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Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop - the local newsletter that's like standing against a hot radiator and never wanting to leave 😄

This festive fun is ramping up again this week in Swansea, with loads of Christmas markets across the city, several Christmas concerts, a bauble painting workshop, and tons more.

Not feeling Christmassy yet? You can catch Michael Sheen and Matthew Rhys chatting about Richard Burton, try life drawing with models in period dress, go wild at an 80s & 90s silent disco, or visit an animal sanctuary’s open day - and tons more!

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

Andrew

Sponsored by Swansea Guitar Circle

Live Music to Warm Your Winter Evening 🎶

Swansea Classical Guitar Circle’s much-loved Grand Winter Classical Guitar Concert returns to Sketty Park Community Centre on Saturday November 29th.

Enjoy an evening of beautiful classical guitar music performed by over 20 talented players – from soloists and duets to full ensemble pieces – with music by Sir Karl Jenkins (Penclawdd born!), and delightful gems such as the Snow Globe, Pachelbel's famous Canon, and the Capricho Árabe.

Whether you're a long-time music lover or just fancy a chance to unwind from the chaos of the festive season, it promises to be a feelgood concert full of amazing musicianship and timeless melodies.

There’ll be tea, coffee, homemade cakes, savouries, and sandwiches during the interval – plus a few festive carols to send you home full of the Christmas spirit!

Tickets to this popular event are just £10, including refreshments. Doors open at 6.30 PM for the concert to start at 7 PM.

Book Now

WEDNESDAY'S SCOOP (ICYMI) 🦢

This week, we’re revisited the Swansea Christmas parade that left thousands upset, sparked a social media storm, and pressured Swansea Council into producing a Christmas comeback for the ages.

Read How Swansea Saved Its Christmas Parade.

THE DIGEST 📰

🚌 Free bus travel returned to Swansea this weekend, with free rides until 9 PM tonight.

📚 Swansea's new Y Storfa community hub, featuring the city's main library and council services opens on Monday December 1st.

🚍 First Cymru bus drivers in south and west Wales have suspended their planned two-month strike while members vote on an improved pay offer.

🎓 A blue plaque has been unveiled at Langland Bay honouring philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, who regularly visited Swansea in the 1940s.

🌟 A 16-year-old Ukrainian refugee has become the first school pupil to complete an internship at Swansea University's semiconductor centre, researching space-based solar panels.

FOOD & DRINK 🥙

🍷 Christmas Wine Tasting 2025: Join ND John Wine Merchants in Uplands on November 27th for a Christmas wine tasting event to find the perfect wines for your festive celebrations.

🌲 Christmas Casting & Afternoon Tea: Create clay designs at Parc Le Breos Country House, followed by festive afternoon tea, hosted by We Are Woven on November 29th.

🌱 Christmas Dinner Nights at Ground Plant Based Coffee: Enjoy a Vegan Christmas Dinner with a three-course menu at Ground Plant Based Coffee in Bryn-y-mor this festive season.

🍕 Pizza Boyz Christmas Menu: Try limited time items like a Christmas Classic pizza and Christmas Cheesecake Jar at Pizza Boyz on Walter Road.

🎅 Elf on the Shelf Dining Experience: At Food by Sean No. 600 in Ynystawe on November 29th and 30th, children can tuck into Christmas Tree Waffles, write a Letter to Santa, and enjoy an Elf Encounter.

@SWANSEA.SCOOP 📱

This week on social, we visited the new The Swansea Jack sports bar on Little Wind Street.

Check out the reel below and give us a follow! We’re over 19,000 followers on Instagram and over 24,000 followers on Facebook!

SWANSEA PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT 🏡

This new build, three bedroom terraced house at Beacon Hill in Townhill has a south-facing raised deck garden and integral garage. £130,000 with shared ownership via Pobl Living.

🛍️ SWANSEA LOCAL BUSINESS

🥐 Saint Hugo has secured new premises in Swansea city centre to house its expanding bakery.

🍺 Drop Bear Beer Co., has secured its first major national UK deal with Morrisons supermarket.

🏉 The Patti will transform into a fan zone with huge screen for the Six Nations 2026.

🌯 Plan Burrito is opening up “very soon” on Union Street in the city centre.

A SPELLBINDING NEW MARKET STALL

Abracadabra in Swansea Market

Local artist, Mary Hayman, has opened a new stall at the centre of Swansea Market - Abracadbra. We popped down to find out more:

Tell us a little bit about Abracadabra? Abracadabra is my new stall where I display and sell my artwork and take portrait commissions. The market is a special place; I had previously worked on a Glynn Vivian community project there, where I painted over 100 portraits of stallholders.

