About us

The Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza was first created in 1986 by Mayor Cllr Margaret Lyon together with a small group of local councillors and heritage enthusiasts, including Stuart Rivers and Ian Turner, under the umbrella of Llandudno Town Council. They launched the event to support tourism during a traditionally quieter part of the season and to celebrate the town's rich Victorian heritage. Early events featured Victorian themed street theatre, parades, maypole dancing, carriage rides and community activities designed to draw visitors and benefit local businesses.

As the festival grew in popularity, responsibility for staging it gradually moved away from direct council management and was entrusted to a volunteer committee. This group formalised its organising role by forming Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza Ltd, taking on planning, fundraising and coordination of attractions to ensure the event remained free for visitors while retaining its heritage focus. Over time, as council financial backing reduced, the committee had to self fund the event by selling pitches, sponsorship etc. The Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza was originally organised by a volunteer committee and, for many years, operated under Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza Ltd. In December 2024, the committee decided to dissolve the Ltd company and the volunteers disbanded. In 2025, Chris & Claire Williams established a Community Interest Company (CIC) called Llandudno Community Events CIC and took the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza event under its remit to make sure the event continues.

The CIC now has four directors: Claire & Chris Williams, Kai Davies, and Thomas Osborne. Today, the CIC — still led by dedicated volunteers — continues to organise the annual event. We are looking to work closer with local businesses and stakeholders to deliver a celebration that honours Llandudno's Victorian heritage and enhances the town's tourism and cultural calendar each May.

If you would like to become a volunteer for our events, please contact us.