Town centre events
There are plenty of events and activities in Bridgend County Borough's town centres to keep the whole family entertained this Christmas, including:
- Artisan Christmas Food, Craft and Gift Market
- Christmas Street Markets
- Christmas Lights Switch On at Town Centres
- Santa's Grottos
- Christmas Parade
Victorian Christmas and Christmas Light Switch On
Saturday 2 December
Join Porthcawl Town Council for their Victorian Christmas Extravaganza.
Bandstand, from 11am
- Porthcawl Comprehensive School -choir and small orchestra
- Newton Primary School – infants and junior school
- Porthcawl Community Chorus
- Grace Church Community Choir
- Nottage Primary School
- Porthcawl Male voice choir
4.45pm Christmas light switch on. Steelworks Santa will lead a parade in the trishaw of Porthcawl JOY Riders accompanied by Porthcawl Rotary and a procession of children with lanterns.
Santa will switch on the lights and the children will be provided with a free gift from Santa.
During the light switch on the bandstand area will be covered in snow.
Porthcawl Museum - outside, 11.30am - 3pm
- Sounds Familiar Choir dressed in Victorian dress singing Christmas carols.
- Porthcawl Community Orchestra
- Grand Pavilion will perform an excerpt of the Christmas Panto “ Beauty and the beast”.
Porthcawl Museum - inside, 11am - 4.30pm
- Victorian themed day
- FREE Lantern making for children . FREE
- FREE Christmas Card making for children. FREE
- Victorian Soup and Welsh cakes available
- FREE - Take a photo under a snow covered Victorian lamp
- Porthcawl Lions Father Christmas Grotto
Porthcawl YMCA 11am - 4.30pm
- FREE Simulated Snowboarding experience
- FREE Batako Electronic Light Game Machine
- FREE Reindeer Derby Game
- FREE Victorian ‘Slap a Rat’ Game
- FREE Victorian ‘Hook a Duck’ game
Porthcawl Santa Music fest Saturday 9th December 2023
Porthcawl Bandstand, 11am -4pm
- James Ley trumpeter and singer
- Nathan Wright singer
- Undercurrent Duo -singers
- Matt Davies singer
- Undercurrent duo – singers
Porthcawl Museum - outside from 11.3am - 4pm
- Jordan Marks guitarist and singer.
- Showsax – saxophonist and singer
- St Louis Express show band
- Showsax - saxophonist and singer
- Molly Anstee singer
- Street magician from 11 am until 3pm
This is a Porthcawl Town Council event.
Santa’s Grotto
Saturday 2 December, 10am - 4pm
Carnegie House, Bridgend
Bring your children to meet Santa and choose a quality gift, plus you can take your own photos. Bookings can be made in advance.
All proceeds of the Christmas Grotto will be distributed to local Charites.
Cost:£8
This is a Lions Club of Bridgend event, supported by Bridgend Town Council.
Christmas Parade
Saturday 2 December
Maesteg town centre
Following on from the success of the Christmas Parade in 2022, Maesteg Town Council are pleased to announce that the Parade is returning in 2023.
Featuring special guest appearances from Jenkin and Chanelle from the Big Brother house, Russel Jones from X Factor, and local singer Alex Jones.
If your group or organisation would like to be part of the Parade, please email clerk@maestegcouncil.org for an application form.
This is a Maesteg Town Council and EPM event.
Maesteg Town Council Christmas Grotto
Saturday and Sunday, 2 and 3 December
Maesteg Market
Returning for 2023, Maesteg Town Council welcomes you and your family to the new and improved Santa's Grotto. Write your letter to Santa and post it to the Elves at the North Pole Mail Room. Check if you’ve made the naughty or nice list and spread some Christmas cheer with the whole family.
Quiet sessions for those who need them are available at 10am each day (Email clerk@maestegcouncil.org to request a space on these).
Last admission at 3.45pm.
Cost: Free
This is a Maesteg Town Council and Production 78 event.
Green Top Christmas Market
Saturday 2 December 2023
Bridgend Town Centre
Market featuring independent producers, talented crafters, artisan makers and a few tasty surprises. Meet friends, support your local high street, shop, eat and enjoy! Hosted by Green Top Markets.
Maesteg Town Council Christmas Grotto
Saturday and Sunday, 9 and 10 December
Maesteg Market
Returning for 2023, Maesteg Town Council welcomes you and your family to the new and improved Santa's Grotto. Write your letter to Santa and post it to the Elves at the North Pole Mail Room. Check if you’ve made the naughty or nice list and spread some Christmas cheer with the whole family.
Quiet sessions for those who need them are available at 10am each day (Email clerk@maestegcouncil.org to request a space on these).
Last admission at 3.45pm.
Cost: Free
This is a Maesteg Town Council and Production 78 event.
Santa’s Grotto
Saturday 9 December, 10am-4pm.
Carnegie House, Bridgend
Bring your children to meet Santa and choose a quality gift, plus you can take your own photos. Bookings can be made in advance.
All proceeds of the Christmas Grotto will be distributed to local Charites.
Cost: £8
This is a Lions Club of Bridgend event, supported by Bridgend Town Council.
Green Top Christmas Market
Saturday 16 December 2023, 11am - 3pm
Hilsboro South car park , Porthcawl
Market featuring independent producers, talented crafters, artisan makers and a few tasty surprises. Meet friends, support your local high street, shop, eat and enjoy! Hosted by Green Top Markets.
Santa’s Grotto
Saturday 16 December, 10am - 4pm.
Carnegie House, Bridgend
Bring your children to meet Santa and choose a quality gift, plus you can take your own photos. Bookings can be made in advance.
All proceeds of the Christmas Grotto will be distributed to local Charites.
Cost: £8
This is a Lions Club of Bridgend event, supported by Bridgend Town Council.
Maesteg Town Council Christmas Grotto
Saturday and Sunday, 16 and 17 December
Maesteg Market
Returning for 2023, Maesteg Town Council welcomes you and your family to the new and improved Santa's Grotto. Write your letter to Santa and post it to the Elves at the North Pole Mail Room. Check if you’ve made the naughty or nice list and spread some Christmas cheer with the whole family.
Quiet sessions for those who need them are available at 10am each day (Email clerk@maestegcouncil.org to request a space on these).
Last admission at 3.45pm.
Cost: Free
This is a Maesteg Town Council and Production 78 event.