2026 in Wales

Events from the year 2026 in Wales.

Events

January

1 January
*Blood bike volunteer Andrew Rogers, of Haycastle, Pembrokeshire, dies in hospital from injuries sustained after his motorcycle was involved in a crash with another vehicle on the A61 on 29 December.
*The mystery runner in the Nos Galan road race is Jess Fishlock.
4 January – Snow and ice prompt the closure of 30 schools due to return the following day from the Christmas holiday.
5 January
*Snow and ice warnings are issued for Tuesday 6 January as the cold snap continues.
*A man is fined £500 after admitting dressing as a Royal Navy admiral at a Remembrance Sunday event in Llandudno in November 2024 without having permission to wear the uniform.
6 January – The Met Office issues a warning for heavy snow for Thursday 8 January and Friday 9 January ahead of the arrival of Storm Goretti, the first named storm of 2026.
7 January – At a hearing at Mold Crown Court, Miles Cross, who sold chemicals online to help people commit suicide, is sentenced to 14 years in prison.
8 January – Storm Goretti: An amber weather warning comes into force as heavy snow falls in Wales, with warnings of potential avalanches in places.
9 January – The impact of Storm Goretti continues with warnings for ice, fog and wintry showers in place until midday on Saturday 10 December.
11 January – Archaeologists discover the remains of a large Roman villa at Margam Country Park near Port Talbot.
12 January – Rhydian Lynne Rhys Jamieson, who tried to kill his baby daughter by throwing her at a television and causing her serious injuries, is sentenced to 35 years in prison.
20 January
*Member of the Senedd and shadow cabinet James Evans is expelled from the Welsh Conservatives after telling leader Darren Millar he is involved in talks to join Reform UK. Reform's leader, Nigel Farage, later says he has held no such talks with Evans.
*A dead nest belonging to the invasive Asian hornet species has been found near Wrexham, and is the first confirmed presence of the hornets in Wales.
*Demolition begins on Coney Beach Amusement Park, which closed in October after more than a century in operation.
21 January – A photographer has captured a rare orange cephalopod octopus on a beach at Tenby, Pembrokeshire.
23 January – At a hearing at Newport Crown Court, Richard Downey, aged 55, is sentenced to eight years in prison for a sexual assault committed against a 13-year-old schoolgirl in September 1997. The conviction was secured following advances in DNA technology.
27 January – The Senedd votes to approve the 2026 Welsh budget, worth £27bn, following a deal between Labour and Plaid Cymru.
29 January – A road tunnel on the A55 at Conwy is closed following a collision between a car and a heavy goods vehicle in which a woman is killed.
30 January
*Following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court, Jordan Mills-Smith, Joshua Gordon, Melissa Quailey-Dashper and Kristina Ginova, are found guilty of the murder of Joanne Penney, who was shot dead when she answered the door of a flat she was visiting in Talbot Green in March 2025. A fifth defendant, Marcus Huntley, pleaded guilty to murder earlier in the trial. The five will be sentenced at a later date.
*Cardiff City Council votes to use only silent or low noise fireworks at future displays in order to protect pets and children.

February

1 February – The Met Office issues a severe weather alert for icy conditions overnight for 1–2 February as temperatures are forecast to drop significantly.

Predicted and scheduled

No later than 7 May – 2026 Senedd election
1–8 August – The National Eisteddfod of Wales will be held in Llantwd, Pembrokeshire.

2026 in Wales

Events

January

February

Predicted and scheduled

Sport

Arts

Music

Holidays

Deaths