Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop - the local newsletter that's like getting a lie in on Christmas Day 😊

It's Christmas week, so things are understandably a bit quieter on the events side, but there’s still everything from tipsy painting sessions, pantos, and a Ladies day for charity - plus musical bingo and a Boxing Day rave!

We've also got a moving story about a Swansea man running the London Marathon for his dad, another turkey tale dug up from the archives, and a bunch of great local exhibitions you've got days left to catch.

Have a brilliant Christmas and I'll catch you Wednesday! 🎅

Andrew

P.S. The Welsh Blood Service reached out this week about its blood donation drive all across Swansea this festive season. If you’re able to help, please book an appointment here ❤️

It won’t be long before the rush for fresh Christmas turkeys starts again this year in Swansea, so this week I’ve pulled out several poultry-themed stories from the Swansea archives - including the biggest turkey the city has ever seen to a bird thief who hid the stolen birds somewhere quite unexpected.

Read Swansea’s Biggest Christmas Turkey

👷🏻 Work has begun on new shipping container business units and a block of flats in Swansea city centre.

🏰 Medieval Swansea Castle walls have been uncovered during redevelopment of Castle Cinema in Swansea city centre.

🎓 A 92-year-old Swansea woman has earned her fifth degree from Swansea University.

🚴 Swansea Council is looking for the best spots to install secure bike storage hangars in local residential streets.

💍 A 900-year old gold ring found on Gower has been put on display at Swansea Museum.

🏙️ Swansea has secured over £1.9m from the Welsh Government to fund the Biophilic Living scheme's commercial elements and create a new green courtyard in the city centre.

🏗️ Construction has begun on a new National Institute for Sport and Health in Swansea, promising to generate 1,000+ jobs across the city.

🎅 Brunch with Santa @ The Welsh House: Enjoy a magical festive brunch with Santa, including breakfast, a drink, and a gift for children.
10 AM - 1 PM | £14.95 per person

🍽️ Boxing Day Carvery at The Village: Enjoy a Boxing Day feast with a carvery at The Pub & Grill at The Village Hotel, featuring a roast turkey with trimmings.
12 PM | £10 - £20

This week on social, we visited Continue? Retro Video Game lounge, Swansea’s new arcade on Princess Way - pay once and get unlimited credits on all the games!

Check out the reel below and give us a follow! We’re at over 21,000 followers on Instagram and at over 27,000 followers on Facebook!

🍾 The best Swansea New Year’s Eve parties for 2025.

🚜 We caught Gower YFC’s Christmas tractor run as it trundled through Killay.

This two-bedroom semi-detached bungalow in Clydach has a modern kitchen and shower room, driveway for several vehicles, and mountain views from the rear. £175,000 via Clee.

🍛 Saffron Draig, a new Indian restaurant, has opened on in Port Tennant.

🛹 Sapnin, a new streetwear and skate shop has opened in High Street Arcade.

🌯 Pinatas Burrito Bar on The Strand and inside Socialdice has announced that it is closing in January (Socialdice is unaffected).

🕹️ Continue? Gaming Lounge has opened on Princess Way in the city centre.

🐮 Mad Cow Milkshake Bar has announced it is closing its Plymouth Street shop.

James Davies from SA1 got in touch this week to tell us about how he’s transforming his life through running.

James is over 70 days sober and training for next year’s London Marathon in honour of his father, who is currently battling thrombocytopenia, a rare blood condition.

Through his journey - which he’s documenting on Instagram - James hopes to raise awareness about his dad's condition while supporting others struggling with alcohol.

Follow James's journey on Instagram here.

Got a local story you want us to Spotlight? Reply to this e-mail to let us know!

Need a moment of calm between the Christmas chaos? Discover some thought-provoking art and fascinating history at Swansea's galleries and museums - it’s your last chance to catch some of these exhibitions.

🦋 A Very Natural History: From dried plants to pressed shrews, discover the museum's impressive flora and fauna collection. Ends 31 December 2025

🕊️ Triumph and Tragedy - Swansea VE 80: Commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day and remembering Swansea's resilience during the Three Nights Blitz. Ends 31 December 2025

🐚 Remembering the Cockle Women: Never-before-seen photographs, prints, and paintings celebrate the history of Penclawdd's cockle industry. Ends 31 December 2025

🎭 Richard Burton Centenary: Objects and documents from the life of the famous Welsh actor celebrate the centenary of his birth and iconic voice. Ends 6 February 2026

🎨 Our Visual World: DeafNot: Seven Deaf Welsh artists unite to challenge societal norms and celebrate Deaf identity. Ends 1 March 2026

🖼️ Wakelin Award 2025: Lucia Jones: Lucia Jones; art explores memory, self-perception, and the performative nature of femininity. Ends 12 April 2026

✍️ Artes Mundi 11, Kameelah Janan Rasheed: Kameelah Janan Rasheed's immersive graphic installation explores the poetics, politics and pleasures of communication. Ends 1 March 2026

✂️ Linder: Danger Came Smiling: Five decades of Linder's trailblazing photomontages deliver a humorous and cutting feminist critique of gender norms, fashion, and commercial culture. Ends 1 March 2026

🖨️ MiniPrint Cymru: Small-scale prints from emerging and professional artists across Wales showcase the accessibility and creativity of printmaking. Ends 10 January 2026

📚 'Love the Words': Interactive displays, recordings, and objects offer insight into the work, life, and cultural context of Dylan Thomas.

