Home to a coastline etched in stone and a patchwork interior that boasts ancient woodlands and flower-strewn meadows, Pembrokeshire crafts a storybook setting worth sinking into. While golden beaches and undulating coastal paths offer sun-dipped diversions, this magical county also promises a medley of events and festivals throughout the year, from foodie feasts and cultural celebrations to musical spectacles that fill the fresh, salt-kissed air with beautiful ballads and invigorating rhythms.
Read on to uncover a convivial line-up that shines a light on Wales’ cultural heritage and modern revelries as we detail our most adored events and festivals in Pembrokeshire for a holiday you’ll treasure for years to come.
The Big Retreat, Lawrenny
22nd - 25th May 2026
If you seek a sojourn to reconnect with the world around you, The Big Retreat promises a weekend of soul-soothing activities to get lost in. Over 300 feel-good experiences beckon, inviting you to explore yoga beneath a dappled sky, refreshing wild swims that awaken the senses, high-energy workout that unleashes a wave of endorphins to fuel the rest of your day, and more. Set above the serene Claddau Estuary, this sanguine event weaves a tapestry of workshops and pursuits that unfurl into four days of merriment, all set to a backdrop of live music, wholesome eats, and live talks from the likes of Ruby Wax, Rebecca Ferguson, and Dr Peter Lovatt (Dr Dance). Move, meditate, and unwind… This Pembrokeshire festival will leave you feeling entirely new.
Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival, Tenby
TBC June 2026
Boasting a backdrop of golden sands, kaleidoscopic houses, and shimmering waters, Tenby’s beloved food festival promises an ever-growing selection of international cuisines set to a weekend of live music. The atmosphere here is always electric, with stalls lining the back of Tenby South Beach, forming a haven of rich aromas and bold colours that bring the senses to life. Whether you seek the moreish delights of a Welsh cake or the vibrant spices found across Asia and beyond, Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival ensures every palate is satiated. Alongside the foodstalls brimming with delicious delights, an assortment of market stalls bring a wave of local trinkets and takehomes to explore, from jewellery and artwork to beautiful crafts.
Westival, Manorbier
2nd - 5th July 2026
When it comes to festival backdrops, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park sets a magical scene, with dramatic cliffs and heather-topped headlands reaching into white-capped waters. Making the most of this spectacular setting, Westival sits a stone’s throw from the beautiful beach at Manorbier and the colourful coastal town of Tenby. The music here is a blend of genres, with vibrant live music interwoven seamlessly with club culture for a weekend of beats that will have you moving from dawn until dusk. In 2026, headliners include Shy FX, High Contrast, and Ms. Dynamite, giving you every opportunity to dance the night away. Offering a peaceful repose from the evening’s entertainment, a new area has been created for 2026. Camp Restival is a soul-soothing combination of wood-fired hot tubs, saunas, and cold water plunge pools, inviting you to unwind between sets in dreamy style.
Fishguard Festival of Music
17th - 31st July 2026
Filling this quiet corner of Wales with music for over 50 years, the Fishguard Festival of Music is a cultural showcase that’s not to be missed when staying in Pembrokeshire in July. Over the two weeks, various venues across Fishguard, St Davids, Haverfordwest, and Rhosygilwen fill with orchestral symphonies, serene solos, and choral consorts. From churches and theatres to great halls that offer a unique blend of acoustic assistance, each performance promises something special, inviting you to sit back and immerse yourself in the melodies of Romantic era classics, upbeat tangos, and rich folk music that sets the scene from the very first note. In between performances, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path beckons for dramatic interludes backed by the harmonies of crashing waves and calling gulls.
The National Eisteddfod, Llantwd
1st - 8th August 2026
A celebration of Welsh music, language, and culture, The National Eisteddfod is the largest touring festival in Europe, travelling around Wales to bring local arts into the spotlight for 850 years. Alternating between the sprawling scenes of South Wales and the rugged landscapes of the north, 2026 sees the festival make its home in North Pembrokeshire in Llantwd. The main event is the Maes, an eight-day epicentre for cultural, commercial, and recreational events and activities. There are over 20 stages peppered throughout the Maes, offering a variety of performances to inspire, while food and drink stalls spring up to ensure you are well fuelled for your Welsh revelries. Another special event to attend during the week is Y Gymanfa Ganu, a magical evening of singing and hymns by Cymanfa Choir under the esteemed direction of Daniel Reese. Although events are held in Welsh, Eisteddfod offers translation services, so you can appreciate the beauty of the language while following along.
