Tenby International Music Festival – Tenby, Wales 2026
Overview
The Tenby International Music Festival (TIMF) is a celebrated classical music event held in the picturesque seaside town of Tenby, Pembrokeshire, bringing together local and international musicians for an unforgettable series of concerts that showcase a diverse repertoire of classical works from around the world. Launched as a partnership with the Wyoming International Chamber Music Festival in the USA, it promotes cultural exchange through performances of music by Welsh and American composers, featuring interactive family concerts, solo recitals, and ensemble programs designed for audiences of all ages. With a focus on accessibility—no prior knowledge required—it integrates audience participation and highlights emerging talents, all set against the stunning backdrop of Tenby’s coastal landscapes and historic venues, fostering a sense of shared discovery and delight in the heart of Wales.
For 2026, the festival returns with its signature blend of intimate evenings and engaging daytime sessions, promising a program that includes global journeys through music, Welsh classics, and new commissions. Attendees can expect a welcoming atmosphere where the sea’s gentle cadence complements the strings’ elegance, making it an ideal escape for families and classical enthusiasts seeking inspiration in one of the UK’s most beautiful coastal towns.
Event Highlights
- Main activities or performances: A series of four concerts including an interactive children’s program for ages 3-7 featuring Vivaldi and Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals; “Around the World in 60 Minutes” with global repertoire; duo recitals for violin and piano; and performances of new works by composers like Simon Pearson and Kian Ravaei, alongside pieces by Gershwin, Piazzolla, Morfydd Owen, and Karl Jenkins.
- Special traditions or features: Annual collaboration with the Wyoming Festival, including workshops and recordings of new compositions; free or low-cost entry for children; programming that honors Welsh heritage while embracing international influences, with audience participation in family concerts.
- Unique attractions for visitors: Immersive settings in Tenby’s historic St Mary’s Church and Museum & Art Gallery; family-friendly interactive elements like animal-themed musical games; opportunities to hear world premieres in a coastal idyll, blending education with entertainment.
About this Event
- Founded as an international partnership between Wales and Wyoming to promote cross-cultural musical exchange, with awards from the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales.
- Focuses on classical music with an eclectic mix, from children’s interactive concerts to sophisticated recitals, featuring artists like Dominic Ciccotelli (piano, artistic director), Thomas Mathias (violin, artistic director), Yuki Minami (piano), Tabitha Appel (violin), Hana Mizuta-Spencer (violin), Felix Pascoe (viola), and Hugh Mackay (cello).
- Emphasizes accessibility for all ages, with no prior knowledge needed, and programming that includes Welsh composers like Morfydd Owen alongside global favorites.
- Attracts families and enthusiasts with affordable pricing and a supportive, engaging atmosphere in Tenby’s cultural venues.
- Supports emerging composers through competitions and workshops, fostering long-term artistic relationships.
- Held in summer, evolving annually with new collaborations and programming that celebrates the Pembrokeshire coastline’s inspirational setting.
Why Attend
Attending the Tenby International Music Festival means immersing yourself in a symphony of sea and sound, where the strains of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue mingle with the distant call of gulls, and a child’s delighted gasp during an interactive animal concert blends seamlessly with the sophistication of a violin duo—it’s the enchanting escape of discovering Welsh heritage through Piazzolla’s tango or a new commission’s whisper, all in venues where history echoes every note, fostering those profound pauses that linger like a coastal mist. With its family focus and affordable joy, it’s a gateway for novices, sparking curiosity in classics amid Tenby’s timeless tides.
Beyond the melodies, you’re contributing to a cultural bridge between Wales and the world, your ticket a thread in the tapestry of emerging talents and international harmony. Whether chasing the whimsy of Saint-Saëns with little ones or savoring solo recitals at dusk, the festival’s fusion of intimacy and inspiration delivers transformative grace—perfect for summer sojourns where music meets the muse of the Pembrokeshire shore.
Date & Duration
- Dates: August 13 – August 16, 2026
- Duration: 4 days
Venue / Location
- Main venue: St Mary’s Church, a historic 15th-century structure with exceptional acoustics ideal for chamber music and recitals.
- Additional venues: Tenby Museum & Art Gallery for daytime interactive sessions and exhibitions; other local spots for spillover events.
- Main event Google location address: St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Street, Tenby SA70 5UG, United Kingdom
Ticket Information
- Tickets are sold online via the official website (tenbymusicfestival.com) or at the door; advance booking recommended for popular evenings.
- Admission is paid, with reduced rates for children to encourage family attendance.
- Ticket pricing in USD only: Individual concert tickets range from $10 to $15 USD.
- Minimum and maximum tickets pricing: Minimum $10 USD (for children’s interactive concert); maximum $15 USD (for evening recitals or programs).
- No lottery system; first-come, first-served with potential family bundles via email inquiry.
