The Wales Festival of Seaweed 2026 will take place in St Davids, Pembrokeshire from 10th–13th September, bringing a four‑day celebration of seaweed's role in coastal wellbeing, local food, innovation and sustainable marine industries.
Set in one of Wales's most iconic coastal locations, the festival brings together communities, producers, farmers, fishers, educators, organisations and visitors from across the country to examine the economic, environmental and health benefits of seaweed.
With Pembrokeshire already home to pioneering aquaculture businesses harnessing the purity of local waters, Wales Festival of Seaweed explores how integrating seaweed into future food systems and sustainable industries could help tackle health issues, combat the global climate crisis and build community resilience.
With affordable pricing and a packed programme of talks, workshops, demonstrations, crafts and hands-on experiences, the event aims to broaden public understanding of seaweed's vast array of potential uses.
Events will take place at St Davids City Hall, with full‑day tickets for Thursday and Friday priced at £5, and an optional seaweed‑based lunch available for £10. Weekend activities are either FREE or £5, with a mix of drop‑in and bookable sessions.
In addition to the daytime programme in St Davids, on Thursday evening a special screening of Coastal Voices, filmed locally, will be held at Solva Memorial Hall, followed by acoustic live music and seaweed nibbles provided by Câr‑y‑Môr (£5, 7pm).
On Sunday, visitors can also book a site tour of Câr‑y‑Môr, Wales's first regenerative ocean farm and seaweed biorefinery, offering an inside look at seaweed cultivation, shellfish production, processing facilities and the workings of a marine community benefit society (FREE, booking required).
Additional coastal experiences can be booked directly with local providers, including foraging with The Really Wild Emporium, seaweed baths at Whitesands Sauna, and boat trips or coasteering adventures.
Stacy Marklew, Wales Festival of Seaweed Organiser says:
“Seaweed is emerging as one of Wales's most exciting natural resources, and there are so many individuals and businesses experimenting and using it creatively.
“We want the festival to be a platform for learning, collaboration, showcasing and inspiration across farming, food, conservation, education and more – and St Davids is the perfect place to hold these discussions.”
Jess Watton, Education and Engagement Partner at Câr‑y‑Môr says:
“Wales Festival of Seaweed is a great opportunity to showcase how community‑led sea farming and seaweed initiatives can benefit coastal communities and the environment.
“This is the second time Câr‑y‑Môr has supported the Seaweed Festival, and the awareness of seaweed has definitely increased since last time. Wales is leading the way in regenerative ocean farming and innovative seaweed uses, and it's inspiring to see the new ways people are developing a market for it, with a meaningful and far-reaching impact.”
The festival is delivered as part of the National Lottery's Unlocking the Power of Seaweed project, a three‑year initiative funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK. It is made possible thanks to support from WWF‑UK, Câr‑y‑Môr, Scottish Association of Marine Science and PEBL, and the contribution of National Lottery players.
Full programme and tickets available at: www.festivalofseaweed.wales
