The best Christmas events across South Wales
Get ready to sleigh this holiday season with the best fun, family events across South Wales. So Bundle up your little elves and dive into a flurry of festive cheer.
23 Nov - 23 Dec
The Royal Mint Christmas Experience
With more sparkle than Rudolph’s nose, The Royal Mint Experience is a yuletide tradition not to be missed. Dive into an immersive journey with Santa’s merry helpers and explore the 360º wonder of Santa’s workshop. Snuggle up in Santa’s grotto and snag a cosy moment with the jolly man himself—but only if you’re on the nice list! Plus, kids score a cuddly gift from Santa! Don’t forget to smile for the Elf-Cam—it’s a snap-tacular chance to turn your Santa selfies into decorations, magnets, or prints. And for a little extra cheer, indulge in a few festive feasts at the café. Expect sleigh-loads of surprises and you can strike your own coin!
17 Nov
Swansea Christmas Parade
Marching bands, magical floats and Santa—oh my! The Swansea Christmas Parade is bringing a snowstorm of festive fun. Catch it at 5pm on Victoria Road, as it jingles its way to Princess Way and Castle Square. Bouncing inflatable Santas, light-up reindeer, and your fave characters will be making spirits. Don’t miss the grand finale as Santa flips the switch on Swansea’s Christmas lights!
14 Nov - 5 Jan
Cardiff Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland is at the heart of Cardiff’s Christmas celebrations! Featuring the much-loved undercover ice-rink and Ice Walk, the Big Wheel and family funfair. Chill out at the super cool Ice Bar and warm up at the Alpine ski-lodge. Hop onboard a giant bauble as you gently bob up and down around a picturesque Christmas tree and don’t miss the Arctic themed lanterns that will be illuminating the Castle grounds this Winter.
30 Nov - 24 Dec
Christmas at Tower
‘Yule’ want to be at Zip World Tower this Christmas as the magical Tower Grotto returns for some festive fun! Bundle up in your cosiest coat and go brimming with festive cheer. As you step into this winter wonderland, you’ll be greeted with a scrumptious gift and a sip of the good cheer: a complimentary mince pie and hot chocolate (and mulled wine for the grown-ups!). Then dive into delightful activities, starting with your wishlist to the North Pole at the Santa letter-writing station. Who knows, you might get to hand it over personally to the jolly old man himself! Afterward, twinkle your toes to the magical mezzanine, where Santa’s Grotto gleams with festive wonder. Snap endless selfies with Santa and share your Christmas list, and in return, unwrap your special gift along with a charming Welsh slate bauble to jazz up your tree. Before you dash away, make sure to jingle all the way to the gift shop for some last-minute Christmas gift shopping.
23 Nov
Bridgend Christmas Lights Switch On
Ho-ho-hold on to your Santa hats, because Bridgend Town Centre is pulling out all the (jingle) bells and whistles for their yuletide extravaganza! Dive into the festive fun at 1:30pm with Elf School, where budding elves can learn the merry art of helping Santa.
Get ready to jingle down the street in the spirited Christmas Parade at 4:30pm, led by the SPARK! Drummers. Join Santa, The Grinch and a gang of Naughty Elves as they shimmy from Carnegie House to the ultimate switch-on spectacle! The Main Festive Entertainment Stage hosted by Phil Hoyle from Bridge FM and Zack Franks will be introducing performances throughout the afternoon. Psst! Keep an eye out for that mean and green Grinch, who’s guaranteed to be stirring up some holiday mischief.
23 Nov - 24 Dec
Gower Winter Wonderland
Discover a winter wonderland at Gower Fresh Christmas Trees! Choose your own tree, visit Santa’s Grotto and explore a dazzling Lights Trail. Elves are jingling with excitement, ready to welcome wide-eyed kids into Santa’s wintery domain. Begin your frosty journey where polar bears chill in the snow, chatty trees tell tales, and elves are toiling away in Santa’s workshop. Deck the halls with cheer as you hop into Santa’s sleigh for a dose of Christmas magic. Snow showers may sprinkle sweet sparkles as you make your way to meet the jolly old fellow himself, Father Christmas, and his loyal reindeer. New for 2024! Venture into a dazzling illuminated trail that enchants with every step! As night falls, get lost in the wonder of a kilometer-long light spectacle, where stunning displays twinkle the night away, and an enchanted forest bursts with giant wildlife sculptures that will leave you starry-eyed and spellbound!
