Plan Ahead: Things to Do in May 🦢

Good morning, Swansea! I hope you’re having a good week and enjoying all of the sunny weather! ☀️

This week, we’re trying something new - a Plan Ahead edition of the mid-week Scoop to let you know about some of the bigger stuff happening in and around Swansea at the start of each month - so you've got time to get organised (and hopefully buy tickets before things sell out!). The usual Sunday round-up isn't going anywhere, this will just sit alongside it.

Let’s kick things off with May 2026, and it’s a busy one: we're talking beach festivals, Race for Life, a new city centre Block Party, Alfie Boe, and a lot more besides.

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Swansea’s biggest beach festival, Tunes on the Bay returns to the city this Bank Holiday weekend near St Helens and The Secret. JLS headline on Friday, Scooter on Saturday, and Rossi on Sunday - gates open at 12pm each day.

The ever-popular Blackpill Lido is back for the season from this Saturday, all the way through to late September. Entry is free and car parking is available in the Clyne Country Park car park across the road - grab a coffee from Chap in the Box and arrive early to grab a good spot!

Vicky Park Market returns to Victoria Park on Bank Holiday Sunday edition - local food stalls, independent makers and a great excuse to get out about. Free to attend. Check their Instagram (@vickyparkmarket) for the full trader lineup.

Head to Mumbles for traditional games up at Oystermouth Castle on Bank Holiday Monday - tin can alley, hook-a-duck, hula hoops and more - then explore the ruins and take in fantastic views over the bay. Great option if you're looking for something to do with the kids before the long weekend is over. May the Fourth be with you.
Normal admission applies | 12 PM - 4 PM.

We're in Mumbles for our first Dinner Club of the month a week tomorrow. Make new friends over good food, great people - and a lovely part of the city to spend an evening in. Seats are limited and tables are already filling up - book yours here.

Andy Parsons brings his new show Please #@!$ Off To Mars to Taliesin. After selling out his last tour, he's back with fresh material - and Taliesin is a great little venue for stand-up. Tickets on the Taliesin website.

Josh Widdicombe brings his new show Not My Cup of Tea to Swansea Building Society Arena - deadpan comedy from the BAFTA-nominated Last Leg co-host, and star of the Parenting Hell podcast.

At Swansea Airport, an exciting selection of supercars, sports cars and light aircraft will be on display, alongside great coffee from the Whirlybird cafe. Plus, take a scenic flight around Gower with Experience Flight for £50 per person. Free entry, everyone welcome.

The Strictly pros are at the Swansea Building Society Arena for two nights this month. If you're a fan of the show, seeing them do their thing live is genuinely something else. Good shout for a group night out. Tickets available here.

Two days of Race for Life in Swansea this weekend. Saturday is Pretty Muddy at Singleton Park - a 5k obstacle course, mud included, all in aid of Cancer Research UK. Sunday is the 5k and 10k Race for Life runs starting from Museum Green outside the Waterfront Museum. Whether you're running, walking or just going along to cheer someone on, it's always a good atmosphere. Sign up on the Race for Life website.

Swansea Amateur Operatic Society are marking their 125th anniversary with a full run of We Will Rock You at Taliesin. Four nights and legendary Queen songs by a company that's been putting on shows in this city since 1901. Tickets on the Taliesin website.

Second Dinner Club of the month - and we’re back in city centre with the easiest and most fun way to make new friends in Swansea - one diner last month gave the experience 5/5 and said she “laughed so much my stomach hurt.”

Okay, it's Port Talbot rather than Swansea, but it's just down the road and I’m sure plenty of you are already planning on going! Madness, Aitch and Snow Patrol headline In It Together Festival across the weekend at Old Park Farm in Margam, with day tickets and camping available.

The Welsh National Opera is at the Swansea Grand Theatre for two nights with Blaze of Glory! - the story of Welsh miners reforming their male voice choir, set in the 1950s valleys. It’s had rave reviews including five stars in The Stage, four in The Times. Tickets from the Grand box office.

Bunkhouse and Beer Riff take the party outside on Park Street for a unique event in Swansea city centre - Block Party takes over the street with live bands including Pastel and Suns of Thunder, DJs, street food and craft beer from 12pm. Tickets on the Bunkhouse website.

Alfie Boe closes out the month at Swansea Building Society Arena on Saturday evening. One of the biggest voices in classical crossover, he's sold out arenas across the UK and this one looks like it'll do the same.

That wraps up the best of May in Swansea! Let know if you like this new round-up and I’ll keep them coming 🙂

Catch you on Sunday!

Andrew.

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