Caernarfon community: news, clubs and getting involved

Caernarfon has a strong community life, much of it in Welsh and much of it happening on and around Y Maes. Here is where to plug in, whether you have lived here all your life or just moved in.

Local news (Newyddion lleol)

• Papur Dre is Caernarfon's own Welsh-language community paper (papur bro), written and run by local volunteers.
• Caernarfon360 at caernarfon.360.cymru is a Welsh-language community news site with local stories, notices and what's on.
• Caernarfon Herald and the Daily Post cover the town in English.
• The town council posts notices, meeting agendas and events on its website, and Gwynedd Council publishes county news and service changes.

Football at the Oval (Pêl-droed)

Caernarfon Town FC, the Canaries, play in the Cymru Premier, the top flight of Welsh football, at the Oval. The club was founded in its current form in 1937, but the town's footballers have played at the Oval since 1888. The team reached the 2025/26 Welsh Cup final, and match days are a big part of town life. Fixtures and tickets are on the club's channels.

Sport and keeping active (Chwaraeon)

• Byw'n Iach Arfon on Bethel Road is the leisure centre, with the pool, gym, classes and sports halls. Timetables are on bywniach.cymru.
• Rugby, sailing and more: the town has its own rugby club, and the Royal Welsh Yacht Club is based by the town walls on the Menai Strait. Local football, bowls and running clubs welcome new members too.
• Free and outdoors: the traffic-free Lôn Las Menai and Lôn Eifion cycle paths start in town, the Wales Coast Path runs through it, and Eryri is on the doorstep.

The Saturday market (Y farchnad)

On Saturday mornings stalls set up on Y Maes, below the castle, selling everything from local produce and street food to second-hand goods, clothes and bric-a-brac. Down at Victoria Dock, Cei Llechi (Slate Quay) is home to makers' workshops and a café, and Galeri hosts seasonal markets and fairs. Check what's on for one-off markets.

Big community days (Dyddiadau mawr)

• St David's Day parade (Gorymdaith Dydd Gŵyl Dewi) through town on 1 March.
• Mayoral Sunday, when the new Mayor of the royal town is welcomed each year.
• Christmas lights switch-on on Y Maes in early December, organised by the town council.
• Gŵyl Fwyd Caernarfon, the free food festival, is due back on 8 May 2027 after a year off.

Get involved (Cymryd rhan)

Grants: Caernarfon Royal Town Council offers financial support to local groups and projects; ask the clerk on 01286 672943. Rooms to hire: the council's Institute Building on Pavilion Hill has meeting rooms and an art studio for community use. Twinning: Caernarfon is twinned with Landerneau in Brittany and Trelew in Patagonia, a link that goes back to the Welsh settlement there.

Run a club, group or event? Tell us about it via our contact and listings page and we will help spread the word.

Local information Living in Caernarfon

Sources: Caernarfon Royal Town Council, Caernarfon Town FC and local listings, checked October 2026. Details change, so check with clubs and organisers directly.