16 Nov
Merthyr Christmas Fun Day
A fantastic day filled with free festive fun for the whole family. Inka the Polar Bear, her cubs and her Sami handler will be visiting all the way from Svalbard, and The Bad Santas will be bringing Father Christmas into the 21st Century in style and getting you all into the Christmas spirit. Visit Santa and his helpers at their magical Grotto in St Tydfil Shopping Centre and enjoy a whole host of other seasonal attractions throughout the town centre, including real reindeer, fairground rides, face painting, and giant snow globe. Then make your way to Penderyn Square for 5pm, where Capital FMs Josh and Kally will be your hosts with plenty of festive fun, Christmas music, and a few surprises! Not forgetting Santa Claus, who is very excited to meet you all. As darkness falls, 5:45pm the lights will be switched on, beginning the countdown to Christmas.
30 Nov
Caerphilly Winter Fair 2024
Welcome to a town where Christmas spirit reigns supreme! Embrace the festive fun with sizzling street food, mulled wine magic, and exciting street theatre. Explore over 60 food, craft, and gift stalls, perfect for finding lots of stocking stuffer surprises! From jolly jingles to funfair attractions, there’s lots of festive joy for the whole family. Don’t miss The River of Light Lantern Parade at 5pm, culminating in a dazzling fireworks extravaganza at 5:45pm.
30 Nov - 22 Dec
Meet Santa at Llanelli Wetland Centre
This festive season, let’s quack open the holiday cheer with a splash at Llanelli Wetland Centre! Father Christmas himself is stepping out of his workshop for some feathered fun in the Heron’s Wing Hide. Beginning Saturday, 30 November, every weekend, Father Christmas will spread joy and maybe some birdseed as he greets families with a ho-ho-ho and a special gift for every child. But wait, there’s myrrh! Besides meeting the big fella in red, families can flock together for fantastic wildlife activities and bird-tastic talks. Winter at the wetlands? It’s pure magic!
1 Dec
Big Waterfront Christmas
Enjoy the perfect feel-good festive afternoon at The National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, with an extra flurry of seasonal sparkle. There’ll be mischievous elves, real little donkeys, life sized polar bear lantern, festive kids crafts, music and youth dance performance along with a special storytime with Santa.
15 Nov - 4 Jan
Swansea Waterfront Winterland
The ultimate festive fun stop you can’t miss, bursting with Christmas thrills! Glide your way across the sparkling ice rink where your inner skater can twirl like a snowflake. The ice rink at Swansea Waterfront Winterland offers a magical skating experience, set in a festive undercover setting to ensure plenty of whatever the weather. Feeling a bit chilly? Warm up in the alpine bar with a mulled treat. The funfair is packed with thrills for everyone and soar to new heights on the giant wheel for a magnificent view of the city. Don’t miss out on this seasonal extravaganza!
16 Nov - 22 Dec
Christmas Market
‘Tis the season to discover hidden gems and unique gifts at Wales Millennium Centre’s delightful Christmas market, where shopping small means making a big impact! Find one-of-a-kind treasures made with love by local artisans. Whether you’re decking the halls or checking your list twice, this offers the most wonderful selection of handmade goods.
30 Nov - 5 Jan
The Cardiff Bay Reindeer Trail
Santa’s trusty reindeer have taken a holiday detour! They’re frolicking around the scenic Cardiff Bay and jolly ol’ St. Nick needs your help to find them. This free trail invites everyone to get out and about in the Bay. There’ll be a chance to win a prize if you work out the festive word.
