as part of Y Sgwrs last year, and were clear that they wanted to see more free events in the evening across the Maes. 

"We’re aware that paying for a concert ticket on top of a Maes ticket can be difficult, so we’ve made sure we have plenty of free events dotted around the Maes, and events in the Muni and YMA are also free with a Maes wristband.

"The Eisteddfod Choir perform a brand new version of an old classic, Nia Ben Aur in the Pavilion on Saturday and Monday nights, with tickets on sale from 12:00, Friday 14 June. 

"We’ve also further raised the status of our competitive evenings in the Pavilion this year, following last year's highly successful experiment with our dance competitions. We’re looking forward to a number of competitive evenings across all disciplines.

"We’re pleased to be able to publish our full online programme earlier than ever before, and our official souvenir programme with plenty of interesting feature articles and interviews will be available to buy online and in shops all across Wales from early July onwards.”

The Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod is held from 3-10 August. The majority of activities are at Ynysangharad Park in the centre of Pontypridd, with preliminary competitions and some evening performances held at the Muni Centre and theatrical performances in YMA. 

Entry to the Muni ac YMA is free with a Maes wristband. For more information on the programme, tickets and how to get to the Maes online at www.eisteddfod.cymru.

Evening highlights

Saturday 3 August

Nia Ben Aur: Y Pafiliwn- 20:00
This year's Eisteddfod Choir concert is a brand new take on an old classic. Half a century after the premiere of the iconic Welsh rock show at the Bro Myrddin Eisteddfod, 1974, Patrick Rimes and Sam Humphreys have given the songs a folk and electro feel, and Cymru Children's Poet, Nia Morais has created a brand new script for the show . Choral arrangements by Richard Vaughan, with Angharad Lee directing the show. Also Monday night. Tickets available from www.eisteddfod.cymru

Sunday 4 August

Noson yng nghwmni Alaw Goch (Ad/Lib Cymru): Maes D – 18:45
With Ieuan Rhys and Danny Grehan. In 1861, Alaw Goch was a leading figure in organising the National Eisteddfod in Aberdare, an important milestone in the development of the Eisteddfod as a festival for the whole of Wales. We wonder what he would think of the Eisteddfod in 2024? Also Tuesday and Thursday nights. Free entry

Gala gomedi Tudur Owen: Y Babell Lên – 19:30
Come and laugh! Tudur Owen concludes an hour of comedy with Dan Thomas, Caryl Burke, Eleri Morgan and Carwyn Blayney. Free entry

Y Gymanfa Ganu: Y Pafiliwn – 20:00
Join the Cymanfa Choir conducted by Wil Morus Jones for an evening of very special congregational singing. Wales and the World President, opera singer, Susan Dennis-Gabriel from Vienna will be welcomed and honoured on stage as part of the evening. Tickets available from www.eisteddfod.cymru

Lydia, Merch y Cwilt: Encore – 20:00
A short one-woman opera with the versatile singer Rhian Lois composed by Caryl Parry Jones. Also Tuesday and Wednesday night. Free entry

Atgof, Canrif o gariad cwiar: Y Bandstand – 21:15
A candlelit celebration of queer love through song, music, dance and poetry to mark a century since E Prosser Rhys won the Crown, with Gavin Ashcroft, Dylan Cornwall, Cantorion Traws Caerdydd, Sara Huws, Miriam Isaac, Melda Lois, Nia Morais, Lloyd Steele, Jordan Price Williams, Meilir Williams, Gruffudd Antur, Steffan Prys Roberts, Osian Huw Williams. Free entry

Calan: Tŷ Gwerin – 21:30
A chance to hear the award-winning powerful folk band creating havoc with your ears and feet. Free entry

Monday 5 August

Siani’n Siarad: Y Lle Celf – 17:30
Sharon Morgan's translation of Eve Ensler's 'The Vagina Monologues' which is a surreal yet completely relevant celebration of women's lives in all their diversity. With Sharon Morgan and friends. A night that promises to be extremely emotional, sometimes hilarious, occasionally stressful but always entertaining. Supports Cymorth i Ferched Cymru's campaign to create a world where women and children can live free from domestic abuse and all forms of violence. Age 14+, with strong language. Free entry

Iphigenia yn Sblot (Theatr y Sherman): YMA – 18:00
Let Effie guide you through the streets of Cardiff today. Step into her world. Take a look at how we live through her eyes. A powerful new production of a Welsh adaptation of Gary Owen's harrowing play which has so much to say about life in Wales today. Contains strong language, sexual references, sensitive themes and scenes that may upset some members of the audience. Also Tuesday - Friday night. Free entry with a Maes wristband

Bwystfilod Aflan (Music Theatre Wales): Y Muni – 19:30
Through the lens of opera, dance and film, 'Bwystfilod Aflan' talks about the response to Prosser Rhys's famous poem a century ago, giving a new look to the whole story. Composed by Conor Mitchell. Performers: Elgan Llŷr Thomas and Eddie Ladd. Director: Jack Ifan Moore. Free entry with a Maes wristband

Pedair: Tŷ Gwerin – 21:30
Four of Wales' most prominent folk artists, Siân James, Gwenan Gibbard, Gwyneth Glyn and Meinir Gwilym, with a performance that is sure to capture the audience's imagination and hearts with sweeping harmonies, a skilled approach to tradition and the intimacy of their songs. Free entry

