Try 30 days of free premium.

Eisteddfod - Episode Guide

Season 1

2011: with Wynne Evans

Episode: 1x01 | Airdate: Aug 8, 2011 (30 min)

No image (yet).

Welsh tenor Wynne Evans with his take on the annual celebration of Welsh arts and culture, held this year in Wrexham. Despite hailing from the land of song, Wynne is a novice to the Eisteddfod. He discovers just what goes on at the 'National' and why for many it is the cultural highlight of the year.

Season 2013

2013: with Sian Williams

Episode: 2013-08-10 | Airdate: Aug 10, 2013 (30 min)

No image (yet).

Sian Williams presents highlights of the National Eisteddfod of Wales at Denbigh in the Vale of Clwyd. The BBC news journalist and current affairs presenter is extremely proud of her Welsh roots but has never been to the National Eisteddfod. It is one of the largest and oldest cultural festivals in Europe, so this will be a completely new and unique experience for her.

Season 2015

2015: with Benjamin Zephaniah

Episode: 2015-08-15 | Airdate: Aug 15, 2015 (30 min)

No image (yet).

Poet Benjamin Zephaniah makes his first visit to the National Eisteddfod of Wales, exploring language, poetry, tradition and dissent. Zephaniah encounters druidic ceremony, songwriters, poets and people who just live for one of the most unusual festivals of the summer.

Season 2016

2016: with Will Gompertz

Episode: 2016-08-13 | Airdate: Aug 13, 2016 (30 min)

No image (yet).

Will Gompertz explores one of the largest and oldest cultural festivals in Europe, the National Eisteddfod of Wales, held this year in the town of Abergavenny. The BBC arts editor explores this festival of druidic pageantry, poetry, music and visual art to discover how some age-old traditions are evolving to appeal to a modern-day audience.

Season 2017

2017: with Josie d'Arby

Episode: 2017-08-12 | Airdate: Aug 12, 2017 (30 min)

No image (yet).

Josie d'Arby explores one of the largest and oldest travelling cultural festivals in Europe - the National Eisteddfod of Wales. As a presenter for BBC Young Musician, Choir of the Year, Proms in the Park and BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, Josie has witnessed an abundance of world-class music. But as a proud Welsh woman, this is the first time the Songs of Praise presenter will get to experience this jewel in the crown of the Welsh cultural calendar.

Immersing herself in this festival of druidic pageantry, poetry, music and visual art Josie will find out exactly what drives almost 150,000 people to take on sun, mud and the main stage in this extraordinary nine-day cultural competition, this year taking place on Anglesey. This is far from your average TV talent show. Josie discovers how pride and performance really make this nation sing.

Season 2018

Episode 1

Episode: 2018-08-08 | Airdate: Aug 8, 2018 (30 min)

No image (yet).

It is a pop-up city within the capital city that celebrates the best of Welsh culture. The Eisteddfod is the natural showcase for music, dance, visual arts, literature, original performances and much more. Jason Mohammad, himself a local lad, heads down to Cardiff Bay to bring all the highlights and stories from the National Eisteddfod of Wales and to discover how this most ancient of festivals is evolving to remain a relevant cultural force.

Episode 2

Episode: 2018-08-10 | Airdate: Aug 10, 2018 (30 min)

No image (yet).

It is a pop-up city within the capital city that celebrates the best of Welsh culture. The Eisteddfod is the natural showcase for music, dance, visual arts, literature, original performances and much more.

Jason Mohammad is back in Cardiff Bay for the second time this week to bring all the highlights and stories from the National Eisteddfod of Wales. It's the big literary ceremony today as the bard is chaired, and there is a very familiar face from the rugby world taking part in the proceedings as an honorary member of the Order of Druids!

Highlights

Episode: 2018-08-19 | Airdate: Aug 19, 2018 (30 min)

No image (yet).

It is a pop-up city within the capital city that celebrates the best of Welsh culture. The National Eisteddfod, the biggest cultural event in the Welsh year, comes to Cardiff. It is a snapshot of what is happening in Wales, showcasing everything from the classical music stars of the future to rock bands, folk music, dance, cutting-edge contemporary visual art, literature and much more.

Jason Mohammad, himself a local lad, heads down to Cardiff Bay to bring all the highlights and stories from the 'maes' - usually a field but this year an open-to-all festival - no ticket required.

The pavilion - traditionally a large tent and the heart of the official competitions - is this year the Wales Millennium Centre. Bryn Terfel stars in a show about American singer Paul Robeson, while Wales and Lions rugby player Jamie Roberts finds himself joining the 'Gorsedd'.

