One of the highlights of the Swansea calendar, the annual Swansea Christmas Parade is just a few days away. Thousands of people of all ages are expected to line the streets of the city centre to watch the parade this Sunday, November 19 as dancers, choirs, community groups, special characters, inflatables and a range of other performers and floats make their way through the city centre to mark the beginning of the festive season and the countdown to Christmas!

This year's parade will start from Victoria Road at around 5pm and will finish at around 6.30pm at the end of the Kingsway, culminating in a visit from the big man himself, Father Christmas, who will switch on the city centre's Christmas lights. The latest weather forecast for Sunday predicts wind and rain, so people should be sure to wrap up warm! People attending the parade should also plan their visit to the city centre in advance, as several roads will be closed from Sunday afternoon and into the evening. For the latest Swansea news, sign up to our newsletter here

The latest update from Swansea Council reads: "People looking forward to attending this Sunday's Christmas parade in Swansea are being urged to plan ahead. Thousands are expected to enjoy the free Swansea Council event. It will feature a vibrant mix of local community groups, dancers, bands, choirs, floats, inflatables, light-up characters, princesses and superheroes - all joining Santa Claus to switch on the city centre's Christmas lights.

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"The council is encouraging those planning to attend to check arrangements beforehand as some roads will be closed to allow the parade to start at 5pm. The parade will start from Victoria Road with an anticipated finish time of approximately 6.30pm at the end of the Kingsway. The city centre is expected to be busy during the afternoon and throughout the event and those attending are urged to plan their travel and allow plenty of time to arrive and make their way to the route." Scroll down for further details on the route and road closures.

Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: "We're aiming to create a real carnival atmosphere full of light, music, and dancing. Santa's arrival in Swansea city centre to switch on the Christmas lights is a wonderful start to the festive season.

"To enable a safe procession through the city centre it is necessary to close some roads and we are advising people to plan ahead and aim to arrive early to avoid missing the parade's start at 5pm."

Parade route

This year's procession will set off from Victoria Road at around 5pm, heading towards Princess Way and up towards Castle Square. Here, Santa will magically switch on some of the Christmas lights from his sleigh and wave to children big and small. The parade will then continue up High Street, down Orchard Street and onto The Kingsway, where Santa will switch on the rest of the city centre Christmas lights, before heading down the rest of the Kingsway, where the parade will finish at around 6.30pm.

Music will be playing throughout the parade, snow machines will be in action and there will be lots of "magical light-up costumes" to enjoy, as well as a wide range of performers including choirs, bands and dancers, and special guests including princesses, superheroes and characters from Frozen. Whilst en-route, Father Christmas will be switching on the Christmas lights - one set at Castle Square and another set outside the Dragon Hotel on The Kingsway.

Road closures

Swansea Council has confirmed there will be a number of road closures in place, to enable the parade to proceed safely.

The following roads will be closed:

• East Burrows Road and Somerset Place - closed from approximately 2pm to 8pm
• Bellevue Way closed from around 12pm to 9pm

There will also be rolling road closures from around 4pm to 8pm, with diversions signposted. The following roads will be covered by the rolling closures:

• Adelaide Street
• Victoria Road
• Princess Way
• Oystermouth Road
• Caer Street
• Castle Bailey Street
• Castle Street
• High Street
• Alexandra Road
• College Street
• Orchard Street
• The Kingsway
• Dillwyn Street
• Ivy Place
• Christina Street
• Wellington Street

Parking

Swansea Council says parking will be available at several city centre locations, including council car parks. There will be also be two park and ride car parks operating for the parade - at Fabian Way and Landore. Buses will leave every 15 minutes from 2pm to 5.15pm from both sites. After the parade, buses will run continuously until 8pm. There will also be additional buses running back to the park and ride carparks - motorists should be aware that both sites will be locked overnight.

Safety and accessibility measures

An accessible viewing area will be available on Princess Way and Orchard Street and accessible toilets and limited seating will be available within the designated viewing areas. No booking is required for the accessible viewing area, just turn up on the night.

People should be aware that there will be loud noises, flashing lights and special effects throughout the parade. With this in mind, people who need somewhere a little quieter to enjoy the parade are advised that the the lower part of the Kingsway (St Helen's Road end) and the top of High Street and Orchard Street will be the quietest part of the route. If you have concerns about the noise and lights in the parade and want to discuss the matter further, you can call the council on 01792 635428.

Plus, in a bid to help keep children safe within the city during the parade, this year "stay safe" wristbands have been introduced, which will be available for the parade. Parents and carers can pick up wristbands on the night from a number of locations, including the LC, Pump House, National Waterfront Museum, Waterfront Winterland, First Cymru park and ride buses and event stewards. Further details about the wristbands will be shared nearer the event on EnjoySwansea social media.