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Kit Peters @[email protected]
2026-09-30

CHRISTMAS PARADE: Santa’s back on Sunday 22 November, and the council’s new float hint points to infinity and beyond

Put Sunday 22 November in the diary. Swansea’s Christmas Parade is back, from 5pm, and this year there is a new float the council is keeping under wraps.
Council leader Rob Stewart’s only clue: “Anyone who’s ever dreamed of reaching infinity and beyond should make sure they don’t miss it.”
That is Buzz Lightyear’s catchphrase, for anyone who has managed to avoid Toy Story for 30 years.
The route: Guildhall to Princess Way
The parade follows the route it switched to last year. Santa starts things at the Guildhall with a lighting display and fireworks, then the procession heads along St Helen’s Road, through The Kingsway, across College Street, along Castle Street and Caer Street, finishing on Princess Way.
There are two stages, one at the Guildhall and one outside the Dragon Hotel, with performances through the evening before Santa switches on the city centre lights and a second fireworks display closes the night.
More than 40 local organisations, schools and community groups are taking part, the council says, alongside fairytale characters, comic book heroes and Santa and Mrs Claus on their sleigh.
What last year looked like
Santa waves to the crowd as snow falls at last year’s parade (Image: Swansea Council)
Last year’s parade drew thousands on the same route, with the Living Snow Globe and its Snow Queen making their debut, the Witches of Oz float back, Spark! the light-up drummers and Kev Johns warming up the crowd on The Kingsway before Santa lit the tree.
Days later it won Event of the Year in the local authority category at the National Outdoor Events Association awards in Bath, the award the council is now putting on the poster.
“The award-winning Swansea Christmas Parade is one of the highlights of the year and a fantastic opportunity for communities, residents and visitors to come together and celebrate the start of the festive season,” Cllr Stewart said.
“Every year the event creates a wonderful atmosphere across the city centre, and we’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of people to enjoy an evening packed with festive entertainment, community spirit and Christmas magic.”
Make a day of it
The council is pitching the parade as the start of a day in town, with Swansea Winter Wonderland and its ice rink and alpine bar, and the Christmas Market, both open in the run-up.
The market was ranked the second cheapest in Britain last Christmas, with a £3.30 pint and £5 mulled wine, beaten only by Southampton.
The council calls the parade Wales’s biggest festive celebration. Full route details are at visitswanseabay.com.
The council has not yet said whether the buses will be free that weekend, as they were last year after a strike was called off.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Swansea’s Christmas Parade lights up the city, and earns national recognition
Last year’s parade in pictures: the Snow Globe, the witches and Santa’s arrival.
Swansea’s Christmas Parade named UK’s best council outdoor event
The NOEA award, and what the judges said.
Swansea Christmas Market ranked one of UK’s cheapest festive hotspots
£3.30 a pint, second only to Southampton.
More Christmas coverage from Swansea Bay News
Every festive story from the city and beyond.
#Christmas #ChristmasLightSwitchOn #ChristmasMarket #ChristmasParade #CllrRobStewart #NationalOutdoorEventsAssociation #Santa #SwanseaChristmasParade #SwanseaChristmasParade2026 #SwanseaCouncil

#christmas #christmaslightswitchon #christmasmarket #christmasparade #cllrrobstewart #nationaloutdooreventsassociation
Kit Peters @[email protected]
2025-11-24

