TOGETHER WITH
Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop - the newsletter that’s like the relief of seeing rain after seemingly months without it 🥹
This week's highlights include Wonderfest's free afternoon of activities at the National Waterfront Museum, outdoor Shakespeare at Oystermouth Castle, a classic car show, and Fleetwood Mac by candlelight - plus dozens more things to keep you busy.
Whatever you're up to, have a good one and I'll catch you on Wednesday!
Andrew.
P.S. Over 11,000 Swansea locals read the Scoop! Know someone who’d enjoy it? Forward this email to them and ask them to subscribe for free.
Sponsored by the National Waterfront Museum
Wonderfest! Brings a Free Afternoon of Activities to Swansea
Wonderfest! is taking over the National Waterfront Museum on Wednesday, August 26th, with a packed afternoon of free activities for young people aged 13+, parents and professionals.
From a surf simulator, tie-dye and beach art to cooking workshops, yoga, pyrography, garden games and even meeting the bees, there’s plenty to get stuck into.
The event runs from 12 PM - 4 PM and is completely free to attend!
WEDNESDAY'S SCOOP (ICYMI) 🦢
In January 1913, three Swansea sailors decided they were going to do what challengers around the world had failed to achieve: keep Harry Houdini tied up.
Their plan involved a seven-foot plank, a broomstick and a web of rope - based, they claimed, on an old punishment for mutinous sailors. By the night of the performance, the South Wales Daily Post reported crowds so large that traffic outside was almost brought to a standstill.
This week, we look back at the night Swansea tried to outsmart the world's most famous escape artist.
THE DIGEST 📰
Crowds gathered in Swansea city centre for Bonnie Tyler’s funeral on Monday.
📚 Swansea University's cultural collections have landed a £350k funding boost.
Former Wales rugby international Paul Thorburn is taking on a gruelling 12-day, multi-sport challenge across Wales.
🍽️ Work has begun on the restaurant and café planned for the top of Kilvey Hill, as part of the Skyline Swansea project.
🚻 Five new temporary public toilets have been installed near the seafront, replacing facilities lost when Swansea Civic Centre closed.
@SWANSEA.SCOOP 📱
It’s not often that the appearance of rain in Swansea makes the headlines, but this week’s short, sharp downpour felt worth documenting:
SWANSEA PROPERTY 🏡
This four-bedroom detached house in Loughor has an open-plan kitchen/dining room, en-suite shower room, and is close to a local school. Offers over £475,000 via Dawsons.
LOCAL BUSINESS 🏪
🎓 A new student discount app, Stavi, is launching in Swansea this September, hoping to get students spending more at local businesses instead of chains.
🌶️ A new Jamaican jerk food spot, Jerk Hut, is launching in Swansea on September 7th.
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SWANSEA SHOUT-OUTS 📢
Local musician Mal Pope got in touch to share his new single, Our Town, written as a love letter to Swansea and inspired by the hit Welsh National Theatre play of the same name. Check it out below!
Sponsored by Gower Walking Festival
🥾 Gower Walking Festival - Have You Got Your Tickets Yet?
It's just days until the 2026 Gower Walking Festival kicks off on Saturday, September 5th, running through to Sunday, September 13th.
Now in its 22nd year, the festival brings nearly 40 expertly guided walks across the Gower Peninsula - from gentle seafront strolls to more challenging hikes.
There's something for everyone: family walks (kids go free with an adult!) and themed routes covering singing, poetry, history, jazz, football and even a free beach clean.
Expect dramatic coastlines, sandy beaches, woodland trails, and the wildlife, history and characters that helped put Swansea on the map.
Several walks have already sold out and others are selling fast, so don't hang about.
👉 Book your spot: gowerwalkingfestival.uk
WHAT’S ON 📅
Monday, August 24th
Sponsored by Margam Country Park
🦝 Koby's Treasure Trail: Rufus the raccoon has stolen Koby's family treasures and hidden clues across Margam Country Park! Explore the park, meet friendly locals, solve puzzles and unlock each chapter of the story as you follow his trail.
