Swansea’s Croeso festival is set to start this Thursday (February 29), bringing fresh colour and song to the city.
The celebrations – from February 29 to March 3 – will include live music, cookery demonstrations, family entertainment and a street parade. A range of venues will take part.
Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “This year’s Croeso will ignite Welsh culture; families and thousands of others who appreciate music and food will love it!
“The line-up is fantastic and will bring a burst of colour and song to our celebration of St David’s Day.
“Swansea’s events don’t start and stop at St David’s Day, of course – throughout 2024, local events will range from free-entry and low-cost family entertainment to top quality big-name music in Singleton Park and top class sport.”
Croeso is due to launch on Thursday with a free event from 6-8pm in the Swansea Arena foyer.
It’ll include live DJ sets featuring top modern Welsh language music – and it marks the Cân i Gymru 2024 event which will take place in the arena the following night.
Thursday also sees the Brangwyn Hall host the BBC National Orchestra of Wales St David’s Day Stravaganza (note: correct spelling), featuring music by Welsh composers Karl Jenkins and William Mathias. Start: 7.30pm.
Free-entry city centre Croeso activities over the four days of the festival include a series of cooking demonstrations from renowned chefs.
On Saturday, March 2, TV chef Rustie Lee plans to up a cook up storm with a Welsh twist and drinks expert Tom Surgey (note: correct spelling) is set to craft cocktails in a festival marquee in Portland Street.
Also set to appear is Nathan Davies, of BBC’s Great British Menu, Hywel Griffith of the Michelin-starred Beach House, Oxwich, Jonathan Woolway from the Shed, in SA1, John Taylor from SA1’s the Welsh House, Matt Waldron of Pembrokeshire’s Stackpole Inn and Katie Davies from Britain’s Best Home Cook.
The weekend’s outdoor activities in St David’s Place, near the former Iceland supermarket, will also feature shows for children, walkabout acts, characters and crafts.
The city centre’s Croeso parade takes place this Saturday at 12.30pm from St David’s Place.
There’ll also be a city centre trail, with goody bags for those who complete it plus the chance to win a prize bundle including two tickets to April 1’s Swansea City v QPR match.
Swansea Market, the Quadrant and the National Waterfront Museum are among those set to join in the celebrations with a range of fun events including storytelling, choir singing and workshops.
Confirmed live music acts for visitors to enjoy include the Phoenix Choir of Wales, Dagrau Tân and Gwylim.
A Nightworks programme of gigs featuring Welsh bands such as Islet, Two Til Twelve, Swan Hill and Eädyth, is due to return to venuesTŷ Tawe, The Bunkhouse and Elysium.
Croeso’s city centre activity is delivered by Swansea Council in association with First Cymru Buses Ltd and supported by Food and Drink Wales.
Local businesses who wish to showcase their produce at Croeso can apply online – www.bit.ly/CroesoFood24
Aled Williams, marketing manager for First Cymru, said: “We are thrilled to be sponsoring Croeso, a vibrant celebration of Welsh culture right here in Swansea.
“We’ve supported the local community for over 100 years, so sponsoring events like Croeso is a natural fit for us.
“We’re really looking forward to seeing the streets of Swansea come alive as part of the celebrations. Those who attend will be able to give our giant Spin to Win wheel a go …there are some great prizes up for grabs!”
For all the latest information on Croeso follow the Enjoy Swansea Bay social media or visit www.visitswanseabay.com/events/croeso/
