THE GATHERING 2026 – CARDIFF, WALES – JANUARY 15 – 18 2026
SOLD OUT
NEW DATE AND NEW BEGINNINGS.
CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MIKE PETERS AND THE ALARM
The Alarm – Gathering 2026 Weekend Event = SOLD OUT
NB: ALL PASSES AND TICKETS FOR ORIGINAL 2025 DATES REMAIN VALID FOR 2026.
The Alarm – Gathering 2026 Weekend Event = SOLD OUT
Guaranteed entry to both Cardiff University concerts including the 40th Anniversary STRENGTH performance. Weekend Passes also grant access to all Gathering Day / Evening events at The Old Arcade and The Temple Bar. (Subject to capacity).
January 15th – 18th 2026 – SOLD OUT
The Gathering 2026 in Cardiff offers all Alarm / Mike Peters fans another chance to adventure in Alarm style rock and roll over the weekend of January 15 – 18th 2026 at various special venues and historic sites across Cardiff – The capital city of Wales – birthplace and home of Mike Peters and The Alarm.
“Our first Gathering in Cardiff has been an overwhelming success” says Alarm lead singer Mike Peters. “All the various events have allowed us to take THE GATHERING to a whole new level ,and I can’t wait to do it all again next year and celebrate another year of Love Hope and Strength with everyone.”
2026 mark’s the Anniversary of The Alarm’s classic and best selling second album Strength (1985), which will be honoured in full (for the first time ever), at Cardiff University, on Friday January 16th along with songs from 1985’s legendary ‘Absolute Tour’.
Saturday evening January 17th will see The Gathering fraternity descend once again on Cardiff University, where The Alarm will be represented by a full on Mike Peters electric set armed with songs from all the various eras of The Alarm songbook, from early beginnings to the present day which has recently seen The Alarm score four UK top 10 Rock albums beginning with 2018’s Equals (number 2), followed by Sigma (which went to number one in 2019), then Omega which debuted in the Top Ten in 2022 and ‘Forwards’ which entered the Uk Rock album chart at number 4 and the Top 30 Billboard Alternative Album chart at number 21.
“The Gathering has always provided a tonic for the new year blues, becoming an essential fixture in the diary for Alarm fans and I”, reflects Mike Peters. “Year on year, The Gathering has pushed our community forwards with all manner of challenging and celebratory concerts creating a unique platform whereby we can honour the past and also share in future visions by revealing new music and ideas for the very first time.”
The hub and fanzone for The Gathering 2026 and this full-on weekend of Alarm music in Cardiff, will be stationed at two locations, Temple Bar and The Old Arcade in the heart of the always vibrant Cardiff city centre. The Old Arcade is the oldest pub in Cardiff and the site of the Mike Peters mural which has been a popular attraction for Alarm fans visiting Cardiff since it first appeared in 2020 and Temple Bar being one of its newest music venues.
The opening night Ga’Thur’ing will be held at the Temple Bar (6 High Street), again right in the heart of Cardiff’s bustling City Centre and kicking off proceedings on Thursday January 15th, with an event featuring special guests, live music and conversation.
The Alarm Official Convention including The Alarm Mastermind and Key Note Address from Mike Peters will be held at Y Plas, Cardiff University on Saturday 17th January from 11am until 3pm.
The Alarm Film Festival will also feature throughout the day at Temple Bar.
Photo – Temple Bar, 6 High Street, Cardiff.
Friday and Saturday night Gathering pre-concert get togethers can be held at the Old Arcade meeting point, where a continuous juke box of Alarm classics will be played all Gathering long (it’s only a 10–15-minute walk to the main Gathering concert event venues at Cardiff University).
Photo The Old Arcade, 14 Church Street, Cardiff.
The infamous official Gathering After show party will be held after The Alarm concert at Cardiff Universityl (Saturday 17th January),with ALT-DJ Badge spinning the late-night sounds. On the way to the Saturday night show at Cardiff University, Gathering attendees can also visit the famous Cardiff University Bar – The Taf which boasts some of the most affordable beer prices in all of Wales and a pre-show Alarm music playlist to get you in the mood for the main Gathering event..
“Since the very first event at Rhyl Town Hall in December 1992, The Gathering has attracted Alarm fans from all over the globe who have themselves, gone ‘on tour’, to see and hear the music of The Alarm in its hometown.” continues Mike. “The Gathering whether it be held in Rhyl, Llandudno and (for a few years in-between), in Prestatyn, has created some incredible Alarm moments in time, and become an integral part of the international folklore of the band. I can’t wait to bring The Gathering back to Cardiff for a second time in 2026 where travelling fans will get to see and hear The Alarm’s music in our capital city and home country, and experience a welcome in the hillsides like no other.”
(See some useful links to Cardiff city centre and accommodation below).
Sunday 18th January features an early morning Love Hope Strength sponsored walk, starting at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay and across the Cardiff Barrage towards Penarth and back, with an acoustic Mike Peters / Alarm singalong held at the footsteps of the imposing Senedd Building which is the office of the First Minister of Wales and the devolved Welsh government, this event also provides the opportunity for an informal signing and photo session with Mike Peters.
“By bringing The Gathering back to Cardiff in 2026, we can build on the huge resource of possibilities to add to the experience of The Alarm’s flagship event. I do hope Alarm fans everywhere will welcome this opportunity to celebrate and rejoice in the music and songs that have brought us all together. Love, Hope and STRENGTH.” Mike Peters.
The Alarm – Gathering 2026 Weekend Event = SOLD OUT
Guaranteed entry to both Cardiff University concerts, including the 40th Anniversary STRENGTH performance with Mike Peters. Weekend Passes also grant access to all Gathering Day / Evening events at The Old Arcade and The Temple Bar. (Subject to capacity).
Useful links to Cardiff city centre and accommodation:
https://www.cardiffstudents.com
https://www.templebarcardiff.com