Christmas Lights in Pembrokeshire 2026
Get into the festive spirit with these seasonal illuminations
One of the best festive things to do in Pembrokeshire is to take a tour of the Christmas light displays across the county to see how the different towns and villages look with their fitting seasonal displays. Find out where to see Christmas lights in Pembrokeshire with this extensive guide.
West Wales has many spectacular Christmas displays with quaint harbours sporting trees decked out with hundreds of fairy lights and bustling towns with strings of coloured bulbs overhead. Glowing signs and sparkling presentations pop up all over the coast and country, with inventive displays to be seen in the most unusual of places.
We’ve outlined below all the dates you need to know for the Pembrokeshire Christmas light switch-on events and have included a few of our favourite locations where you can visit the lights in the run-up to Christmas, even if you miss the switch-on event. And if you are planning a pre-Christmas cottage getaway to help you get in the festive spirit, don’t forget to check out our other guides to find out about the Christmas markets in Pembrokeshire and all the other fun festive events you might like to visit.
Dates for Christmas Lights in Pembrokeshire
Many dates have yet to be announced for these 2026 Christmas lights events in Pembrokeshire, so for the moment most of the dates listed here are estimated. We'll be updating this page as and when we hear more details and confirmed dates.
- TBC: Goodwick Christmas Lights Switch-On
- TBC: Fishguard Christmas Lights Switch-On
- TBC: Carew Castle Christmas Illuminations
- 28th November: Tenby Christmas Lights Switch-On
- 28th November TBC: St Davids Christmas Lights Switch-On
- 28th November TBC: Haverfordwest Christmas Lights Switch-On
- TBC: Cardigan Festival of Light
- TBC: Cardigan Giant Lantern Parade
- TBC: Carew Castle Christmas Illuminations
- TBC: Carew Castle Christmas Illuminations
- 12th December TBC: Pembrokeshire's Christmas Convoy
- 19th December TBC: Pembrokeshire's Christmas Illuminated Tractor Run
- TBC: Saundersfoot Christmas Lights Switch-On
Tenby Christmas Lights
For a magnificent and atmospheric light display, head to the popular seaside resort of Tenby, where a large Christmas tree gets erected in Tudor Square and twinkling lights are hung over the cobbled streets of the town.
Their switch-on day is easily one of the best family Christmas events in Pembrokeshire and is an ideal way to start getting in the festive mood. It is usually held on a Saturday in late November in Tudor Square, which becomes a hive of activity with a local DJ and live musical performances providing a soundtrack of popular festive tunes. The town’s mayor sets off in an all-weather RNLI lifeboat to collect Father Christmas from a top-secret location out at sea. Once safely ashore, the mayor and Santa join a blue light parade through a festive flurry of snow from the roof of Tenby House Hotel before turning on the lights across the town.
This year, Tenby Christmas lights are set to be switched on on Saturday 28th November 2025 so why not plan a festive weekend away in one of our Tenby holiday cottages? And if you’re looking for other things to do at Christmas in Pembrokeshire, we highly recommend visiting Tenby for the Tenby Santa Run and the Tenby Boxing Day Swim; both held annually.
Saundersfoot Christmas Lights
Saundersfoot has been known to put up a bright “Welcome to Saundersfoot” sign to welcome you into the village with festive spirit. The switch-on event (2026 date tbc) here has taken place in the Sensory Garden historically, with a fabulous Christmas tree taking centre stage and primary school children singing carols.
Stick around for an evening of late-night shopping before settling at a table in any one of the pubs and restaurants for a mouth-watering end to your day. We like The Stone Crab on the seafront, The Mulberry for romantic dinners and The Royal Oak for hearty pub grub.
St Davids Christmas Lights
It is always worth saving some space in the diary for the switch-on event in St Davids as it is one of the most traditional winter events in Pembrokeshire. A huge real tree takes centre stage on Cross Square as crowds gather to sing carols and await Father Christmas. As Santa zooms past on his sleigh, take the opportunity to snap a picture of the chap in red and the Christmas tree before calling into City Hall for a chance to meet him in his Grotto. We always recommend popping into St Davids Cathedral during your visit too, for the breathtaking interiors look even more magical during the festive season with Christmas decorations.
The St Davids Christmas Lights switch-on usually takes place on the last Saturday in November, so we're estimating it will be Saturday 28th November 2025. The Cross Square Christmas Tree gets lit at 5:15pm and you have a chance to visit Santa at his grotto in the City Hall from 5:45pm.
St Davids Christmas Lights at Cross Square
Haverfordwest Christmas Lights
Another of the free Christmas events in Pembrokeshire that you might like to take the kids to is the lights switch-on in Haverfordwest. Often held on a Saturday in late November, this festive day out takes over the town with live music and entertainment; expect everything from local bands to choirs and dance troupes performing.
A stage gets set up at the riverside where you’ll get to see special guest Santa and join in with fun family-friendly games. There will even be the chance to win with giveaways and various stalls set up around the town. Enjoy a full day out here before a fantastic firework display lights up the town and the lights get switched on around 6pm.
We're guessing the 2026 date for the Haverfordwest Christmas Lights Switch-On will be Saturday 28th November, but we'll keep you posted as soon as the date has been officially announced. The fun day throughout the town starts at midday, with select shops open until 7pm and the lights being switched on at 6pm.
