Tenby’s Steampunk Festival looks set to become a fixture on the seaside town’s calendar, with a date already set for next year.

The weekend-long festival, held last month, featuring various events including Teapot Races, Tea duelling, bands, exhibitions and film shows, ‘Tea with Miss Havisham’ a Steampunk Emporium and a ‘Peacock Parade’ was arranged by the Town Council’s Community Engagement Officer Anne Draper and a band of enthusiastic volunteers.

The event has been pencilled in again for 2025, to be held on the last weekend of March.

Events over the weekend took place at the town’s De Valence Pavilion venue on Upper Frog Street, at Tenny Museum and Art Gallery on Castle Hill, as well as on the historic St Catherine’s Island overlooking Castle Beach.

On each day, a colourful ‘Peacock Parade’ brightened up the streets of the town, with anyone in steampunk attire able to join in.

There was also a screening of of HG Wells’ 1960 film ‘Time Machine’, whilst on opening night, music hall inspired duo The Cogkneys presented music hall merriment and steampunk delight.

Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that incorporates retrofuturistic technology and aesthetics inspired by, but not limited to 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.

Speaking at their meeting this month, members of the Town Council felt that festival had been very successful and had attracted a big following.

It was felt that it could become an annual March event in the town.

Members agreed to hold a meeting soon to look at ways the festival’s initial success could be built upon.

The Festival also garnered high praise from all those taking part, including the ‘Kitsch n Sync Collective whose signature walkabout act 'The Lampshade Ladies' made an appearance.

“Amazing weekend at Tenby's Steam Punk festival!” they posted.

“A great turn out for the 'Peacock Parade' around town and so lovely to see the effort people put into their bespoke outfits, inventions and gadgets.”

Community Engagement Officer, Anne said she was “very pleased” with the response to the Steampunk weekend. 

“Lots of people came down for the weekend, and lots of locals joined in so it was an excellent inclusive event.

“I was told of a comment by one of the visiting Steampunkers that they had been to loads of Steampunk events and this was the best yet!

“By the Sunday, people were asking the dates for next year so they could book their accommodation,” she added.