Events in Tenby
Channel your inner athlete, take in a music concert and more.
No matter the time of year or the occasion, Tenby makes the perfect setting for a day out with friends and family. With so many sports events, festivals, foodie happenings, celebrations and more; Tenby certainly packs a full calendar!
Ironman Wales and Long Course Weekend
Since Ironman’s arrival in 2010, it’s pretty impossible to think of Tenby without thinking of Ironman Wales. This bustling seaside town explodes each September with thousands of athletes taking on the brutal test of competing for an Ironman title. Beginning with a 2.4m swim through the waters off North Beach, athletes take to their bikes for a demanding 112m cycle following a stunning route taking in sights including Freshwater West, Pembroke and Carew. Finally, the day ends with a marathon. To call it challenging would be an understatement, but the coastal scenery has made this an iconic race for those in the triathlon world.
A little earlier in the year before the summer holidays hit, Tenby’s streets and shores are once again taken over by hordes of athletes. Every July for an entire weekend, Tenby experiences Long Course Weekend fever. Thousands and thousands of athletes set their sights on this small town with its big personality for a triathlon with a difference. In contrast to Ironman, the Long Course Weekend is as the name suggests, spread over three days.
The Wales Marathon - Long Course Weekend, Tenby
Rather than doing the whole race as one, this event splits the legs into separate races and even offers the option to enter shorter distances throwing entry open to first-timers, beginners and trained athletes. Take part in a 1.2m or 2.4 swim on Friday or choose from three cycle distances on the Saturday; 40m / 66m or 112. The final leg takes place on Sunday with a 5k or 10k run, a half marathon and a full marathon to choose from. Enter for the “Full Long Course Weekend” to take part in all three long distances and you’ll receive the coveted fourth medal.
Both Ironman Wales and Long Course Weekend bring athletes and supporters to the area in their masses. On the weekends when these events are taking place, the atmosphere with Tenby is undeniably electric. Expect to see flags hung proudly through the streets and in shop windows, families exploring the beaches all times of the day and the sounds of cow bells being shaken in support in the distance. These events are fantastic fun for all the family – you can even enter your little ones in the child friendly races before the main events take place, a perfect opportunity to get the little ones involved.
Long Course Kinder - Long Course Weekend, Tenby
Tenby Summer Spectaculars
On weekends throughout the school summer holidays, head down to the harbour for a guaranteed day of family fun at one of Tenby’s Summer Spectacular events. Take part in any number of the activities or events taking place, or enjoy your day soaking in the rays and building sandcastles on Harbour Beach.
Alongside games and activities such as a bouncy castle, there will be a range of refreshments available and even live music and more entertainment throughout the day. Make sure to bring along an extra layer and stick around into the evening for the impressive fireworks displays. These events are weather dependent so best to check before making a special trip to the town.
Tenby Arts Festival
Visit Tenby towards the end of September for the Annual Arts Festival where you can attend any number of workshops, concerts, recitals, performances and more. The Arts Festival makes use of various locations across the town such as Church House, the Library Hall, the De Valence and St Mary’s Church.
Each year, a favoured event comes in the form of the Rising Stars Concert where previous performers have gone on to win sought-after accolades such as the BBC Young Musician competition.
Tenby Blues Festival
Each November, the cosy interiors of Tenby’s pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants become unique live music venues for the annual Tenby Blues Festival. Spread across a whole weekend, you can book tickets to see the performances at venues such as the De Valence in Upper Frog Street for a typical concert, but it’s the accompanying Blues Trail which makes this event extra special.
With a packed programme of performances, the Blues Trail allows you to catch one-off music shows at many of Tenby’s popular spots for free. Hosting venues in past years have included the Sandbar, Feccis, the Lifeboat Tavern and Tenby House. Follow the trail throughout the town and take in as many live performances as possible.
Tenby Beer Festival
One of the newer events in the Tenby diary, the town’s Beer Festival also takes place in November each year. A charitable event, the Tenby Beer Festival takes place in the De Valence and welcomes visitors to taste a superb selection of beers, ciders and more.
Local and Welsh independent brews usually make an appearance including the likes of Tenby Brewing Co. and Harbwr Brewery beers both made locally within the town. The festival also puts on live music from local bands and has been known to screen an Autumn Internationals rugby match on the big screen.
Christmas in Tenby
The cobbled streets and twinkling lights over the harbour are somehow even more enchanting at Christmas, and a visit to the seaside town at this time of year is guaranteed to leave you feeling magical.
The Tenby Santa Run is often first up in early December and sees a large number of “Santas” participate in a 3k run through the centre of the town down to the harbour. Wrap up warm and cheer along the parade of people dressed up in their red outfits and beards, unless you fancy joining in that is!
On the day after Christmas each year, a crowd gathers on Tenby’s North Beach for the Annual Boxing Day Swim. With a record-breaking amount of participants year on year, this event has seen numbers as high as 700 take part in recent years. A charity fundraiser, the Tenby Boxing Day Swim has become one of Wales’ most-loved festive traditions with audiences of thousands supporting those fearless enough to dip their toes in the water.
To celebrate in the New Year, you can’t miss the party which erupts on Tudor Square late on New Year’s Eve. Whether you’re planning a romantic meal in one of the nearby restaurants or sampling a local brew in one of the pubs, the Square is the place to be, come midnight. With music, balloons and a countdown – it definitely makes for a memorable New Year’s Eve.
Stay in Tenby
Browse our holiday homes in Tenby and plan your stay around one of the fantastic events listed above.
