Best Places to Eat Out on New Year's Eve

Plus: Family NYE Parties, Panto, Paddington, Bath Bombs, Wales National Orchestra

Author

Andrew M
December 29, 2024

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop. The local newsletter that’s like making a New Year’s resolution and actually sticking to it 😊

A Personal Thanks from Me

I hope you had a great Christmas and are looking forward to a fun and prosperous new year.

As 2024 comes to an end, I want to say a big thank you for reading the Swansea Scoop, whether you’ve been here from the start or only subscribed this week - and especially if you’ve shared the Scoop with family and friends!

I also have to give a big shout-out to the businesses who have advertised in the newsletter this year. Dropping marketing money on a new venture like the Swansea Scoop is a brave thing to do in the current climate, but the feedback has been really positive and I hope to bring more trusted, local businesses on board in 2025.

What’s Next?

After six months, it feels like the newsletter is just beginning to hit its stride, and I’m excited about what 2025 will bring. Any ideas for a big first birthday bash in July?

As well as the Sunday newsletter, I’ve got some exciting Wednesday editions already in the pipeline (even if I do say so myself 🙂), and I can’t wait for you to see them.

My goal has always been to highlight the huge variety of fun things to do in Swansea, to support local businesses, and to bring together a community of like-minded people - and I hope that’s shown.

Thanks once again, and here’s to 2025!

Catch you next year (you know, on Wednesday),

Andrew.

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QUESTION TIME

Do you make a New Year's Resolution?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATIONS

Still no plans for New Year’s Eve? Here’s an updated list of the best events and parties for grown-ups and families across Swansea, including plenty of placing serving up special menus for the last day of the year.

New Year’s Eve Parties and Restaurant Meals

New Year’s Eve Parties for Families

  • Glanrhyd Coronation Club | New Year’s Eve Family Party | 2 PM - 4 PM

  • Common Meeple | Family “Noon” Year’s Eve Party | Games, quiz, bongs at 6 PM | 4 PM | £10 - (4 PM time sold out - 1 PM to 3 PM session now available - contact to book.

  • Loughor RFC | New Year’s Eve Family Party | Entertainment from Pickamix | £5

  • Brynhyfryd Youth Club | New Year’s Eve Daytime Party | 12 noon

BEST OF THE REST

The first week of 2025 in Swansea is understandably light on events, but there’s more than a handful of fun and interesting stuff to see and do.

It’s a very quiet one again this week, but there’s a handful of events for families and grown-ups alike.

Monday 30th December

Black History Music Festival: Join Black History Wales and Elysium + OTID for an electrifying End of Year Music Festival at Elysium Art Gallery, featuring MOBO artists and a dynamic mix of Afropop, R'n'B, Rap, Grime, and more.
7 PM | £11.55

Family Orienteering Fun: Join Swansea Bay Orienteering Club in Clyne Gardens for a morning of fun and navigation in the great outdoors. We joined in a similar event at Oystermouth Castle last year and the children really enjoyed it.

Thursday 2nd January

Bath Bomb Workshop: Head down to Lush on Oxford Street where you’ll learn to make some of its best-selling bath bombs. Also on Friday January 3rd.
12 PM | £5

Friday 3rd January

Welsh National Orchestra: Celebrate the arrival of 2025 with the Welsh National Opera Orchestra at The Great Hall, Swansea University Bay Campus, as they perform a stunning Viennese New Year concert filled with waltzes, polkas, and timeless classical favourites.
7 PM | £5 - £24

Mal Pope & Steve Balsamo: Join Swansea's renowned musicians Mal Pope and Steve Balsamo for an intimate evening of storytelling and live music at Elysium Gallery & Bar.
7 PM - 11 PM | £10

Saturday 4th January

Skin Philips: Join Skin Phillips for a free talk about the 360° exhibition at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, where the Swansea-born photograper will share iconic and unseen images documenting skateboarding's evolution from underground subculture to global phenomenon.
12.30 PM | Free (booking essential)

Paddington in Peru: The latest blockbuster from everyone’s favourite marmalade-sandwich-loving bear is on at the Taliesin Arts Centre today. We were there the other week to see Roald Dahl and The Imagination Seekers (it was great!). But for families, I mention this one because it’s a relaxing venue with free parking and reasonably-priced concessions.
7.30 PM | £5 - £7.75

Rapunzel Pantomime: Join the fun at Bonymaen Community Centre for a "hair-larious" pantomime adventure as Rapunzel, with help from Dame Fanny Follicle, Pascal, and Prince Ryder, tries to escape the clutches of the wicked Mother Gothel.
7 PM | £5 - £15

5 Animal Frolics Qigong: Discover within you the courage and strength of the tiger, the serenity and poise of the deer, the steadiness and solidity of the bear, the nimbleness and dexterity of the monkey, and the swiftness and grace of the bird - family and friends are invited to join in with this gentle and stimulating exercise class hosted at the Swansea Wellbeing Centre today and on Sunday, January 5th.
12 PM - 1 PM |

SWANSEA WORDLE (#16) 🧠

Swansea Wordle is hyped for 2025, and it’s back for round 16. Are you Swansea’s Wordle Champ? Prove it!

Every answer is a place, person or thing related to our fine city.

Have a go, then reply to this e-mail to let me know how you got on!

Want a clue? Find it at the bottom of the newsletter.

➡️ Click here to play ⬅️

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

December 30th
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM

December 31st
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM

January 1st
The New Valley Bishopston | Open Mic | 7.30 PM

January 3rd
Hippos | Open Mic | 4 PM

January 4th
The Olde Cross Keys | The Goodes | 8.30 PM

THANKS

Thanks for reading the Swansea Scoop. If you found something useful, share it with a friend who can’t wait for 2025!

Catch you on Wednesday!

Andrew.

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

Wordle clue: A former cinema and arcade.

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