Elan Valley Dark Skies Festival
A Weekend Under the Stars
Elan Valley. 28th and 29th March 2026
There’s something very special happening in the Elan Valley this weekend.
For the first time, the valley is hosting its Dark Sky Festival, celebrating ten years since it was awarded International Dark Sky Park status. It feels like a natural fit for this place. If you’ve ever stood out here on a clear night, you’ll know why.
The Elan Valley has some of the darkest skies in the UK. With very little light pollution across the Cambrian Mountains, the stars fill the whole sky on a clear night. It’s the kind of darkness that you don’t realise you’ve been missing until you experience it properly.
What’s happening over the weekend
The festival runs across the weekend with a mix of gentle, hands-on and quietly fascinating experiences. It’s not just for people who know their constellations either. It’s for anyone who enjoys being outside when everything slows down.
Across the weekend, there are:
Stargazing sessions in some of the darkest spots in Wales
A starlit concert out in the open landscape
Planetarium shows and astronomy talks
Astro cycling with Pippa
Lantern making and an evening procession across the dams
Guided walks to discover the valley after dark, from bats to nocturnal birds
Light painting with our personal friend Dafydd from Serydda
Some events are ticketed, others are drop-in, so you can dip in and out depending on how you want your weekend to feel.
From our side of the hill at Coety Bach
Hot tub under the full moon
Being just half an hours drive from the Elan Valley, we are lucky enough to experience dark skies over the cabin.
As the sun goes down, the valley goes quiet, the lights disappear, and the sky takes over.
If you’re staying with us at Coety Bach, you can simply step outside into the garden to experience the stillness of the sky.
We’ve set things up so you can make the most of it:
Blankets to wrap up warm outside
Stargazing maps so you can start to pick things out
Binoculars for a closer look
And our stargazing bench, positioned just right for sitting back and looking up
We offer a ‘Star gazing bundle’ as an optional extra too.
No pressure to “do” anything. Just step outside and give your eyes a minute to adjust.
If you’re looking for a luxurious star gazing session, you can soak in the hot tub while looking up at the stars.
Making a weekend of it
If you’re thinking of visiting the festival this weekend, or Elan Valley at any other time, it’s well worth staying nearby after a night of star gazing.
The best part of being here is the feeling of having nowhere else to be.
Back at the cabin, it usually ends up being something simple:
A soak in the hot tub.
A drink in hand.
Looking up without really trying to find anything in particular.
And somehow that’s the bit that sticks.
A quiet reminder
Even if you don’t make it to a single event, this weekend is still a good excuse to step outside and look up.
We’re lucky to have skies like this on our doorstep.
Even on an ordinary night, they’re still there.
Why it feels different here
The Elan Valley is an International Dark Sky Park, which means the skies are protected from artificial light.
That protection makes a real difference.
On a clear night, you can often see the Milky Way stretching right across the sky. Satellites drift past quietly, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a shooting star. It’s not dramatic or loud, it’s just quietly impressive.
It’s one of those rare places where doing very little feels like enough.
A Simple look at the weekend
If you like to see things laid out simply, here’s an easy guide to the weekend
Friday evening
Stargazing, night walks and a starlit concert to ease into the weekend
Saturday daytime
Workshops, talks, planetarium sessions and hands-on activities
Saturday evening
Lantern procession, wildlife walks and more stargazing to round things off
You can find the full details of the festival here:
Elan Valley Dark Sky Festival
Are you looking for somewhere to stay with dark skies and star gazing opportunities?
If you’re looking for a romantic cabin near the Elan Valley, a dog-friendly stay in Mid Wales, or a peaceful dark skies break in Wales, Coety Bach is perfectly placed.
Close to the Elan Valley Dark Sky Festival and some of the best stargazing spots in the UK, it’s an ideal base for a quiet countryside escape under the stars.
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FAQ’s
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The Elan Valley Dark Sky Festival takes place over the weekend of 28–29 March 2026 in Mid Wales. Events run across both days and into the evening, making it ideal for a dark skies weekend break in Wales.
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Some events at the Elan Valley Dark Sky Festival are ticketed, such as guided stargazing sessions, talks and workshops, while others may be free or drop-in. It’s best to check the official programme in advance if you’re planning a stargazing trip to the Elan Valley.
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Staying nearby allows you to fully enjoy the evening events and late-night stargazing. A romantic cabin in Mid Wales, like Coety Bach, offers a peaceful base close to the Elan Valley, perfect for a dark skies holiday in Wales with easy access to the festival and surrounding countryside.
Why not stay at Coety bach?
Book your stay with us today.
