Eleven Christmas experiences and festive family days out that you can book now
Ciara Murphy (5), Cillian Buckley (9) and Fiadh Murphy (4) pictured with Santa Claus and Rocket the dog in the Marina Market. Picture: Chani Anderson @capturesbychani.
It's officially December — and that means it is finally time to start thinking about Christmas.
The queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey already kicked off her festive countdown in November, declaring: "It's time." Meanwhile, bookings for visits to see Santa have been open since summer.
So, with just 24 days to go, here is a selection of festive activities across different parts of the country that are available to book now.
If you’re on the lookout for a Christmas experience in the Dublin area, Luggwoods offers an enchanted walk of wonder and a Santa experience that aims to take you back in time.
Set in the foothills of the Dublin mountains, Luggwoods promises to deliver an authentic Santa experience and tickets are just about to go on sale.
Tickets for Christmas at Luggwoods have been available since August, but there are still some dates left.
Ticket prices for babies start at €8 and €10 for adults for the Baby Express (which means heading straight to Santa for a picture) while regular tickets are €28 for children and €18 for adults.
- For more information, see luggwoodsevents.com
Formerly Tayto Park, Co Meath’s Emerald Park is counting down to their 2023 Christmas experience which officially starts on November 24.
We recommend acting fast with this one, as there are just a couple of time slots available for the weekends leading up to December 25.
Santa’s head elf, Jingles will bring little ones to Elf Land to meet Santa’s helpers before taking them to see the main man himself.
The experience includes posting a letter to Santa at the Post Office, toy testing and a visit to the reindeer stables where you can pick up some Santa-approved reindeer food to leave out on Christmas Eve. Tickets are available now and also include entry to the main park and zoo so families can spend the day enjoying the attractions and rides.
Online prices start at €11 for a child aged 0-1, €25.50 for a child aged 2-4, and €33.50 for those aged 5-12+.
- See bookings.emeraldpark.ie for more information.
Tickets for Elf Town in Galway have been on sale for months. Located at the Galway Racecourse, the two-hour experience promises to be fun for all the family. Set over three buildings, there is plenty to see here and tickets also include an official invite to Elf Town addressed to each child as well as a map.
The experience includes visits to Jack Frost’s Ice House, the Postal Portal, Mrs Claus’ Kitchen and the chance to meet the reindeer and of course, Santa.
Prices start at €29.95 for adults and €43.95 for children. This year, tickets will also include a personalised postcard from Santa thanking each child for their visit to Elf Town.
- To book, check out elftown.ie
At Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in Co Clare, Santa is preparing for his return to the grotto on the village street this Christmas. The Christmas experience includes a visit to the Man in Red, full access to the Bunratty Folk Park Trail of Lights Experience, a trip to Ms Claus in the Golden Vale Farmhouse as well as a Polar Express train ride, puppet shows, and much more.
The popular family day out had just a couple of weekday slots available for the Christmas at Bunratty experience.
Santa will be at his famous grotto on the traditional village street in Bunratty Folk Park from December 1 to 23.
- Pre-booking is essential and available now. Prices start at €18 for adults, €35 for children and €10 for babies. See bunrattycastle.ie
Santa’s Magical Market is returning to Cork’s much-loved Marina Market this year from Friday, November 25 to Saturday, December 23. The experience includes a ride on the Polar Express, a visit to the elf toy workshop, Mrs Claus’ bakery, and the South Pole Post Office before meeting Santa.
Fun for the whole family, your furry friends are even invited along to experience Santa’s Magical Market, with the option to visit Santa Paws.
The event is also fully accessible with a sensory hour each Sunday morning from 11am-12pm.
Tickets start at €15 for little ones aged under 23 months and €22.50 for older kids (both including gifts). Adult tickets cost €12 while pooches can come along for €10.
- See www.santasmagical.market or follow @santas_magical_market on social media.
Causey Farm in Co Meath is also now taking bookings for its annual Christmas experience. The farm comes alive during the festive period with a number of Christmas-themed events as the farm celebrates the holiday with all of the original traditions, charm and a touch of magic.
Tickets for children start at €29 while adults are €19. Tickets for one-year-olds cost €10 while children under 12 months go for free.
- Check out www.causey.ie
Waterford’s Winterval marks its 11th year from November 17 to December 23 with lots of festive family attractions, including a visit to Santa at his Gingerbread House. With candy canes, jellytot buttons and icing tops, Santa's Gingerbread House will land in the heart of Waterford City Centre, right at the top of John Robert’s Square.
As well as Mr Claus himself, the usual festival favourites will be returning including the Waterford Illuminates light show, ice skating, the Winterval Christmas Market, live music and more.
Tickets cost €25 for kids while adults go free.
- For more information on Winterval, see www.winterval.ie
Coillte’s Beyond the Trees at Avondale has a unique nighttime experience this Christmas that will see the Tree Top walk illuminated by more than 67,000 twinkling lights.
Visitors will be guided along the 1.4km route, meeting illuminated forest creatures before reaching the spectacular viewing tower that overlooks the Wicklow countryside.
Comprising more than three kilometres of night lights, 12 forest animals, 16 large baubles, and a spectacular Christmas tree located in the main atrium, Treetop Night Lights is suitable for all ages and abilities. Located in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, it makes for the perect family day out and can accommodate both buggies and wheelchairs.
- Treetop Night Lights at Beyond the Trees Avondale is open now until Sunday, January 21. For more information and to book tickets, please visit www.beyondthetreesavondale.com
Located in Rathfarnham, Taylor’s Three Rock Santa Experience promises to deliver an enchanting wonderland for all ages. It includes a meet and greet with Mrs Claus, a live performance from Santa’s elves and of course, the chance to meet Santa too. Brought to you by the same people that produced the Late Late Toy Show, this Christmas experience is open until December 24. Tickets start at €17.99.
- For more, see @taylors_santa_experience on Instagram
Santa is coming to Jurassic Newpark in Kilkenny this Christmas — and he’s bringing his elves and reindeer with him.
Located on the grounds of Newpark Hotel, Jurassic Newpark is a dino-themed farm and adventure trail with a wildlife pet farm, fairy trail, adventure playground and more. Now, it has also been transformed into a Winter Wonderland complete with twinkling lights and a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt, and of course, a visit to Santa’s grotto.
Other festive fun includes face painting, helping elves in the toy workshop, a live nativity crib and a magical walk around the Winter Wonderland.
The Santa Experience at Jurassic Newpark launches runs Wednesday to Sunday weekly right up to Saturday, December 23.
- Tickets are now available at jurassicnewpark.com
Celebrating its 10th year, Santa’s House Express is back at Palmerstown House Estate in Nass, Co Kildare until December 23. With over 60,000 guests expected this year, the Santa experience aims to make visitors feel like they are in a winter fairytale. From Santa’s Express train to Christmas baking tips from Mrs Claus and the Winter Wonderland village, there is plenty to enjoy here.
Of course, the pinnacle of the journey is a private family visit with the jolly man himself in the cosy reading room where each child will be gifted a soft toy.
- Tickets start at €22 for adults and €28.50 for kids aged 13 months to 12 years. For more, see www.santashouseexpress.ie
