2023 Ontario Welsh Festival

After a lengthy pandemic break, the 2023 Ontario Welsh Festival is happening! We invite you to join our celebration of all things Welsh on the weekend of April 21-23, 2023 at the Hilton Garden Inn situated in the heart of downtown Ottawa, Ontario. Come and enjoy:

  • The Friday Welcome Tea with Mary Muckle at the harp and Welsh Festival items for sale.
  • The Friday Noson Lawen where you can be part of the entertainment (or provide your hearty encouragement from the audience).
  • Screening of the film Y Syrcas on Friday and Saturday afternoons.
  • Saturday’s Seminar by Anastasia Llewellyn, MA, discussing the importance of the 1588 Welsh Bible in the survival of the Welsh vernacular.
  • A Saturday afternoon bus tour, Ottawa with a Welsh Flavour, led by David Jeanes and including a visit to Rideau Hall, official residence of The Governor General of Canada.
  • The Saturday concert at the magnificent Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa featuring renowned baritones John Ieuan Jones and Steffan Lloyd Owen, soprano Eiry Price, and accompanist, Rhiannon Pritchard.
  • The Gold Award presentation at the Saturday evening banquet where your presence will help to make that event extra special for recipients who were chosen during our pandemic break, namely David Pugh (2020) in absentia, and Meriel Simpson (2022).
  • Sunday morning breakfast in the Tulip Room.
  • The Sunday Cymanfa Ganu being led by John Ieuan Jones along with our very own accompanist, Alan Thomas, at Christ Church Cathedral. This is really the heart and soul of the Festival, so please come and sing your heart out!

Registration forms have been mailed and emailed to those on our mailing lists. A downloadable form and link to online registration is available on the Registration Page.

Don’t forget to book your hotel room directly with the Festival hotel at Hilton Garden Inn – Ontario Welsh Festival Booking Page to receive our festival rate. If calling the hotel to book, use the code WELSHF. Please note overnight parking at the hotel is $25+HST/night.

Regular updates about the Festival weekend can also be found here on our website or at our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ontario.welsh.festival.

Mark the April 21-23, 2023 weekend on your calendar now. It will be a wonderful weekend with an opportunity to meet old friends, make new ones and sing our hearts out!