Santa will be returning to Pembroke Castle for their annual Christmas Market this year, which will be running between Friday 24th and Sunday 26th November. Attracting over 10,000 visitors in 2014, it is a popular addition to the festive season, and showcases products from Pembrokeshire and the surrounding areas. Supported by Valero and Pembroke Town Council, the Christmas Market is a community event offering free admission to all visitors. Pembroke Castle will overflow with Christmas cheer, with the castle walls and towers lit up in bright colours, music and entertainment, and a Santa’s Grotto in Western Hall. Where else will you see Santa abseil down an 80ft keep?

There will be plenty of opportunities to purchase gifts for your friends and family (or just to treat yourself!) from a range of Welsh stalls selling jewellery, plants, artwork, local food and drink, and much more. Hot food and drinks will also be available during the event from a variety of catering stalls and Pembroke Castle’s own café tent. On top of this, Pembroke Castle’s giftshop will be open throughout the Christmas Market weekend, selling a wide variety of books, textiles, silver Celtic jewellery and Welsh Royal Crystal. Pembroke Castle season members will get 10% off everything in the castle’s shop and café when they show their membership card.

Refinery Public Affairs Manager, Stephen Thornton, said, “Valero is proud of our continuing association with Pembroke Castle and Pembroke Town Council to support this wonderful festive event, which is also used to raise much needed funds for the refinery’s charity of the year. This year’s charity is Mind Pembrokeshire, and we are looking forward to seeing the usual crowds turn out to enjoy themselves and hopefully help fundraise for this amazing cause.”

The Christmas Market is free and there is no need to book. It will be open between 10:00 – 20:00 on Friday 24th November, with musical performances from the choirs of Golden Grove School, Lamphey Primary School, Penrhyn Church in Wales VC School, and Saint Teilo’s Catholic Primary School. Santa will abseil down Pembroke Castle’s Great Keep at 18:30, and will then hop on his sleigh and travel down Pembroke Main Street, and stop at Pembroke Town’s Christmas tree for gifts and carols. The Christmas Market will be open on Saturday 25th of November 10:00 – 20:00, and on Sunday 26th November 10:00 – 16:00, and you can catch Santa in his Pembroke Castle Grotto between 11:00 and 16:00 on both days where you can meet Santa, deliver your Christmas lists and receive a gift. Visits to Santa’s Grotto will cost £1 per child and proceeds will go to charity.

For more information please visit http://www.pembrokecastle.co.uk/ .