Llangwm Literary Festival
7th - 9th August 2026
Whether you’re an avid reader or a collector of first editions, Llangwm Literary Festival invites you to share your love of the written and spoken word with like-minded folk in the most magical of settings. A variety of authors and wordsmiths take to the stage across a selection of venues, from classical scholars and modern-day favourites to food connoisseurs eager to share their passions with the world. It’s a wonderful festival for little literary lovers too, as many workshops offer the opportunity to get creative, while storytelling sessions invite them into an enchanting world they can experience together. The weekend finishes with a BBQ at The Cottage Inn, where you can enjoy delicious food and inspiring conversations fuelled by the topics of the festival.
Milford Haven Waterfront Weekender
8th - 10th August 2026
Better known as the Milford Haven food festival, this weekend-long celebration is a wonderful family-friendly affair that promises delectable treats in a bustling seaside setting. The array of traders ensures every taste is catered for, whether you’re drawn to spicy tacos, smoky BBQ, or a jute-full of indulgences for your retreat, from rum-infused sauces to perfectly cured meats, crumbly cheeses, and salt-flecked crackers. Alongside the culinary offerings, local creatives sell their handcrafted wares, including ceramics, jewellery, and homeware inspired by the surrounding coast. For further exploration, turn your feet towards Milford Haven’s blue and green spaces, where woodland wanders and ocean-side strolls await.
Narbeth Food Festival
26th - 27th September 2026
In Narbeth, a town of colourful houses and bunting that forever celebrates the frivolity of spring, Wales’ oldest food festival resides, returning year after year to fill the picturesque streets with a blend of aromas and sounds of well-fed mirth. Over 50 stalls laden with local delicacies and dishes fill the Town Moor and neighbouring car park, inviting you to browse and sup to your heart’s content, feasting on sweet bakes, sipping samples of local wines and spirits, and filling your bags with chutneys, jams, and spices to bring a little flavour of Wales home with you. Live music lends a jovial air to the festivities, with street performers and entertainers ensuring little ones are smiling from the moment they set foot in the bubble-infused festival.
Boia Festival, St Davids
23rd - 25th October 2026
A festival made for music lovers, by music lovers, Boia is a utopia of live entertainment, filling the venues around St Davids with a melange of melodies across the three days. Move and sway to a montage of genres that span acoustic, folk, indie, and alternative singer-songwriters and groups, all while soaking up the historic setting of this pocket-sized city. Buy tickets at City Hall and Tabernacle, or follow the Boia Trail to discover hidden displays tucked into cosy pubs, promising refreshing tipples and soul-warming meals alongside soul-stirring performances. In between shows, take a stroll down the ancient streets and visit St Davids Cathedral, a 6th-Century wonder that showcases incredible stonework, artisanal architecture, and beautiful stained-glass windows.
Christmas markets in Pembrokeshire
The most magical time of year, November and December mark the start of Pembrokeshire’s market season, when stalls spring from frost-dusted grounds and promise a world of glittered trinkets and stocking fillers galore. Boasting a backdrop to remember, Pembroke Castle Christmas Market (which is usually held at the end of November) is always a vibrant affair, with faiylights casting the festivities in a warming glow and mulled wine filling the air with Yuletide aromatics. Another favourite is the Christmas market at Scolton Manor, where the large green barn is transformed into a winter wonderland full of gifts and festive food around mid December. For the warmest of welcomes, visit Melin Tregwynt in the heart of November for a Christmas market laden with thick woollen jumpers and throws made at the beautiful working mill. At Cardigan Castle, the annual Christmas fair invites you to enter a world of Yuletide charm, with choirs and performers adding their angelic overtures to the convivial atmosphere.
Boxing Day and New Year’s Day swims in Pembrokeshire
Cosy jumpers, warming mugs of hot chocolate, and evenings reclining by a fire, winter evokes the toastiest of moments that are all the more enjoyable after a revitalising open-water swim in the sea. Embracing the tradition of festive swims, Pembrokeshire’s coastline is peppered with adrenaline-seeking swimmers ready to swap the cosy throws for ebbing tides. Boxing Day sees folk dashing through the sand at Tenby North Beach at 11am and Parrog in Newport at 12pm. Beginning the year with a refreshing dip, Saundersfoot has built a popular event that people travel across Pembrokeshire and beyond to join, making it one of the largest festive swims in the UK. The salt-dipped fun starts at 12.30pm, with fireworks filling the sky with colour as swimmers dart into the wintry seas. In St Davids, the annual Whitsands New Year’s Day Swim is another bracing opportunity to begin the year with salt-flecked flair. After a noon swim, participants and spectators head to the nearby Farmers Arms for a warming drink and live music, the perfect reward for your rejuvenating start to the year.
Feeling inspired? Take a look at our luxury cottages in Pembrokeshire.
