Sir Bryn Terfel to officially open Morriston's Tabernacle Centre on November 23

It's the highlight of festivities in the Swansea community as it launches its countdown to Christmas with a spectacular Victorian Day, transporting the community back to a Dickensian day of celebration and wonder.

There's a full running order of the day at the end of this story.

The Morriston Victorian Day 2024, taking place from 10am to 3pm promises a rich programme of free, family-friendly activities.

The event will feature everything from Santa's grotto and a Christmas trail to the sounds of a live brass band and the sights of stilt walkers and performers dressed in authentic Victorian costumes.

There will also be carol singing, history talks, and engaging circus workshops, all designed to immerse visitors in the spirit of a Victorian Christmas.

Confirmed venues hosting activities include the newly-renovated Tabernacle Morriston Centre, Centre Point, St. David's Church, Aenon Baptist Church, Morriston Library, and Sacred Heart Centre, along with additional spaces at 65 and 91 Woodfield Street.

No road closures will be required, allowing easy access for all attendees to explore the celebrations at their own pace.

The Morriston Tabernacle, a much-loved 152-year-old landmark, stands at the heart of Morriston's historic Woodfield Street. Recently reopened after a sensitive restoration project, the Tabernacle is now set to offer an even wider range of community activities and events.

Sir Bryn is the Tabernacle Morriston Choir's Life President and has sung at the venue a number of times over the years. He has also supported fundraising events to help in the restoration campaign.

Chior secretary David Morgans said: "It is great for us that Sir Bryn has agreed to officially re-open Morriston Tabernacle.

"Sir Bryn has sung with Tabernacle Morriston Choir on three occasions, but only twice in Tabernacle Chapel. In November, 1989, he sang in a concert version of Verdi's Nabucco and then again in November 1991 when he sang in Verdi's Requiem.

"The first time he sang with us when he was still a student was in Siloh Newydd Chapel Landore, because at the time the Tabernacle Chapel was closed while the ceiling was being repainted."

Huw Tregelles Williams, a musical artist and Tabernacle trustee said: "I was personally grateful to Sir Bryn in 2001 when, as an international star,  he took part in a fundraising concert for the restoration fund entirely free of charge. The chapel was packed and a substantial amount was raised."

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration, and Tourism, shared his enthusiasm: "Morriston has a proud Victorian heritage, so this event is aimed at celebrating the town's history while providing festive entertainment for local people and generating footfall for local businesses."

"As the Swansea community gathers for this memorable day, Sir Bryn Terfel's appearance and the opening of the Tabernacle Morriston Centre will provide a historic moment, connecting the community's heritage with its future."

NOTE: The improvements to the Tabernacle, which include enhanced accessibility and modernised spaces for community use, have been made possible by significant support from a range of funders.

These include the Architectural Heritage Fund, Welsh Government Community Facilities Programme, a Welsh Government Transforming Towns Placemaking Grant, UK Government Community Ownership Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund People and Places, Cadw, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Landfills Disposal Tax Community Scheme, The Welsh Church Act Fund and the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund.

Past partners involved in developing the project include Swansea Council for Voluntary Service, NHS Social Prescribing, Swansea University, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Caredig and Addoldai Cymru.

Morriston Victorian Day 2024 Programme

10:00 AM

Santa's Grotto (10:00 - 11:30) - Tabernacle Morriston Centre

Dr. Jekyll Science Show (ages 5 - 11) -CentrePoint, 31 Market Street

Baggy Cringle Victorian Singers - St. David's Church

Talk by Annie Pelleschi: History of Nursery Rhymes - Aenon Baptist Church

Morriston Ladies Choir and Tabernacle Morriston Choir- Tabernacle Chapel

Victorian Themed Christmas Children's Craft Session (10:00 - 11:30)- Morriston Library

10:30 AM

Organ Recital (10:30) -Tabernacle Chapel

Circus Eruption Workshops (10:30 - 14:30)- Tabernacle Morriston Centre

11:00 AM

Autumn Fayre (11:00 - 14:30) - Sacred Heart Centre

Morriston Ladies Choir and Tabernacle Morriston Choir- Tabernacle Chapel

Penclawdd Brass Band- St. David's Church

Talk by Jeff Stewart: Death in Victorian Swansea- Aenon Baptist Church

11:30 AM

Baggy Cringle Victorian Singers- Sacred Heart Centre

11:45 AM

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Sir Bryn Terfel- Tabernacle Morriston Centre

12:00 PM

Santa's Grotto (12:00 - 13:30) - Tabernacle Morriston Centre

Morriston Ladies Choir and Tabernacle Morriston Choir- Tabernacle Chapel

Men of Sweyn's Ey Morris and Sword Dancers- St. David's Church

Judging of Shop Window Displays by Glantawe Lions- Woodfield Street

Talk by Gwilym Games: Tinplate, Tabernacle, Libraries, and Mumbles Pier: The Life of John Jones Jenkins, Lord Glantawe- Aenon Baptist Church

12:30 PM

Morriston RFC Male Choir - Tabernacle Chapel

Baggy Cringle Victorian Singers- Morriston Library

1:00 PM

Mari Lwyd- St. David's Church

Talk by John Ashley: Buffalo Bill in Swansea (1903)- Aenon Baptist Church

1:30 PM

Organ Recital- Tabernacle Chapel

Create Your Own Christmas Card - Adult & Families Craft Session (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM)- Morriston Library

2:00 PM

Baggy Cringle Victorian Singers - St. David's Church

Performance of Amy Dillwyn by Debra John - Aenon Baptist Church

Talk by Steffan Phillips: The Secrets of Morriston's War Memorial Windows- Tabernacle Chapel

3:00 PM

Organ Recital - Closing the Day's Activities- Tabernacle Chapel

Throughout The Day (Various Venues)

ST David's Church

Craft Fayre, Tea & Coffee

Tabernacle Morriston Centre

Victorian Barrel Organ Playing

Victorian Jail

Craft Stalls

Children's Christmas Trail

Santa's Workshop

Free Facepainting

Letters to Santa

Cookie Decorating

65 Woodfield Street

Swansea Museum - Mystery Objects Stall

Mari Lwyd Display

Magic Mirror—Victorian Selfies

Victorian Pomander Workshop

Information Displays from Friends of Morriston

Park & Friends of Hafod Morfa Copperworks

Woodfield Street

Mari Lwyd

Victorian Storyteller

Victorian Stilt Walker