Tuesday 6 August

Mess ar y Maes (Academi Llais a Chelfyddydau Dramatic Cymru): Caffi Maes B – 19:30
Musical following the journey of Mari, daughter of the Chief Executive of the National Eisteddfod, who doesn’t feel Welsh enough. You may see some familiar faces treading the Maes as everyone faces the question: who is truly Welsh? Free entry

Corn Gwlad (Frân Wen); Y Babell Lên – 19:30
Pont-y-pool National Eisteddfod, 1924. The poet Prosser Rhys has just won the Crown for his poem which talks about his sexual relationship... with another man! Scandal on the Maes! Seiriol Davies relives that fateful Crowning ceremony 100 years ago... but with a little imagination, spooky ghosts, very cute bed sheets, jewellery, glitter and ferrets! Also Monday - Friday night. Free entry

Côr Meibion Pendyrus yn dathlu’r 100: Y Bandstand – 21:15
What better way to celebrate the birthday of one of Wales' leading choirs than with a varied feast of familiar songs, in a magical candlelit atmosphere as the sun sets? Free entry

Catrin Finch ac Aoife Ní Bhriain: Ty Gwerin – 21:30
A stunning collaboration between Aoife Ní Bhriain, one of Ireland's foremost traditional fiddlers and a classical violinist of international stature, and the harpist from Wales, Catrin Finch who has created an impressive classical career and ventured into new ground by collaborating with international artists. Free entry

Wednesday 7 August

Kiri Pritchard-McLean a ffrindiau: Comedi dysgwyr Maes D – 18:30
Siôn Owens presents an hour of stand-up by comedians who have learned, or are in the process of learning, Welsh. Featuring Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Joe Dehuai and Laurie Watts. Free entry

Cerddorfa Gwasanaeth Cerdd RCT: Y Muni – 19:30
Join the senior orchestra of the RCT Music Service and their guests, Gwilym Bowen Rees, Angharad Jenkins and members of VRï for an evening of traditional music arranged for an orchestra. Free entry with a Maes wristband

Rownd derfynol cystadleuaeth echwaraeon Gymraeg: Caffi Maes B – 21:30
Join us to watch the live finals of 'ESTEDDFOD' - a Welsh esports competition. With special guests including Welsh international footballers and influential streamers, everyone’s invited to watch a spectacular live final. Free entry

Hywel Pitts ac ambell ffrind: Y Babell Lên – 22:30
Comedy show including new material and old favourites. Come and see if Hywel has any friends... Age 14+. Free entry

Thursday 8 August

Fauré 100: Y Muni – 19:30
Meinir Wyn Roberts, Lisa Dafydd, Eleri Owen Edwards, Ceri Haf Roberts, Dafydd Wyn Jones, Steffan Prys Roberts, Aled Edwards and John Ieuan Jones perform Fauré's famous Requiem (translation by Stephen J Williams), conducted by Nia Llewelyn Jones with accompaniment string quintet of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. Free entry with a Maes wristband

Morfydd Llwyn Owen 27: Y Bandstand – 21:15
Gwenno Morgan curates a candlelight concert with Cerys Hafana, Glesni Rhys Jones, Llinos Haf Jones and Talulah to pay tribute to Morfydd Llwyn Owen, a local musician who died before her 27th birthday. Free entry

Steve Eaves a Rhai Pobl: Tŷ Gwerin – 21:30
A session by Steve Eaves who’s been performing on stages for over 40 years and continues to inspire listeners and musicians of all ages with music that is deeply influenced by the blues. Free entry

Gayawd: Y Babell Lên – 22:15
Your favorite songs from musicals transformed into LGBT+ anthems. Free entry

Friday 9 August

Fi yw fi ar ben fy hun nawr: Y Lle Celf – 17:30
A brand new piece from Leeway Productions which explores the challenges of being a working class single mother and gives an insight into the lives of unsung heroines who carry on day after day. Music by Lleuwen Steffan. Free entry

Arias ac alawon Stuart Burrows: Encore – 19:30
Margaret Williams presents Aled Wyn Davies, Huw Llewelyn, Rhodri Prys Jones, Roland George and Robert Lewis who perform some of the classics from the well-known tenor's career from Cilfynydd. Free entry

Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog: Tŷ Gwerin – 19:45
A country, folk and alternative rock band that experiments with folk and rock music. The band consists of three brothers, Iwan, Aled and Dafydd Hughes. Free entry

Al Lewis: Y Bandstand – 21:15
A special candlelight concert with Al Lewis and his guests. Free entry

Mei Gwynedd a Band Tŷ Potas: Y Babell Lên – 22:15
Mei Gwynedd and his band put a unique stamp on traditional Welsh songs, bringing a party atmosphere to the Cwt Cabaret. Free entry

Saturday 10 August

Gwlad Gwlad!: Pafiliwn 19:30
First performance of a new musical work by Eilir Owen Griffiths, set to commissioned poems by local poets, Aneirin Karadog, Delwyn Siôn, Christine James and Mari George, inspired by the national anthem. Free entry

Meinir Gwilym: Tŷ Gwerin – 19:45
A varied and intimate session with old and new, original and folk songs, by the singer-songwriter from Anglesey and some guest musicians. Free entry

Eden: Llwyfan y Maes – 21:00
Having established themselves as one of the most popular groups on the Welsh pop scene since forming in 1996 the three members of Eden - Emma Walford, Non Parry and Rachael Solomon - have released new material on the Recordiau Côsh label with songs such as 'Caredig', 'Siwgr', 'Fi' and 'Wow'. Free entry