Haverfordwest Annual River Festival

Saturday 13 June | 10am – Evening | Free entertainment & activities for all ages 

 *see bottom of page for full list of activities and events happening this year

Click this to view the 2026 River Festival Leaflet – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mxvgziD5Vcdi4LkoYpdZKDKlWAuYGxeg/view?usp=sharing

Haverfordwest River Festival is back for its second year — a community-run celebration of our river, our town and the people who help bring both to life.

The festival began as part of wider conversations at last year’s Haverfordwest Action Forum meetings at Haverhub, where local residents, businesses, creatives and community groups came together to imagine a busier, more connected town with more shared events, more reasons to come together, and more opportunities for local people to showcase their skills, ideas, businesses and talents.

This festival is one small but ambitious part of that growing picture.

Last year’s first River Festival focused mainly around Quayside. This year the event stretches right through the river corridor — from the Old Bridge, through Western Quay, behind Haverhub and down towards The Bristol Trader end of the quay.

Across the day there will be local stalls, makers, food, music, family activities, community groups, free art activities, a Farmers Market, new local businesses and opportunities to explore and celebrate the river itself.

We are delighted to welcome back Paddle West, offering people the chance to experience the upper reaches of the Cleddau from the water — a magical experience that many visitors described as a highlight of last year’s event.

The festival is also being supported by wonderful local partners and volunteers across the town. Steph at Waldo Lounge will once again be running the charity Duck Race in support of VC Gallery, while Sarah at The Bristol Trader is lending gazebos and benches along the river and hosting live music into the evening on the quay.

One of the major moments of the day will be welcoming the Dale to Haverfordwest Longboat rowers as they arrive into town on the high tide after a gruelling journey upriver from the coast — the first time this challenge has reached Haverfordwest for over 12 years.

Importantly, the festival also exists to raise awareness of the importance of the Western Cleddau and the work being done locally to protect and reconnect people with the river. Visitors will be able to meet community water testers, learn about the work of The Cleddau Project, and visit the very popular Citizen Science Hub in Haverhub’s main hall, where families and children can explore river wildlife and meet the friendly people behind local environmental science and conservation work.

There will also be guided river history walks to the Priory with local historian Mark Muller. Details and booking information will appear on the Haverhub website soon.

The festival is volunteer organised through Haverhub and supported by a growing network of local partners, businesses, organisations and residents who want to see Haverfordwest continue to grow as a lively, creative and welcoming town.

Come along, bring family and friends, and help support a growing calendar of town events shaped by the community itself.