With the weekend just round the corner, there is a host of events happening locally. Here is just a snippet of what is going on in a town near you!

Abergavenny

What: Book Launch of Take a Walk on the W·I·L·D® Side by Robyn Harris; this free session will be filled with insightful discussions, a peek into the stories and wisdom within the book, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions and connect with like-minded souls.

Date: Saturday, August 17

Time: 10.30am - 12.30pm

Location: Abergavenny Library, The Town Hall, Cross Street, Abergavenny NP7 5HD

Robyn Harris is the author of Take a Walk on the W.I.L.D Side
Robyn Harris is the author of Take a Walk on the W.I.L.D Side (Supplied)

What: Pub Game Olympics; Usk’s first all age pub Olympics that invites people of all ages. Compete in four Olympic events, including: shuffleboard, rink hook toss, bagatelle and jenga. Just £1 per entry, no booking required.

Date: Saturday, August 17

Time: 5pm - 7pm

Location: Lines Taproom And Noddfa, 37a Bridge St, Usk NP15 1BQ

What: Full moon celebration; hosted by Twinkle’s Abergavenny, the session will include a guided meditation, a short ceremonial music session, a chance for you to choose a crystal relating to this months moon. Spaces are limited, to book your ticket, contact Twinkle’s Abergavenny via Facebook or emailing [email protected].

Date: Sunday, August 18 

Time: 6pm

Location: 5 Monk Street, Abergavenny

What: Gilwern Pump Track Jam; There will be various activities and challenges taking place, including: skills challenges (e.g. high jump and manuals), ramps, skinny planks, balance bike racing, and more! £2 per ticket, book here.

Date: Thursday, August 22

Time: 4pm-6pm

Location: Gilwern Pump Track, 6 Cae Derw, Gilwern, Abergavenny NP7 0BJ

Usk

What: Usk Farmers Market; a traditional farmers' market selling organic beef, lamb, pork, chicken, organic fruit and veg, savoury pies, cakes, honey, jams and much more!

Date: Saturday, August 17

Time: 9.30am - 12pm

Location: Memorial Hall, South Car Park, Maryport St, Usk NP15 1AD

Save the River Usk
(Save the River Usk)

What: Weekend Sketch Meet, sketching the River Usk; hosted by Gary Yeung, Stephen Dale and Urban Sketchers Newport.

Date: Saturday, August 17

Time: 10am - 12pm

Location: Riverfront Theatre, Kingsway (Stand K12), Kingsway, Newport, NP20 1, United Kingdom

What: Summer Fun Day; a great day out of all the family in aid of the Matthew Walklins Make a Smile Foundation. The event will offer a range of stalls, games, prizes, food and face painting. There will also be live music from The Kiltics - all at free entry!

Date: Sunday, August 18

Time: 2pm-7pm

Location: Pontllanfraith Rugby Club, 1 Tram Rd, Pontllanfraith, Blackwood NP12 2JF

Monmouth

What: Vietnamese Cookery Class; join chef tutor Versha Patel on a Vietnamese world cuisine cookery class. Versha will guide you through balancing the Ying and Yang of Vietnamese flavours. You will use fresh ingredients with minimal dairy and oil making a fresh plates of Vietnamese food. This world cuisine cookery class is a very hands on with lots of tastings and takeout containers are provided for you to take away more tastings. Book here, tickets £65pp.

Date: Saturday, August 17

Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location: Harts Barn Craft Centre, Monmouth Road, Longhope GL17 0QD

What: The Monmouthshire Show is a much-loved, one day, agricultural Show. With Main Ring entertainment such as the Extreme Mountain Bike Show and Scurry, side attractions like the Mini Pony Show and BubbleMan plus Livestock, tradestands, food festival, crafts, home & garden classes, fun dog show, music and so much more. Book here, ticket prices range.

Date: Sunday, August 18

Time: 9am-6pm

Location: Monmouthshire Showground, Redbrook Rd, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, NP25 4LG

What: Open mic night; a fun night for all in the beer garden (weather permitting).

Date: Sunday, August 18

Time: 5.30pm -

Location: 23 Monnow Street, Monmouth, United Kingdom

Chepstow

What: Chepstow Running Festival 5k, 10k & Half Marathon; This exciting event offers participants the chance to run at the historic racecourse, home to the Welsh Grand National. With race distances of 5k, 10k, and Half Marathon, runners can choose the challenge that suits them best. Each mile will be clearly marked out, and plenty of helpers will be on hand to keep you on track and motivated to reach the finish line. Book here.

Date: Saturday, August 17

Time: 9.30am - 1pm

Location: Chepstow Racecourse, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6EH

What: Chepstow Town Band & Severn Tunnel Band; brought to you by Chepstow Town Council, this event is apart of their jam packed summer schedule.

Date: Sunday, August 18

Time: 2.30pm- 5pm

Location: The Bandstand, Riverbank, the Back, Chepstow NP16 7DL

Brecon

What: Brecon Jazz Festival comes to an end this weekend with a fantastic line up! Including a Welcome and Film Intro with Kathryn & Roger, Julian Costello Trio performance (saxophone, cello, vocals, guitar) and Afternoon in Paris performance (guitar, clarinet, keys, db, drums). If you would like to purchase tickets for this weekend’s events, please go here.

Date: Saturday, August 17 - Sunday, August 18

Time: Events throughout the day(s), from 2pm both days

Location: Brecon

Brecon Jazz
(Designed by Bhaigid Ahmed)

What: Volksfest Wales is coming to Brecon this weekend. The longest running Volkswagen show in Wales and family run event includes full weekend camping available, with nightly entertainment, live bands fire poi demonstration, trade area, catering and bar. Saturday events include the Crawl to the Hills, a procession of VW vehicles from old to new making its way from the snowfield, up to the Brecon Beacons visitor centre and through the center of Brecon town. It’s a knockout competition open for adults and children. Sunday events include the Show and Shine vehicle display and more.

Date: Friday, August 16 - Sunday, August 18

Time: Events throughout the day(s)

Location: Watton Show Fields, Brecon.

Volkfest
(Volkfest)