A list of commemorative events being held to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Aberfan disaster.
Please note, this is a list of public/community events that the council has been made aware of to date. It will be updated as and when we are made aware of any further events.
60th Anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster: Commemorative Events 2026
| Date | Event Name | Event Type | Venue/Location |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5 September 11am |
‘For the Remaining Children of Aberfan’ | Musical Rendition | Aberfan Memorial Garden |
|
12 September – 1 November |
‘Aberfan 60 – The Days After’ |
Exhibition of Chuck Rapoport’s photos |
Cyfarthfa Castle Museum |
| 12 September onwards | Aberfan – permanent exhibition |
Exhibition |
Aberfan Library |
|
17 September 10am – 11am |
‘Aberfan: Sorrow and the Stirring of New Life by Chuck Rapoport’ | Film screening | Treharris Library |
| 25 September
11am – 12pm |
‘Aberfan: Sorrow and the Stirring of New Life by Chuck Rapoport’ | Film screening | Aberfan Library |
|
14 October – 27 November |
‘The Indominable Spirit of Aberfan’ | Immersive room experience | Orbit Business Centre |
|
17 October 10am - 2pm |
Heritage Fire Truck on display | The first emergency vehicle to attend the scene in 1966 on display. | Ynysowen School |
| 17 October 3pm |
Social Event | Community/Charity Night
Ticketed Event |
Ynysowen Social Club |
| 17 October | Ynysowen Memorial Concert | Community Event Ticketed Event |
Afon Taf High School |
|
18 October 10am - 2pm |
Heritage Fire Truck on display | The first emergency vehicle on the scene in 1966. | Penderyn Square, Merthyr Tydfil. |
| 18 October | Charity Event | Charity Race Event Public Event |
Aberfan |
|
20 October 7pm |
Memorial Church Service |
Church Service Public Event |
St David’s Church |
| 21 October | Annual Memorial Service | Morning Service at Aberfan Cemetery 09.15 led by Mayor’s Chaplain Public Event |
Aberfan Cemetery |
| 21 October | Commemorative Event | Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan to pay his respects at Memorial Garden, followed by Aberfan Leisure Centre By invitation |
Aberfan Memorial Garden and Aberfan & Merthyr Vale Community Centre |
| 21 October 7pm |
Evening Memorial service | Church Service for the community | Baptist Church, Merthyr Vale |
| 24 October | BBC Musical Concert | Concert Ticketed Event |
Aberfan & Merthyr Vale Community Centre |
| 25 October | BBC Musical Concert | Concert Ticketed Event |
Hoddinott Theatre, Cardiff |
|
Sunday 1 November |
A concert in memory of Aberfan |
Concert Ticketed Event |
St Illtyds Catholic Church, Dowlais |