THE GREAT CHRISTMAS ROUNDUP
From Santa’s grottos to actual grottos, Owen Scourfield gets into the spirit of things with this list of suggestions of Christmassy goings on across Wales.
St Fagans
St Fagans is always a great day out, but why not add some festive cheer to your visit this year. On Thurs 8 + Fri 9 Dec, the museum’s 18th century Pen-rhiw Chapel is the setting for St Fagans’ favourite carol sing-a-long. Expect plenty of traditional tunes and a few more contemporary Christmas classics. Or if arts and crafts are more your thing, get in the mood for Christmas with some hands on drop-in activity sessions on Sat 10 + Sun 11 Dec. From Sat 17 to Tues 20 Dec, bring the little ones to enjoy a tea party to remember with Santa and Mother Christmas.
St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff. Various dates through December. Prices vary per event. Info: 0300 111 2 333 / www.museum.wales/stfagans
Margam Country Park Deer Feed
A huge park, with plenty for families to do. Visit the setting of some of your favourite TV shows and pay Rudolph and the reindeers a visit. Arrive bright and early, visit Santa and feed the deer up close and personal. Once the feed is over, visit the Children’s Village, the adventure playground, the farm trail or take a long winter walk taking in the sights within the walls of the park. Finish off with a warm mince pie and a hot drink at the cafe to warm up.
Margam Country Park, Port Talbot. Sat 10+Sun 11, Sat 17 – Wed 21 Dec. 10.30am start. Prices: from £15 per car. Info: 016 3988 1635 / www.margamcountrypark.co.uk
Gwili Railway
Ride aboard Santa’s Magical Steam Train at the Gwili Railway. Departing at Bronwydd Arms Station, ride the train to Santa’s grotto at Llwyfan Cerrig Station, where an exciting programme of entertainment awaits. Enjoy a mince pie and a drink of your choice while you wait to visit Santa in his grotto, and the children can check out their goodie bags (children 1-15yrs). The entertainment takes place in a heated marquee and includes a bouncy castle amongst other activities, before you are taken to visit Santa Claus in his grotto. Santa can also speak to you in Welsh or English when receiving your gift.
Gwili Steam Railway, Bronwydd Arms Station, Carmarthen. Sat 3+Sun 4, Sat 10+Sun 11, Sat 17+Sun 18, Wed 21, Fri 23+Sat 24 Dec. Tickets: £5-£11. Info: 012 6723 8213 / www.gwili-railway.co.uk
Victorian Christmas
Over 400 years the Aberdulais Tin Works and Waterfall provided the energy to drive the wheels of the industrial revolution, from the manufacturing of copper in 1584 to the later tinplate works. Wrap up and take a candlelit walk to the stunning waterfall, enjoy story-telling with Father and Mrs Christmas and cozy-on up in the friendly tea-room with a hot drink and a festive bite to eat. Take an evening walk with a difference.
Aberdulais, Neath. Tues 6, Tues 13 + Tues 20 Dec. Prices: from £2.50. Info: 016 3963 6674 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/aberdulais-tin-works-and-waterfall
Christmas at LLancaiach Fawr.
Home to the famous Pritchard family for many years, the Llancaiach Fawr Manor House stands, as it has done since around 1550. Restored and furnished as it would have been in 1645, how better to take a festive visit to such a historical landmark. Christmas Wreath Making and Sugarcraft workshops take place on Sat 10 Dec, there’s a Carol Concert on Tues 13 Dec, and why not book a Sunday Christmas Carvery meal. There’s even ghost tours of the manor house most Friday and Saturday nights.
Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Nelson, Treharris. Various dates through December. Prices vary. Info: 014 4341 2248 / www.llancaiachfawr.co.uk
Wales Millennium Centre
One to take the children to: the infamous Snow Queen show at the Wales Millennium Centre. Presented by Hijinx Odyssey Group, it’s ideal for children aged six and up. Tickets are £8 and it is being performed in the Weston Studio from Thurs 1 – Sat 3 Dec. Not your cup of tea? How about Afternoon Tea with Father Christmas? Or visit him in his grotto free of charge. There’s also a free Carol Concert on the Glanfa Stage on the evening of Wed 21 Dec, and Mary Poppins glides in from Wed 14 Dec.
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. Prices vary per event. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk
Christmas in Swansea Bay
A highlight of the musical calendar for many on Fri 23 Dec, the Christmas by Candlelight event is a family favourite at the Brangwyn Hall. This seasonal treat is full of musical favourites, conducted by Alwyn Humphreys with Ros Evans, the Chamber Orchestra of Wales Chorale and accompanying musicians. The Dylan Thomas Centre also plays host to Fluellen Theatre Company’s magical celebration on Thurs 8 Dec. In words and music, of Christmases both past and present, the second act of which includes a celebrated adaptation of Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas In Wales, with Delyth Jenkins on harp.
Info: www.enjoyswanseabay.com
Cardiff Santa & Dash
Between all the eating and drinking this time of year, balance it out with some physical activity. Join Welsh Hearts for a festive 5K run, walk, or jog around Mermaid Quay and Cardiff Bay on Sun 4 Dec. The event is suitable for all ages and registration includes a t-shirt, water and a certificate. All children are encouraged to wear fancy dress and there will be prizes on the day for the best dressed.
Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay. Sun 4 Dec. Tickets: £9 for individual or £27 for a family of 4. Info: 029 2064 7735 / www.welshhearts.org
Dan yr Ogof Caves
You may be used to hitting up your local shopping centre or garden centre for the annual kids Santa’s grotto visit, so How about a change of scenery this year? Well, that’s what the National Showcaves Centre for Wales is offering deep inside the Welsh mountain side. Dubbed, Wales’ only natural Christmas grotto within the ancient caves, whose entrances are guarded by dinosaurs. That’s a deal maker right there! A prehistoric underground experience with a festive twist.
Abercrave, Swansea. Sat 3+Sun 4, Sat 10+Sun 11, + Sat 17-Sat 24 Dec. Tickets: Children from £2, Adults £14. Info: 016 3973 0284 / www.christmas.showcaves.co.uk