Halloween and Bonfire Night are both things of the past and the John Lewis advert has been released, which can only mean one thing - Christmas is around the corner. And after two years of cancelled and/or scaled back events due to the pandemic, festivities in 2022 are back with a bang.
Swansea has plenty of great things to look forward to in the coming weeks, including the annual Swansea Parade, which people raved about last year, Swansea Waterfront Winterland and the Christmas market.
Here we round up details of all of those and more so that you won't miss out. For more Christmas news from WalesOnline, take a look at our dedicated Christmas topic page here. And keep on top of all the news of events taking place across Wales by signing up to our What's On newsletter here.
Read more: Amazing Christmas 2022 events in Wales you can book tickets for now
Swansea Christmas Parade
Hundreds of people are expected to line the streets of the city centre to see Father Christmas on his sleigh in this year's parade. Swansea Council's parade promises to bring a carnival atmosphere to the city with lights, music and dancing from professional performers, local community groups and well-loved fairy tale and movie characters. Spark! street theatre show will return this year with drumming and kaleidoscopic lights and there will be giant light-up reindeers and, of course, Saint Nick himself.
Where: The parade will begin at Victoria Road at around 5pm, before heading up to Princess Way, Caer Street, Castle Street and High Street.
When: Sunday, November 20
How much: Swansea Christmas parade is free to attend
You can read the full details about Swansea Christmas parade here.
Swansea Waterfront Winterland
Swansea's Waterfront Winterland is back this year and Museum Park will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland. You can expect a magical Christmas atmosphere with ice skating, festive food and drink, live entertainment and funfair rides.
Originally due to open on Tuesday, November 8, Waterfront Winterland will now open on Thursday, November 10 after organisers postponed the event. Anyone who purchased tickets for November 8 and 9 will automatically receive a full refund.
In a brand new offer for 2022, students and families can buy site wristbands to save on their festive day out.
Where: Museum Park, Oystermouth Rd, Maritime Quarter, Swansea SA1 3ST
When: November 10- January 8
How much: Ice Skating costs £10 for children and £12.50 adults. Discounted student, family and carer prices are available.
The student package includes skating, an adult meal and choice of beer, small wine, or mulled wine, with a total saving of £6.
The family package offers two adults and two children, or one adult and three children, a saving of £18 on skating for four, one or two adult meals, one or two adult drinks, and two or three children's meals, with drinks included.
Book online at: swanseawaterfrontwinterland.cymru/buy-tickets
Swansea Christmas Market
Festive wooden huts will make their return to Swansea's high street this year with crafters, traders and street food vendors coming back to Swansea for the annual Christmas market. The Bavarian Bar area will offer cosy seating and deluxe hot chocolate and mulled wine will be served to warm you up after a day of Christmas shopping.
There will be a launch party on Saturday, November 26 with entertainment from London West End singers The Spinettes along with other street entertainment and special guests.
Where: Swansea City Centre
When: Swansea Christmas Market will run from November 25- December 21. Opening hours are Monday–Saturday: 9:30am – 5pm and Sunday: 10:30am – 4pm.
Swansea Christmas Fair
A massive Christmas fair with more than 100 stalls, a bouncy castle and a Santa's Grotto is coming to Swansea for one weekend only. 'Wales Biggest Christmas Fair' feature stalls selling unique gifts as well as a wide range of stalls selling everything from handmade candles to soaps, clothing, wood crafts, ornaments, jewellery and wreaths, organisers say.
The huge fair was previously held in Swansea in 2019 and staff say this year's event will be even bigger. Read more here.
Where: It will take over the leisure centre (also known by many as 'the LC2'), located on Oystermouth Road in the Maritime Quarter.
When: Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4 from 10am to 4pm - and entry is completely free.
Mrs Claus at Mumbles Pier
You can visit Santa himself at Mumbles Pier when the Christmas Grotto opens on Saturday, November 19. There's loads of festive events on for the family at Mumbles Pier this year. You can have breakfast or a tea party with Santa and his elves, make gingerbread houses with Mrs Claus, visit Santa's workshop and enjoy a festive afternoon tea with the family. Some events in December have already sold out so book in advance to avoid missing out on these festive events on the pier.
Where: Old Lifeboat Cottage, Mumbles Rd, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4EN
When: The Christmas Grotto opens on the 19th November 2022 and runs until Christmas Eve.
How much: A visit to Santa's Grotto costs £12.99 for children and £4 for adults. You can add a festive afternoon tea for £5.95 per child and £12.99 per adult.
Gingerbread House Making costs £19.99 for one child admission which includes one gingerbread house. Additional child tickets cost £5 and adult tickets cost £3.
Santa's workshop costs £14.99 for one adult and one child.
Book online at mumbles-pier.co.uk/christmas-events
Gower Fresh Christmas Trees
The whole family can feed the reindeers, visit Santa in his grotto and watch the new show Elf Academy with Roly Poly the naughty elf. You can also buy your Christmas tree online or at the farm with the option to pick your own and even ride on a tractor trailer at weekends to find your perfect Christmas tree.
Where: Poundffald Farm, Three Crosses, Swansea SA4 3PB
When: Open seven days a week from Saturday, November 19.
How much: Tickets for Winter Wonderland and Santa's Grotto cost £7.65 for adults and £16.75 for children. A family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) costs £44.95.
Elf Academy tickets cost £2.95 for adults and £13.95 for children.
Book online at gowerfreshchristmastrees.digitickets.co.uk/tickets
BBC National Orchestra of Wales Christmas concert
BBC Orchestra of Wales is coming to Brangwyn Hall this year for a Swingin' Christmas celebration. The orchestra will play jazz and swing versions of Christmas classics like Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Let It Snow.
Where: Guildhall Rd, Swansea SA1 4PE
When: Wednesday, December 14 at 19:30
How much: Tickets from £12 for adults and £5 for children and students.
Book online at brangwyn.co.uk/events/christmas-celebrations-swingin-christmas
Beauty and the Beast Christmas panto
All the family can enjoy Swansea Grand Theatre's Beauty and the Beast pantomime this year. This classic tale of a cursed Prince and the beautiful village girl Belle who saves him will have musical numbers, slapstick humour and plenty of classic panto fun.
Where: Singleton St, Swansea SA1 3QJ
When: Wednesday, December 14- Sunday, January 15
How much: Tickets cost £23 for adults, £20 for children and £20 for 65+
Book online at swanseagrand.co.uk/BeautyAndTheBeast
Read more:
- All the Christmas films you can watch on Netflix, Amazon and Disney Plus
- This man has transformed his house into a winter wonderland
- How much does it cost to run Christmas lights over the festive period?
- Christmas adverts 2022 from M&S, Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Lidl and more
- Celebrations Christmas advert sees heart-warming return for 'Lonely Bounty'
