Focus Wales
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Focus Wales is an annual international music and arts festival held in the heart of Wrexham, North Wales. Over one long weekend each May, the city centre transforms with live music, film screenings and creative events. As local venues fill up with performances, Focus invites festival-goers to wander from one gig to the next across pubs, clubs, theaters and outdoor stages. The festival's friendly atmosphere and community spirit make it easy for newcomers and devoted fans alike to feel at home in the crowd.
Focus was created to shine a spotlight on emerging talent. This year's festival will feature over 250 acts on more than 20 stages. Genres run the gamut - from indie rock and catchy pop to traditional folk, hip-hop, electronic and everything in between. Expect surprises at every turn: a singer-songwriter strumming in a cozy café, an experimental band rocking a garage party, or a brass ensemble bringing energy to the streets. Many artists are Welsh, showcasing the country's vibrant music scene, but the festival also welcomes exciting bands from around the world. No matter your taste, you're likely to discover something new and inspiring.
Music is at Focus's core, but the festival offers much more. By day, Focus hosts a vibrant creative conference with keynote talks, panel discussions and workshops covering the music and arts industries. These sessions (often free to attend or included with festival passes) let you hear from industry experts and network with other music lovers. In parallel, the Focus Wales Film Festival screens music-focused documentaries and short films (supported by Ffilm Cymru). Imagine catching an indie-film screening between concerts - it adds an extra dimension to the experience. Altogether, Focus is as much about inspiring creativity as it is about high-energy performances.
Wrexham itself adds charm to Focus Week. The city centre pulses with festival spirit - local pubs and cafes host pop-up stages for acoustic sets, and historic venues roll out special shows, while a large outdoor tent in the town square welcomes headline acts. Despite its size, the festival maintains a warm, community vibe. It’s common to swap recommendations with strangers in line or run into musicians grabbing coffee after a gig. Focus has grown into Wales's biggest new-music event, so you'll meet people from all walks of life - but everyone is there for the same reason: the love of music and discovery.
Between sets, be sure to explore Wrexham's local culture. Stroll the town’s historic streets, visit the lively markets or refuel at friendly pubs and restaurants serving Welsh ales and hearty meals. If you have energy left, after-parties keep the fun going late into the night. By the end of the weekend, you'll have discovered new favorite bands and gathered memories of dance floors and drum solos. Everything about Focus Wales feels inviting and authentic, which is why it has earned praise as one of the UK's must-attend emerging music festivals. Whether you’re coming to dance, discover, or simply soak up the atmosphere, Focus Wales promises three days of excitement, creativity and Welsh hospitality in the heart of Denbighshire's cultural capital.
Getting to Wrexham is easy by train. The town has two main stations: Wrexham General and Wrexham Central. Wrexham General is on the Welsh Marches Line, with regular Transport for Wales trains running north to Chester and Liverpool, and south to Shrewsbury and Birmingham. Wrexham Central connects to the Borderlands Line, offering services to Bidston (with Merseyrail connections to Liverpool). If you're traveling from London or other parts of the country, you can change at Chester or Shrewsbury to reach Wrexham. A central bus station at Queens Square also offers regional coach services to nearby cities.
For air travel, the nearest major airports are Liverpool John Lennon (about a 45-minute drive) and Manchester Airport (about 1 to 1.5 hours by car or train). Both airports have car hire and good public transport links. After flying in, you can take a train from Manchester or Liverpool to Chester, then connect onward to Wrexham. Birmingham Airport is another option (approximately 2.5 hours away by road), but Cardiff and London airports are much farther and generally not recommended for this part of Wales. You should allow extra travel time if coming from airports outside North West England.
By car, Wrexham is well connected. Major routes include the A483 (running north-south to Chester and south towards Shrewsbury) and the A5 (from the Shropshire or Welshpool area). From England, you can use the M54/A5 from Telford or the M6/A55 via Chester. Travel times are typically under an hour from Chester and about 1.5 hours from Manchester. When driving to the city centre, use postcode LL13 8LW for navigation. Note that parking can be limited during festival weekends. Public car parks are available near the train stations and downtown, so allow extra time or consider park-and-ride options if offered.
Once in Wrexham, local buses, taxis and even bicycle rentals make it easy to get around. The main bus interchange is at Queens Square, close to both train stations. Local bus companies (Arriva, Stagecoach) run routes around the county, while Wrexham Taxis and other services operate in town. Most festival venues are within walking distance of each other, but buses can help if you need to travel farther. Be sure to check bus and train timetables on travel apps or service websites during your visit.
Accommodation in and around Wrexham ranges from hotels and guesthouses to B&Bs and self-catering apartments. Popular choices include the Wynstay Arms Hotel, Hotel Wrexham and various city-centre inns. Many visitors book rooms well ahead, as lodging fills up quickly during festival periods. If town center hotels sell out, consider nearby Chester (about 10 miles east) or Llangollen (around 20 miles west) – both have more options, although you'll then need to travel in. Camping isn’t available in Wrexham itself, but outdoor enthusiasts often stay at sites in the surrounding North Wales countryside.
Overall, traveling to Wrexham is quite straightforward. The mix of rail, road and air connections makes the city accessible from all over the UK. Once you arrive, most places are within a short stroll or a quick taxi ride. Just remember to check schedules and book rooms early, and you’ll be all set to enjoy the festival and everything Wrexham has to offer!
| Name | Star | Distance | Prices From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Wynnstay Arms Hotel by Marstons Inns | 1.7 ml | £59.95 | Book | |
| The Lemon Tree | 2.0 ml | £60.00 | Book | |
| Ramada Plaza - Wrexham | 2.6 ml | £75.00 | Book | |
| The Stableyard Guest Accommodation & S/C Cottages | 2.7 ml | £46.00 | Book | |
| Buck House Hotel | 2.7 ml | £50.00 | Book | |
| Travelodge Wrexham | 2.9 ml | £32.00 | Book | |
| Holt Lodge Hotel | 3.2 ml | £50.00 | Book | |
| Mulsford Cottage | 4.9 ml | £60.00 | Book | |
| Rossett Hall Hotel | 5.6 ml | £54.00 | Book | |
| BW Hallmark Hotel Chester Llyndir Hall | 6.0 ml | £61.20 | Book | |
| Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa | 6.4 ml | £85.00 | Book | |
| Bryn Howel Hotel | 7.8 ml | £39.00 | Book | |
| Moreton Park Hotel | 8.3 ml | £50.00 | Book | |
| Red Lion Coaching Inn ellesmere shropshire | 9.0 ml | £30.00 | Book | |
| Panorama Cottages | 9.0 ml | £55.00 | Book |
Wrexham, Wrexham County Borough., LL138LW
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