Under the enthusiastic leadership of Philip Williams, the first festival was held in December 2001. From the success of that pioneering venture has grown a much-loved annual attraction in the village of Llantrisant. Importantly, visitors are drawn to the ancient place of Christian worship. A concert opens the festival on Friday evening followed on the Saturday and Sunday with performances by local school choirs and adult ensembles and soloists. The festival finishes with a parish Songs of Praise on the Sunday evening.

A charge is made for entry to the church during the festival, except for services on Sunday. The money raised is donated to church restoration funds and charities. The following charities have received a donation:

2002 McMillan Cancer Research
2003 Cancer Research UK
2004 Noah’s Ark Appeal/Cruise Bereavement Council
2005 Parkinson’s Disease Society
2006 MS Society
2007 Y Bwythyn/The Salvation Army

During the three days of the festival the church glows with the luminescence cast off from over fifty illuminated Christmas trees inside the church. Trees are decorated in a great variety of styles according to the personal or group interests of the sponsors. The trees remain in place until the first week of January and are illuminated during services making this a beautiful time to join the congregation at one of three services (9am; 11am; 6pm) each Sunday. A beautiful grotto is set up in the vestry of the bell tower, which is a huge attraction for visiting children. Father Christmas spends many hours sitting patiently in his rocking chair whilst eager children queue up to see him and to receive a small gift.

Refreshments for the festival are served at the church hall situated at the Swan Street entrance to the churchyard. These refreshments are provided by many of the hard working members of the congregation.

On the Sunday morning of the festival weekend the three churches of the parish join together for a celebratory Eucharist. In the past the Assistant Bishop of Llandaff has come along for the occasion.