Half-term fun for free thanks to city’s culture venues

Some of Swansea’s leading cultural venues are doing all they can to help families through the cost of living crisis this half-term.

They’ll be offering a wide range of fun that won’t cost hard-pressed parents a penny.

The venues, run by Swansea Council, have great track records in providing accessible and affordable activities right through the year.

Council cabinet member Elliott King said: “Free activities are crucial at a time like this – they help keep young people active and help families focus their spending on essentials such as heating and eating.

“Many local residents are worried about how they’re going to make ends meet because of the cost of living crisis; this is one way in which we want to help.

“As a council, we’re here for Swansea and will continue to do all we can to support local people.”

Schools break up for half-term on October 28 and return on November 7.

During that period there is plenty to enjoy at venues such as the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea Museum and Dylan Thomas Centre – in addition to their ongoing exhibitions and displays.

An exhibition at the city’s Dylan Thomas Centre (Image: Swansea Council)

Swansea Museum’s half-term events include Riddle Me This. It includes free puzzle books, trails and hidden treasure. It’s on from October 30 to November 6.

The museum also has a photo competition for teenagers with Bluetooth headphones as the top prize. The challenge is to get arty through a camera lens.

On November 3, from 10am-1pm, people of all ages can celebrate the forthcoming Bonfire Night by crafting firework-themed kaleidoscope creations with an artist.

The Glynn Vivian is offering free Halloween workshops and family fun through half-term. They’re being held on a drop-in basis and no booking is required. There’ll be mask making and costume creations from recycled materials.

The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery (Image: Swansea Council)

There’s a Halloween family festival day on October 29 from 11am-2pm. The gallery’s Halloween holiday film club will be showing a selection of popular and classic animated family films about monsters, ghosts and spirits. This takes place daily from October 30 to November 3 from 1-3pm (not on October 31).

People of all ages are invited to workshops to invent, build, paint and create a large-scale 3D cardboard cityscape installation. This takes place daily from November 1-3 from 10.30am-noon.

The Dylan Thomas Exhibition team have an exciting programme planned at the Dylan Thomas Centre during half-term.

Staff and visitors will celebrate the poet’s poems about autumn. The centre’s young writer squads will have workshops with Costa Poetry Prize winner Jonathan Edwards, and the Exhibition team will be taking creative writing workshops on tour to Brynhyfryd and Pontarddulais libraries.

There’ll be a free, fun drop-in workshop at the centre where you can use a miniature printing press to create your own mini theatre, and self-led activities will be available throughout the week.

Other free activities organised by the council include October 29’s Spooks in the City with family entertainment, games, dance performances, music, theatrical make-up, a pumpkin hunt, roaming Halloween characters and gory props for photo opportunities. It takes place in Castle Square from 11am.

On the same day the council’s Swansea Market will host spooky shows, haunted portraits, face painting, cookie decorating and opportunities to make Halloween costumes.

On the evening of November 5, the council’s annual fireworks display will take place, lighting up the waters of Swansea Bay. The event starts at 6pm with the main display at 7pm.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)