Every day until the end of the summer holidays | £4.35 buy online or scan the QR code on arrival
👴 Ageing Well Activities for 50+: Enjoy activities across Swansea, including movie and soup specials, coffee mornings, bowling and social walks.
Various times | Free
🏎️ Mario Kart World Tournament: Join Swansea Gaming Central at Founders & Co. for a free Mario Kart tournament featuring a grand prize for the winner.
6 PM | Free
🎶 Swansea Musical Celebration: Join an informal music event at Swansea Minster celebrating Swansea with popular songs, percussion, artwork, and free Welsh refreshments, hosted by Chromamusic.
11.30 AM - 1.30 PM | Free
Family Fun
🎨 Make it Mondays!: Creative craft workshops like Tie-Dye T-shirts and Rainbow Weaving Basket Kits at Underhill Hub.
Mondays throughout summer holidays
🎈 COAST Multi-Activity Day: A variety of free activities including dance classes, cooking, and nature play for different age groups across Swansea venues.
Various times | Free
🧼 LUSH Swansea: Fizz-tastic Summer Bath Bomb Making: Kids can make their own bath bombs to take home.
Mondays & Wednesdays, 12-2 PM | £5
🏊♀️ Splash and Play at Wales National Pool: Free one-hour sessions for children under 16 to cool off in August.
Free for children, £2.50 for adults
📍 Swansea Marina Summer Trail: Free, fun trail to explore Swansea Marina, solving clues along the way. Return your trail sheet to enter a prize draw. Start at Morgans Hotel and finish at Dawsons' Marina office.
Throughout August | Free
🎡 Swansea Mega Value Wristband Fair: Unlimited rides and family-friendly entertainment at Singleton Lacrosse Field. Two daily sessions available for £12 per rider and £3 per non-rider, until August 31st.
12 PM - 8 PM | £3 - £12
Tuesday, August 25th
🎨 Pottery Painting with Craftsea: Create personalised ceramics at Albert Hall including mugs, vases and ornaments.
6 PM - 8 PM | £22
🎭 As You Like It: Illyria's outdoor theatre performance of Shakespeare's romantic comedy at Oystermouth Castle.
7 PM | £9.51 - £48.62
🎤 In the Flow Open Mic/Spoken Word Gathering: Monthly open mic event at Waterfront Community Church for songs, poems, dance, or artwork. Join in or just enjoy the show.
7 PM - 9 PM | £0 - £2.50
Family Fun
🏫 COAST Events: Multiple free activities for all ages including garden outdoor play and a bouncy castle across multiple Swansea venues.
Various Times | Free
Wednesday, August 26th
🎨 Life Drawing: Enjoy weekly life drawing sessions every Wednesday at Elysium Gallery, complete with basic drawing materials and a cosy atmosphere.
6 PM | £10 + free drink
🕵️♀️ An Evening with Holly Stars: Meet author Holly Stars discussing her latest book, "Missing in Soho," in conversation with Luke Blake at Waterstones.
6 PM | £3 - £13
Family Fun
🌞 COAST Events: Free summer activities including skating and science workshops at various Swansea locations.
Multiple times | Free
🏖 WONDERFEST!: Annual festival at the National Waterfront Museum with activities and workshops for ages 13+ focused on wellbeing. Includes surf simulator, beach art, cooking, and more.
12 PM - 4 PM | Free
🚍 Summer Open Days At Swansea Bus Museum: Visit the Swansea Bus Museum & enjoy Wednesday openings with heritage bus rides.
Wednesdays until August 26th | 11 AM - 3 PM | £1 - £10
🎭 I Can... Create: Dryad Shadow Puppets: Craft fantasy creatures inspired by nature using model-making and animation in this shadow puppet workshop at Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.
12.30 & 1.30 PM | £3 per child
🪄 The Ultimate Bubble Show: Join Ray Bubbles, International Bubbleologist, for a magical show featuring bubble sculptures, effects, and surprises, at Pontardawe Arts Centre.
1 PM | £9.70 - £13.50
Together with Welsh Coast Radio
📻 Listen live at welshcoastradio.com, on your smart speaker, on the app, or on 106.5 FM across North and East Swansea.
