Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop - the local newsletter that's like finding the Quality Street tub with all your favourites left 😊

This week, Swansea is going full festive with everything from a Victorian Christmas takeover in Morriston to Muppets Christmas Carol at the Arena, and more yuletide markets and carol concerts than you can shake a candy cane at.

Plus, there's murder mysteries, GirlyPop madness, and the chance to dress up as Santa and dip or surf at Langland (respect to you brave souls! 🥶)

Whatever you're up to, have a good one and I'll catch you on Wednesday!

Andrew

Taking a stroll into Swansea city centre at the beginning of the last century, you couldn’t miss Ben Evans - a vast, elegant department store that stood on the corner of Temple Street and Castle Bailey Street, right where Castle Gardens is today.

This week, we look back at its Grand Christmas Bazaar, a huge annual event that thousands of families flocked to from Swansea and beyond - with some amazing old photos!

Read Swansea’s Grand Christmas Bazaar.

🚐 A new, free ‘Shopper Hopper’ shuttle bus has launched in Swansea city centre to transport people between key sites like Swansea Market, Y Storfa, and the train station.

🐴 All of the horses at Rhossili are to stay after their owner was able to prove historic grazing rights.

🏛️ Plans have been revealed for the refurbishment of the Mond Buildings on Union Street, including a bakery, ballroom, and apartments.

🎄 Swansea Council’s free bus travel offer is returning for the festive season - all dates here.

🌉 The 116-year-old bascule bridge in Landore is set to return after removal and restoration that’s taken seven years to complete.

☕ Matt’s Cafe has received a donation of £1,000 from Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE, which will help to fund its work to feed hundreds of hot meals to people in need every week.

🎅 Breakfast With Santa: Join Santa for a festive experience at BrewStone on December 14th, or 21st. Includes a child's Christmas breakfast, a gift, and a chance to meet Santa.
9 AM - 12 PM | £15 per child

🍷 Christmas Supper Club: Enjoy a Christmas-themed evening featuring Champagne, fine wines, festive food, and possibly a visit from Santa at ND John Wine Merchants. Limited seating.
6 PM - 9 PM | Free

🍽️ Christmas Pancakes: Missy's Bakehouse has launched its festive menu, with dishes including Festive Loaded Tater Tots, Black Forest Pancakes, and special hot chocolates.
Served 10.30 AM - 3 PM

🔥 God's Kitchen Opens: There’s a fiery new dining venue at Heaven on Castle Street, offering bold Pan-Asian flavors, combining fire, theatrics, and fusion.
Bookings now open

This week on social, we visited the new Y Storfa central library and community hub in Swansea city centre on its opening morning!

Check out the reel below and give us a follow! We’re now at over 20,000 followers on Instagram (woop!) and now at over 26,000 followers on Facebook!

💡 We caught the Morgans Hotel Christmas lights switch on… kind of.

🎁 We bought a Mystery Parcel from Swansea Christmas market.

📸 How did Swansea look at Christmas time in the 1920s?

🎨 We visited Swansea Airport to see a unique exhibition by local artists.

🎬 B&R Urban Explorers recently shared a glimpse inside the abandoned Elysium Cinema on High Street.

This 4 bedroom detached house in Three Crosses features a master en-suite, bright conservatory, double garage, and south-facing back garden. Offers in the region of £495,000 with Astleys.

🏬 Boyes has opened at the old Wilko building in Swansea city centre.

👟 Skechers has opened in the Quadrant Shopping Centre.

💆 RS Physiotherapy and Acupuncture has opened a new clinic at Mount Pleasant Business Centre.

🛒 Veeqo has moved into its new Swansea-based headquarters at 71/72 Kingsway.

🎤 Tickets are on sale for the Problematic Pub’s Swansea comedy club, opening in February 2026.

⚖️ Redkite Solicitors has opened a new office in SA1 Princess Quarter in Swansea city centre.

⚡ A new hydrogen refuelling centre for up to 38 vehicles is set to be built near Fabian Way.

This week, we chatted to Wendy Norris, chair of Swansea Tennis and Squash Club to learn more about what they offer - and a very exciting event happening next week!

Tell us a bit about the club: We’re tucked away behind the athletics and hockey facilities at Swansea University. We boast six tennis courts, four squash courts - plus a clubhouse with showers, a social room, and a bar.

