Christmas in Carmarthenshire

Love a local Christmas

Carmarthenshire is a foodie heaven, our butchers are second to none, local meats and personal service combine to guarantee the best festive foods.

For a truly genuine local experience, why not visit our markets? There's Albert Rees’ Carmarthen Ham, made to a recipe as old as the Romans, at Carmarthen Market whilst Llanelli Market has excellent seafood and an exciting mix of local treats.

Shopping ideas & tasty treats

For that extra special Christmas treat visit Wrights Food Emporium at Llanarthne or Parc y Bocs, Kidwelly. Both perfect places to buy those locally produced foods you can’t do without at Christmas.

Caws Cenarth make a cheese in the shape of a Christmas pudding and Heavenly in Llandeilo have it all when it comes to chocolate, from Santas and snowmen to massive Christmas trees, you’re bound to be tempted!

Check out our larder trails for more inspiration.

Hamper ideas

Food hampers can make perfect Christmas presents - how about a luxurious selection from The Ferryman in Laugharne or Blasus Deli in Carmarthen? Further north, there's La Patisserie in Llandovery or Pitch Fork and Provision in Llandeilo.

Why not buy yourself a mini food hamper and enjoy a Winter picnic? There are plenty of stunning locations to enjoy.

Christmas markets

If you’re out and about enjoying festive events or doing some Christmas shopping, don’t forget to pop into our indoor markets. Carmarthen and Llanelli have fantastic indoor markets, which sell everything from arts and crafts, to local food and drink.

Winter Walks: beaches, mountains & rivers

Carmarthenshire has hundreds of miles of footpaths, taking you into the wonderful countryside, from mountains to fertile river valleys and also miles of coastal walks including the Wales Coast Path. Some of our favourite walks are the Dylan Thomas Walk in Laugharne, Millennium Coastal Park in Llanelli, the RSPB Reserve at Gwenffrwd Dinas and the vast forests of Brechfa and Cil-y-cwm.

Go Sledging if there’s Snow or Skiing if there’s not!

If it snows Carmarthenshire has some great sledging spots. If the snow doesn’t come then why not try skiing at Pembrey Country Park’s fantastic dry ski slope. 

The Ski Slope at Pembrey Country Park is one of the only remaining dry ski slopes in Wales. If you are an experienced skier or a beginner there is something to suit everyone.

Ski Pembrey instructors have a wealth of knowledge and are all qualified to teach.

Water Wonderland

Enjoy Free Swimming U-16s  and a whole programme of activities during the school holidays at our Carmarthenshire leisure centres.

On yer bike!!

New wheels from Father Christmas? Why not enjoy a family day out on one of our family friendly traffic-free cycle routes.

Meet a real life reindeer

Missed the reindeer parades? Don’t worry, why not visit the deer at Dinefwr Park and Castle instead. They have a large herd of deer that can be viewed at the estate near Llandeilo. Once you’ve seen the deer pop into Newton House for some tea and homemade cake or take advantage of the great eateries in Llandeilo for a fantastic afternoon out!

Visit Santa

Head to the Gwili Railway for a special, multi-coloured evening train journey. The bright illuminated trains with Santa on-board are an extra-special experience. 

Choose your Christmas tree

You can get your Christmas trees from Llanddarog where Cymru Christmas Trees will let you select your tree and they will cut it and pack it for you, or head to Salem Christmas Tree Farm. 

After Christmas is over why not take your real Christmas tree to be recycled at one of our Household Waste Recycling Centres in Nantycaws, Carmarthen; Trostre, Llanelli, Wernddu, Ammanford and Whitland.

Go to the Panto

What better way to celebrate Christmas than with a visit to the panto, there are lots to choose from this Christmas see Carmarthenshire theatres.

Want to try something completely different?

Ffos Las Racecourse in Trimsaran are holding their annual Christmas Party Race Day on December 18, with just a week to go until the big day, take a break from your Christmas preparations and enjoy a day at the races at Ffos Las.

Where it all began...

Attending a Plygain service from 3am-6am on Christmas morning was once a key festive tradition in 19th century rural Wales. So, Christmas morning why not attend a Plygain Church Service, both traditional and festive, it’s a great way to while away one of the most atmospheric mornings of the year.

In the Amman Valley the Plygain service is held in a 17 century Chapel called Hen Fethel on the mountain near Garnant. Hundreds of locals attend the candlelit service where you sing carols and listen to others perform songs or poetry. To attend park at Garnant Bowls Club car park and walk the 2 kilometres to the chapel for the service at 06.30am. Remember to take a torch to light your way.

