WELSH heritage and culture is alive and well as dozens of events across Anglesey and Gwynedd are set to mark the annual Dydd Gŵyl Dewi - St David's Day celebrations.

In Bangor, events and activities in honour of the patron saint, started on February 22 and run until Sunday, March 3,

During the week, there is everything from live theatre, to poetry, music, song, a Welsh learners' quiz, talks, family shows, concerts, films, plus showings of popular children’s television programme Deian a Loli and an organised parade.

Local businesses and shops are showing their support by taking part in a St David’s Day themed window display competition.

On Saturday, March 2, a grand procession takes place through Bangor High Street.

The town's celebration is a collaboration between Pontio, Menter Iaith Bangor, Penrhyn Castle, Storiel, Capel Berea Newydd, Learn Welsh North West and Bangor Cathedral.

Patriotic parade-goers will gather at the carpark behind The Cube nightclub, at 12.30pm, on Saturday, March 2, and will start at 12.45pm.

The procession will be led by Menai Bridge Brass Band and will include over 30 Welsh flags.

It will pass through the town, walking towards the Bangor Town Clock, where parade goers will sing Calon Lân.

It then passes Bangor Cathedral, goes through the Bible Garden and finishes at Storiel where a family show about Owain Glyndŵr is on at 1.30pm.

On Anglesey, there is a record number of events taking place across the island.

For the first time, schools have come together to arrange seven St David’s Day events.

Events held before the half term holiday included a grand community concert in Holyhead on February 21, and a parade and concert for children at Amlwch, on February 22.

More parades will be held with a procession through Llangefni town centre, from 10am, on Wednesday, March 6, followed by a gig for Welsh youth bands at Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni.

In Holyhead, at 10am, on Thursday, March 7 there is a

parade which starts at St Mary's Church, led by a Samba band.

The route goes up Market Street, follows on to The Green, by Newry Beach, where there will be an unfurling of a giant Welsh banner. There will also be singing with the Holyhead Male Voice Choir at about 11am.

On the route, businesses are supporting the parade with colourful displays, and school children will stop to sing songs including Calon Lân, Dwi'n Gymro, Dwi'n Gymraes, and Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.

Also in Holyhead, on St David's Day itself, Friday March 1, Mary Parry's Parti Dawns Lan Mor troupe, with ages spanning eight - 83, will parade through the town in full Welsh costumes.

They will leave Maes Hyfryd Road, at about 11am, processing towards St Mary's, and will gather to sing Welsh songs, by the Beach Hut Cafe, by Marine Square, where the dancers will enjoy a Welsh lunch. They will be joined by Anglesey MP Albert Owen.

In Caernarfon, events on St Davids Day, Friday, March 1, start at 11.30am by the Age Concern on Pool Street, continuing at the Harbourmaster's Office at 12.15pm. A procession will start at 12.30pm finishing at Y Maes/Castle Square at 12.45pm.

In Beaumaris, there is no parade this year, due to the flood alleviation work, but there will be an afternoon of singing and a gig by Welsh band Fleur de Lys for children only, at the Beaumaris Leisure Centre on Saturday, March 12. (Times to be confirmed see @moniaith.)

Nia Thomas, who leads the language enterprise Menter Iaith Môn, a partner in arranging the St David’s Day celebrations, said: “I don’t think you’ll find another county in Wales with such a high percentage of its schools taking part in community parades and events to celebrate St David.

"The schools here have embraced the ‘Siarter Iaith Môn’ Welsh language charter as an opportunity to show our unique Welsh culture and language and to have tremendous fun! Well done Anglesey schools and communities!

"The determination to share our culture with the world is going from strength to strength and it’s great to see that the Holyhead parade, now in its third year, is already attracting visitors from Ireland!”

John Wynn Jones, Bangor Mayor and chairman of Menter Iaith Bangor said: "Over the years the St David’s Day celebrations in Bangor have gone from strength to strength and it’s amazing to see so many organizations and groups come on board this year to organize and promote an amazing amount of events to celebrate St David’s Day, our Welshness, the Welsh language and the nation’s culture.

“The events will be an amazing chance for locals and visitors alike to come together and celebrate as one big community – to create a sense of pride in our Welshness and encourage people to socialise in Welsh or learn the language.”

For specific details of Bangor events see Pontio, www.pontio.co.uk, Castell Penrhyn, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/penrhyncastle, Storiel, https://www.storiel.cymru/, Menter Iaith Bangor, http://www.menteriaithbangor.org