With the summer season now over the city is preparing itself for the next big event in the Calendar – Christmas. And there is plenty planned once again to bring much festive fun to Cardiff.
Returning for the third year is the popular ‘Step into Christmas’, taking place on November 14 between 4.30pm and 7.30pm.
The event was created by Cardiff Council, working closely with the Cardiff Retail Partnership and other key city centre partners, to mark the start of the festive period and extended shopping hours in the city centre.
Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Ramesh Patel, said: “Step into Christmas is an important event in the city centre calendar. Last year four million people came to the city centre at Christmas. With 35 % of the retailers annual income being generated in the six weeks running up to Christmas, with an estimated spend of £300 million. Step into Christmas is the launch of the festive period in the city.
“It’s a great evening out for families at the beginning of the festive season and helps to bring both residents and visitors to the retail centre of the city .With free entertainment for all to enjoy, the night will ensure that our retailers benefit from this fantastic Christmas offering.”
Highlights of this year’s celebrations include an appearance from popular children’s television characters, a visit from Santa’s reindeers, live open air music, Christmas markets and live street theatre with a festive theme. The night will also see the Christmas lights being lit up across the city centre.
Chair of the Cardiff Retail Partnership, Chris Earnshaw, said: “This is a great event to mark the start of Christmas in Cardiff. It is an opportunity for the whole city to show what retail has to offer our customers over the festive period. We should be proud of the exciting and compelling retail offer we have in the capital of Wales. It will certainly be the place to shop this year!”
Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland will also begin on November 14 until January 5 managed this year by Sayers Amusements Ltd. Winter Wonderland will return to the iconic setting of the Civic Centre and will include the famous Open Air Ice Rink and the spectacular 60 metre high Star Ride.
Other highlights to look forward to this Christmas in the capital include –
- Christmas Markets, City Centre 14 Nov – 24 Dec
- Santa’s Grotto, City Centre 14 Nov – 24 Dec
- Christmas at the Castle, Cardiff Castle
- Jack and the Beanstalk, New Theatre 14 Dec 2013 – 19 Jan 2014
- National Theatre Wales ‘Silly Kings’, Cardiff Castle 19 Dec to 4 Jan 2014
- St David’s Hall Ballets, 19 Dec – 5 Jan 2014
- Christmas at Cardiff Bay 6-8 Dec
- Christmas Shoppers’ Park & Ride
- Calennig – midnight celebrations 31 Dec – 1 Jan 2014
Cllr Patel, added; “There is much to enjoy this Christmas in the capital. We are working closely with partners in the public and private sector to ensure there is plenty of Christmas sparkle in our fantastic city. These events are very much welcomed by the retailers and help to boost visitor figures.. With Cardiff being voted the sixth best shopping destination in the UK, according to an Expedia poll, it’s essential that we continue to compete with other UK cities and provide a full Christmas offer to attract footfall.”