Do you have a favourite local beauty spot to paint? I love painting in various Gower bays, each for different reasons: Caswell is always full of activity, Pwll Du is more secluded and peaceful, and Rhossili is expansive and wild.

For portrait commissions, what’s your process like? Portraiture is challenging and rewarding; capturing a likeness of a person on the spot is particularly interesting. I like to sketch a few lines then use watercolour to bring more warmth and personality to the study.

What’s your go-to medium to work in? I mostly work in watercolour because it’s portable and versatile. Over the past few years, I’ve experimented with making my own paint from natural, non-toxic ingredients and using recycled paper that includes local plants.

You’ve been part of Swansea’s art scene for many years - how have you seen it evolve? Over the years, groups of artists have worked hard to create more studios and spaces for creative people in Swansea, and the city’s cultural life has been deeply enriched by the skills and cultures of people from many different countries.

Abracadabra is open in Swansea Market from 10 AM - 4 PM Monday to Saturday. Pop in (tell Mary we sent you!), or contact Mary by phone/WhatsApp on 07961979733 or e mail [email protected]

SWANSEA SHOUT-OUTS

🔧 Direct Supplies is looking for a Trainee Domestic Appliance Engineer to join its team.

🩸 Welsh Blood Service will be at St Hilary’s Church Hall in Killay on Friday November 28th.

🏉 Ospreys Wheelchair Rugby Club is looking for volunteers to help its players shine.

💬 Swansea Long Covid has launched a new meet-up at The Collaboration Station on the fourth Thursday of every month from 10 AM - 12 PM.

📱 The Patti is looking for someone to be the face of its social media videos.

Got something to shout-out to Swansea? Let us know here.

Sponsored by Waterstones Swansea

Swansea Waterstones’ Big Birthday Bash!

Join us to celebrate 30 years of Waterstones at the Old Carlton Cinema in Swansea with our big Christmas event on Thursday, December 4th!

Step back in time for a Jane Austen-inspired afternoon tea with live music and quiz from 2 – 4 PM. Don your best Regency attire for the chance to win a prize - booking required.

From 5.30 to 7.30 PM, drop in to meet authors James Norbury, Jack Strange and Anna Fiteni as they sign books and chat with readers. Enjoy mulled wine, mince pies, festive crafts. Plus, earn double Plus Card stamps on all your Christmas shopping! No booking needed - everyone’s welcome!

Want to get your business in front of our audience of over 50,000 locals across the Swansea Scoop newsletter and social media? Email [email protected] and let’s chat!

WHAT’S ON

Monday November 24th

🎡 Waterfront Winterland: Get into the festive spirit at Museum Green with ice skating, live music, fairground rides like the Big Wheel, Dodgems, Snow slide, and an array of food and drink.

🎅 Santa’s Tour of Killay: Join Santa as he tours various locations in Killay and Dunvant, starting at St Hilary's Church.
5.30 PM - 7.15 PM

🏃‍♂️ 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

Tuesday November 25th

🎭 In Conversation with Michael Sheen and Matthew Rhys: An exclusive evening featuring acclaimed Welsh actors Michael Sheen and Matthew Rhys reflecting on Richard Burton's legacy, at Swansea Grand Theatre Arts Wing. Live music, complimentary drink, and fundraising for Welsh National Theatre.
8.30 PM | £120

🎭 Silent Night, Raging Eve: Joanna Simpkins opens her solo, dark comedy production exploring aging in a beauty-obsessed society during Eve's holiday party - at Volcano Theatre until December 20th.
7.30 PM | £5

🚵‍♂️ Brett Tippie – The Right Line: Join Brett Tippie, a Freeride Mountain Biking pioneer, as he details his professional journey from success to downfall and back - at Pontardawe Arts Centre.
7.30 PM | £18.50 - £21.50

🧥 Cinema & Clothes - Sustainable Clothes Swap: Clear out your wardrobe and swap clothes sustainably at Cinema & Co. Bring 5 items, enjoy a glass of fizz on arrival.
6 PM - 8 PM | £5

Wednesday November 26th

🎨 Period-Dress Life-Drawing: Join a unique life-drawing experience with special guests from Swansea Little Theatre in period dress inspired by Cinderella. Guided workshop by TS Wolfe at Elysium Bar.
7 PM - 9 PM | £6.50 - £8

🩰 The Nutcracker: Imperial Classical Ballet presents its production of The Nutcracker at Swansea Grand Theatre, featuring live orchestra music, snow flurries, sweets, and magic.
7 PM | £35 - £42