Jason brings us a flavour of what has been going on this year - a year like no other in the long history of the Eisteddfod.

Season 2019

Episode 1

Episode: 2019-08-07 | Airdate: Aug 7, 2019 (30 min)

No image (yet).

It's one of the largest festivals in Europe and it celebrates the best of Welsh culture. The Eisteddfod is the natural showcase for music, dance, visual arts, literature, original performances and much more. Jason Mohammad heads north to Llanrwst in the Conway Valley to bring all the highlights and stories from the National Eisteddfod of Wales and discovers how this most ancient of festivals continues to evolve as a relevant cultural force. The week-long festival starts with a high flying musical extravaganza. Folk and contemporary music performers are joined by an Irish company specialising in aerial acrobatics. It's one of the Eisteddfod's most ambitious projects and Jason will be backstage talking to the performers.

He will also be catching up with Wales rugby stars Jonathan Davies and Ken Owens, as well as broadcaster and comedian Tudur Owen who are all being honored at the Eisteddfod this year. Jason will also be discovering more about Llanrwst's failed attempt to gain a seat on the United Nations in 1947 claiming to be independent from the rest of Wales! The programme will also visit the Lle Celf - the largest temporary modern art exhibition in Europe. He'll enjoy the work of a multitude of different artists including the gold medal winners in fine art, contemporary art and craft and design. Eisteddfod 2019 with Jason Mohammad will bring the best stories and performances from this truly unique event.

Episode 2

Episode: 2019-08-09 | Airdate: Aug 9, 2019 (30 min)

No image (yet).

Jason Mohammad is at the National Eisteddfod in Llanrwst which is the national showcase for music, dance, visual arts, literature, original performances and much more.

He will be catching up with Wales rugby coach Robin McBryde who is the ceremonial keeper of the sword in the Gorsedd of the Bards, as well as renowned harpist Catrin Finch who is being inducted into this ancient order.

Jason will also be discovering more about the iconic Welsh wrestler Orig Williams 10 years after his death as the Eisteddfod remembers a local legend.

The programme will also visit Maes B, the fringe youth festival where the up-and-coming bands play along side established acts - there's plenty to appeal to all tastes!

Highlights

Episode: 2019-08-14 | Airdate: Aug 14, 2019 (30 min)

No image (yet).

It's one of the largest festivals in Europe and it celebrates the best of Welsh culture. The Eisteddfod is the natural showcase for music, dance, visual arts, literature, original performances and much more. Jason Mohammad heads north to Llanrwst in the Conwy Valley to bring all the highlights and stories from the National Eisteddfod of Wales and discovers how this most ancient of festivals continues to evolve as a relevant cultural force. The week-long festival starts with a high-flying musical extravaganza. Folk and contemporary music performers are joined by an Irish company specialising in aerial acrobatics. It is one of the Eisteddfod's most ambitious projects and Jason goes backstage to talk to the performers.

He catches up with Wales rugby stars Jonathan Davies and Ken Owens as well as broadcaster and comedian Tudur Owen, who are all being honoured at the Eisteddfod this year. Jason discovers more about Llanrwst's failed attempt to gain a seat on the United Nations in 1947, claiming to be independent from the rest of Wales! He visits the Lle Celf, the largest temporary modern art exhibition in Europe, to enjoy the work of a multitude of different artists including the gold medal winners in fine art, contemporary art and craft and design. Eisteddfod 2019 with Jason Mohammad brings the best stories and performances from this truly unique event.

Season 2022

Eisteddfod 2022 with Huw Stephens: Part 1

Episode: 2022-08-04 | Airdate: Aug 4, 2022 (30 min)

No image (yet).

One of the biggest festivals in Europe returns after a three-year absence to celebrate the best of Welsh culture – a natural showcase for music, dance, visual arts, literature, original performances and much more.

Huw Stephens heads to the historic market town of Tregaron to bring all the highlights and stories from the National Eisteddfod of Wales and to discover how this most ancient of festivals is constantly evolving to remain a relevant cultural force.

There has been much excitement as the much-anticipated week-long festival returns to Ceredigion. It kicks off with some highly ambitious and visual opening shows to celebrate the fact that the Tregaron Eisteddfod has finally arrived!

Huw catches up with folk music legend Dafydd Iwan, whose Yma o Hyd anthem has become synonymous with the Welsh football team's success. He also brings a flavour of the diverse selection of performances, from brass bands to classy pop performances to classical music.

Huw also visits the Lle Celf, the largest temporary modern art exhibition in Europe, where he enjoys the work of the gold medal winners in fine art, contemporary art, craft and design as well as architecture.

