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Molly Dowrick

Easter holidays 2023: The best things to do in and around Swansea during the school break

The Easter holidays are just around the corner and we all have our fingers crossed for some sunshine. But if the weather doesn't play ball, fortunately there's still loads of activities and events to enjoy across Swansea throughout the break.

Some of the city's most popular seasonal attractions, including the Swansea Bay Rider Land Train and crazy golf and pedalos at Singleton Boating Lake, are set to open in perfect timing for the Easter break - and so are two of the most popular attractions in Mumbles: Oystermouth Castle and the crazy golf course at Southend Gardens.

Plus, the Swansea Street Food Festival is taking over Museum Park over Easter weekend - and there's loads of shows taking place at theatres across the city and lots of Easter activities at museums and community centres too.

Scroll down for a full guide to all the events and activities taking place during the Easter holidays in Swansea, which run from Monday, April 3 to Friday, April 16.

Read more: Everything you'll be able to eat at Swansea Street Food Festival 2023

Swansea Street Food Festival

Swansea Street Food Festival is returning on Easter Weekend, 2023 (Street Food Warehouse)

The popular annual street food festival is returning to Swansea on Easter weekend - and this year it will be bigger than ever! There will be almost 30 food stalls to choose from - you can read a full list in a previous article here - as well as a bar serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and an entertainment area with live music and DJ sets.

Across the vibrant stalls and quirky food vans, customers will be spoilt for choice with an array of international cuisine represented, including Indian, Japanese, Moroccan, Greek, Thai and Jamaican food, as well as classic street food choices like fried chicken, mac & cheese and loaded fries - and there will be lots of sweet treats to sink your teeth into too!

The Street Food Festival is free to enter - but this year, people will need a ticket to gain entrance. There are also VIP packages available. To read-up on all the ticket options, and to book your space, visit the Swansea Street Food Festival website here.

Please note, after water-logging at the original Museum Park site; the Swansea Street Food Festival has now changed locations. In an update on social media on March 30, organisers said: "NEW LOCATION ANNOUNCEMENT: Swansea Street Food Festival HAS MOVED!

"New location: next to the Boer War Memorial, Mumbles Road, SA2 0AY (Opposite St Helens Sports Ground). Due to the recent wet weather and waterlogging of the Museum Park site, Swansea Street Food Festival is moving location!

"It's a shame to move from our beloved Museum Park, but we are very excited about our new location! Under 5 mins drive and 20 min walk from old site to new, plenty of parking nearby, sea views as the site is practically on the beach, dry feet, no need for wellies, dog- friendly."

The Circus Village Festival

A family-friendly circus festival opens in Swansea on April 13 and runs until April 16 - with a special previous event on April 7. The aptly-named 'Circus Village Festival' features a range of contemporary circus acts from across the UK, including NoFit State Circus and The Revel Puck Circus, while also offering a range of family entertainment.

Explaining the premise, a spokesperson for the festival said: "The Circus Village Festival is a four-day circus festival showcasing contemporary circus from across the UK, developed during The Circus Village, a circus sector programme, currently running on the same site in Swansea. NoFit State’s Big Top production SABOTAGE will open before the festival, from 7 April, and will run during the festival from April 13 to 16 alongside The Wing Scuffle Spectacular by The Revel Puck Circus, productions by Circus Purposeless, Kitsch & Sync and other special guests. There is an unmissable Free Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 15 and a circus cabaret later that day. There really is something for everyone at The Circus Village FESTIVAL!"

"The Circus Village Festival presents fresh young circus talent from across the UK, who will be presenting work that has been creatively developed on the site in the lead up to the festival; inviting audiences and circus bookers from the UK and Europe to enjoy the productions," they added. "The Circus Village Festival will be accessible for everyone, with its Free Family Fun Day, Pay What You Feel offerings, and affordable tickets to its headline productions. Pay What You Feel tickets allow you to choose the price you feel you want to pay for your tickets, with a choice of £0, £1, £2.50, £5 or £10 per ticket on selected shows."

You can book your tickets online here.

Easter trail and Meet the Easter Bunny at Plantasia

A visit to Plantasia Tropical Zoo is suitable for people of all ages (Plantasia)

Plantasia tropical zoo in Parc Tawe will be open from 10am to 5pm during the Easter Holidays, with the monthly Quiet Hour taking place on April 8. And whilst visitors will be able to see all the usual animals and plant attractions every day of the Easter break, there will also be a special Easter Eggs-travaganza taking place on Sunday, April 9.

The explanation for the event reads: "Some-bunny's taken over the jungle and filled it full of hoppy bunny Easter decorations and egg-citing activities for all the family. Hop to it, as you follow the bunny tracks trail around the jungle in search of our animal's eggs. How many will you find? All successful trail completions will be entered into a prize draw."

