Festive Activities for Foster Families in South Wales

Festive Activities for Foster Families in South Wales

As the festive season approaches, it’s an ideal time for foster families to create happy memories together. Engaging in Christmas and winter activities can be a great family time and help to create a sense of belonging for foster children. If you're looking for some fun and festive family activities in South Wales, here are some exciting events and activities to enjoy this holiday season!

 

Cardiff

Cardiff Winter Wonderland and Christmas Market

Where: Cardiff City Centre

When: Winter Wonderland 9th November 2024 - 5th January 2025, Christmas Market 14th November - 23rd December 2024 

Cardiff Winter Wonderland features an ice rink, funfair rides, and festive stalls, allowing families of all ages to enjoy a magical day out. Once you’re finished at Winter Wonderland, why not head over to the Christmas Market, which features over 200 stalls offering unique handmade gifts, delicious food, and festive treats. It's a perfect spot to soak in the festive atmosphere and pick up some last-minute Christmas gifts.

Meet Father Christmas at St Fagans National Museum of History

When: 30th November–1 December & 7–8, 14–15 & 21–22 December 2024

Meet Father Christmas at St Fagans for a very special event in a magical grotto where Father Christmas will read a story before meeting each child individually and presenting them with a gift.

 

Rhondda Cynon Taf

Treorchy Christmas Festival and Parade

When: 30^th November 2024

Where: Treorchy

Enjoy local crafts, gifts, and delicious seasonal food at the Christmas markets. It’s a great opportunity to shop locally and support small businesses.

Aberdare Christmas Festival

When: 1^st December 2024 

Where: Aberdare

The Aberdare Christmas Festival will include the Christmas light switch on, Christmas market, an ice rink, fun fair, a Christmas parade with a Jazz Band, Santa, choirs, entertainment & much more.

 

Vale Of Glamorgan

The Forage Christmas Experience

When: 30^th November – 23^rd December 2024 

Where: Forage Farm Shop, Penllyn Estate 

The Forage Christmas Experience will involve a multitude of activities, from meeting an Elf and watching a show, to writing letters to Santa, and toasting marshmallows.

Santa’s Green Grotto

When: 7^th December 2024 

Where: Eto, 83 Holton Road, Barry

A Santa’s Grotto with a twist! Santa and his elves have been busy selecting special gifts for each child who enters the grotto. The most magical part of this is that each gift has been preloved and is ready for a new home.

 

Bridgend

Victorian Christmas and Christmas Lights Switch On

When: 30^th November 2024 

Where: John Street, Porthcawl

Join in with a Victorian Christmas with carolling and live music. Afterward, you can follow the lantern parade and the switch on of the town’s Christmas lights.

Sunday Lunch with Santa

When: 15^th December 2024 

Where: Bryngarw House

Indulge in a 3 course meal in the festive marquee at Bryngarw House, before meeting Santa and sharing your Christmas wishes.

 

Caerphilly

Bargoed Winter Fair

When: 7^th December 2024 

Where: Bargoed Town Centre

The annual Christmas fair is back in Bargoed. The event is free to attend and promises a music and light lantern parade, as well as festive stalls, entertainment and funfair rides.

Caerphilly Christmas Weekends

When: 7^th, 8^th, 14^th, 15^th, 21^st, 22^nd December 2024

Where: Caerphilly Castle

Complete a Christmas quest at Caerphilly Castle. There’ll also be opportunities to get crafty, where you can decorate your own Christmas card to send to a loved one.

 

Merthyr Tydfil

Aladdin

When: 4^th - 8^th December 2024

Where: Theatr Soar

After a break last year, Merthyr Performance Company are back with Aladdin. The panto offers lots of fun and laughter for the whole family.

Breakfast With Santa

When: 14^th & 15^th December 2024

Where: King Brychan

Santa will be stopping by the King Brychan on the 14^th and 15^th December for a festive breakfast, sure to be filled with long lasting memories and festive cheer.

 

Blaenau Gwent

Elsa’s Enchanted Tea

When: 7^th December 2024

Where: Bedwellty House, Tredegar

Join Elsa for a festive afternoon tea. There are lots of activities available on the day, including glitter tattoos, crafts, and singalongs!

The Polar Express 20 Year Anniversary Screening

When: 22^nd December 2024

Where: The Metropole, Abertillery

You’re encouraged to go along to The Met in your pyjamas or comfy clothes for this special festive screening of Polar Express. There’ll also be hot chocolate and treats available!

 

Torfaen

Drive In Cinema

When: 6^th, 7^th & 8^th December 2024

Where: Cwmbran High School Car Park

There will be a variety of festive films being shown at Wonder Cinema Cwmbran. Prior to every film, there’ll be entertainment, and you’ll also be able to order food and drinks to your car!