There are also a number of other Christmas Morning services across Carmarthenshire, get in touch with your local place of worship for details.

Mari Lwyd

The Mari Lwyd (the Grey Mare) is a pre-Christian tradition said to bring good luck. A horses's skull would be decorated with bells and ribbons and draped in a white sheet before being placed on top of a wooden pole. 

The Mari Lwyd Custom is still practised in some areas around Wales. A group of children and adults go from house to house or pub singing or reciting poetry on New Year’s Eve, carrying the Mari Lwyd. A visit from the Mari Lwyd brings luck for the coming year. Be sure to invite them in and provide a gift of money or food and drink (drink tends to be appreciated by the adults!

Calennig

In Wales from when the clock strikes midnight ushering in the New Year or "Blwyddyn Newydd" groups of children and adults tour local houses and pubs singing, in return for small gifts of money or seasonal treats. The dark haired lads are invited to walk through the house, bringing with them good luck for the New Year. If you hear them, let them in and reward them, to bring good luck during the new year!

They sing:

"Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi,

ac i bawb sydd yn y tŷ,

dyma yw’n dymuniad ni,

canu Blwyddyn Newydd Dda,

Blwyddyn Newydd Dda chi,

y flwyddyn orau, fu erioed,

o dyma hapus flwyddyn,

o dyma hapus flwyddyn,

o dyma hapus flwyddyn,

canu blwyddyn newydd dda"

Then they shout "Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!"

Festive Wreaths

What better way to prepare for Christmas than by making your own natural Christmas decorations? There are plenty of places to give it a go.

Enjoy a festive few hours in Llety Cynin to create your very own beautiful Christmas wreath surrounded by aromas of pines and evergreen. All natural materials provided and included in the price along with a glass of mulled wine & mince pie.

Make a Christmas gift

Every year it gets more difficult to find that perfect gift! Why not try and make one? Siramik near Carmarthen offer great pottery courses where you can learn to make that unique ceramic gift, while Aeron Petersen at Ferric Fusion and Will Holland at Phoenix Forge offer great blacksmithing courses, go ahead try them, surprise your loved ones with the most unique and personal gift there is!

Crafty kids

On Saturdays during November and December, why not visit one of Carmarthenshire libraries and join them for a 3D Printing experience! Bring your creative side to life, from design to concept, and print!

More on what's on

Take a look and see what else is on within the festive season of the year. 

Start the countdown to the Festive Season

Start the countdown.....it is almost time for Christmas Lights to start brightening the winter skies around Carmarthenshire. Seeing the lights being switched on is a magical part of Christmas and really gets everyone in the Festive mood.

Llanelli Christmas Lights Switch On and Carnival is the biggest celebration in Carmarthenshire and thousands come out to line the streets to watch the Christmas parade and fireworks that signal the start of Christmas. Join in the fun on Friday 21 November.

On Saturday 22 November Carmarthen town and St. Catherine’s walk lights switch on takes place.

Llanelli's Christmas Parade is on Saturday 6 December you can meet Santa and his cast of colourful characters as Llanelli celebrates Christmas in style! Come and watch Santa's parade of princesses, superheroes, bands and more begins at 12pm from Ffwrnes Theatre, with market stalls and live music throughout the day.

Magical Light Trail

Pembrey Country Park's Magical Light Trail is making a grand return, and it's even BIGGER & BETTER this year with a Christmas Village!

Best of all, it's absolutely FREE to attend (event parking fee applies), so gather your loved ones and join us for a magical experience at the mesmerizing woodlands of Pembrey and get ready for the incredible surprise of meeting Father Christmas in his cosy woodland cabin! - Booking and fee applies for Father Christmas visit.

Be sure to bring your festive spirit and a camera! Well behaved dogs on leads welcome.

Shopping - gift ideas

Christmas in Carmarthenshire is a shoppers dream with special events offering the opportunity to find something different, you are bound to find that a great stocking filler.

Get into the festive spirit as you browse the quality stalls from independent artists and craft makers in the 100% Sir Gâr pop -up shops they are full of festive cheer and gift ideas. Meet the makers and food producers from around Carmarthenshire in the pop-up shops in Carmarthen, Ammanford & Llanelli Town Centre. The pop up shop will open their doors from 4 December until 21 December.

Or head the Pop up shop in Llandeilo at the Old Market Hall, a venue with over 30 independent businesses all under one roof. Come and shop local this Christmas! 

More Christmas Events

You can find more Christmas events and festive fun on our What's On pages.