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Llanelli goes back to the 80s as popular retro festival returns

The biggest and best celebration of 80s pop culture in South Wales returns this week as Llanelli 80s Festival hits the town centre on Saturday 28th June.

Kit Peters
3 Min Read
80's Festival with Ymlaen Llanelli
80's Festival with Ymlaen Llanelli

Organised by Ymlaen Llanelli Business Improvement District (BID), the annual event runs from 10am to 7pm and promises to be the best party of the year. The event is supported by Llanelli Town Council and Carmarthenshire County Council, and will see free parking in all council-owned town centre car parks.

Chair of Ymlaen Llanelli BID, Lesley Richards, can’t wait for the event: “Everyone’s favourite event of the year returns on Saturday and we are all so excited! This will be the sixth 80s Festival. It’s an amazing day and night in town and it creates such a fantastic vibe in town. There is so much negativity about town centres at the moment, this event is a real positive so let’s take this opportunity to celebrate it!”

The crowds at last year's 80s Festival in Llanelli
The crowds at last year’s 80s Festival in Llanelli

Driving into Stepney Square in style at 10am will be the Back to the Future’s DeLorean accompanied  by Marty McFly and the Doc – a photo opportunity not to be missed! Music starts on the Vaughan Street stage at 1pm with Llanelli Amateur Musical Performers, who will be performing a mix of famous songs from 80s musicals.

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The stage lineup continues with loads of 80s hits from local acts including the Wurlitzers, the Stray Pursuit, Phil Collins and Michael Jackson tributes with the incredible Reflex closing the show as headliner.

There’ll be hot street food vendors and bars ready to serve everyone getting into the groove, as well as market stalls for those who want to pick up a sweet treat to take home.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a festival without some after-parties – evening entertainment from town centre businesses includes live music, karaoke, drinks deals and more, with venues including the Tinhouse, Ruby’s Bar, EJs Dance Bar, and Coco Bay Beach and Café Bar. The old Lemon Tree will be re-opening as the Cross Keys on Friday, 27th June and will also be joining in the fun on Saturday night with Two Tone Pete from 8pm. The full event itinerary and the evening gig guide can be found on Ymlaen Llanelli’s social media.

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Up next on the BID’s annual slate of events is the return of Llanelli Augustfest, the beer festival trialled by the BID last year. After a hugely successful first outing in 2023, the event will make a comeback on Saturday 2nd August from 12pm to 6pm, featuring stalls from Welsh beer and cider producers, street food, and live music on stage in Vaughan Street.

Author

Kit Peters

Kit Peters is a journalist and the editor of Swansea Bay News, covering Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire since 2020.


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Kit Peters is a journalist and the editor of Swansea Bay News, covering Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire since 2020.
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