Swansea Christmas parade: What you need to know to plan ahead and enjoy

Thousands are expected to enjoy the free Swansea Council event.

It will feature a vibrant mix of local community groups, dancers, bands, choirs, floats, inflatables, light-up characters, princesses and superheroes – all joining Santa Claus to switch on the city centre’s Christmas lights.

The council is encouraging those planning to attend to check arrangements beforehand as some roads will be closed to allow the parade to start at 5pm.

The parade will start from Victoria Road with an anticipated finish time of approximately 6.30pmat the end of the Kingsway. 

Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “We’re aiming to create a real carnival atmosphere full of light, music, and dancing.

“Santa’s arrival in Swansea city centre to switch on the Christmas lights is a wonderful start to the festive season.

“To enable a safe procession through the city centre it is necessary to close some roads and we are advising people to plan ahead and aim to arrive early to avoid missing the parade’s start at 5pm.”

The designated route of the parade will be: Victoria Road, Princess Way, Caer Street, Castle Bailey Street, Castle Street, High Street, Orchard Street and The Kingsway.

The city centre is expected to be busy during the afternoon and throughout the event and those attending are urged to plan their travel and allow plenty of time to arrive and make their way to the route.

There will be a number of road closures to enable the parade to proceed safely including East Burrows Road and Somerset Place from approximately 2-8pm and Bellevue Way from around noon- 9pm.

There will be rolling road closures from approximately 4-8pm on a number of roads including 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. Diversions will be signposted.

Parking will be available at several city centre locations, including council car parks.

There will be two park and ride car parks operating for the parade – at Fabian Way and Landore. Buses will leave every 15 minutes from 2-5.15pm from both park and ride sites. After the parade, buses will run continuously until 8pm.  There’ll be additional buses running back to the park and ride car parks. Motorists should note that both park and ride sites will be locked overnight. 

Throughout the parade there will be loud noises, flashing lights and special effects.  Those who need somewhere a little 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.

An accessible viewing area will be available on Princess Way and Orchard Street. Accessible toilets and limited seating will be available within the designated viewing areas.

In a bid to keep children safe within the city during the parade, this year “stay safe” wristbands have been introduced.

These will be available for the parade. They can be picked up by parents and guardians on the night from a number of sources, including the LC, Pump House, National Waterfront Museum, Waterfront Winterland, First Cymru park and ride buses and event stewards.

Stephen Williams, sales director of wristbands sponsor Consumer Energy Solutions, said: “As a Swansea company, our focus is on keeping the local community warm and safe this winter.

“We’re delighted to sponsor the stay safe wristbands for the Christmas parade this year and have no doubt that it’ll be a great event to kick off the festive season.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)