Being Human Festival Programme 2026
Join us for our 2026 Being Human Festival
Bookings for each event open for the festival launch on 23 September 2026.
| Title | Date and time | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fact versus Fiction in the Gaming World | 5 November, 17:30-19:30 | Cornerstone, Charles Street, Cardiff | A free interactive discussion panel to explore and imagine historical video games. Learn about how humanities researchers approach games, possible career paths, and how to form deeper connections with games you love. Develop and pitch your own ideas for historically-themed games with other passionate gamers. Suitable for 16+. |
| The Forgery Crossroads: Spot a Fake | 6 November, 10.30–12.00; or 13.30–15.00 | Architecture Library, Bute Building, Cathays Park, Cardiff | A fascinating glimpse into the world of one of the most significant and dynamic characters in Gothic architecture, antiquarianism and forgery in the UK. Can you spot a fake? Suitable for adults. |
| Celebrating multilingual language education | 6 November, 11.30–13.30 | Trinity Centre is Four Elms Rd, Piercefield Pl, Cardiff CF24 1LE | An interactive workshop featuring participatory activities, led by the University of South Wales, exclusively for refugees and sanctuary seekers at the Hedd Sanctuary Project. |
| Explore Being Human | 7 November, 10.00-12.00; 12.00-14:00; 14:00-16:00 | Norwegian Church, Cardiff Bay | A day of free interactive public activities to explore what it means to be human. Join Cardiff University and the University of South Wales to learn about our latest research that helps us to understand ourselves, our community, and the challenges we face in a changing world. From live music, thought-provoking exhibitions to board games, virtual reality, mini-digs and creative interactive fun, there’s something for everyone! |
Rolling with the Punches: Women, Boxing and 30 Years of Change | 10 November, 17:00-19:00 | Llanrumney Phoenix Boxing Club, Shaw Close, Llanrumney | Based on University of South Wales research into boxing, performance and identity, this workshop explores how young people can help create respectful, empowering shared public spaces. The workshop begins with a short talk on women’s boxing, social justice and cultural change, followed by a creative movement session, and a boxing demonstration and introductory lesson with Llanrumney Phoenix coaches. Suitable for all young people 14-17 years old. |
11 November, 10.00-13:00 (Secondary Schools), 14:00-16:30 (Public) | Museum of Cardiff, The Old Library, The Hayes, Cardiff, CF10 1BH | A free creative workshop to explore how Cardiff’s historic shopping arcades shape everyday experiences and contribute to identity and community. Enjoy a creative fieldwork art session to capture the hidden details within the arcades, come together to create a collage, and reflect on how close sensory attention reshapes our understanding of historic spaces. Suitable for 16+. All materials supplied. | |
| Reimagining the Temple of Peace and Health Exhibition | 11 November, 10:30-11:30 13:00-13:45 15:00-15:45 | Temple of Peace | The Temple of Peace and Health is one of Cardiff's most recognisable civic landmarks, but whose stories does it tell? Join researchers, students and community partners for a day exploring Contested Pasts, Inclusive Futures, a student-led exhibition that reinterprets the Temple through gendered labour, colonial material flows and overlooked histories. Through architectural research, archival materials, film, models and design, the project examines how ideas of peace, health and remembrance have been shaped over time. |
13 November, 10:00-15:30 | Bute Park Visitor Centre, Cardiff | A day of free themed public talks, guided walks and workshops exploring the city, its parks and our place within it. Cross time and space to learn how Cardiff’s Victorian inner-city has evolved, experience where film and television productions come to life in Cathays Park, and share your stories about Bute Park and the River Taff. Learn about the art of being a pedestrian, explore mobility through smartphones, experience a weather walk, create a memory map, or take part in an autobiographical workshop. Suitable for all ages. All routes will be accessible, and we will make reasonable adjustments to support attendees to enjoy the routes. The booking link will allow you to choose one or multiple themed walks, talks or workshops from the programme. |
View the full Being Human festival events programme across the UK