Date set for Llanelli Christmas light switch-on and carnival

Families from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire and beyond will come together at the town centre on Friday 17 November to celebrate and mark the countdown to Christmas and, of course, see Llanelli’s Christmas lights switched on.

The fun will begin at 4pm with the opening of the fairground rides.

Llanelli’s Christmas Carnival is arguably one of the largest community Christmas events in Wales, and is delivered in partnership by Carmarthenshire County Council, Llanelli Town Council, Llanelli Rural Council and Llanelli Round Table with the funfair supplied by South Wales Showmen’s Guild.

With over 17 confirmed lorries, the carnival procession itself will leave Festival Fields off Sandy Road, at 6.15pm, and make its way into the town and arriving shortly after the Christmas lights switch-on at 6.45pm.

To enable the carnival to proceed safely, 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 and be in place until 8pm. The parade route this year will travel down Old Castle Road into Waunlanyrafon and not enter Queen Victoria Road and Erw Rd at all.

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

A fireworks display will mark the finale of the entertainment at 7.45pm whilst the funfair will remain open until 9.00pm.

Announcing the Christmas lights competition winners

Every year, Carmarthenshire County Council, Llanelli Rural & Town Councils and Ymlaen Llanelli, run a Christmas lights design competition with the winning designs displayed in the town centre.

We are delighted to announce that the 2023 winners are Kieara Bradley, junior category and Oakley Hughes-Picket who has been crowned the winner of the infant category. A huge congratulations to both!

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans said: “What better way to kick start the countdown to Christmas than to join in the festive celebrations at Llanelli Christmas Carnival.

“This a special event that allows the whole community of Llanelli and further afield to come together to celebrate, enjoy and have fun. Delivering a Christmas Carnival on this scale would not be possible without the hard work of many people and months of careful planning.”

Llanelli Carnival –  A timetable for the day

• 12:00pm: Cowell Street closed
• 4:00pm: Big and small funfair rides open with lots of side stalls plus selection of hot and cold refreshments
• 5.45pm: Road closures in place for Gelli Onn westbound, Church Street and side streets.
• 6.15pm: Carnival parade leaves Festival Fields, Sandy Road*
• 7:00pm: Arrival of carnival parade in Town Hall area*.
• 7.40pm: Spectacular Firework Display ** (Town Hall Gardens)
• 9:00pm: Fun fair closes

*All times and activities are subject to change. Road closures will start to take effect from 12noon, effecting town centre traffic until around 8pm.

** Timings subject to change due to Carnival Parade

(Lead image: Carmarthenshire Council)