And you’ve got a special event coming up? Yes! The Welsh National Squash Championships are being held for the first time in Swansea from December 12th - 14th, and will truly showcase our home-grown talent. Joel Makin, currently world No. 4 and Tesni Murphy (both whom recently competed in Hong Kong) will be aiming to retain their titles. Spectators are very welcome!

Does the club welcome complete beginners? Yes! Pay-and-play is available to all the community; there are coaching sessions in both tennis and squash for beginners, plus social mix-in nights for those who want to have some competition in a relaxed environment. Racketball is also available.

What's the atmosphere like at training and matches? We have five squash teams and more tennis teams than you can imagine - Men's, Ladies', Mixed, Vets, Juniors... covering all levels. Training and matches are competitive but also very sociable. Juniors are strongly encouraged, and Mimi Xu is a shining example of how far dedication, talent, and support can get you.

Finally... if you had to choose, tennis or squash? I couldn't possibly say! As a lifelong squash player, I am now fully immersed in both sports, still enjoying them and competing. However, at the club, you join as a single club member - there is no distinction between the sports.

Want to get involved? For more info, visit the Swansea Tennis and Squash Club website.

🏃‍♂️ Sport and Health Swansea for 50+: Enjoy a range of free sport and health programs by Swansea Council including climbing and Nordic walking.
Various dates/times throughout the week.

👴 Ageing Well Activities for 50+: Enjoy activities in Swansea, including movie and soup specials, coffee mornings, bowling, and social walks.
Various times | Free

🧶 Swansea Minster’s Christmas Trail: Explore knitted wonders that tell the story of Christmas, hidden throughout Swansea city centre’s shops. Grab a trail sheet at Swansea Minster and get hunting!
Available throughout December

🎤 Bronwen Lewis Live at Maggie’s Swansea: Enjoy a festive night with singer Bronwen Lewis. Ticket includes refreshments, grazing board, and seasonal treats.
7 PM | £50

🐸 Disney's The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert Live to Film: Enjoy a festive screening of the classic film with live musical accompaniment at Swansea Arena.
7 PM | From £36.30

🎵 Swansea Lovelight Concert: Support those affected by cancer at this special concert in St Mary's Church. Featuring performances from Richard Allen and the Tenovus Swansea Sing with Us Choir.
7 PM | £10 Adult, £5 child

🎷 Swansea Jazzland 'A Christmas Story’: Enjoy a jazz suite composed by Dave Cottle and narrated by Griff Harries, celebrating Richard Burton's 100th birthday year with festive storytelling. At Swansea Grand Theatre Arts Wing.
8 PM | £22.00

🎤 Uplands Poetry Night: Festive Launch: A new monthly poetry nights at Bar Saint James, with guest poet Rhian Edwards, readings, and Q&A.
6.30 PM - 9 PM | £5-£8, students free.

🎨Free COAST Activities: Free festive activities in Swansea funded by Swansea Council’s COAST program, including pottery painting (9th), dragon ribbon dancing (10th), and a waterfront winter event (11th).

🎄 Merry Christmas To All: Festive event at Tabernacle Chapel in Morriston, featuring the Afante Ladies Choir and Swansea Excelsior Choir, as well as the mighty Tabernacle organ.
7 PM | £10

🎅 Santa’s Visit to the Mill on Gower: Family Christmas workshop at Gower Heritage Centre featuring Santa's story, wand-making, decorations, duck race, and a visit to Santa's Grotto.
5 PM | £8 - £12

🎭 A Child's Christmas: Enjoy Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales" paired with Richard Burton's "A Christmas Story," performed by Lighthouse Theatre, at The Welfare, Ystradygnlais.
2 PM | £8 - £18

🎶 Dunvant Male Choir Christmas Concert: Join Dunvant Male Choir for a festive night of music at Swansea Minster.
7 PM | £10

🎅 Museum Little Mice - Christmas Special: Festive crafts, songs, and Santa's visit at the National Waterfront Museum, perfect for under 5's.
10:15 AM - 12:00 PM | Free

🎬 The Holiday: Film With Live Orchestra: Experience the classic Christmas romcom The Holiday with a full concert orchestra and large cinema screen at Swansea Arena.
7.30 PM | From £37.40

