The Royal Welsh Winter Fair returns to Llanelwedd at the end of the month, with two days of livestock competitions, food, shopping and entertainment.

The annual event takes place on Monday, November 30 and Tuesday, December 1 at the Royal Welsh Showground, opening to the public at 8am on both days.

Recognised as one of Europe's leading prime stock shows, the Winter Fair will feature cattle, sheep, pigs and horses, with exhibitors competing for championship titles and trophies. Visitors will also be able to watch prize-winning animals go under the hammer during auctions on the final day.

Away from the show rings, there will be a wide range of other competitions, including floral art, hounds, dressed poultry, eggs and pigeons, butchery, meat hampers, cookery, produce and handicrafts.

The Heavy Horse Village, which proved popular when introduced last year, will return to the Farriery Pavilion. Visitors will be able to see the horses up close and watch live farriery demonstrations and displays. The Hound Show will take place in a marquee nearby.

There will also be plenty of opportunities to get some Christmas shopping done, with hundreds of tradestands selling gifts, arts and crafts, homeware, agricultural products, health and beauty items and pet supplies.

The showground will remain open for late-night shopping on Monday, giving visitors extra time to browse before the evening's entertainment. The first day will finish with a pyro musical firework display at 7pm.

Food and drink will once again be a major part of the event, with the Food Hall bringing together producers from Wales and further afield. Visitors will be able to sample and buy a range of produce, with demonstrations and Christmas gift ideas also on offer.

The Gwledd | Feast area, based in the Shearing Shed, will feature Welsh street food, local producers and live music. Further musical entertainment will take place on the Gwledd Stage throughout both days, featuring local performers and seasonal favourites.

Younger visitors will also have the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, who will be based in his grotto at the Clock Tower, Tŷ Ynys Môn, near the Bandstand.

Santa will be available on Monday between 2pm and 3:30pm and 4:30pm and 6pm. On Tuesday, he will be there between 11am and 12:30pm and 2pm and 3:30pm.

A full programme of competitions and events is available in the Winter Fair catalogue, priced at £5 and on sale from booths around the showground.

For those unable to make it to Llanelwedd, S4C will provide live coverage across both days, with a highlights programme each evening. BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio Wales will also broadcast from the showground.

Advance tickets cost £24 for Monday and £22 for Tuesday, with children's tickets priced at £5. Under-fives are admitted free, while members of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society can access exclusive discounts.

Tickets and further information are available from the Winter Fair section of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society website.