Warm up for Christmas at city centre event

Street entertainment is among the fun being made available in Swansea city centre this weekend in the build-up to the Christmas celebrations.

The Wave will be on hand at Portland Street for an outdoor broadcast between noon and 4pm on Sunday (November 15) before the Christmas Parade and the switch-on of the Christmas lights.

A choir from the Mark Jermain Stage School will be on hand with Christmas carols and city centre Christmas brochures are being distributed.

The brochures include information on shops, parking and opening times in the city centre as well as the chance for one lucky person to win £1,000 for a seasonal shopping spree.

Details of Christmas events such as the Christmas Market from November 27 to December 13 and the French Market from December 10 to December 13 are also included.

Additional fun will see daily street entertainment in the city centre from November 27 to boost seasonal spirits.

Sunday's Christmas Parade (November 15) will leave the Guildhall at 5pm before making its way through the city centre to the Dylan Thomas Centre.

The festivities include Santa Claus, festive floats and a walking procession and will mark the switch-on of the city centre's Christmas lights.

Waterfront Winterland also returns on Sunday and will be open from 10am in the grounds of the National Waterfront Museum.

Cllr Graham Thomas, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said: "Excitement towards Christmas is now really starting to build and Sunday marks the start of the build-up to the fun here in Swansea.

"The outdoor broadcast and street entertainment lined up for Portland Street from noon gives people the chance to get in the swing of things earlier than ever this year and to help generate a festive atmosphere before the arrival of Santa and the switching on of the Christmas lights.

"A variety of attractions and events means this will be a Christmas to remember here in Swansea for all the family."

Have a look at www.swanseachristmas.com or www.waterfrontwinterland.com for more information.