Christmas carnival returns to Llanelli

Llanelli’s annual Christmas carnival is back, with a weekend of festive celebrations.

This year the town’s Christmas carnival capers will be a two-day event which will launch on Friday, November 19.

The carnival procession will leave Festival Fields, Pwll, at 6.15pm, taking its usual route and will arrive in town shortly after the Christmas lights switch-on at 6.45pm.

There will be a fun fair in Spring Gardens with a fireworks display marking the finale at 7.40pm.

This year the council has purchased a mixture of fireworks – traditional and low noise as part of its commitment to firework safety and to reduce the noise they can bring.

The road closure of Station Road and Church Street, Llanelli, from its junction with Murray Street to its junction with Gelli Onn, will start at 5.45pm until 8pm.

Gelli Onn will be closed to westbound traffic only, from its junction with Thomas Street.

The festivities will continue into Saturday, with a Christmas themed food and drinks market.

There will be street entertainment (outside Boots) from 10am with guest artists including a Tom Jones tribute, Ysgol Y Strade choir and Burry Port’s Cor Meibion. Drag artist Ruby Slippers will be making an appearance along with local singer Hayley Paultyn and others.

The largest Christmas carnival in Wales, Llanelli’s festive celebrations are a joint effort by Carmarthenshire County Council, Llanelli Town Council, Llanelli Rural Council and Llanelli Round Table. 

The popular reindeer parade organised by Ymlaen Llanelli will be held on December 4 in the town centre.

Last year the carnival went virtual for the first time in its 43-year history due to the Covid pandemic and in line with national regulations.

Carmarthenshire County Council Leader, Cllr Emlyn Dole, said: “We are delighted that the carnival is able to return this year and locals and visitors who travel to see this event deserve to have an occasion they can enjoy, however, we must remember that Coronavirus hasn’t gone away. We need to continue to remain vigilant and enjoy responsibly and by taking some simple steps such as wearing a mask will help protect ourselves as well as others around. And if you do have any symptoms then please stay at home.”

Anyone interested in entering a float in the carnival should contact Roger Bowen at Llanelli Round Table on 01554 750008.