Young performers invited to add light and colour to Christmas parade

Young people from across Swansea have the chance to be at the heart of this year’s Christmas parade and lights switch-on.

Local drama and dance groups are among those being urged to dress up and entertain thousands of spectators in the parade.

They will join a wide range of other participants, including local bands, organisations with eye-catching floats, professional entertainers – and Santa.

Swansea Council’s Special Events team – behind major successes such as the annual Wales Airshow - is organising the free event in mid-November to usher in a great festive season for shoppers, businesses, residents and visitors.

Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We’re aiming for this year’s parade to be magical. It will be a special event to commemorate the city’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

“A huge amount of planning has already been done and we’ll be announcing some more key elements of the parade in due course.

“However, we want this to be an event that everyone can be part of so local groups are being given the chance to participate and add their own magic to the parade.”

Swansea’s 2019 Christmas Parade and Lights Switch-on is due to take place from 5-7pm on Sunday, November 17.

The parade route will be from the Dylan Thomas centre, up Wind Street, Castle Street and High Street, into Alexandra Road, down Orchard Street and along The Kingsway. Council officers are continuing to plan the event – and more detail will be published in the coming weeks.

They are looking for those groups specialising in drama and dance who will be able to help deliver a strong Christmas theme and a focus on entertaining the crowds.

There’s a wide range of festive themes that groups could adopt, ranging from films and books to festive characters. All members of the groups must be in costume and will be walking as part of the parade. In keeping with the concept of the parade, all displays will need to have an emphasis on lights and illumination. Details will be discussed and agreed with parade organisers before the event.

Applications from these groups close at noon on Monday, September 30. Groups that would like to be involved should email the council for further information –[email protected].