🎄 Maggie’s Christmas Extravaganza: Kick off your festive season at Swansea Arena with Maggie’s Christmas Extravaganza, featuring a lineup of acts supporting Maggie’s cancer care in Swansea.
7.30 PM | From £29.93

🩰 Royal Ballet and Opera Cinema - Cinderella: Enjoy an enchanting on-screen performance by The Royal Ballet at the Taliesin, as Cinderella's story comes to life.
7.15 PM | £14, Under 26's/Student: £5.00

🎤 Urban Tales: Launch event at Urban HQ featuring inspiring talks from Swansea locals, kicking off with Rachel Ashe MBE, Amina Abu-Shahba, and Dr. Ben Reynolds.
7 PM | From £4

Thursday November 27th

🎭 Swansea Fringe Festival: Swansea City Centre hosts a creative explosion in a variety of venues all weekend, with music, comedy, and spoken word performances from 27th to 29th November.
Free | £8 - £25

🎄 Christmas in Mumbles: Christmas celebration in Mumbles, featuring a festive parade, light switch-on, live entertainment, and performances by local choirs and bands.
3 PM - 9.30 PM | Free

🎤 Nick Helm: No One Gets Out Alive!: Comedy show featuring Nick Helm at the Taliesin, with one-liners, stories, and songs.
7.30 PM | £17 - £19.50

🩰 The Sleeping Beauty: Imperial Classical Ballet returns to Swansea Grand Theatre ith its production of this classic fairytale, featuring a large live orchestra.
7 PM | £35 - £42

🎨 Sip and Paint: Unleash your inner artist with a paint-along at FIKA in Mumbles, , perfect for all skill levels - with a cocktail included.
7 PM - 9 PM | £33.22

Friday November 28th

🎤 Chuckl. Swansea: Enjoy a night of laughter with comedians Gary Delaney, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Nabil Abdulrashid, and Leroy Brito at Swansea Grand Theatre.
7 PM | £25.50

🎅 Ffynone Winter Extravaganza: Enjoy a festive afternoon at Ffynone School with Christmas stalls, Santa's Grotto, a Christmas Raffle, food, drinks, games, and workshops.
2 PM - 4.30 PM

📝 Plant Paper Making Workshop: Try your hand at ancient papermaking with Wild Plant Paper, using recycled pulp and locally grown plants - at Volcano Theatre.
10.30 AM - 12.30 PM | Free

🎨 Festive Lino Printmaking Workshop: Design and print Christmas cards and gift tags at Pontardawe Heritage and Visitor UK Centre.
10.30 AM - 12.30 PM | £20.00

🖼️ Mumbles Art Collective Winter Exhibition: Enjoy a diverse array of paintings at this exhibition at Newton Hall, Caswell. Open daily until December 2nd.
Opens 7 PM, Nov 28, then 11 AM - 4 PM daily

🎅 Grovesend Santa Parade: Join the festive Santa Parade in Grovesend! The route begins at Dolegad Farm, ending with the Xmas tree lighting.
5 PM

Saturday November 29th

🎼 Swansea University Musicians' Society - Winter Showcase: Enjoy a festive musical evening with the Symphony Orchestra, Big Band, and Wind Orchestra, along with other university society performances - at the Taliesin.
7 PM | £7.50 - £10.00

🎻 ChromaMusic Festive Film Christmas Concert: Enjoy an orchestra and choir performance of holiday hits from popular festive films like Home Alone and Harry Potter at St Catherine’s Church in Gorseinon.
3 PM - 5 PM | £3.50 - £7

🎧 80s & 90s Immersive Silent Disco: Dance to the iconic hits of the 80s and 90s amidst the grand architecture and murals of Brangwyn Hall in this unique silent disco.
7 PM | £29.50

Local Markets

🎄 Swansea Christmas Market: Enjoy a festive market with food, crafts, treats, and Alpine Bar at Oxford Street and Portland Street, starting today until December 22nd.
Nov 29th - Dec 22nd | Free

🎄 Not Your Average Christmas Fair 2025: This sixth annual Christmas fair at the Dylan Thomas Centre offers a festive atmosphere with local creative businesses, handmade gifts, live music, and Christmas movies.
10 AM – 4 PM

🎻 Bay Print Co. Midwinter Festival: Enjoy a market by day and live folk music by night at Mumbles Ostreme Centre, all part of the Bay Print Company's Midwinter Festival.
7:30 PM | Free

