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Wales Online
Wales Online
Entertainment
Reem Ahmed

The big New Year and January events cancelled or postponed in Wales

December saw the cancellation of many huge events across Wales - and unfortunately it seems many events organisers are exercising the same caution into January.

With tighter coronavirus restrictions in place as we enter the New Year to curb the spread of the Omicron variant - and no confirmation yet when those measures will be lifted - several big events in January have already being cancelled or postponed.

At 6am on Boxing Day, the Welsh Government implemented "a revised version" of alert level two restrictions in the country.

Read more What's On news here.

The rule of six has been re-introduced to gatherings in regulated premises, such as hospitality, cinemas and theatres. Meanwhile, the maximum number of people who can gather at an indoor event is now 30 and 50 outdoors. You can read the full breakdown of the recently introduced measures here.

In compliance with the new rules, organisers have already pulled the plug on concerts, sports fixtures and musicals that were due to take place in January across Wales.

Here, we'll keep you up-to-date by adding any further cancelled events in the coming days...

Saundersfoot New Year's Day Swim

The Saundersfoot New Year's Day Swim - which has previously seen more than 2,000 participants - has been cancelled.

A statement on the event's website reads: "We are disappointed to announce that for the second year running the Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim will not go ahead. The event was scheduled for 1st January 2022. This was a unanimous decision made by the members of the Swim’s Health & Safety group.

"Whilst we recognise that things have undoubtedly improved, even the introduction of Level 1 restrictions would make it impossible to run the event safely. In this situation the total number of participants and spectators would be limited to 4000 and social distancing rules would need to be implemented. Given the large crowds that the swim attracts, it would be impossible for us to achieve Covid compliance.

"The New Year’s Day Swim is a community event and so we must consider the interests of all within the community. We cannot risk any increase in pressure on the emergency services that have always supported us to run the event safely."

Bill Bailey at the Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

Bill Bailey (Steve Parsons/PA Wire)

Award-winning comedian Bill Bailey was due to perform his 'En Route to Normal' show in Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena on January 12.

However a note on the Arena's website reads: "So you know, this show is being rescheduled from Wednesday 12 January 2022. A new date will be announced soon. If you’ve already got tickets, they’ll still be valid, so hang on to them; your ticket agent will be in touch to tell you more."

St David's Cathedral New Year's Concert

The annual New Year's Concert at St David's Cathedral, Pembrokeshire, due to take place on January 1, has been cancelled.

A spokesperson for performers John S Davies Singers said: "The John S Davies Singers have performed there on the afternoon of 1st January for 29 consecutive years and last year John and choristers were looking forward to a 30th celebration concert.

"Alas, this never happened and this year again government regulations have meant a second postponement. It is hoped that this special concert can take place later in the year. The audience for this very traditional concert, many of whom travel from all over Wales for the occasion, will again be so disappointed as for many it is the highlight of their festive season."

A note on the John S Davies Singers' website reads: "Anyone who has paid in advance for tickets will be reimbursed. Please contact the ticket seller who provided them. Otherwise if there is a problem or query please contact Admin on 01994 419366."

All shows at Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff

Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff Bay (Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The Wales Millenium Centre has cancelled all shows until "at least" January 15 in light of the new restrictions.

A note on the website reads: "Following the Welsh Government announcement that Wales is moving to Alert Level 2, guidance on social distancing measures and indoor events, and to protect our audiences, staff and production cast and crew, we regret that all performances of scheduled shows have been cancelled from 26 December until at least 15 January 2022. Our building will fully close from 24 December. If you have booked tickets to see a show during this period the original booker will be automatically refunded."

Cancelled performances include Disney's Beauty and the Beast and the XXXMas Carol Panto. However, tickets are still available to purchase for The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe production on January 18.

Big Bala Dip, Snowdonia

Llyn Tegid (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The annual New Year’s Day swim in Snowdonia’s Llyn Tegid, which raises money for South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team, has been cancelled.

The organiser wrote on the Facebook event: "I've been desperately holding on, hoping Wales would revoke the ban on outdoor events of more than 50 people, but that clearly isn't going to happen, which means this year's Big Dip can't take place. More than 100 people attended the 2020 swim, and the numbers grow every year, so it just isn't possible to stay within the law.

"We'll be back in January 2023, when it is highly likely you'll be required to register for the dip. I'll keep everything as simple as possible, but please make sure you're following Big Bala Dip, as that's where I'll be posting details - likely to be as early as next summer."

Whitesands New Year's Day Swim

Whitesands beach, Pembrokeshire (Brian Finney)

St David's Penknife Club has cancelled their popular annual swim, due to take place on Whitesands beach at noon on New Year's Day.

A statement on their website reads: "Sadly because of the developing situation in the cases of Covid-19 and the new Omicron variant, we have taken the responsible course of action to cancel the New Year’s Day Swim 2022. We are deeply saddened to have to do this as our main objective was raise money for Ty Shalom House and Pothmawr Surf Life Saving Club. We asked this year for you to pre-buy the wristbands (£5 donation) it would be brilliant if you would still make a donation".

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