Maintaining its reputation of being the largest Festival of its kind in Wales, Swansea International Festival expands even further with a choice of 37 events spread over two weeks between October 2-17.

The Festival’s trademark world-renowned orchestras are present with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra opening the Brangwyn Hall concerts on October 3 and the Dresden Philharmonic, featuring Swansea-born cellist Thomas Carroll, closing them on October 17. BBC National Orchestra of Wales with pianist Llyr Williams will perform on October 14.

There truly is something for everyone. Young Festival-goers have Classic Buskers, when magic and music come together; I Believe In Unicorns, based on Michael Morpurgo’s children’s story and Ballet Cymru’s new interpretation of Cinderella. They also have a chance to show their work with Patagonia 150. Parents are welcome too, but there is a fun night for them when they can jive, swing and waltz away to the big-band sounds of the Buck Clayton Legacy Band.

If you fancy some jazz, Memphis-born Charlie Wood is on hand. Laugh the night away with Max Boyce or thrill to the sounds of opera in Viva, Verdi with Swansea City Opera. Catch the Fitkin Band’s latest work Disco, or the talented young Trio Apaches. Perhaps Wales’ Elin Manahan Thomas and baroque ensemble Florilegium or Amsterdam’s incredible Calefax Reed Quintet appeal to you or you can watch a silent movie with accompanying live music from Minima.

With Kev Johns hosting Achieving Goals, Iolo Williams presenting Welsh Rarebit, Philip Clark’s Festival Lecture, Sinfonia Cymru’s pop-up pub night Quartet, Lunchtime Specials (including a screened interview with Osi Rhys Osmond and talk from Artes Mundi’s Karen MacKinnon), Visual Art Exhibitions at the Mission Gallery, Oriel Ceri Richards and Galerie Simpson, and the Purple Flag Weekend there is a busy time ahead to fill the autumn days.

Full details are available on the Festival website swanseafestival.org.