The countdown is on for one of North Wales’s biggest community celebrations as Bont Borth 200 marks the 200th anniversary of the iconic Menai Suspension Bridge with a spectacular festival on Saturday 8th August 2026.
The day will begin with the Bont Borth 200 Bicentenary Procession, setting off at 10:30am from Coed Cyrnol Car Park, Menai Bridge. The procession will make its way across the historic Menai Suspension Bridge to the mainland before returning across the bridge into Menai Bridge, finishing at King George’s Field (Cae Brenin Siôr) to symbolically open the bicentenary celebrations. The unique route allows participants to celebrate the bridge by crossing the very structure whose 200th anniversary is being commemorated.
Following the procession, thousands of visitors are expected to enjoy a full day of entertainment, live music, local food and drink, history and family activities at King George’s Field, with FREE ENTRY for everyone.
The date has been deliberately chosen to coincide with the birthday of the bridge’s visionary engineer, Thomas Telford, making the celebrations an especially fitting tribute to the man whose pioneering design transformed travel between Anglesey and mainland Wales.
Running from 11:00am until 7:00pm, the festival will feature something for all ages, including:
- The Bont Borth 200 Bicentenary Procession
- A vibrant Festival Village showcasing 100% local food, drink and craft businesses
- Live music throughout the day from talented performers
- Performances by Menai Bridge Band alongside visiting brass bands from Ireland
- The energetic rhythms of Batala Bangor
- Guided walking tours exploring the rich history of Menai Bridge
- The ever-popular Anglesey Vintage Rally
- Community organisations, family entertainment and much more
One of the defining features of this festival is its commitment to supporting local businesses. Every food, drink and craft trader attending the event comes from Anglesey or North Wales, giving visitors the opportunity to discover and support the outstanding producers, makers and independent businesses that make the region so special.
The festival has been organised by a dedicated team of local volunteers and community organisations who have worked tirelessly to create a celebration worthy of one of Wales’s greatest landmarks.
Designed by the legendary civil engineer Thomas Telford, the Menai Suspension Bridge officially opened in 1826 and was the world’s first major modern suspension bridge. It revolutionised transport between Anglesey and mainland Wales, transforming trade, communication and travel, while establishing itself as one of the greatest engineering achievements of the Industrial Revolution.
Two hundred years later, the bridge remains an internationally recognised symbol of Welsh engineering excellence, and the bicentenary celebrations aim to honour not only the bridge itself but also the communities it has connected for two centuries.
A spokesperson for the Bont Borth 200 Organising Committee said:
“This is far more than just a festival—it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate one of the world’s most iconic bridges and the community that has grown around it over the past 200 years. From the spectacular procession across the Menai Suspension Bridge to a festival showcasing the very best of our local businesses, performers, musicians and community organisations, the day promises to be a fitting tribute to Thomas Telford’s remarkable legacy. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across North Wales and beyond to be part of this historic occasion.”
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to experience the 10:30am Bicentenary Procession, following its unique route across the Menai Suspension Bridge, back into Menai Bridge and onwards to King George’s Field, before spending the rest of the day enjoying the festival’s live entertainment, local food and drink, craft stalls, historical activities and family attractions.
Event Information
Bont Borth 200 Festival
📅 Date: Saturday 8th August 2026
🎉 Bicentenary Procession:
10:30am departure from Coed Cyrnol Car Park, Menai Bridge
Route crosses the Menai Suspension Bridge to the mainland before returning into Menai Bridge and finishing at King George’s Field.
🎪 Festival: 11:00am – 7:00pm
📍 Venue:
King George’s Field
(Cae Brenin Siôr)
Menai Bridge, Anglesey
🎟️ Admission: FREE ENTRY
For the latest event updates and the full entertainment programme, follow Bont Borth 200 on Facebook.
