Swansea’s Croeso festival is set to start this Thursday, 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.
Cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “Croeso will ignite Welsh culture; families and thousands of others who appreciate music and food will love it!”
The festival’s due to launch on Thursday with a free music event from 6-8pm in the Swansea Arena foyer. It’ll be a forerunner to the Cân i Gymru 2024 event in the arena the following night.
Thursday also sees the Brangwyn Hall host the BBC National Orchestra of Wales St David’s Day Stravaganza, featuring music by Welsh composers Karl Jenkins and William Mathias. Start: 7.30pm.
Free-entry city centre Croeso activities over the four days include cooking demonstrations from renowned chefs. On Saturday, Rustie Lee plans to up a cook up storm with a Welsh twist and Tom Surgey is set to craft cocktails in a festival marquee in Portland Street.
The weekend’s outdoor activities in St David’s Place will feature shows for children, plus walkabout acts, characters and crafts. A parade takes place on Saturday at 12.30pm from St David’s Place.
Swansea Market, the Quadrant and the National Waterfront Museum are among those set to join in the celebrations.
Confirmed live music acts include the Phoenix Choir of Wales, Dagrau Tân and Gwylim.
A Nightworks programme of gigs is due to return to venues Tŷ 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.
First Cymru’s Aled Williams said: “We’re thrilled to be sponsoring this vibrant celebration of Welsh culture in Swansea.”
