15–21 June 2026 · Theme: Courage
About Refugee Week
Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees and asylum seekers to the UK. Taking place every June, it aims to promote understanding between communities and create a more welcoming environment for people seeking sanctuary.
Swansea: A City of Sanctuary
Swansea City of Sanctuary (SCoS) is part of the City of Sanctuary UK network, which works to build a culture of hospitality for people fleeing violence and persecution. Swansea was one of the first cities in Wales to be granted City of Sanctuary status, and since then our movement has grown to include organisations, schools, businesses, and community groups across the city committed to welcome.
We are a grassroots movement of residents working together to ensure everyone in our city is welcome. We believe in building a community where all are treated with dignity and respect. Our events during Refugee Week are about celebrating these shared values of kindness, community, and support for all who call Swansea home.
During Refugee Week 2026, we are proud to be highlighting the exceptional events and activities taking place across the sector – from community celebrations and creative workshops to exhibitions, film screenings and advocacy!
What’s On: Events
We have many events taking place across the city during Refugee Week 2026.
All events are free and open to all unless otherwise stated.
Sanctuary Welcome Day
📅 Sunday 14th June 🕙 10am – 3pm 📍 National Waterfront Museum, SA1 3RD
Join us at the first UK Museum of Sanctuary for a celebration co-created with our partners. Featuring interactive workshops for all ages, thought-provoking films and discussions, book stalls and poetry, as well as music and art. Enjoy delicious food, unwind, and soak up the atmosphere – or simply relax and listen to the music.
Quiz Night!
📅 Tuesday 16th June 🕙 Doors 7pm · Quiz 7:30pm 📍 Oxfam Books & Music, SA1 1HZ
Questions on books, films and music – with an international theme celebrating creativity and culture from all over the world! Come as a team or come on your own and we’ll find you a nice friendly team to join.
Film Screening: MIGRANTS (2020) & Creative Activities
📅 Wednesday 17th June 🕙 10am–12pm & 4–6pm 📍 Y Storfa, First Floor, SA1 3EL
Driven from their habitat by climate change, two polar bears embark on a journey into unfamiliar territory, where they encounter brown bears and must attempt to coexist. Directed by Hugo Caby, Antoine Dupriez, Aubin Kubiak, Lucas Lermytte & Zoé Devise. Certificate U – suitable for all ages.
Stop motion animation, colouring, lego and other activities to get involved with!
Creative Workshop: Lizzie the Elephant’s Adventures
📅 Thursday 18th June 🕙 4pm – 5.30pm 📍 Y Storfa, First Floor, SA1 3EL
Join writer Eric Ngalle Charles and Jo from the Dylan Thomas Centre for a creative workshop ideal for children aged 8–12. For years, Lizzie the Elephant lived in Swansea Museum. She’d travelled miles to get there, showing a lot of courage along the way. Imagine, draw, and write your own adventure starring Lizzie!
ℹ️ Booking essential: 01792 636464 / central.library@swansea.gov.uk
Silk Painting Workshop
📅 Friday 19th June 🕙 2pm – 4pm 📍 St James Church Centre, SA1 4QA
Join us for a relaxing silk painting workshop led by Mission Gallery artists Safi and Meg. Learn traditional silk painting techniques, explore your creativity, and create a beautiful piece to take home. Suitable for beginners and experienced makers alike!
ℹ️ Limited spaces, booking essential: info@sass.wales
Refugee Day Celebration
📅 Friday 19th June 🕙 4pm – 6pm 📍 Swansea Grand Theatre (3rd floor), SA1 3QJ
Planned and organised by the youth members of ACC. Join us to celebrate courage – our strength, resilience and the diversity of refugees – and celebrate their contributions to society.
Coffee Morning & Status Celebration
📅 Saturday 20th June 🕙 11am 📍 Oxfam Books & Music, SA1 1HZ
A Fairtrade coffee morning and celebration of our Shop of Sanctuary status. All welcome!
Mini Festival
📅 Saturday 20th June 🕙 11am – 2pm 📍 The Market Garden, Swansea Market, SA1 3PQ
Join a vibrant community celebration of culture and diversity, with salsa dancing, cooking demos, live music, children’s art, and fun for all ages.
Organised by Swansea Council Refugee Resettlement Team and EYST.
Free Book Launch:
Cove Dyn Ni / We Are Memory: A Cartography of Becoming
📅 Saturday 20th June 🕙 2pm 📍 Dylan Thomas Centre, SA1 1RR
This Refugee Week, we are launching a fantastic anthology of creative writing edited by Eric Ngalle Charles. It features creative writing from world-wide Wales, including writers from the Dylan Thomas Centre sanctuary workshops, members of the Young Writers Squad, and young people at Ysgol Bryn Tawe. We’re celebrating the release with readings from contributors. Published by Hafan Books – a Swansea Asylum Seekers Support solidarity project, with all proceeds going to the charity.
Patients Not Passports Wales Drop-In
📅 Sunday 21st June 🕙 11am – 1pm 📍 Y Storfa, First Floor, SA1 3EL
Patients not Passports Wales will be holding a drop-in session in solidarity with AADD’s weekend of action against the hostile environment.
What’s On: Exhibitions
Four exhibitions are running throughout Refugee Week – free to visit during venue opening hours.
Swansea City of Sanctuary Exhibition
📅 All week (15–21 June) 📍 Y Storfa, First Floor, SA1 3EL
The history of Swansea as a City of Sanctuary, with real stories from people with lived experience of seeking sanctuary. Presented by Swansea City of Sanctuary.
Writings Exhibition
📅 All week (15–21 June) 📍 Oxfam Books & Music, SA1 1HZ
An exhibition of writings about reading, and the importance of books in the lives of volunteers from our Shop of Sanctuary team.
Patients Not Passports Exhibition
📅 All week (15–21 June) 📍 Y Storfa, First Floor, SA1 3EL
Created collaboratively with people who have been charged for their NHS care and health workers involved in the Patients Not Passports campaign.
SASS Art Exhibition
📅 All week (15–21 June) 📍 Y Storfa, First Floor, SA1 3EL (Mon–Thu) & St James Church, SA1 4QF (Fri-Sun)
Members of the SASS community were invited to submit artwork on the theme of “Courage” for our Refugee Week Art Exhibition, sharing their experiences, perspectives, and creativity.
Every Week is Refugee Week!
Refugee Week is one week, but the work of the local asylum seeker and refugee sector continues throughout the whole year.
Volunteer at Refugee Week Events
Many of this year’s events are led by a small number of dedicated volunteers. If you’d like to help out during Refugee Week, whether that’s welcoming guests, helping set up, or supporting activities, we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch to find out more about volunteering opportunities during Refugee Week 2026.