Get ready for Swansea’s magical Christmas parade this Sunday

The council is encouraging those planning to attend to check arrangements beforehand as some roads will be closed to allow the parade to start at 5pm.

Swansea Council Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, Councillor Robert Francis-Davies said: “Santa’s arrival in Swansea to switch on the Christmas lights is a wonderful start to the festive season and we’re aiming to create a real carnival atmosphere full of light, music, and dancing.

“However, to enable a safe procession through the city centre it is necessary to close some roads from 4pm and we are advising people to plan ahead and aim to arrive early to avoid missing the parade’s start at 5pm.”

Changes for road traffic will include diversions away from roads such as Quay Parade, Oystermouth Road, Princess Way, High Street, Orchard Street and The Kingsway. Victoria Road and Quay Parade will be temporarily closed in both directions from New Cut Road to Princess Way from around 4pm until the parade has passed. Diversions will be signposted.

Parking will be available at several city centre locations, and visitors can also take advantage of Swansea’s free bus offer on Sunday, extended until 9pm for the Christmas Parade.

For those opting for Park & Ride, Fabian Way will be operating with all-day parking at just £1 per car, covering up to one adult and four children. Buses will leave Fabian Way every 15 minutes from 2pm until 5.15pm and will return after the parade from 6pm until 8pm.

This is a great opportunity to enjoy more time in the city centre, supporting local shops, cafes, and attractions in the lead-up to the parade.

During the event there will be loud noises, flashing lights and special effects. Those who need somewhere quieter are advised to watch it at the St Helen’s Road end of The Kingsway or at the top of High Street and Orchard Street. An accessible viewing area will be available on Princess Way and Orchard Street.

The parade will start at 5pm from Victoria Road, making its way to Castle Square where Santa will – from his sleigh – switch on some of the city centre’s Christmas lights. The parade will continue up High Street, down Orchard Street and onto The Kingsway, where Santa will switch on the rest of the Christmas lights, before the parade ends at the western end of The Kingsway.

Joining Santa to deliver some festive magic in the parade will be the 1^st Cwmbwrla Brownies, dressed as fairies with illuminated woodland animals; Tiny Toes Ballet, wrapped as Christmas presents with bright lights and bows; and Sketty Park Community Theatre, following a well-known panto theme with a dwarf called Sprout accompanying Snow White.

Look out for the children of Mellin Theatre Arts, a local theatre school based at Swansea’s Grand Theatre, who will also joining in the fun alongside Swansea Community Farm and their ‘Festive Farmers’ carrying animal lanterns made with willow, and St Thomas Church, which does much to help and support vulnerable people through its food bank and night shelter, will be shining a ‘light in the darkness’.

Don’t miss the Swansea Bay Rider, which will be given a festive makeover for its special appearance in the parade with a little help from The Childcare Offer for Wales Swansea Team. Delighted to be supporting the land train at the Christmas Parade, a team representative said: “The opportunity to be part of this event encourages positive audience engagement with parents and carers with young children.”

New for this year is an ice sculpture of Santa’s sleigh in Castle Square, which will be carved during the day, providing an entertaining spectacle for passing shoppers. It should be completed by 3pm, allowing time for selfies ahead of the parade.

Cllr Francis-Davies added: “Swansea’s Christmas parade is very much a community event, and it is good to see so many different groups from across the city taking part, sharing their good cheer to get everyone in the festive mood.”