Goodwick and Fishguard Christmas Lights
Held on the same weekend in late November, Goodwick’s Light Night is usually held on a Friday night, with Fishguard’s Christmas Light Switch on taking place the following night.
Goodwick’s Light Night kicks off on the main street from 5:30pm with music from Goodwick Community Band and a local school choir. Santa arrives in his sleigh for a prompt 6pm switch on before heading to OceanLab to meet local children.
On Saturday in Fishguard, there has been known to be a Christmas market in the town hall and a toy swap in the library, both between 4pm and 7pm. Entertainment begins at 5:15pm with carols from local school choirs. Once again, you can expect the town to light up from 6pm before Santa rides his sleigh to the Town Hall for a meet and greet. St Mary’s Church traditionally gets involved too, by hosting a Navity Trail or similar event on the same evening from 5:30pm to 7pm, providing an extra festive activity to join in with.
The date for both the Goodwick Christmas Lights Switch On and the Fishguard Christmas Lights Switch On is to be confirmed for 2026.
Narberth Christmas Lights
Make sure to pop along to the boutique town of Narberth for a pretty display of illuminated shop windows that is sure to get you in the festive mood. Fairy lights are hung from the clock tower and this location is the perfect spot to do a little Christmas shopping. The town usually puts their decorations up from mid to late November and we recommend a trip.
Narberth Christmas lights display
Carew Castle Christmas Lights
Carew Castle has been known to get involved with a special Christmas lights event. In 2025, the castle was dressed with illuminations taking place every Friday to Sunday, for several weeks from late November onwards. The light shows were held between 4.30pm and 7.30pm. Visitors also enjoyed a fun Snowman Trail (£2 charge) and festive entertainment from local choirs and musical groups.
The Nest Tearoom on site opened late too, until 7.30pm during these weekends plus there was a Santa's Grotto.
Illuminated Tractor Run at Christmas
If you get excited about Christmas, Christmas lights and displays or tractors, then this event is a must-attend for you. Taking place on a Saturday evening in early December, this breathtaking event sees hundreds of tractors, each decorated in fun festive fairy lights, take to the roads of Pembrokeshire in what is truly a remarkable display of festivity.
Held in aid of charities such as The Catrin Vaughan Foundation and the Wales Air Ambulance, Pembrokeshire's Illuminated Christmas Tractor Run is an extraordinary spectacle that rain-or-shine, draws impressive crowds out along its 27-mile route. Starting in Clarbeston Road, the convoy follows a route through Maenclochog, Llys Y Fran, Crundale, Prendergast and Haverfordwest High Street before ending at Withybush Showground, Haverfordwest.
The 2026 Illuminated Tractor Run in Pembrokeshire is set to take place on Saturday 19th December. Donations are welcomed via a new online giving page every year; follow The Illuminated Tractor Run on Facebook to keep updated.
Illuminated Christmas Tractor Run in Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire Christmas Convoy
Another beloved Christmas event is the Pembrokeshire Christmas Convoy which sees a collection of decorated trucks, lorries and cars take to the roads in South Pembrokeshire. Following a 3-mile route through holiday destinations such as Tenby, Saundersfoot and Narberth; this run sets off from Folly Farm and welcomes crowds to come out and give the drivers a wave as they pass by.
Previous years have seen up to 140 vehicles take part in this charity run, which has raised money for The Firefighters Charity and The Velindre Cancer Charity in the past.
It usually runs the week before the Illuminated Tractor Run, so we're expecting the 2026 Christmas Convoy in Pembrokeshire to take place on Saturday 12th December, but that is to be confirmed. For more details and to keep updated, follow Pembrokeshire Christmas Convoy on Facebook.
Cardigan's Festival of Light
When it comes to Christmas lights in Cardigan, you're in for a real treat as the town has been known to host a Festival of Light over the festive period. Arranged by Small World Theatre, a local organisation which creates captivating performances and runs innovative community projects, the 2025 Festival of Light in Cardigan incorporated more lights than ever before so we're looking forward to seeing what they'll do for 2026.
In 2025, they arranged a light trail throughout the town alongside the traditional Christmas lights, with impressive illuminated artworks and giant lanterns. Cardigan's Christmas Light Trail took place daily between 4pm and 9pm from the 29th November 2025 until the 2nd January 2026, so we imagine they're planning something similar for 2026.
As part of Cardigan's Festival of Light, Small World Theatre often organise the Cardigan Giant Lantern Parade in early December, though no 2026 date has been set yet.
In the run-up to the Parade, you can also join in with Lantern-Making Workshops held in mid-to-late November. These workshops are suitable for those aged 8+ (must be accompanied by a parent/guardian), and you must bring along an apron and a packed lunch.
Christmas in Pembrokeshire
Now that you've learnt where you can see the best Christmas light displays in Pembrokeshire, you might like to read our full guides to Christmas events in Pembrokeshire and how to spend the festive season here. With Christmas markets in Pembrokeshire, you can pick up all your gifts for the big day before taking a tour of some of the Christmas lights mentioned above. You can also take your chance to see Santa, join a fancy dress fun run or brave the seas for a chilly charity swim.
For somewhere to stay when seeing the Christmas lights in Pembrokeshire 2026, check out our Christmas cottages for the ultimate in cosy cottages and large holiday homes that will accommodate the whole family, or ask our Concierge team about our range of festive extras to add a little extra Christmas magic to your stay.