Thursday, August 27th
🪄 Pinocchio: Illyria's outdoor theatre performance of Pinocchio at Oystermouth Castle, suitable for all ages.
2 PM | £9.51 - £48.62
🖼️ Glynn Vivian at Night: Enjoy after-hours access to the art gallery, family workshops, kite exhibition, Swansea Open competition, mini kite workshop, self-led activities, gallery tours, and more.
5.30 PM - 8 PM | Free
🎤 Paul Smith - Happy: Comedy star Paul Smith heads to the Swansea Building Society Arena for a stand-up show filled with crowd work, sharp observations, and true stories.
Aug 27th - Aug 28th | 7.30 PM | From £40.18
🚗 Mumbles Summer Classic Car Show 2026: Enjoy 100+ classic cars on Newton Road, along with street food and shops open for late-night shopping.
5 PM - 8.30 PM
Family Fun
🌞 COAST Events: Free summer activities including climbing and drumming at various Swansea locations.
Multiple times | Free
🦋 Our World on Show: Free crafting workshops every Thursday at Swansea Museum to create displays inspired by Water, Land, and Sky.
10 AM - 1 PM | Free
🔩 K'NEX Big Build Challenge: Budding engineers aged 6+ can tackle XLWales challenges using K'NEX construction kits at the National Waterfront Museum.
11.30 AM - 2.30 PM | Free
Friday, August 28th
🧗♂️ Gower Climbing Festival 2026: Long weekend of climbing fun at Moorlakes Wood campsite in Southgate, including yoga, gear demos, talks, and climbing courses.
4 PM - 12 AM | £0 - £87.38
🤹♀️ Riverside Bank Holiday Festival: Enjoy a packed line-up featuring circus shows, BMX stunts, children's entertainment, live DJs, inflatables, games, food stalls, and more.
12.30 PM | £0.00 - £45.00
Family Fun
🌞 COAST Events: Free summer activities including breakfast club and creative workshops at various Swansea locations.
Multiple times | Free
📝 Drop in Family Workshop: Create a Writing Shed: Channel your inner Dylan Thomas by designing your own writing shed, using recycled materials.
1 PM - 4 PM, Quiet Session 10 AM - 12 PM | Free
🛶 Canoe & Kayak Hire: Free canoe & kayak hire for children at Coed Gwilym Park every Friday during school holidays.
Every Friday during school holidays, 10 AM - 1 PM | Free
🍿 Movie Night: Movie night with popcorn and sweets at Mayhill Community Centre in Swansea.
6 PM | Free
🎨 Summer Tots Takeover: Arts Craft and Play: Join with your kids for a free arts, crafts, and play session at Elysium Gallery's new classroom.
11 AM | Free
🎨 Summer Sessions @ Volcano: Drop-in craft sessions on Fridays featuring clay, LEGO, lanterns, plus workshops like zine-making, wave painting, and more.
11 AM - 2 PM | Free
Saturday, August 29th
🍴 Great British Food Festival: Fancy a short drive? Enjoy the ultimate foodie day out at Margam Country Park with chef demos, music, artisan producers, street food, and family entertainment.
Until August 31st | From £14.75
🍾 Oysters, Fizz and Live Music at Flynn's: An afternoon and evening at Flynn's Delicatessen with Crémant, oysters, and acoustic music.
2 PM - 8 PM | £18
🕯️ The Music of Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight: Fleetwood Mac hits at Swansea Building Society Arena, featuring live singers and band in a candlelit concert.
7.30 PM | From £22.50
🥐 Uplands Market: Monthly market featuring fresh food and handcrafted goods at Gwydr Square, Uplands.
9 AM - 1 PM
🎸 Oliver's Music Festival: Celebrate Oliver's Sports Bars' 1st Birthday Bash with live music, face painting, and food trucks, plus an after-party with a DJ.
2 PM - 10.30 PM | £3
🎭 Friar Maurice Investigates - The Hanged Man: Murder mystery walking tour through Mediaeval Swansea with Friar Maurice, recommended for ages 8 and above.