Swansea’s Christmas Parade lights up the city — and earns national recognition
Organised by Swansea Council, the event kicked off at the Guildhall where Santa illuminated the building in red and green before launching the first of two fireworks displays. Crowds gathered at the entertainment stage to enjoy live performances, with professional acts and community groups bringing the city centre to life.
This year’s parade followed a new route, travelling down St Helens Road and the Kingsway before arriving at the main stage supported by Specsavers Swansea and Mumbles. Kev Johns MBE kept the crowd entertained before Santa’s grand arrival, where he lit the towering Christmas tree and switched on the city’s festive lights, followed by a second fireworks display.
The procession featured illuminated floats, marching bands, and larger-than-life characters. Highlights included Spark! the light-up band, the Winter Wonderland Birds, and a new addition for 2025 — the Living Snow Globe, complete with a Snow Queen in a swirling wintry scene. The Witches of Oz float also made a magical return, with the Good Witch in pink and the Wicked Witch in green.
More than 40 local community groups took part, including Mellin Theatre Arts, One Heart Drummers, and Bonymaen Kids Play Initiative — showcasing the depth of Swansea’s creative talent and community spirit.
The parade has now been shortlisted for a prestigious national award by the National Outdoor Events Association, recognising its impact, creativity and community engagement.
Councillor Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said:
“Swansea truly came alive as thousands joined us for our spectacular Christmas Parade. This event is a highlight of the festive season, and I’m incredibly proud of the effort and creativity that made it possible. It was a wonderful celebration of Swansea’s community spirit and a fantastic way to start Christmas together.”
View our photo gallery of the parade highlights, featuring illuminated floats, performers, and the moment Santa lit up the city.
A Cinderella-inspired illuminated carriage leads the parade past the Royal Court Hotel.
(Image: Swansea Council)Parade performers light up the street with glowing shoes and festive costumes.
(Image: Swansea Council)The Grinch makes a mischievous appearance on the Whoville float as fireworks light up the sky.
(Image: Swansea Council)A roller-skating performer dressed as a glowing gift box entertains the crowd.
(Image: Swansea Council)The Grinch returns on a peppermint-themed float packed with festive characters.
(Image: Swansea Council)Giant gingerbread characters bring sweetness to the festive procession.
(Image: Swansea Council)A glowing red dragon puppet mesmerises the crowd with its mechanical movements.
(Image: Swansea Council)A vibrant insect lantern floats above the crowd in a sea of artificial snow.
(Image: Swansea Council)Giant gingerbread characters bring sweetness to the festive procession.
(Image: Swansea Council)A gingerbread girl waves from a candy-themed float decked in festive lights.
(Image: Swansea Council)The Snow Queen poses inside her magical snow globe, surrounded by icy branches and ornaments.
(Image: Swansea Council)A glowing snow globe reveals a wintry castle scene as families gather to watch.
(Image: Swansea Council)A giant inflatable octopus dances through the streets with glowing tentacles.
(Image: Swansea Council)Spark! performers energise the crowd with illuminated drums and theatrical flair.
(Image: Swansea Council)Giant illuminated stars float above the crowd as artificial snow blankets the parade route.A performer in a tropical costume waves to the crowd, bringing warmth to the winter parade.A traditional pipe band in full Scottish regalia marches through the city centre.A glowing float of lantern animals — including an elephant, zebra and monkey — delights spectators.Spark! performers energise the crowd with glowing drums and futuristic costumes.A character car resembling Lightning McQueen leads the way, followed by a glowing double-decker bus.Swansea’s towering Christmas tree glows with blue and white lights as crowds gather to celebrate.Fireworks light up the sky above the Guildhall as Santa kicks off the city’s Christmas celebrations.A team of LED-lit drummers perform in formation, energising the crowd with rhythm and light.A glowing snow globe float sparkles with artificial snow and icy decorations.Parade participants dressed as glowing Christmas presents light up the street with festive joy.A fierce red dragon puppet rolls through the snow as spectators cheer.Children and families line the parade route, capturing the magic of the night on their phones.Kev Johns MBE brings sparkle and humour to the parade in his iconic pantomime dame costume.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Swansea’s Christmas Parade shortlisted for national award
The city’s festive spectacular has been recognised nationally for its creativity and community impact.
New route announced for Swansea Christmas Parade
Find out how this year’s parade took a fresh path through the city centre.

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#christmas #christmaslightswitchon #christmaslights #christmasparade #cllrrobstewart #fatherchristmas
Kit Peters @[email protected]
2025-11-06

New route announced for Swansea Christmas Parade
The parade begins at 5pm at the Guildhall, where Santa will illuminate the building with a red glow before a fireworks display signals the start of the evening.
Parade route through the city
From the Guildhall, the parade will travel down St Helen’s Road, along the Kingsway, College Street, Castle Street and Caer Street, before finishing on Princess Way.
More than 40 community groups, colourful floats and beloved characters from fairytales and comic books – including Cinderella and Rapunzel – will join the procession. Santa and Mrs Claus will wave from their magical sleigh as the parade makes its way through the city.
Entertainment and lights switch‑on
Live entertainment will take place on two stages: one at the Guildhall and the traditional stage outside the Dragon Hotel, where a new Christmas tree will stand. Santa will ceremoniously switch on Swansea’s Christmas lights before another fireworks display lights up the night sky.
Professional entertainers, fairytale characters and superheroes will be on hand to keep children and adults entertained throughout the evening.
Council leader welcomes new route
Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said:
“The Swansea Christmas Parade is one of the city’s most cherished events – a chance for our communities to come together and celebrate the start of the festive season.
This year’s new route brings exciting opportunities to experience the magic from fresh perspectives and it promises to be a truly unforgettable evening.”
He added that the parade is the perfect opportunity to start Christmas celebrations, alongside visits to Waterfront Winterland with its ice rink and alpine bar, and the Victorian Christmas Market offering artisan gifts and festive treats.
Cllr Stewart said the parade rounds off another strong year of council‑delivered events, including the Wales Airshow, IRONMAN, Swansea Arts Weekend and Croeso.
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