12 reasons to really get excited about this Christmas
December is upon us which means Christmas is almost here. Here are a few reasons to enjoy the run up...
WHEN you live in Wales there are more than enough reasons to get excited for Christmas. From the glorious Christmas markets to the show-stopping Christmas events, lots of things are coming up that are sure to get people into the festive spirit.
After all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
1. We have German-style Christmas markets
Swansea’s Christmas Market is making a return to Oxford Street for 2018. You will find more than 40 traders offering a selection of arts, crafts, decorations, gifts and food until Thursday, December 20.
2. We’re able to get our skates on
A real ice rink has been set up at Caerphilly Castle for the first time this winter, but for something nearer to home there’s Swansea’s Waterfront Winterland.
The rink inside the castle grounds in Caerphilly provides a stunning backdrop for those who want to get in the Christmas spirit.
Running until Sunday, December 9, it will be open between 10am and 9pm on weekends and from noon to 9pm on weekdays.
Tickets, which can be bought online or through the box office on 0333 666 3366, cost £7 for an adult, £5 for a child or £22 for a family of four.
It’s one of many ice rinks that are popping up across Wales this festive season - others include Swansea, Cardiff and Aberystwyth.
3. This year Carmarthen is getting a Winter Wonderland
The Welsh town has finally got its first wonderland this year. Visitors to the town will be able to enjoy the attraction until Wednesday, January 2. And, of course, Swansea’s own event has made a return and will be in place until Sunday, January 6.
4. You can get some awesome festive sandwiches
Never mind the big chains, pop into Wales’s best-loved indie cafes and sandwich shops for a real taste of Christmas. Drool
5. Our local communities also look magical
There have been lots of switch-on events being held where you live across Wales so the suburbs and villages are looking really special.
6. You can eat sausages for lunch every day
Head to one of our cities’s markets and over-indulge - no one will say a word. And it’s not just sausages they are selling - you can pick up everything from Yorkshire pudding wraps and delicious hot chocolates to mince pies and mulled wine.
7. People go out on Black Friday and get merry
Not to be confused with the shopping version, people go out on the Friday before Christmas and party hard.
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! (Just make sure you’re covered in sequins or dressed in your best Santa outfit).
8. Or jump on to a steam train to pay Santa a visit
There’s something really special about boarding the Brecon Mountain Railway steam train from Pant Station in Merthyr Tydfil to Santa’s Grotto in Pontsticill where you will meet Father Christmas.
But there are many other Santa train adventures.
9. There are so many pantos to chose from
This year we have everything from Cinderella at Swansea Grand Theatre to Aladdin at The Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot, at The Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen and at The Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. Oh yes, we have...
10. And you can visit Santa and his reindeers
You can see reindeers up close in Swansea (at Gower Fresh Christmas Tree Farm) and there are also lots of other things happening in the city before Santa arrives.
11. People go to the beaches on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s day for a swim
Brave souls have been washing the indulgence of the Christmas season away with a festive dip in the sea for decades and this year will be no different across Wales.
Whether it’s on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day, a seasonal dip is a great way to raise money for charity and have fun with family and friends.
Among the places hosting festive swims is Porthcawl where there will be a Christmas morning swim.
,Registration is from 10.30am, and the swim will get under way at 11.45am.
12. You can watch the greatest Christmas movie on the stage...
Yes Elf the Musical is heading to the Motorpoint in Cardiff from Friday, December 14 to Sunday, December 16 - and we can’t wait.
And if that doesn’t put the magic into your Christmas, we don’t know what will ....