🎁 Founders & Co. Xmas Market: Shop for gifts, home decor, jewellery, fashion, and more while enjoying live music at Founders & Co. on Wind Street.
10 AM - 3 PM | Free Entry

🍽️ Uplands Market: Monthly market at Gwydr Square, with fresh food and handcrafted goods from local vendors.
9 AM - 1 PM

🎄 Llys Nini Christmas Fayre: Get into the Christmas spirit with unique gifts, festive food, mulled wine, all while supporting Llys Nini Rspca.
11 AM - 3 PM

🛍️ Felindre Food & Crafts Market: Discover a variety of local businesses offering food, drinks, crafts, and more at Felindre Welfare Hall & Grounds.
10 AM - 3 PM

Family Fun

🎄 Christmas Land - The Elf Detective Agency: Join Sherlock Sparkle and Detective Humbug at Mumbles Pier to solve the case of Santa's missing mince pies, with immersive activities, letter writing, and a toy shop visit.
29 Nov - 23 Dec 2025 | £20 - £23

🔬 Future Technologies: Explore interactive mini-activities at Oriel Science every Saturday & Sunday in November. Design megachips, try smart circuits, and learn about microchips.
10 AM - 4 PM | Free

🎄 A Child’s Christmas in Wales Activities: Enjoy free 'A Child's Christmas in Wales' themed activities at The Dylan Thomas Centre, featuring crafts, games, storytelling, and more. Until January 4th, 2026.
10 AM - 4 PM | Free

🖨️ Print it Stamp It Print it: Family-friendly drop-in workshop at National Waterfront Museum to create vintage-inspired Christmas cards using antique woodtype and letterpress printing.
12:30 PM - 3.30 PM | Free

🎅 Santa's Christmas Party: Help Santa save the party from Jack Frost's mischief in this 45-minute interactive family show at The Welfare, Ystratgynlais.
2 PM | £9

Sunday November 30th

🎄 Christmas Tree Day with Woodland Crafts: Festive fun at The Glade, Pentrechwyth Road (SA1 7AN) with tree picking, crafts, face painting, wreath making, and more - hoted by Kilvey Woodland Volunteers.
11 AM - 3 PM | Free

🎳 K-Pop Demon Hunters Party: Enjoy a K-Pop extravaganza at Swansea Bowl with face paint, music, and pizza.
November 30th | 4 PM - 8 PM | £35 per group

🕯️ Messiah By Candlelight: Enjoy a choral classic, perfect for the Christmas season at Tabernacle Chapel Morriston, with a special performance by the Tabernacle Morriston Choir & Friends.
5 PM | £15.00

🎥 Classic Movie Night: The Godfather: Experience the iconic film on the big screen at Swansea Albert Hall, just as it was in 1972, with tickets at just 73p - the price you would have paid to watch it in the building’s original cinema.
8 PM | 73p

👗 Vintage Clothing Sale: The UK's largest vintage clothing arrive in Swansea, with tons of mix-and-match treasures at the Brangwyn Hall.
11 AM - 4 PM

🖌️ Christmas Bauble Painting: Design and decorate Christmas baubles with Peggy Potts at Morgans Hotel, with a cosy festive atmosphere, mulled wine, and mini charcuterie topper.
5.30 PM | £35pp

🎄 The Crofty Inn Christmas Market: Join a festive market at The Crofty Inn, featuring local stalls, mulled wine, children's crafts, and hot food.
3 PM

🎄 Swansea Cat Clinic Christmas Market 2025: Join Swansea Cat Clinic for a festive Christmas Market, offering locally made products perfect for holiday gifts.
11 AM - 3 PM

🎄 Woodfield Animal Sanctuary Open Day: Meet rescued animals, enjoy Christmas stalls, a tombola, raffle, homemade treats, and a professional photoshoot with a rescued pony.
10.30 AM - 3 PM

🐶 Free Canine Workshop & Coffee: Join Andrew, a certified dog behaviourist, for a relaxed Q&A session at Chap-in-the-Box, Blackpill.
10.30 AM - 1.30 PM

Support the Scoop 💌

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Big thanks to our 51 supporters so far, including the latest all round good eggs - Val, Robert, and an anonymous tipper!

Thank you 🙏

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

Sponsored by Swansea Jazz Club

Catch incredible live jazz every Wednesday night at Swansea Jazz Club, the UK's longest running weekly jazz club! Check out the full schedule at swanseajazzland.co.uk.

THANKS 😊

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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Fringe Festival, Christmas Fairs, Michael Sheen, Silent Disco, Carol Concerts