Other activities on the day include Easter face painting, grow your own sunflower with seeds (whilst stocks last) and "Meet the Easter Bunny".

You can purchase your tickets to Plantasia online here, adults aged 16+ are £8.50 and children aged three to 15 are £6.50. Under 3s are free and anyone under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. A family ticket, for two adults and two children, is £6.50 per person and it's also £6.50 for people who are disabled, students or over 60s. ID/proof is required. Free passes are available for accompanying carers, and people who have a Golden Ticket, Blue Peter Badge, Tempo Credit or Complimentary Pass. You can get more Swansea news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.

Dinomania at Plantasia

Popular dinosaur entertainment company Dinomania are back at Plantasia on Thursday, April 6, during the Easter holidays. Plantasia will be transported back to the prehistoric age when dinosaurs ruled the jungle - and little ones will love the chance to meet a baby dinosaur, a large dinosaur and complete the Dino Trail.

The description for the event reads: "A fun experience for all the family! On the hour, every hour - you can meet a baby dinosaur (20mins), quarter to every hour - come and meet a large dino (15mins). Complete our Dino trail for some extra prehistoric fun!"

Entry to Plantasia on Dinomania Day is £12.85 for adults aged 16+, £12.95 for children aged two to 15. Children under two are free. A family ticket, for two adults and two children, is £39.50. Carers are free.

Annual pass holders will be asked to pay a supplementary fee of £4.45 per adult, £6.45 per child or £13 per family. Golden tickets, discounted tickets and other free tickets will not be valid on this day.

Swansea Bay Rider Land Train

Swansea Bay Rider Land Train will start up for the 2023 season on Friday, March 31, 2023 (Swansea Council)

It's back! The brilliant land train will be running from Blackpill to Mumbles and back every day of the Easter holidays (Friday, March 31, to Sunday, April 16).

The brightly coloured train makes several trips along Swansea prom throughout every day it runs and really shows off Swansea Bay's beautiful views. It makes a few stops along its route from Blackpill to Mumbles and back, so many people use it as a fun way of travelling along the prom to the Splashpark at Blackpill or to Mumbles shops, cafes and attractions.

The train is suitable for people of all ages though it's particularly popular with families with young children. The train permits dogs, if they're on leads and under control, and is fully accessible to wheelchair users.

This year, a hop-on, hop-off standard ticket is £6.50, a hop-on hop-off concession ticket (under 16s, students and senior citizens) is £5.50 and a hop-on hop-off ticket if you have a Swansea Passport To Leisure is £4. Under threes are free and a hop-on hop-off ticket for a family (two adults and two juniors) is £15.

Pedalos and Crazy Golf at Singleton Boating Lake

The pedalos at Singleton Boating Lake will be relaunching on Friday, March 31, 2023 (Swansea Council)

The pedalos and crazy golf course at Singleton Boating Lake, located at the bottom of Sketty Lane between Singleton Hospital and Swansea University's Singleton Campus, just a stone's throw from Singleton Park, are re-opening to the public on Friday, March 31 - right in time for the Easter holidays. Both attractions will be open every day of the Easter holidays from 10am to 5pm.

There's plenty of swans and fish to see at the lake - and loads of funky themed pedalo boats to choose from this year including cars, swans and dragons. Pedalos fit up to four people and the following prices are for thirty minutes: £9.50 for a standard ticket, £7 for a concession (under 16s, student and senior citizen) and £5.50 for a Swansea Passport To Leisure holder. Lifejackets are available and they fit people aged two and up - an attendant will ensure they fit. Please note, the minimum age to take a boat out without adult supervision is 14.

Over at the crazy golf course, you'll find 18 colourful holes suitable for all the family. A standard ticket is £4 and it's £3.50 for a concessionary ticket (under 16s, students and senior citizens). For Swansea Passport To Leisure Holders it's £3 and for a family ticket (two adults and two juniors) it's £11.50.

Crazy Golf at Southend Gardens

The crazy golf course at Southend Gardens in Mumbles (Swansea Council)

The crazy golf course at Southend Gardens in Mumbles, located next to the outdoor dining area on Mumbles Road and opposite Trams restaurant, is re-opening for the summer season on Friday, March 31. It will be open every day of the Easter break from 10am to 5pm.

This year, a standard ticket to crazy golf is £4, a concession ticket (under 16s, students and senior citizens) is £3.50 and it's £3 for anyone with a Swansea Passport To Leisure. A family ticket (two adults and two juniors) is £11.50.

Oystermouth Castle

Oystermouth Castle is re-opening on April 1, 2023 (Phil Rees)

Oystermouth Caslte in Mumbles is re-opening on April 1, 2023. It will be open daily until late-September, from 11am to 5pm (last admission is 4.30pm). Visitors can explore historic parts of the castle that have been there for centuries, including a 30-ft high glass bridge to the castle's chapel, and learn about the area's fascinating history.