🤣 Christmas Comedy Night at Founders: Enjoy a festive evening filled with laughter at Swansea's Founders & Co. with 4 talented comedians, including headliner Dan Thomas.
Doors 8 PM | Free

🎨 Tipsy Kahlo Paint & Sip: Enjoy a creative evening at Albert Hall with a 2-hour artist-led painting workshop. Ticket includes materials, a completed canvas, and a welcome cocktail.
7 PM - 9 PM | £32

🏊 Free Family Splash Sessions: Wales National Pool Swansea is offering free under-16 swimming sessions and family splash sessions with music and toys from December 22-28, with daily slots at 10-11am and some afternoon family sessions at 2-3pm.

🎬 ALN Christmas Film: Home Alone: Enjoy a festive screening of the Christmas classic Home Alone with popcorn and hot chocolate at The Collaboration Station.
1 PM | Free

🧞‍♂️ Aladdin: Join a magical pantomime adventure at Swansea Grand Theatre, starring Joe Pasquale, Kev Johns, and Celyn Cartwright with animated sets, audience interaction, and musical numbers.
Various dates and times until January 4th, 2026 | £21 - £44

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

🎄COAST Activities: Swansea Council is offering free Christmas activities for children and families from December 22-28, including crafts, bowling, discos, hampers, and cinema club.

👸 Sleeping Beauty: Enjoy the annual pantomime fun at Penyrheol Theatre (Leisure Centre) with sing-alongs, and special effects in an original retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Also Wednesday.
11 AM & 6 PM | £14.01 - £21.56

🎄 COAST Activities: Swansea Council’s COAST program is offering free Christmas-themed events for children and families from December 16-21, including theatre trips, animal encounters, festive parties, art sessions, and sports activities.

🍪 Gingerbread Nativity: Join Swansea Minster for a unique Christmas service where you get to decorate gingerbread figures for a nativity scene, and sing carols.
4 PM | Free

🎄 Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve: Celebrate Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at Swansea Minister with a special service starting at 11:30 PM.
11:30 PM

🎬 Cinema & Co.mpany this Xmas Day: Celebrate Xmas Day at Cinema & Co., Swansea with a Xmas buffet, mulled wine, and a festive film chosen by votes. Donations for buffet dishes welcome.
6:00 PM - 11:30 PM | £00 - £23

🚶‍♂️ Boxing Day Walk at Clyne Valley: Join Teifion Davies for a 2-mile guided leisurely walk through Clyne Valley, exploring nature and ending with non-alcoholic mulled wine.
11 AM - 12.30 PM | £3

🥁 DRUM n BELLS: Join the traditional Boxing Day event at Hippos with DJs and the Old Skool Crew's "Crazy Irene.
2 PM - 4 AM | Free

🎶 Cliff Walk With Carols: Join The Wonder of Wellbeing for a festive walk in Rhossili, Gower, singing carols and pausing for prayer. End with hot drinks and an art exhibition.
10:30 AM | £12 - £30

🎭 A Variety Night with MPB: Join MPB at Bonymaen Community Centre for a festive evening of entertainment, including music, poetry, a quiz, and more.
6.30 PM | £4.30 - £21.50

👠 Ladies Day for Morgan’s Army: Enjoy a feel-good girls' afternoon at Gorseinon Rugby Club with drag queen entertainment, games, DJ music, fundraising activities, bar dancing, and food.
4 PM | £47

🎵 Musical Bingo at The Upside: DJ Jules hosts a Musical Bingo Night, featuring iconic songs, cocktails, and prizes. Match songs to bingo cards to win!
6.30 PM | £10

Monday December 22nd
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Noah’s Yard | Jazz Club | 8.30 PM

Tuesday December 23rd
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM

Wednesday December 24th
The Swigg | Hoolah Grove | 2 PM

Thursday December 25th

Friday December 26th

Saturday December 27th
The Swigg | Everything’s Electric | 6 PM
The Bunkhouse | Vain | 6 PM
The Swigg | Sunshine Cab | 9 PM

Sunday December 28th
The Swigg | Calypso | 5 PM
The Bunkhouse | Suns of Thunder | 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.

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