Eisteddfod 2022 with Huw Stephens: Part 2

Episode: 2022-08-07 | Airdate: Aug 7, 2022 (30 min)

No image (yet).

One of the biggest festivals in Europe has returned after a three-year absence to celebrate the best of Welsh culture – a natural showcase for music, dance, visual arts, literature, original performances and much more.

In our second visit of the week to this week-long festival, Huw Stephens heads to the historical market town of Tregaron to bring all the highlights and stories from the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Huw will be catching up with First Minister Mark Drakeford, who is being inducted into the ancient Gorsedd of the Bards.

He'll also be popping behind the scenes to Maes B – the Eisteddfod's little brother – where the youth flock to hear the best Welsh contemporary music.

And Huw will also catch up with the big bands and big winners of the week – the poets, dancers, choirs, singers and soloists!

Eisteddfod 2022 with Huw Stephens will bring the best stories and performances from this truly unique event.

Eisteddfod 2022 with Huw Stephens: Part 3

Episode: 2022-08-14 | Airdate: Aug 14, 2022 (60 min)

No image (yet).

One of the biggest festivals in Europe returns after a three-year absence to celebrate the best of Welsh culture – a natural showcase for music, dance, visual arts, literature, original performances and much more.

Huw Stephens heads to the historical market town of Tregaron to bring all the best performances from the different stages at this diverse festival, from soloists to choirs, folk bands, brass bands, rock bands, classy pop performances and classical music.

Season 2023

Episode 1

Episode: 2023-08-10 | Airdate: Aug 10, 2023 (30 min)

No image (yet).

The 2023 Eisteddfod comes from the Llyn peninsula. It celebrates the best of Welsh culture - a natural showcase for music, dance, visual arts, literature, original performances and much more.

Episode 2

Episode: 2023-08-13 | Airdate: Aug 13, 2023 (30 min)

No image (yet).

In our second visit to the week-long festival, Sian Eleri heads to Boduan near Pwllheli to bring all the highlights and stories from the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Episode 3

Episode: 2023-08-18 | Airdate: Aug 18, 2023 (60 min)

No image (yet).

Sian Eleri heads to Boduan to bring all the highlights and stories from the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Season 2024

Episode 1

Episode: 2024-08-08 | Airdate: Aug 8, 2024 (30 min)

No image (yet).

Huw Stephens heads to Pontypridd to bring all the highlights and stories from the National Eisteddfod of Wales and to discover how this ancient festival is constantly evolving to remain a relevant cultural phenomenon.

The week-long festival kicks off with a new adaptation of iconic rock opera Nia Ben Aur, 50 years on from its debut at the 1974 Eisteddfod.

Huw catches up with the new Archdruid and award-winning poet Mererid Hopwood as she presides over all the big ceremonies of the Gorsedd of the Bards throughout the week.

Huw also brings a flavour of the diverse selection of performances, from brass bands and classy pop to classical and contemporary music. Huw catches up with Pendyrus Male Voice Choir, who are celebrating their centenary with a special performance at this year's festival. He also enjoys a stunning collaboration between classical harpist Catrin Finch and Irish fiddler Aoife Ní Bhriain as they perform together in one of the most hotly anticipated shows of the week! And he visits the Lle Celf – the largest temporary modern art exhibition in Europe.

Episode 2

Episode: 2024-08-11 | Airdate: Aug 11, 2024 (30 min)

No image (yet).

Huw Stephens brings the best stories and performances from one of Europe's biggest festivals, the National Eisteddfod of Wales, hosted this year by the town of Pontypridd.

Episode 3

Episode: 2024-08-17 | Airdate: Aug 17, 2024 (60 min)

No image (yet).

Huw Stephens is at Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd to bring all the best performances from the different stages at this diverse festival celebrating Welsh culture.

Season 2025

Episode 1

Episode: 2025-08-07 | Airdate: Aug 7, 2025 (30 min)

No image (yet).

Huw Stephens is in Wrexham to bring all the highlights and stories from this spectacular showcase for music, dance, literature, theatre, circus, art and original performances.

Episode 2

Episode: 2025-08-10 | Airdate: Aug 10, 2025 (30 min)

No image (yet).

Huw Stephens brings all the highlights and stories from the National Eisteddfod - a vibrant mix of music, dance, art, literature, theatre, circus, original performances and so much more.

Episode 3

Episode: 2025-08-14 | Airdate: Aug 14, 2025 (60 min)

No image (yet).

Huw Stephens heads to Wrexham to bring all the best performances from the different stages at this diverse festival - from soloists to choirs, folk bands, brass bands, rap, reggae and rock bands, classy pop performances and classical music.

Try 30 days of free premium.