What Is the National Eisteddfod? A Beginner's Guide
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The National Eisteddfod is one of Wales's biggest celebrations of language and culture. For eight days, music, poetry, art, food, theatre and conversation fill a temporary festival site known as y Maes.
If you have never been before, the traditions can seem mysterious. This beginner's guide explains what an eisteddfod is, what happens during the week and why you do not need to speak fluent Welsh to enjoy it.
The National Eisteddfod is an annual travelling festival celebrating the Welsh language and culture. You can enjoy its music, performances, food, shops and atmosphere even if you are only beginning to learn Welsh.
What does eisteddfod mean?
The word eisteddfod comes from eistedd, meaning 'to sit', and bod, meaning 'to be'. It refers to a sitting, session or gathering.
An eisteddfod is a festival at which people compete in areas such as poetry, singing, music, recitation, dance and drama. The plural is eisteddfodau.
Not every eisteddfod is the National Eisteddfod. Schools, villages and local organisations hold smaller eisteddfodau across Wales and beyond.
What is the National Eisteddfod?
The full Welsh name is Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru. Cenedlaethol means 'national', while Cymru is Wales.
The festival travels to a different part of Wales each year, giving host communities an important role in preparing and supporting the event. It usually alternates between north and south Wales.
In 2026, Eisteddfod Genedlaethol y Garreg Las will be held at Llantood in north Pembrokeshire from 1 to 8 August.
Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru
National Eisteddfod of Wales
What is y Maes?
The main festival site is called y Maes. The word maes can mean a field, site or open area.
Although the Eisteddfod is often held on fields, the Maes feels more like a temporary town. It contains performance venues, shops, cafés, food stalls, exhibitions and colourful pavilions belonging to organisations from across Wales.
People often spend hours wandering around, meeting friends and discovering events they had not planned to see. You do not have to sit in the main pavilion all day to experience the Eisteddfod.
What happens at the National Eisteddfod?
Competitions remain at the heart of the festival. People of different ages compete in poetry, singing, instrumental music, dance, drama, visual art and many other disciplines.
Alongside the competitions, you can usually find:
- live music and concerts
- poetry readings and literary discussions
- theatre, dance and comedy
- Welsh food and drink
- books, gifts, clothing and local crafts
- talks, exhibitions and workshops
- activities for children and families
- opportunities to learn and practise Welsh
The programme changes each year, so it is worth choosing a few events in advance while leaving time to explore.
What are the Chair and the Crown?
Two of the best-known competitions are Cadeirio'r Bardd, the Chairing of the Bard, and Coroni'r Bardd, the Crowning of the Bard.
The Chairing of the Bard
The Chair is traditionally awarded for a long poem written in strict metre. This form of poetry uses the intricate Welsh sound patterns known as cynghanedd.
The winning poet's identity is kept secret until the ceremony. When the adjudicators confirm that a worthy poem has been chosen, the winner is invited onto the stage and formally honoured.
The Crowning of the Bard
The Crown is normally awarded for a collection of poetry written in free verse. Like the Chair, it is designed especially for that year's festival and reflects the host area.
The ceremonies combine poetry, music and pageantry, making them memorable even for visitors who do not understand every Welsh word.
Why do people wear colourful robes?
The robed participants belong to Gorsedd Cymru, a community that honours contributions to Welsh culture, language and public life.
- White robes are worn by druids.
- Blue robes are worn by bards.
- Green robes are worn by ovates.
Gorsedd Cymru's modern history dates from the late eighteenth century. Its ceremonies and colourful robes have become some of the most recognisable sights at the National Eisteddfod.
How old is the Eisteddfod tradition?
The history of the eisteddfod stretches back for centuries. A famous gathering was held by the Lord Rhys at Cardigan Castle in 1176, where poets and musicians competed for prizes.
The modern National Eisteddfod developed much later, but this medieval gathering remains an important milestone in the story of Welsh competitive poetry and music. The year 2026 marks its 850th anniversary.
Is the National Eisteddfod suitable for Welsh learners?
Yes. The Eisteddfod is one of the best places to hear Welsh being used naturally in conversations, performances, shops and cafés.
Maes D is a dedicated area for Welsh learners and new speakers. Its programme can include music, informal conversations, quizzes, talks and opportunities to practise in a supportive setting.
Choose three simple phrases before you arrive. Using a small amount of Welsh naturally is more useful than trying to memorise a long list at once.
Bore da
Meaning: good morning
Shwmae?
Meaning: hello or how are you?
Diolch
Meaning: thank you
Ble mae...?
Meaning: where is...?
Dw i'n dysgu Cymraeg
Meaning: I am learning Welsh
Dw i ddim yn deall
Meaning: I do not understand
Most Welsh speakers will appreciate the effort. You can use English when you need help, and nobody expects a beginner to understand everything.
Do you need to speak Welsh?
You do not need to speak Welsh to enter the Maes or enjoy the festival.
Welsh is the main language of the Eisteddfod, so some performances and announcements may not be translated. However, visitors can still enjoy the music, art, food, ceremonies and atmosphere without understanding every word.
Hearing the language spoken around you can also help Welsh feel more familiar and show how it is used beyond lessons and textbooks.
How to plan your first visit
You can easily spend a full day exploring the National Eisteddfod. Before travelling, check the official programme and choose two or three things you particularly want to see.
Comfortable shoes are essential because the Maes is large. The Welsh weather can also change quickly, so consider bringing:
- a waterproof coat
- sun cream
- a reusable water bottle
- an extra layer of clothing
- a portable phone charger
If heavy rain is forecast, footwear suitable for muddy ground may be useful. Check the latest travel, accessibility and site information before setting off.
Why is the National Eisteddfod important?
The National Eisteddfod gives the Welsh language a large, visible space where it can be spoken, heard and celebrated.
It supports Welsh writers, musicians, artists, performers, businesses and community organisations. It also allows learners to experience Welsh as a living language rather than simply a subject studied in a classroom.
For many visitors, the festival is also a place to meet old friends, make new connections and celebrate a shared relationship with Wales and its culture.
Five facts to carry onto the Maes
- The festival combines competition, performance, language and social life.
- Y Maes means the festival site.
- The Chair and Crown recognise different forms of literary achievement.
- Welsh learners can use Maes D and translation support.
- You do not need fluent Welsh to attend respectfully and enjoy the day.
Sources and image credits
- Historical photograph: Geoff Charles, National Eisteddfod 1972, Haverfordwest, National Library of Wales via Wikimedia Commons, 9 August 1972, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Uploaded without cropping; displayed at a reduced size. Accessed 22 July 2026.
- Modern photograph: Sionk, Maes D tents at the 2024 National Eisteddfod, own work via Wikimedia Commons, 5 August 2024, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Uploaded without cropping; displayed at a reduced size. Accessed 22 July 2026.
- National Eisteddfod: 2026 festival information
- Visit Wales: A guide to the National Eisteddfod
- Visit Wales: National Eisteddfod 2026 event record
- Image rights: Legacy-image caution: some files may pre-date the visible credit system. Unless an image has a named creator, source and licence here, confirm those details in the Welsh Words records before reuse outside this page.
