Pembroke Castle welcomed over 12,000 festive visitors through its gates last weekend as the county turned out in huge numbers to welcome the return of the popular event that last took place in 2019.

Shoppers enjoyed a huge array of stalls, crafts, toys, decorations, and the very best local food and drink products trading strongly throughout the three days. A variety of entertainment included St Teilos Catholic Primary and Penrhyn Church in Wales Primary School along with a host of festive tunes from local favourites Sharpe Music. The event was officially opened by the Mayor of Pembroke, Dennis Evans with his wife Rita.

Highlight of the weekend was the big arrival of Santa on the Friday evening. He once again arrived in spectacular fashion onto the 80ft high Great Keep tower before abseiling the walls and meeting all of the excited children who had come to see him. Santa then switched on the town lights before leading a procession from the castle to St Michael’s Square where the crowds enjoyed carol singing. Over the weekend Santa then met children in his grotto at the castle.

Bad weather meant that Saturday was cancelled but the crowds came out in force on Sunday which more than made up for it.

Quite a few lucky visitors won a trip to the Torch Theatre to watch their annual panto Cinderella which starts on the December 16. There were also some wonderfully atmospheric ‘Festive Rooms’ that had been put together with help from Golden Grove Community School, Penrhyn CIW VC School, Monkton Priory Community Primary School and Lamphey Primary School.

Pembroke Castle Trust would like to thank all of those who attended and had trade stalls, along with Valero, Pembroke Town Council, Magnum Sound, Bluesky Marquees, Elite Security, Kate Kanauros Event Management, St John’s Ambulance, Lewlec, Pembroke County Council, Overhang Climbing Centre (for assisting Santa with his abseil), Wired Wood who provided the lighting, the team of dedicated castle staff who helped to ensure that the event ran smoothly, and of course Santa himself. Funds were raised for Paul Sartori.