**Sunrise Wellness Rave Comes to Cardiff, Offering an Energetic Start to the Day**
Cardiff’s bustling Queen Street is setting the scene for a rather unexpected twist on the typical morning routine—a rave, but not as you might imagine. Instead of late-night beats and packed dancefloors, this event invites early risers to greet the day with lively music, mindful movement, and a focus on wellness, right within the walls of the Holland & Barrett store.
This innovative event, dubbed the “Sunrise Sessions,” has been launched as part of a broader initiative to encourage holistic health and wellbeing among the public. Aimed at supporting mind, body, and restful living, the sessions are making their way across the UK and Ireland throughout the summer, with Cardiff hosting one of the first few stops alongside Birmingham and Dublin.
Unlike traditional raves associated with club culture, these morning gatherings blend energising music spun by live DJs with structured wellness exercises. Attendees begin with a mood-boosting dance, designed to wake both body and mind, before moving on to a series of guided activities. These include standing Pilates, revitalising breathwork, and focused mindfulness, creating a balanced experience intended to leave participants feeling refreshed and positive for the day ahead.
After working up an appetite, guests are treated to a healthy breakfast and hydration station supplied by nutrition brand My Protein. To enhance relaxation, a massage station run by natural skincare specialists Weleda is also provided, helping to further the theme of holistic self-care. The initiative is supported by Olympian Ruby Evans, an accomplished gymnast, who will act as host for Cardiff’s event which is scheduled for Thursday, 3 July.
To sweeten the deal, every ticket holder is set to receive a goody bag with an estimated value of £200 and a £5 Holland & Barrett voucher, all included in the ticket price of £10. In addition, attendees are refunded half of the ticket value on a gift card, making the event not just a wellness boost but also a wallet-friendly opportunity for those interested in health products.
The Sunrise Sessions are part of Holland & Barrett’s broader mission to encourage healthy, vibrant living, expressed in their mantra urging people to “live life on full charge.” Booking is now open through Eventbrite, and given the limited capacity, demand is expected to be significant. Details of future sessions and locations are also available via the company’s website, offering enthusiasts across different cities the chance to take part.
Holland & Barrett is well-established in the wellness industry, boasting more than 1,000 stores worldwide, including over 790 in the UK and Ireland. Their staff are trained to offer personalised guidance on nutrition and supplements, underlining the company’s commitment to customer wellbeing.
Emily Foster, a nutritionist with Holland & Barrett, highlighted the common struggle many face with fatigue and the impact it can have on social lives and personal health goals. “We can all relate to cancelling social plans and skipping the gym when tired, but a consistent lack of energy which impacts general wellbeing and lifestyle does need addressing,” she remarked. Foster went on to promote the company’s various support options, including their so-called ‘Energy Squad’ in-store and free online consultations, designed to provide practical health strategies and targeted advice.
With the Sunrise Sessions, Holland & Barrett are tapping into the growing interest in combining social experience with health-conscious living. The choice of an unconventional venue—right in the heart of a busy shopping centre—adds to the event’s novelty, while the multi-faceted approach means that it appeals to more than just fitness enthusiasts.
As these events roll out across the UK and Ireland, they reflect a shifting public attitude towards wellness, prioritising energetic starts and purposeful self-care alongside the familiar hustle of everyday urban life. Whether the format catches on remains to be seen, but for now, Cardiff’s early risers will have a chance to experience a new kind of morning rave—one designed to recharge, rather than deplete, their energy reserves.