Victorian Santa’s Grotto

When: 14^th, 15^th, 21^st, 22^nd December 2024

Where: Blaenavon Ironworks

Visit Santa at his Victorian Grotto, in the unique setting of the Ironworks. This could be both an educational, and fun festive experience.

 

Monmouthshire

Santa’s Christmas Cracker

When: 1^st December 2024

Where: The Savoy Theatre, Monmouth

Watch this wonderful live show, with plenty of singing and laughter. Every child will also receive a present from Santa.

Christmas Market

When: 7^th December 2024

Where: St John’s Square and Nevill Street, Abergavenny

Head into the centre of Abergavenny for crafts, artists, treats, and fun with live choirs, musicians and, brass bands.

 

Newport

Newport Winter Wonderland

When: 21^st November 2024 – 5^th January 2025

Where: Newport City Centre

There’s an abundance of things to do at Newport’s first Winter Wonderland. From Ice Skating to festive food and drinks and a funfair, you won’t get bored easily!

Saturnalia

When: 7^th December 2024

Where: National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon

Meet a Roman Soldier and learn about how the festival was celebrated and make ‘Calennig’, a tradition which involves decorating apples.

  

Carmarthenshire

Festive Feastival 

When: 13th-15th December & 20th December - Christmas Eve 2024

Where: Carmarthen Showground 

Street Food Circus has launched a new festive event that will transform the Carmarthen Showground Hall into a Festive Feastival, complete with a vintage roller disco rink, Santa’s grotto, Christmas circus and dancing reindeer. 

Pembrey Country Park Christmas Light Trail

When: 5th - 22 December 2024

Where: Pembrey Country Park 

Pembrey Country Park Christmas Light Trail returns.  This FREE to enter event offers family friendly fun with a stunning light display, fun fair and Santa’s grotto! (Parking fee applies)

Ffair Nadolig Dinefwr | Dinefwr Christmas Fair

When: 22^nd-23^rd Novemeber 2024 

Where: Dinefwr Estate, Llandeilo 

Visit Dinefwr for a festive fair filled with carol singers, choirs and brass bands while you enjoy a luxury hot chocolate or a glass of mulled wine and explore the delicious food stands. Maybe you will find the perfect gifts amongst the rows of stalls. A great start to the festive season.

 

Pembrokeshire

Pembroke Castle Christmas Market

Where: Pembroke Castle

When: 29^th November – 1^st December 2024  

Visit over 80 stalls selling gifts, toys, local produce, clothing and jewellery. On Friday evening Santa will arrive at 6:30pm and will be available for visits in his festive grotto on Saturday & Sunday 10:30-3:30 where he will hand out gifts and accept Christmas lists.  Visits to Santa cost £3 per child, proceeds will go to charity.

Winter fun at Folly Farm

When: Check website for availability  

Where: Folly Farm

Families can enjoy rides at the fairground, meet Santa and some very special winter princesses, before exploring the zoo. Some activities will be subject to additional cost.

 

Ceredigion

Aberystwyth Christmas Light Switch On & Festive Market 

When: 30th November 2024 

Led by a specially chosen Mary and Joseph, a lantern parade with make its way from St Michael’s Church ending with the lighting of Aberystwyth Christmas Tree.

Cardigan Castle’s Christmas Fair

When: 30th November 2024

Where: Cardigan Castle

Between 10:00 and 16:00 Cardigan Caste will be filled with stalls from local makers and crafters, and festive food and drink.

Gŵyl Hwyl: Christmas! At the National Wool Museum

When: 7th December 2024 

Where: National Wool Museum, Drefach Felindre 

Join Siân Corn and experience the spirit of Christmas through festive crafts! There will also be a special story and movement session, Where is the Star? The Siân Corn show is 10.15am-11am.

 

Swansea

Swansea Waterfront Winterland 

When: November 15, 2024 - January 4, 2025  

Where: Swansea Waterfront

Enjoy funfair rides, an ice rink and the Alpine Village at Swansea Waterfront Winterland.

Swansea Christmas Market

When: Saturday 23 November  – Sunday 22 December 2024

Where: Swansea City Centre

Festive chalets along Oxford Street and Portland Street will be offering unique gifts, tempting treats and beautiful decorations. 

Breakfast with Santa at The Grand Hotel

When: 15th & 22nd December 2024 

Where: The Grand Hotel, Swansea 

Treat your family to a festive breakfast with Santa! Enjoy a delicious selection of festive treats while children can meet Santa, share their Christmas wishes, and receive a special gift. Booking is essential for this popular event.

 

Conclusion

The winter months in South Wales are jam packed with great locations and events for foster families to spend time together to bond. This Christmas take the opportunity to explore your local area as a family and create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come.