In case you haven’t heard, Dylan Thomas would have been 100 years old on 27th October. Sadly, the Welsh poet died in 1953, robbing us of one of the heaven-sent talents of the century. But in honour of the man and his work, Thomas’ hometown of Swansea is holding multiple celebrations on and around his birthday. If you’re at all inspired by great words and the great outdoors, you must go.
The Dylan Thomas 100 festival actually began on the 27th October 2013, but most of the events will be held this October. Here’s how to make the most of them:
1. Travel
Swansea is a vibrant coastal Welsh town surrounded by striking scenery. And it’s this setting that inspired so much of Dylan Thomas’ work. Book ahead into a convenient Travelodge and escape for a week (or weekend) of poetry. Not only will a festival visit be inspirational for Dylan Thomas fans, it’s also a fun educational trip for families.
2. See and do
Highlights include The Dylathon, which will be held from 26th to 27th October at the Grand Theatre in Swansea. Go all the way with a special 36-hour reading of poems, plays and prose, staged by Olivier award-winning Michael Bogdanov. (Don’t worry, this marathon is broken into three-hour slots so you don’t need to pull an all-nighter.) The cast of hundreds includes famous actors such as Rob Brydon, and members of the local community.
On the 2nd October, The Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea holds a Dylan Thomas National Poetry Day Event.
The actual Dylan Thomas Festival runs from 27th October to 9th November, with a new exhibition about the poet opening on the first day at the Centre. Try to catch the one-off weekend event of war poetry commemorating the First World War.
While you’re in Swansea, roam the streets of Uplands where Thomas spent his early years. You can even pop into his bedroom at 5 Cwmdonkin Drive, the house where he was born. Then walk round the corner to his one-time haunt, the Uplands Tavern – still a traditional pub. And if the weather’s fine, take the children to the play area in lush Cwmdonkin Park. 
(c)Saminaleo
On the 25th October there’ll be a chance to take part in a Dylan Thomas Tea in the nearby town of Carmarthen. Held at St Peters Civic Hall, the tea will be a full spread of traditional Welsh fair and include a number of staged poetry readings, perfect for those who enjoy their poetry with a piece of cake!
Now for the family outing of your dreams: from 30th October to 10th December at the Swansea Grand Theatre, you can see a new adaptation of A Child’s Christmas in Wales. An evocative music-filled event, this is just what you need to get in the Christmas spirit.
3. Eat and drink
Swansea won’t leave foodies disappointed. If you’re after a tasty cheap eat head to One Shoe Cafe for filling and delicious sandwiches priced around £2.20 – and very good coffee. The Bouchon de Rossi is just around the corner from The Grand Theatre and a really special place to eat. The flavours transport you straight to Provence. Traditional drinkers might like to head to Pant-y-Gwydr which is a traditional Welsh pub (with a French twist) and serves up delicious pigs’ trotters and a selection of fresh game. Here you can make a toast to Dylan, the perfect way to top off a relaxed artistic evening.
4. Tickets
Tickets are sold individually for each event, and you can buy them either online or at the venue. Just make sure you check ahead to avoid missing out on special events and any offers online. Some events will even be free. Check out the programme for more details.
