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BLOG | November 07, 2023

Swansea Council's free annual Christmas Parade returns this Sunday, November 19th from 5pm!

Get ready for the magic of the Swansea Christmas Parade, where Santa will be joining us to switch on the Christmas lights and welcome in the festive season to Swansea.

So how can you best enjoy the parade?

What will be happening?

Swansea’s Christmas Parade will start at 5pm on Sunday, November 19.

There will be marching bands, colourful floats, festive film characters, Christmas inflatables, light up characters, fireworks and of course, Santa in his sleigh!

 

 

What will there be for my child to see?

See all your favourite princesses and superheroes, be mesmerised by magical light up costumes, and soak up the 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 light-up reindeers, characters from much-loved films 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!

With returning parade favourites as well as new additions, lights, music, snow machines and Santa himself, get ready to welcome the festive season in style!

Two large Christmas trees will be lit up – one at the top of Castle Square and one outside The Dragon Hotel.

Stay Safe Wristbands

Losing a child, even for a few moments can be very distressing and our Stay Safe Wristbands sponsored by Consumer Energy Solutions, can help reassure and get help fast. A mobile number on a wristband is the simplest and quickest way to help a lost child.

  • Wristbands can be collected from:
    The LC
  • The Pump House
  • The National Waterfront Museum
  • Swansea Waterfront Winterland
  • Glynn Vivian Art Gallery
  • First Cymru Park and Ride buses
  • Event Stewards

What will the route be? 

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.

 

Will there be any road closures?

In order to stage the parade safely, a number of road closures will be in place on the evening of the event. Where possible, closures will be implemented on a rolling basis. Access for emergency will be maintained at all times.

The designated route of the Christmas Parade will be as follows; Victoria Road, Princess Way, Caer Street, Castle Bailey Street, Castle Street, High Street, Orchard Street, The Kingsway.

Road Closures

  • East Burrows Road and Somerset Place – 2.00pm to 8.00pm*
  • Bellevue Way – 12noon to 9.00.pm* 

Rolling Road Closures

  • Adelaide Street, Victoria Road, Princess Way, Oystermouth Road, Caer Street, Castle Bailey Street, Castle Street, High Street, Alexandra Road, College Street, Orchard Street, The Kingsway, Dillwyn Street, Ivy Place, Christina Street and Wellington Street – 4.00pm to 8.00pm*

*Note: These are approximate timings.

More details on parade Parking and Travel here.

How should we get there? What about traffic and parking?

This year’s parade will start at 5pm, and the city centre is expected to be very busy during the afternoon and throughout the event so it is important to allow plenty of time to arrive.

A number of the car parks will be open but affected by the road closures from around 4-6.30pm. These are: Park Street East, Park Street West, Picton Lane, Pell Street, Oxford Street and Worcester Place.

You can find a full list of city centre car parks them including locations and postcodes at swansea.gov.uk/carparks.

Parking Restrictions

For safety, security and to aid traffic movement in the area, we are required to keep some roads free of parked vehicles and therefore there will be parking restrictions and a vehicle tow-away operation taking place on these roads;

  • East Burrows Road, Somerset Place, Princess Way, Caer Street, Castle Bailey Street, Castle Street, High Street, Alexandra Road, College Street, Orchard Street, The Kingsway, Dillwyn Street, Wellington Street, Adelaide Street – 2.00pm to 8.00pm

More details on parade Parking and Travel here.

What about Park and Ride?

There will be 2 Park and Rides operating for the Christmas Parade; Fabian Way and Landore. 

Buses will leave every 15 minutes from 2pm until 5.15pm from both Landore and Fabian Way Park and Ride sites. After the parade, buses will run continuously until 8pm, more buses will be laid on for the return journey.

Please be aware that traffic will be busy in the City Centre in the build up to the event – if you are planning to use the Park and Rides, please allow plenty of time for travel from the Park and Ride site to the City Centre itself. Please note: both Park and Ride sites will be locked overnight. 

Fabian Way Park and Ride 

  • Cost per vehicle – £1 
  • Postcode – SA1 8LD 
  • Open between 2pm and 8pm 
  • Tickets available from Fabian Way Park and Ride ticket machine 
  • Drop off and collection point – Quadrant Bus Station 

Landore Park and Ride 

  • Cost per vehicle – £1 
  • Postcode – SA1 2JT 
  • Open between 2pm and 8pm 
  • Tickets available from Landore Park and Ride ticket machine 
  • Drop off and collection point – Swansea Train station 

More details on parade Parking and Travel here.

What about getting home afterwards?

Due to the large number of vehicles likely to be leaving the area within a short space of time, traffic is expected to be heavy at the end of the event so please be patient.

Accessibility

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 us at 01792 635428. An accessible viewing area will be available on Princess Way and Orchard Street.

No booking required, just turn up on the night.  Accessible toilets and limited seating also available within the viewing areas.


Sponsors
 

Official Travel Partner

Supporter of the Bay Rider Land Train

Sponsor of Stay Safe Wristbands

Supporter of the Walking Groups

Thank you to Morgan’s Hotel for providing performers changing rooms.


Thank you to Days Rental and Days Motor Group for providing vehicles for the parade.

Swansea’s superb Christmas trees are brought to you in partnership with Communities for Work+ and Kartay.