10.30 AM | £10
🎭 Beauty & The Beast Rockz: Manic Productions Bonymaen presents a rocking twist on the classic fairy tale with energetic tunes and panto madness.
7 PM | £4.84 - £5.91
🪴 Macrame Plant Hanger Workshop: Join Swansea Community Workshops to learn decorative knotting techniques by making a plant hanger.
12 PM - 2 PM | £4.50
🤡 The Silly Cabaret: Its Giving Silly Summer Ball: Adult-only event with sexy, silly, and bean-filled summer ball madness. Wear your glad rags for a night of cabaret fun.
6.30 PM | £11 - £16.50
🌺 Story of Clyne Gardens Garden Walk: Guided walk led by former head gardener Teifion Davies, exploring the hidden tales of Clyne Gardens.
11 AM | £3 (limited tickets available)
🎧 Grooveseries Presents: Ben Murphy: Ben Murphy's Wales debut at Bambu Beach Bar with a 360 setup, featuring house, deep house, and tech house music.
3 PM - 10 PM | £10 - £11.27
🛍️ Felindre Food & Crafts Market: A variety of food, drink, and crafts from top traders in a vibrant market setting at Felindre Welfare Hall.
10 AM - 3 PM
Family Fun
🎪 Clydach Community Youth Groups Showcase: Local youth groups, clubs, and organisations gather at Coed Gwilym Park, Clydach for a day of exhibits, taster sessions, free child entertainment, inflatables, and food.
From 10 AM
🔭 Our Friend the Sun: Oriel Science hosts workshops on the Earth's relationship with the Sun, exploring seasons, tides, solar energy, and more.
Wed-Sun, 10 AM - 4 PM | Free
🌞 COAST Events: Free summer activities including judo and science workshops at various Swansea locations.
Multiple times | Free
🐱 Accessible Film Club for Families: Flow: Enjoy the Oscar-winning animated adventure "Flow" in a welcoming environment for families, with arts and crafts activities, at Urban HQ.
2.30 PM - 4.30 PM | Free
Sunday, August 30th
🎵 Ibiza Radio 1 Ibiza Festival @ Swigg Swansea: Experience the sounds of Ibiza and White Isle vibes with house, deep house, and more at Swigg Swansea.
1 PM - 11.45 PM | £12.50 - £15.00
🐴 Woodfield Equine Sanctuary August Open Day 2026: Meet rescued horses, enjoy games, craft stalls, cake, and more at Woodfield Equine Sanctuary's Open Day. Support with donations.
10.30 AM - 3.30 PM | Free (Donations Appreciated)
👗 CATCH Market: 90s & Y2K Vintage Fashion Market + Clothes Swap: Browse iconic 90s and Y2K pieces, enjoy a free clothes swap, tarot readings, and bargain bins at Swansea Leisure Centre.
11 AM - 3 PM | From £6.13
Family Fun
🌞 COAST Events: Free summer activities including craft and cinema at various Swansea locations.
Multiple times | Free
🚂 Derwen Fawr Miniature Railway: The Swansea Society of Model Engineers opens its doors for train rides, tinkering, and refreshments.
10.30 AM - 4 PM | £1 entry, £1 per ride
📅 Hosting an event in Swansea?
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EXTRA SCOOPS* 🏷️
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*The above is sponsored content
LIVE MUSIC 🎸
Monday, August 24th
Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Wednesday, August 26th
Down By Here | Open Mic | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | Brook Fox | 7 PM
Thursday, August 27th
The Bunkhouse | Inkubus Sukkubus | 7.30 PM
Sunday, August 30th
Down By Here | ANNWN FEST Swansea Heavy & Hardcore Fest w/ Atlas Theory + Cold Heart + Deep Strike + Excursia + Made Of + Maelstrom + Slighted Hand | 4 PM - 10.30 PM
The Bunkhouse | One Love IIII: In Aid of the Mitchell Powell Foundation | 1 PM
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THANKS 😊
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Catch you on Wednesday!
Andrew.
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