During the Easter holidays, the castle will be hosting a "Living History" opening event on April 1 and an Easter Bunny Trail on April 9.

This year, admission prices for Oystermouth Castle are: £6 for a standard ticket, £4 for a concessions ticket and £3 if you have a Swansea Passport to Leisure. A family ticket for two adults and three children is £18, or for one adult and up to three children it's £12. Children under 5 are free. Season passes are available - you can enquire about these at the castle.

Sports Camps and Easter Party at the LC

The LC in Swansea (Adrian White)

Wales' biggest indoor waterpark, The LC is open throughout the Easter holidays. As well as open sessions in the waterpark and soft play area, The LC is also hosting Sports Camps for children aged five to 12 and an Easter party for little ones on Saturday, April 8.

The description for the sports camps reads: "Our popular sport camps return this Easter for five to 12-year-olds. These are all-day camps where children will take part in a range of different sports and activities as well as the play area and climbing wall and waterpark (over 8s only). Call us now on 01792 466500 to find out more."

The description for The LC's Easter Party reads: "Join us for our egg-celent Easter party on Saturday, April 8, at 12pm. Perfect for three to eight-year-olds, enjoy an hour in the play area then an hour on the bouncy castle for just £5 per child, including a special Easter treat."

Easter events at Mumbles Pier

There's loads going on at Mumbles Pier during the school Easter holidays including a FREE Easter Egg trail, the return of "Bunny Burrow," Easter Afternoon Tea, and an Easter Egg Adventures story telling session.

Bunny Burrow offers the chance for your little one to meet the Easter Bunny and receive a chocolate egg! It's located on the land-end of the Mumbles Pier, near the arcade, and is open daily from Monday, April 3, to Sunday, April 9. Booking in advance is recommended - you can do that here - and visits to the Burrow cost £5 per child.

As for Easter Afternoon Tea, this will be hosted in the popular Beach Hut Cafe and customers will enjoy delicious homemade sweet and savoury treats. Each adult ticket includes a selection of sweets and savouries as well as tea or coffee, whilst child tickets include a selection of sweets and savouries as well as a ticket to Bunny Burrow and a chocolate egg to take home. Easter Afternoon Tea will be available daily from Monday, April 3, to Sunday, April 9. For an adult, it's £16.95 and for a child, it's £9.95. You can book in advance here.

Mumbles Pier is also hosting The Easter Egg Adventures: The Lost Golden Egg, an interactive play and story telling session for children. The activity is running from Friday, April 7, to Monday, April 10, and it's £10 per child.

The description for the event reads: "The Easter Egg Hunters have arrived at Mumbles Pier! Professional explorers, the Easter Egg hunters, have searched the world for golden eggs and today they are going to train the children to become Easter Egg explorers, just like them! This interactive play will give each child the opportunity to become an Easter egg explorer; completing a series of tasks to get the clues and find the golden Egg.

"This 45-minute interactive storytelling session is bursting full of fun and imagination! A unique experience at Mumbles Pier this Easter. Spaces are limited on this adventure so book now. All tickets are non refundable and non transferable - we are unable to change times or dates - so please make sure you are booking the correct time and date at the time of booking."

Easter activities and His Dark Materials exhibition at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery

Some of the scenery on show at the His Dark Materials exhibition in the Glynn Vivian (Swansea Council)

The Glynn Vivian in Alexandra Road in the city centre, is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 5pm - and if you haven't seen the His Dark Materials exhibition, which showcases scenery, props and costumes from the hit HBO drama series, it's running until April 23. The gallery is also hosting Easter activities, including drop-in creative workshops for all the family, from April 1 to 7.

Sweet trail at The Dylan Thomas Centre

This arts centre, located in the Maritime Quarter, is open 10am to 4.30pm, Wednesdays to Sundays. During April, the Centre is hosting a "Dylan's Favourite Sweets" trail. Explaining the concept behind the trail, the team at the Dylan Thomas Centre said: "The poet loved sweets and wrote about some of his favourites. As a boy, he'd stock up at Mrs Ferguson’s sweet shop before visiting the Uplands Cinema."

Easter workshops at Swansea Museum

Swansea Museum (Mirrorpix)

Swansea Museum is hosting two free drop-in workshops during the Easter Holidays. On Thursday, April 6, families will be able to decorate plant pods ready for spring seeds, whilst on Thursday, April 13, there's a paper flowers design workshop. Both run from 10am to 1pm.

Rhyme Time, Lego club and Easter crafts at Swansea Libraries

Libraries across the city are hosting a range of community events over the Easter break, including regular Rhyme Time events and Lego clubs, as well as Easter Story and Crafts at Townhill Library, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on Thursday, April 6. Contact your local library for more information what events it's hosting over Easter.

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