Your Pembrokeshire Festive Guide
Mulled wine, Markets and Mistletoe
If you’re staying in Pembrokeshire over the next few weeks, you’ve picked a great time to visit. Once the summer crowds head home, the county leans properly into winter—think coastal lantern parades, medieval castles lit up after dark, and local markets where you can actually chat to the makers.
Whether you’re after a few handmade Welsh gifts or just an excuse for a mince pie and a hot drink after a coastal walk, here is what’s happening nearby this season.
Saundersfoot
- 21 November – Coastal Christmas, Lantern Parade & Lights Switch-On: The village kicks off the season with its lantern parade and Christmas lights switch-on. Wrap up warm, grab something hot to eat by the harbour, and watch the lanterns wind down to the seafront.
- 5–6 December – Harbour Christmas Market: If you miss the November lights switch-on, the harbour hosts its dedicated Christmas market a couple of weeks later—great for picking up stocking fillers right by the water.
Picton Castle & Gardens
- 21–22 November – Castle Christmas Fair: Their annual Christmas Fair is a great shout for browsing local crafts and food stalls inside the grounds.
- 17 December – Christmas by Candlelight: A quieter, atmospheric evening exploring the decorated state rooms by firelight and candlelight.
Pembroke
- 27–29 November – Pembroke Castle Christmas Market: Set right inside the castle walls, this is one of the biggest markets in the area. (Local tip: Entry is free, though you do need to book free tickets online beforehand. If you go on Friday evening around 6:30 pm, keep an eye on the 80ft keep—Santa usually makes his entrance by abseiling down it.)
Narberth
- 27–29 November – The Queens Hall Christmas Market: Three floors of local gifts, crafts, and food. Narberth’s high street is brilliant for independent shops and lunch spots anyway, so it’s easy to make a full afternoon of it.
Tenby
- 28 November – Christmas Market, Santa Run, RNLI Lifeboat Arrival & Lights Switch-On: A big day in town—there’s a Christmas market, a Santa Run, the lights switch-on, and the main event: Santa arriving into the harbour courtesy of the RNLI lifeboat crew.
Pembroke Castle
Carew Castle
- 5–6 & 12–13 December – Tudor Christmas Weekends: Carew does things a bit differently, dressing the castle rooms in traditional Tudor greenery and lights, with local choirs and live music. (Keep an eye out for their Glow Christmas Illuminations dates too—still to be confirmed for this year).
Haverfordwest (Scolton Manor)
- 5–6 December – Scolton Manor Craft Fayre: A lovely, laid-back craft fair held in the Victorian manor house and grounds.
Milford Waterfront
- 10–13 December – Quayside Christmas Cabins: Wooden cabins pop up along the illuminated marina. It’s an easy evening out—you can browse the stalls and then duck straight into one of the waterfront restaurants for dinner.
A few of the bigger castle events ask you to book slots in advance, so it’s always worth double-checking their websites before setting off. Otherwise, bring a decent coat, pack some gloves, and enjoy Pembrokeshire at its cosiest.
Make a Proper Coastal Weekend of It!!
You don’t have to rush around trying to squeeze everything into a single afternoon. One of the best things about visiting Pembrokeshire in November and December is how easy it is to slow down and turn a bit of Christmas shopping into a proper winter break.
Spend your mornings wandering the independent shops in Narberth or browsing the castle markets, take a crisp afternoon walk along the coast, and then head back to your lodge to warm up. There’s nothing quite like sinking into a hot tub under some of Pembrokeshire’s darkest winter skies after a day out in the sea air.
Fancy escaping to the coast before Christmas? Take a look at our winter availability online, or give our reception team a ring on 01834 812398 to plan your stay.
Emperor Lodge Hot Tub at Christmas
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