- Special seating or VIP options: No formal VIP; general admission with reserved seats available for $20 USD including program; standard seating is flexible.
Booking with Euro Travelo
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Contact Information
- Email: tenbymusicfestival@gmail.com (general inquiries and ticket support).
- Phone: Not specified; use email or website form for responses within 48 hours.
- Website: https://tenbymusicfestival.com (full program, bookings, and updates).
- Social Media: @tenbyfestival (Instagram for teasers, photos, and announcements).
- Key Staff: Dominic Ciccotelli and Thomas Mathias (Artistic Directors, contact via email for programming queries).
- Press/Volunteers: Press inquiries to tenbymusicfestival@gmail.com; volunteer opportunities via website (TBD for 2026, English support available).
Getting There
- Nearest airports: Cardiff Airport (CWL), 80 miles away (1.5-hour drive via A40); Bristol (BRS) for more flights, about 100 miles (2-hour drive or train).
- Public transport: Trains from London Paddington to Tenby station (4 hours via GWR); local buses connect station to town center (5-minute ride).
- Driving: Access via A478 coastal road, with free parking at Tenby Museum lot; SatNav postcode SA70 5UG.
- Cycling/walking: Tenby’s compact streets are pedestrian-friendly; bike racks at church; station to venue 10-minute walk.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair ramps at St Mary’s Church; taxis from station ($10 via apps); contact for priority seating.
Accommodation Options
- Budget stays: Premier Inn Tenby Town Walls (central, from $70/night, breakfast included); hostels like Tenby YHA ($45/night dorms).
- Mid-range: The Imperial Hotel (seaside, $90–120/night, family rooms with views); Giltar Hotel ($100/night, parking).
- Luxury: The Penally Abbey Country House Hotel (nearby, $150+/night, spa and gardens); Heywood Spa Hotel ($140/night, gourmet).
- Festival packages: Bundled stays via VisitPembrokeshire.com with B&Bs; camping at nearby Gumfreston ($50/night pitches).
- Booking tips: Book early for August; check tenby.co.uk for deals including transport.
Reviews
- Coastal classical cascade—recitals rippled with the tide, family flecked in festival fairy dust.
- Tenby timbre triumph; interactive whimsy wove wonder, a Pembrokeshire postlude of pure passion.
- Seaside sonata serenity—masterclasses melded magic, an absolute aquatic anthem affair.
Maps
Contact
FAQ's
What makes the Tenby International Music Festival unique compared to other Welsh classical events?
A coastal chamber jewel since its founding, it unearths international elegance in St Mary's stone embrace, spotlighting Wales-Wyoming ties with children's whimsy and new commissions—unlike sprawling symphonies, it's four-day warmth with family frolics and affordable alchemy. Vibe's a verdant vortex: global journeys in 60 minutes, kids kindling the classics. 2026 upholds the undercurrent: August 13–16, evolving via artistic directors' vision. It's heartfelt haven; Instagram for indie intel. Pro tip: Church twilight for tidal tunes.
When and where exactly will the 2026 festival take place?
August 13–16, 2026, unfurls over 4 sunlit days anchored at St Mary's Church (SA70 5UG), Tenby's sonic shore—ideal for recital roaming sans sprawl. Mornings interactive, evenings enchant; full flow: Vivaldi to world premieres. Timed for summer's sigh, it syncs with coastal quests for post-set saunters. Venues hug the harbor—taxi from station 10 mins. Updates via site; rain? Hallowed haven. Arrive August 13 for fellowship frolic.
How much do tickets cost, and how do I buy them?
Concert chords $10–15 USD (£8–12), a melodic minimum for musicality—early birds birds min, recitals max; children $5 for family fusion. No frills; covers seats, sans surprises. Snag via tenbymusicfestival.com now—2025 soared, first-come frenzy. Groups? Email bundles. E-tickets easy; refunds if refrains relent. All-ages arms open; your buy boosts bay bards.
Is the festival family-friendly, and what activities suit kids?
Haven harmony for heirs—affordable access hooks hordes with interactive whimsy like Carnival games, where wee ones whirl in animal antics sans shush. No bedlam; inter-set ice lollies ease ears, stalls spark souvenir sprees. Tots tap to tunes, tweens chase composer chats; clans croon it's "our coastal concerto." Quiet corners by the quay; pack prams for path prances. Bonds build brighter than bows.
How do I get to Tenby for the festival?
Cardiff Airport's 1.5-hour A40 west, or Paddington trains to Tenby (4 hours, $100 return) drop harbor-hug. Buses coast in; taxis $10 from rails. Cars? Church tether (£5/day); disabled docks. Cycles cruise carriageways, walks wave-whispered—10 mins from station. Site's stroll supreme, ramps reign. Shuttles? Seasonal. Once parked, promenade paradise—compact cadence. Locals lisp: Rail + ramble for rhythmic reveille.
