Cardiff’s City of Arcades campaign highlights hidden gems with Discovery Fortnight

Subscribe to the Businessin Wales daily newsletter for FREE here. 

Cardiff’s historic shopping arcades will take centre stage over the next two weeks as Discovery Fortnight launches today (19 September), the second chapter of the City of Arcades 2025 campaign.

The 70-day initiative, organised by business improvement district FOR Cardiff, is designed to celebrate 70 years of Cardiff as the capital of Wales and runs until 14 November. It showcases the city’s Victorian and Edwardian arcades alongside the modern St David’s Dewi Sant Shopping Centre through five themed “fortnights” of events, offers and activities.

The opening Foodie Fortnight drew almost 3,000 visitors to Cardiff Market for late-night food and music. Discovery Fortnight (19 September – 3 October) now shifts the focus to the city’s hidden treasures, with highlights including:

• Castle Quarter Art Trail (19–29 September): a series of window murals across Castle Arcade, High Street Arcade and Duke Street Arcade, designed as “hidden treasures” with jewel-like details and a social media challenge for visitors.
• Student Shopper Sweep at St David’s Dewi Sant (25 September): exclusive offers, entertainment and late-night shopping aimed at welcoming new students.
• Morgan Quarter Cash Grabber (25 September): a prize booth offering discounts, vouchers and giveaways from local retailers.
• Rules of Play x Nighthawks Games Night (30 September): a one-off indie board games event in partnership with nightlife venue Nighthawks.