Key Points
- FOR Cardiff has launched the “Little Things” campaign, inspired by St David’s words “do the little things,” celebrating Welsh culture via small joyful moments in Cardiff city centre across five themes: gastronomy, music, literature, Welsh language, and family.
- Campaign kicks off February 6, 2026, with “St David’s Favourites” public vote for best Welsh-inspired food (£4-£20) and drink specials from city centre venues.
- Food nominees: Curado Bar’s Pintxo de Queso Horneado (Welsh rarebit-style with smoked Spanish cheese and beer); The Welsh House’s Traditional Lamb Cawl (with Welsh cheddar and sourdough); Daffodil’s Welsh Rack of Lamb (new potatoes, veal jus, soubise); Parallel’s Leek Croquettes (smoked Caerphilly, black garlic ketchup, crispy leeks).
- Drink nominees: Lab 22’s ‘Cwtch Me If You Can’ (Old Fashioned riff with Brecon Chocolates); Nightshade Bar’s ‘Rum and Raisin Sour’ (spiced rum, Pedro Ximenez sherry, lemon, vanilla, milk whey); Brewhouse’s ‘Pistachio Martini’ (Aber Falls Pistachio Cream liqueur, Croeso Pubs coffee).
- Voting open February 6-26 February 2026 at forcardiff.com/LittleThings/St-Davids-Favourites/; winner gets PR package and “Cardiff’s first St David’s Favourite” title.
- Voters enter prize draw for £150 Cardiff Gift Card, £120 tab at winner, two UB40 tickets at Utilita Arena on June 3, 2026.
- Carolyn Brownell, Executive Director at FOR Cardiff, said: “FOR Cardiff’s Little Things campaign will bring Welsh culture to life across the city centre in the lead-up to St David’s Day. It launches with the St. David’s Favourites vote; a simple way to support and showcase Cardiff’s outstanding hospitality venues and perhaps discover a new favourite dish or drink in the process.”
- FOR Cardiff is the city centre’s Business Improvement District (BID), funded by businesses to boost economy, experience, and promotion.
- Campaign runs through February, ends March 1, 2026, with city-centre celebration; more events to be announced.
- Coverage in Wales247 notes the five themes and Brownell’s quote identically.
St David (Wales Times), February 6, 2026 – FOR Cardiff has unveiled its “Little Things” programme ahead of St David’s Day, featuring a public vote on Welsh-inspired food and drink specials to celebrate Welsh culture through gastronomy and other themes across the city centre.
What Is the Little Things Campaign?
Inspired by St David’s maxim “do the little things,” the initiative spotlights Welsh heritage via five themes: gastronomy, music, literature, Welsh language, and family. As described on FOR Cardiff’s site, it involves “small, joyful moments across the city centre.”
Unveiled this week, it promotes Cardiff as a destination through BID-funded projects. Wales247 reports: “FOR Cardiff has unveiled a new St. David’s Day celebration, inspired by the patron saint of Wales’s words ‘do the little things’.”
How Does the St David’s Favourites Vote Work?
Starting February 6, participants sample specials from nominated venues and vote online until 12pm February 26. The winner receives a PR package from FOR Cardiff and the title “Cardiff’s first St David’s Favourite.”
Voting at forcardiff.com/LittleThings/St-Davids-Favourites/ enters one into a draw for prizes. Nation.Cymru details: “The voting period runs between 6 – 26 February… people can explore the variety over the period.”
What Food Specials Can Be Voted On?
Four venues compete in food: Curado Bar offers Pintxo de Queso Horneado, a Welsh rarebit-style pintxo with smoked Spanish cheese and beer; The Welsh House serves Traditional Lamb Cawl with Welsh cheddar and sourdough bread; Daffodil provides Welsh Rack of Lamb with new potatoes, rich veal jus, and creamy soubise sauce; Parallel features Leek Croquettes with smoked Caerphilly cheese, black garlic ketchup, and crispy leeks.
Prices range £4-£20, encouraging exploration. FOR Cardiff highlights Daffodil’s rack of lamb in imagery.
What Drink Specials Are Nominated?
Three drinks vie for honours: Lab 22’s ‘Cwtch Me If You Can’, an Old-Fashioned riff partnering Brecon Chocolates; Nightshade Bar’s ‘Rum and Raisin Sour’ mixing spiced rum, Pedro Ximenez sherry, lemon, vanilla, and milk whey; Brewhouse’s ‘Pistachio Martini’ using Aber Falls Distillery Pistachio Cream liqueur and Croeso Pubs coffee.
These showcase Welsh ingredients innovatively.
What Prizes Await Voters?
Entries win a £150 digital Cardiff Gift Card, a tab up to £120 at the winning venue, and two tickets to UB40 at Utilita Arena on June 3, 2026. Nation.Cymru states: “Voters will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a £150 digital Cardiff Gift Card, a tab of up £120 at the winning establishment and two tickets to UB40.”
What Did Carolyn Brownell Say?
Executive Director Carolyn Brownell commented on the Nationtion Cymru: “FOR Cardiff’s Little Things campaign will bring Welsh culture to life across the city centre in the lead-up to St David’s Day. It launches with the St. David’s Favourites vote; a simple way to support and showcase Cardiff’s outstanding hospitality venues and perhaps discover a new favourite dish or drink in the process.”
Wales247 quotes identically: “FOR Cardiff’s Little Things campaign will bring Welsh culture to life… perhaps discover a new favourite dish or drink in the process.”
What Is FOR Cardiff and Its Role?
FOR Cardiff, Cardiff’s city centre BID, is funded by levy-paying businesses to support the economy, enhance experiences, and promote the area. It delivers campaigns like this to foster vibrancy.
Hungry City Hippy notes it asks “Cardiff foodies to sample Welsh food & drink at some of Cardiff’s best indies.”
When and How Does the Campaign Conclude?
Running through February, it culminates March 1, 2026, with a city-centre celebration; further events pending announcement. FOR Cardiff’s news: “FOR CARDIFF LAUNCHES NEW CITY-CENTRE CELEBRATION OF WELSH CULTURE. The campaign launches with a public vote.”
CultureCardiff covers: “FOR Cardiff Launches New City-Centre Celebration of Welsh Culture.”
Why Celebrate St David’s Day This Way?
The approach emphasises accessible, joyful engagement with Welsh identity pre-March 1. It supports hospitality amid economic boosts, aligning with BID goals. Past events like 2022 parades show continuity.
