Last year the SWANSEA CHRISTMAS PARADE went virtual, this year, it’ll be virtually impossible to keep us away, as the Parade returns to the City Centre streets today (Sunday 21st November).
You won’t need a Covid Pass to attend, but the council remind us all to be mindful of the situation and continue to exercise caution and common sense.
Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said……
“As Swansea leads Wales out of the pandemic we want to make this a special Christmas.
Unfortunately, Covid is still very much with us so we’ll be asking everybody to continue to follow advice to ensure their continued safety and that of others. More details of this will follow as our planning continues.”
Having said that, the band will strike to welcome back the much missed annual event. There’ll be princesses and superheroes, magical floats, festive film characters, Christmas inflatables and of course Santa and his sleigh, as they will all be making an appearance at this year’s Parade and Lights Switch On!
We managed to put a call in to the ‘Big Man’ himself, and he told us…….
“I know all the boys and girls had a nice time with their families and friends last year but I missed seeing them in South Wales. Me and Mrs Claus, and all the hard workers had to make sure we were safe too.
This year we’ll make sure we get to see as many as we can and enjoy what is going to a ‘normal’ Christmas time. Just to see all the smiling faces again during the parades, will be the best present I can get.”
It is going to be an extra special magical time in Swansea this year with light up costumes, and plenty of festive cheer from the hundreds of young people from city community groups who’ve jumped at the chance to be a part of this year’s parade.
You’ll be able to see Belle and the Beast, light-up reindeers, the Princesses’ carriage, characters from the much-loved musical Frozen and more, all taking to city centre streets as the curtain goes up for the Christmas countdown.
And most importantly, see Santa arrive in Swansea and switch on the Christmas lights throughout the city centre.
THE CHRISTMAS PARADE ROUTE
The Parade kicks off at 5pm heading to Princess Way, and up towards Castle Square. Here Santa will magically switch on some of the Christmas lights from his sleigh and wave to children big and small!
The Parade will then continue up High Street, down Orchard Street and onto The Kingsway, where Santa will switch on the rest of the city centre Christmas lights, before heading down the rest of The Kingsway.
Head to the bottom of the page for the route map.
There’ll be giant light-up reindeers that seem to float in the air and magical Winter Wonderland Birds, whose moods change with the lights and music. The parade will also see return of Spark! – a street theatre show combining high-impact drumming routine with kaleidoscopic lighting design.
If you weren’t in the festive mood before the start of the Parade, you definitely will be by the end!
There will be loud noises, flashing lights and special effects throughout the Parade – if you need somewhere a bit quieter to enjoy the parade, the lower part of the Kingsway (St. Helen’s Road end) plus the top of High Street and Orchard Street will be the quietest part of the route.
Please be aware though that the nature of a parade means that noise and lights will be present throughout. If you have any concerns and want to discuss further, please contact the team on 01792-637300. Two accessible viewing areas will be available – one at Wind Street and one at the Kingsway.
Check out the Parking and Travel guide online, with full information on where to park, road closures information, where Park and Rides operating from just £1. HERE
And don’t forget – there’s a FREE bus service available too on the day of the parade, part of the Festive Free bus offer! Find full information on the Festive Free bus offer HERE.
The SWANSEA CHRISTMAS PARADE happens in the City Centre today from 5pm. They have so much going on in Swansea this year, just head over to their festive page for all the details. HERE
And to see what is going on in South Wales, take a look at our special feature below.