Croeso i Blwyddyn Newydd 2025!
How quickly time flies; already a quarter of the way into the new century and five years since the onslaught of a pandemic that stopped us all in our tracks.
There may be new challenges ahead, but one thing we can always count on is the warm feelings we get from being part of a thriving Welsh North American community. Let’s help it continue to prosper and grow.
Our wonderful festival in Pittsburgh, NAFOW 2024, surpassed all expectations and set us back on track by bringing people together again with renewed confidence and optimism. Many thanks to Jessica, Betsy and Ian and their local committees for hosting us in this vibrant river city.
This year we return to Canada and to its majestic capital, Ottawa. This year’s festival has been almost five years in the making, and it will be well worth the wait. Plans were already under way in 2020 for a scheduled 2021 festival but, as we all know, crossing the US/Canada border without a mountain of paperwork in 2021 made it impossible to guarantee attendance.
But now we are back! And it will be better than ever! Building upon our strong relationship with Welsh government representatives in North America, we are delighted that they have chosen to invest generously in the Ottawa festival.
Their financial support for a street festival in Lincoln, Nebraska in 2023, which was a unique and lively venture for us, gave them motivation to propose an even more ambitious street party to kick off our festivities in Canada’s capital city. Executive Secretary Megan Williams has been working closely with them to book a most impressive lineup of Welsh talent. ‘Pedair,’ a newly-formed group of four independently successful Welsh female musicians and singers will be sure to get the festival off to a roaring start. The Welsh of the West End are already known to us; their spectacular individual talents combine to bring a variety of new and familiar songs for our enjoyment.
This year the Urdd will be represented by not one but four (!) energetic young clog dancers to add extra spice to our concert stage. More information about these performers and many more will be available for you to read on our website in the coming months, along with our seminar offerings.
It is not too soon to book your rooms at the centrally located Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre. Plan to be with us a few extra days so you will have time to explore the stunning architecture of the parliament buildings and stroll across the bridge to the province of Quebec just across the river. Until then, stay safe and well wherever you are and wherever your travels may take you.
We are especially mindful of those who may be in harm’s way with the increasing threat of natural disasters - wildfires, devastating winter storms and the like. I will be thinking of you all as I travel to Wales in March to visit family and to plant trees.
In July and August, I will return to hear Bryn Terfel at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and then to help staff our booth at the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham. Hope to see you in Ottawa. Hwyl fawr!
Dilys 2025 North American Festival of Wales Registration is now open for the 2025 North American Festival of Wales in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, August 27 through 31, 2025. Register through: www.nafow.org 
The festival hotel is the Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre, 101 Lyon St. N, Ottawa, ON K1R 5TR, Canada. Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre.
Festival rates: Rooms: $191 CAD approx. $140 USD On-Site Parking: $25 CAD per day Off-site parking is available at 272 Queen Street (.2 KM from hotel). Room rates are available August 21 through September 6, 2025. The last day to book is August 5, 2025.
Call now to book your room: 1-613-237-3600 Group code: WEL Event North American Festival of Wales. The Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) is 13 KM (15 minutes) from the hotel. There is no hotel airport shuttle. However, take the Metro/Subway O Train to Lyon Station, which is one block from the hotel. Taxi and Uber services are also available.
Care to explore the city? Go to Ottawa Tourism https://ottawatourism.ca/en for maps and ideas
Festival registration is open and the full schedule of events is available. We are SO excited to return to Canada and offer the largest program of entertainment we have had in recent years. I want to highlight a few things about this year's festival and make sure that everyone understands the lineup.
Getting to Canada
Ottawa is an easy drive from much of the Northeastern U.S. Make sure to have your passport or enhanced drivers license if driving to Canada. If flying, you need your passport. Ottawa airport is easily manageable and direct flights are available from Chicago, Washington, New York, Boston, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and more.
For a complete list, visit: Non-stop destinations | Ottawa International Airport Authority.
It's also easy to connect through any of these cities for arrival in Canada's capital! Please book your hotel now, discounted group rates are available for $191 CAD, approx $140 USD.
Festival registration is dual currency, we will offer registration in both CAD and USD.
Our first festival event is Wednesday evening. An informal start to the week where you can get a preview of the fantastic entertainment we have as well as enjoy after-dinner snacks with a Welsh flavor. Thursday morning there is a 1/2 day tour focusing on the Welsh connections in Ottawa.
We will also offer a writer's workshop.
Thursday afternoon we're excited to screen 'Shoulder to Shoulder' - a recording from Swansea City's Opera performance. Thursday late afternoon is 'WELSH FEST,' an outside concert just around the corner from the hotel with vendors, activities and some of Wales' best artists.
Enjoy musical theatre performances from Welsh of the West End, the Urdd returns with four talented folk dancers, contemporary folk quartet Pedair joins us as does Band Pres Llareggub (a modern take on a traditional Welsh brass band). Thursday evening we are joined by comedian and S4C presenter Tudur Owen for a Comedy Night. Friday and Saturday daytime offers a large selection of seminars, Cinema from Wales, language classes, our tearoom, folk dancing, Marketplace and more!
Friday evening we co-host the awards banquet with the North America Wales Foundation and are excited to honor this year's recipient and WNAA past president, David Matthews! Entertainment by Manon Ogwen Parry, 2024 winner of the Osbourne Roberts Prize.
We also look forward to the return of pub night on Friday, hosted by 'Hogia'r Penrhyn'. Join us for some light-hearted singing and a drink or two!
Saturday evening's Grand Concert will take place in the beautiful Christ Church Cathedral, just two blocks from the hotel. We are joined by Cor y Penrhyn who last performed in Columbus in 2015. Soloist Meinir Wyn Roberts joins the choir and will ensure an unforgettable evening. The festival highlight for many is the gymanfa ganu. Also held at Christ Church Cathedral and under the direction of Cor y Penrhyn conductor Owain Arwel and accompanied by Steve Jensen.
Sunday night will end with our traditional Noson Lawen.
For those staying on, Monday's day tour will take you to the historic Upper Canada Village on the shores of the St. Lawrence. Do NOT miss out on this year's festival. Bring your friends and family! For questions about registration, please contact:
