Plan Ahead: Things to Do in October 🦢

Good morning, Swansea!

Can you believe it’s October already? The mornings are getting chillier, the evenings are drawing in - oh, and the clocks go back on the 25th.

But just as you feel like switching the heating on and curling up indoors, here comes Swansea with a bumper month of stuff to get you out nearly every day of the month.

This October, Van Morrison and Michael Douglas both head to Swansea Building Society Arena, Swan Lake and Giselle land at the Grand, the Ospreys back at St Helen's, there’s Halloween fun for half term, and tons more.

I’ll still be sharing a full round-up of things to do every Sunday, but here’s some of the highlights for October to help you plan ahead.

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The world's longest-running Beatles tribute act perform the band's top five best-selling albums, from Rubber Soul to Abbey Road, at Swansea Grand Theatre. Formed in 1980, the four-piece recreate the Fab Four's look, sound and stagecraft in painstaking detail, from the mop-top wigs to the period-correct instruments.

BBC National Orchestra of Wales perform Boulanger, Schubert, Beethoven and Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, with pianist Steven Osborne, at Brangwyn Hall. Berlioz's wildly inventive symphony follows an artist's opium-fuelled obsession through five hallucinatory movements, making it one of the most theatrical works in the whole classical repertoire.

Oriel Science mark a decade in Swansea with a daily Science Corner running 10am-4pm throughout October, alongside their usual hands-on exhibits.

Acclaimed jazz and classical pianist Gwilym Simcock leads a trio featuring bassist Laurence Cottle (Clapton, Van Morrison, Black Sabbath) in a tribute to bass legend Jaco Pastorius, at Swansea Grand Theatre.

A theatre production tells the story of Joy Division, from their formation to Ian Curtis's death and the band's rebirth as New Order, at Taliesin Arts Centre. It traces the Manchester post-punk scene that shaped a generation of music, blending live performance with archive-inspired storytelling.

The Illuminated Orchestra, an 18-piece chamber ensemble, perform themes from The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice and Wednesday at Brangwyn Hall.

Three home fixtures at the Swansea.com Stadium this month: Norwich City on the 10th, West Ham United on the 17th, and Blackburn Rovers on the 31st. It's a good month to catch the Swans at home, with three matchdays packed into three weeks.

The knighted, six-time Grammy-winning Belfast singer brings his still-touring live show to Swansea Building Society Arena, belting out classics like Brown Eyed Girl and Moondance.

Forty years into his comedy career, Harry Enfield revives Loadsamoney, Kevin the Teenager and more of his best-loved characters, with an audience Q&A, at Swansea Building Society Arena.

An autumn cider and apple-harvest weekend with live folk, ska, ukulele and bluegrass music, Welsh produce stalls and an 1890s apple press demonstration, at Gower Heritage Centre. Local cider makers press and serve their own brews across the weekend.

Two new shows open on the same day: "Neighbours: Borders, Bodies, Belonging", featuring works by Robert Frank alongside contemporary Welsh and international artists, and Peter Finnemore's solo show "Silvers of Space" - both run through until January 3rd, 2027.

Billed as the world's longest-running KISS tribute act, they bring the face paint and pyrotechnics-in-spirit to Hangar 18.

Learn the traditional Indian stick dance of Gujarat at a Dandiya Dancing evening, pay-what-you-can (min £1), at the National Waterfront Museum. No experience or partner needed.

Lynn Hunter (The Tuckers) stars in a new comedy-drama set in Skewen, at Swansea Grand Theatre's Arts Wing. The story follows a young man navigating life, love and identity in the area, with the kind of sharp local humour that made The Tuckers a hit.

The comedian goes phone-and distraction-free for an unplugged stand-up set at Swansea Building Society Arena.

Vintage buses come out of storage and back into service for the day at the Swansea Bus Museum's site at Winch Wen Industrial estate.

Imperial Classical Ballet bring a 20th-anniversary touring double-bill to Swansea Grand Theatre: Swan Lake on the 20th and Giselle on the 21st, both with full live orchestra.

A new exhibition opens at Elysium Gallery and runs through 19 November. It continues Elysium's programme of showcasing Wales-based artists working across painting, photography and mixed media in its city-centre studio space.

More than a third of the tickets have already been snapped up for our own social dining night, which returns to Flynn's Delicatessen. It’s £36pp for a delicous three-course Welsh-inspired dinner, with a 6.30 PM start. Solo diners, couples and pairs of friends are all welcome to meet some friendly new faces in a fun and relaxed setting.

Ospreys play their first home game at St Helen's in around 20 years, having moved their home fixtures there for the 2026/27 season. The switch to the historic ground marks a new chapter for the region after two decades at the Swansea.com Stadium.

The founding member of Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli brings his full band and a turntablist to Sin City. His deep, instantly recognisable baritone has made him one of the most distinctive voices in West Coast hip-hop since Jurassic 5's 90s heyday.

Make a living wreath from farm-grown succulents and Welsh moss at a hands-on workshop at Petallica Flower Farm, £60. All materials and guidance are provided, so no gardening or floristry experience is needed — just come ready to get your hands dirty and take home a piece you've made yourself.

A Halloween-themed comic con at LC Swansea brings guests including Dani Harmer and Ross Mullan. Expect stalls, cosplay and photo opportunities alongside the guest signings, with the Halloween timing giving costumed visitors an extra excuse to go all out.

The Hollywood star discusses his career and personal life in a live, in-person autobiographical stage show at Swansea Building Society Arena.

The Buttonsville band play Americana, jazz and Dylan-themed music with vintage refreshments at Dylan Thomas Birthplace in Uplands, in person or via live Zoom.

The BAFTA and Perrier-winning star of Black Books brings his new stand-up show to Taliesin Arts Centre. Best known for his dry, meandering style and role as the permanently hungover Bernard Black, Moran remains one of the most distinctive voices in British and Irish stand-up.

Half-term pumpkin picking meets seasonal storytelling with "The Witches of the Farm" for younger visitors and the evening "Harvest Calling" for over-12s, at Gower Fresh Christmas Trees.

A Halloween-themed edition marks ten years of the festival with free drop-in activities and ticketed shows, including a Wonderstruck Halloween Show, plus Maddie Moate and The Traitors stars live, at the National Waterfront Museum.

A 90-minute grazing board and drinks package runs across two Halloween-themed sittings at Au Vodka HQ, £34.95pp (12pm or 2pm, £10 deposit to book, 18+). It's a daytime option for anyone wanting to mark Halloween without a late night out, with themed drinks and décor to match.

The Newport rap troupe bring their Halloween-night show to Patti Pavilion, with support from John Mouse (price not published — check listing). The collective built a cult following in the 2000s on comic hip-hop hits like "Guns Don't Kill People, Rappers Do," and their live shows remain just as chaotic and irreverent.

That should be enough to keep you busy! As always, I'll keep you up to date with even more fun things to do in Swansea every Sunday.

Andrew

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