Singing the Praises of Welsh Choirs

Conwy mens choir sign
In small towns across Wales, men's choirs open their regular practice sessions for visitors curious to experience a uniquely Welsh tradition.
By Rick Steves

The Welsh love their choirs, and there are few better ways to experience their rich culture than to witness the sound of the choirs singing traditional Welsh songs in pubs and churches across the country. Nearly every town has a choir (men's or mixed) that practices weekly at venues ranging from high schools to hotels — and visitors are usually welcome to observe the session.

Most start at 19:30, 19:45, or 20:00, and last about 1.5–2 hours — and sometimes the choir heads to the pub afterward for a good old-fashioned, beer-lubricated sing-along. As these choir rehearsals have become something of a tourist attraction, many choirs ask attendees for a small donation — fair enough.

Here are some choirs that practice regularly in and near towns I recommend visiting. Of course, schedules are subject to change — confirm the schedule before making the trip:

For more, ask locally or see Visit Wales' list of male choirs and their rehearsal times. Additionally, many choirs regularly perform concerts — inquire with a specific choir for their latest performance schedule.