Wales 2026: A Landmark Year of New Museums, Reimagined Icons, and Cultural Celebrations

People working with their instructor getting ready to go kayaking in a seaside village.

Wales may be small in size—smaller than New Jersey, in fact—but in 2026 it’s preparing to make an outsized impression on the world stage. From groundbreaking museums and innovative transportation to the revival of beloved historic landmarks, the country is entering a remarkable year of transformation. Visitors will find fresh cultural touchpoints in every corner of Wales, whether through cutting-edge contemporary art, the nation’s first official football museum, or a high-frequency rail line that reshapes how locals and travelers explore South Wales. Add in milestone celebrations like Portmeirion’s 100th anniversary and Wales’ debut hosting of UK Pride, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years in the country’s modern cultural story.

Inside the Town Square of a seaside village

In 2026, Wales will unveil major new attractions, restored icons, and cultural firsts that reflect its growing global spotlight.

What’s New:

• Museum of Two Halves, Wrexham (North Wales): Wales’ first-ever Football Museum and the enhanced Wrexham Museum celebrate the area’s sporting legacy, local heritage and the buzz from Welcome to Wrexham.

• Artistic Museum of Contemporary Art, Cardiff (South Wales): Cardiff’s first modern art museum, featuring 1,000 works by Welsh and international artists, with a focus on new and underrepresented voices.

• The Welsh Tube (South Wales): A high-frequency rail line connecting Cardiff with nearby valleys every five minutes for the first time ever, making it easier to explore South Wales’ culture, communities and scenery.

What’s Reopening

• Caerphilly Castle, Caerphilly (South Wales): Wales’s largest fortress, with interactive exhibits, a new visitor centre and its famously leaning tower.

• Newport Transporter Bridge, Newport (South Wales): One of the few working transporter bridges left in the world will welcome visitors once again with a new visitor centre, café and exhibitions, along with sweeping views of the River Usk.

• National Slate Museum, Llanberis (North Wales): Set in the heart of Snowdonia, the museum tells the story of Wales’s slate industry through renovated workshops and traditional demonstrations.

• Old College, Aberystwyth (Mid Wales): This striking seafront landmark will reopen as a cultural hub, featuring a boutique hotel, event spaces and attractions along the promenade.

Cultural Milestones

• Portmeirion’s 100th Anniversary, Portmeirion (North Wales): Known as Wales’ ‘Italy Dupe,’ this Italianate village celebrates a century of creativity, design and coastal beauty, where colorful architecture meets lush gardens and views of the North Wales coast.

• UK Pride, Newport (September 2026, South Wales): Wales will host UK Pride for the first time, marking a historic moment for Newport and the nation’s LGBTQIA+ community with parades, performances and cultural celebrations.

Photo Credits: VisitBritain/The TravelBook and Crown Copyright / Visit Wales