🎵 The Swansea Showcase: Celebrate Swansea's emerging talent wit performances from local artists and DJs at The Perch - Garage, Drum and Bass, Techno, Rap, and more.
9 PM - 3 AM | Free entry until 10.30 PM, £5 after

🎉 Bingo Lingo - Christmas Special: Bingo rave at the Patti Pavilion with unique prizes, dance-offs, and wild rounds. Also Saturday.
6.30 PM - 11 PM | £13.45 - £17.85

🎄Christmas Market: Enjoy a Christmas Market at South Penlan Community Centre with artisan gifts and tasty treats.
3 PM - 6 PM

🎅 Children's Christmas Disco: Jingle all the way at Gendros Community Centre with dancing and games.
5 PM - 7 PM | £2.50

🎩 Morriston Victorian Day: Step back in time on Woodfield Street in Morriston, with live music, crafts, shopping, festive food, whiskey tasting, carols, and more.
10 AM - 3 PM | Free

🎉 Arena Christmas Party: Join the festivities at The BIG Arena Christmas Party at Swansea Arena. Enjoy a 3-course meal, welcome drink, and entertainment.
£55 per person

🎶 O Magnum Mysterium: Swansea Bach Choir presents a Christmas choral music celebration at St Gabriel's Church, with guest organist Fiona Gannon.
5 PM - 7 PM | £16.96 - £22.38

🩰 Royal Ballet and Opera Cinema: The Nutcracker: The Royal Ballet performs Tchaikovsky's enchanting Nutcracker in this Event Cinema event at the Taliesin.
7.15 PM | £14.00

📜 Talk with Steph Mastoris - Swansea Historical Association: Join historian Steph Mastoris at the National Waterfront Museum for "Seasons Greetings: A History of the Christmas Card," exploring festive iconography over 180 years.
11 AM - 12.30 PM | Free

🎶 Record Fair: Browse vinyl treasures and music memorabilia at Founders & Co. in partnership with Swansea Record Fair.
10 AM - 3 PM

🎅 2025 Santa Surf: Head to Langland Bay for the annual Santa Dip, followed by Santa Surf - supporting Surfers Against Sewage.
9 AM - 11.30 AM | £3 for dippers, £5 for surfers.

🎼 BBC NOW - Carols for Christmas: Enjoy a heartwarming Christmas event at Brangwyn Hall with the BBC National Chorus of Wales, school choirs, festive carols, readings by BBC Wales presenters, and live music.
5 PM | £10 - £20

🎩 Magic Isn't Real!: Experience a frightening, funny, and baffling show at Sessions by Mumbles Brewery, diving into the infinite improbability of the universe.
Mon & Sun, 7.30 PM | Free

🔎 Murder Mystery Night - Christmas Special: Immerse yourself in a thrilling murder mystery experience at the Albert Hall with professional actors, clues, and teams solving the crime. Buffet included.
7 - 10 PM | £45

🎄 Young People's Carol Service: Embrace the holiday spirit at The Salvation Army on Richardson Street for a Young People's Carol Service - wear your Christmas jumper and bring along a toy donation.
10 AM

🎭 Mellin Theatre Arts Christmas Showcase: Enjoy the showcase at Swansea Grand Theatre's Arts Wing
12.30 PM & 4.30 PM | £10

Monday December 8th
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Noah’s Yard | Jazz Club | 8.30 PM

Tuesday December 9th
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM

Wednesday December 10th
Swansea Grand Theatre Arts Wing | Swansea Jazz Club - “A Christmas Story” - Richard Burton Jazz Suite | 8 PM

Thursday December 11th
Elysium | The Remi Hot Club Trio | 7 PM

Friday December 12th
Elysium | TCC - Originals Christmas Party w/ King Good + Wild Eyed + more | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | Two Til Twelve | 6 PM

Saturday December 13th
The Bunkhouse | Rites to Ruin | 7 PM
Sin City | Sounds of Solidarity | 7 PM


Sunday December 14th
The Bunkhouse | Rivera | 6 PM

Thanks for reading the Swansea Scoop. If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend who would find it useful as well.

Catch you on Wednesday!

Andrew.

✅ Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up

📧 Want to advertise your business to our audience of over 7,000 newsletter subscribers and 40,000+ on social media? Reply to this e-mail and we’ll be in touch!

👉 Sometimes things change, so please check the details for events and activities directly with the organiser to avoid disappointment.

The Swansea Scoop is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk.