Christmas fun starts in Swansea this weekend

Christmas is starting in Swansea this weekend.
Waterfront Winterland – Ice skating
Waterfront Winterland makes its return at Museum Park from Friday (November 13) and the Christmas Parade is taking place on Sunday (November 15).

The Admiral ice rink, a smaller ice rink for children and Santa’s grotto are among the features of Waterfront Winterland this year, which will run until Sunday January 3. New for 2015 is a ride called No Limit, which reaches a height of 24 metres and gives 16 passengers a g-force experience through 360 degrees. It will sit alongside the Big Wheel, which is back by popular demand.

Santa will also be visiting the city centre on Sunday to switch on the Christmas lights during this year’s Christmas Parade. Starting at 5pm from near the Dylan Thomas Centre, the parade will travel along Wind Street, College Street, Kingsway and St Helen’s Road before ending at Guildhall. A number of floats will feature as well as walking processions.

Townhill Community Centre, the Friends of Bryn-y-Don Park, Menter Iaith Abertawe, the Bonymaen Kids Play Initiative, Jermin Productions and The Wave and Swansea Sound are among the organisations being represented on the floats.

Bikeability Wales, Samba Tawe, Carmarthenshire Twirlers, Dancing Divas and the City of Swansea Pipe Band are among those taking part in the walking processions. The Grand Theatre’s panto cast will also be on hand, as well as Cyril the Swan and a reindeer land train full of elves.

Swansea Council is behind the fun. Working closely alongside Swansea BID (Business Improvement District), many thousands of eco-friendly, LED lights will be switched on in areas including Wind Street, Oxford Street, Kingsway and Lower Oxford Street.

Different colour themes are being introduced in different parts of the city centre – red on white on Wind Street and part of High Street, blue and white on Kingsway, and white and gold in areas like Lower Oxford Street that are well-known for independent traders.

A new, 20-foot, LED artificial tree close to the Kingsway end of Princess Way will also be switched on.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration, said: “The start of Waterfront Winterland and the arrival of the Christmas Parade effectively mark the start of the Christmas countdown in Swansea.

“They’re fantastic, family-friendly events that always generate a first-class, festive atmosphere. The combination of these events with everything else that’s planned for the city centre and attractions like the Brangwyn mean Swansea residents and visitors to the city again have lots to look forward to this Christmas.

“Events like these are also important because they help attract shoppers to spend money in our shops and other businesses during a critically important time of the year for our traders.”

The following temporary road closures will be in place to accommodate the Christmas Parade on the day:

2pm to 9pm

* Guildhall North Road for its entire length.

4.30pm to 7pm

* East Burrows Road from the junction with Somerset Place to its junction with Cambrian Place

* Somerset Place for its whole length

* Ferry Side for its whole length

* Bath Lane for its whole length

* Adelaide Street from its junction with Bath Lane and Somerset Place

* Victoria Road/Quay Parade at the junction with Wind Street while the parade crosses over between Somerset Place and Wind Street. This will be for a short period of time and will be done in blocks so traffic can still flow.

* Wind Street for its whole length

* Caer Street for its whole length

* Castle Bailey Street for its whole length

* Castle Street for its whole length

* College Street for its whole length

* The Kingsway from its junction with College Street to its junction with Dillwyn Street (Westbound bus and taxi lanes). Also from its junction with Belle Vue Way to St Helen’s Road (Westbound left-hand lane only).

* St Helen’s Road from its junction from Guildhall Road South to its junction with Kingsway

* St Helen’s Crescent from its junction with Guildhall Road South to its junction with Brynymor Road and St Helen’s Road

* Guildhall South Road from its junction with Guildhall Road North to St Helen’s Crescent

Have a look at www.swanseachristmas.com for more information.