Festive frolics: 21 things to see and do in Ireland this Christmas

While other cities host festive markets or Santa experiences dotted across sprawling streets, Waterford transforms into a winter wonderland every November and December for Winterval.

The entire city is taken over – and everything is within walking distance. Wooden market huts, every bit as beautiful as their European counterparts, line the main streets. 

There’s carol singing on the Main Stage, and even a circus tent is housed off a main thoroughfare, host to a Narnia acrobatic production incredible enough to warrant a visit to the city in itself.

There are carousels, Ferris wheels, ice skating, and the eye-catching Waterford Eye. 

Strobe lighting beams across the night sky. 

A gingerbread house, home to Santa, takes centre stage in the city. There’s even a cheeky talking post box to mail the all-important letter to the North Pole.

Close by, a park has been reinvented – fairy lights transform it into the beautiful Glow experience.

Throughout the day, and into the evening, the Winterval mini-train transports beaming children through the town.

The VR sleigh ride is another highlight, an animated rollercoaster thrill ride through the North Pole.

A council initiative, in conjunction with a local committee, everyone in the city is on board and embraces the festive spirit. Business owners compete over decorations. 

Phil Carter and Lisa Fitzgerald, owners of the renowned No 9 restaurant and Carters Chocolate Shop (their hot chocolates have to be tasted to be believed) say the projected festival animations on their upstairs windows and the festive lighting that adorn their shop fronts are just for starters.

Waterford even guarantees visitors snow. The Winterval Illuminates light show draws crowds every half hour – and the finale sees a cascade of false flakes fall from the sky.

The Tower is just one of many hotels that report that as guests check out every December, they automatically check in again for the following year. We can understand why.

Winterval, now in its 11th year, was created to generate business in the city. It has succeeded and achieved far more besides. It really is Ireland’s one and only Christmas Festival.

• Winterval continues until December 23. For ticket information and prices, see winterval.ie.

2. Bring the family to the panto, nationwide

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to the panto — and there is no shortage to choose from this festive season. 

The Everyman in Cork’s panto this year is the classic Beauty and the Beast with a Cork twist, while Jack and the Beanstalk is coming to the Cork Opera House. 

In Limerick, University Concert Hall presents the pantomime of your dreams, Sleeping Beauty, starring Irish Examiner columnist Bernard O’Shea, while Eurovision’s Linda Martin takes to the stage in Liberty Hall’s Rapunzel.

3. Experience the magic of Santa at Fota House

An enchanting, hour-long Christmas adventure that offers families a fully interactive traditional experience. 

Inside the historical Fota House, you will journey through seasonally decorated rooms with captivating characters and engaging storylines. 

The finale of this immersive experience is a private family visit with Santa, who will then extend an invitation to children to explore his North Pole library, where each child will receive two age-appropriate books as a special gift. 

• Tickets from €15 for adults and €25 for children and teens including gifts. Babies (23 months and under) go free, see fotahouse.com.

4. Knock back a stein at Galway’s Christmas beer tent

Eyre Square is set to embrace the German way again this Christmas with the return of the beer tent, adding some ceol agus craic to the Christmas market proceedings. 

The market in Eyre Square will run from now until January 7, with the beer tent open daily from 5pm to 10pm, serving beer steins, hot whiskeys, mulled wine, and more.

5. Journey through the treetops at Beyond the Trees Avondale

Coillte’s Beyond the Trees at Avondale will be illuminated by more than 67,000 twinkling lights along its 1.4km route this Christmas. 

Open daily from 4pm to 8pm, until Sunday, January 21, visitors to Treetop Night Lights will be guided on a magical journey through the treetop walk, meeting a host of brightly illuminated forest creatures along the way, culminating in the spectacular viewing tower, stretching almost 40 metres into the night sky, overlooking the Wicklow countryside. 

Tickets start from €15 for adults and €12 for kids (under threes go free). For weekends, online pre-booking is recommended to secure a spot. 

• See beyondthetreesavondale.com.

6. Go ice skating, nationwide

Tis the season. Lace up your skates at rinks across the country including Dundrum On Ice in Dundrum Town Centre and Limerick on Ice in Arthur’s Quay Park. 

In Cork, the Alpine Skate Trail returns to Fota House with family passes starting from €51.50. 

• See iceskating.ie.

7. Travel aboard the Winter Wonderland Express Train in Westport

Ride the Wonderland Express Train around Westport Estate this Christmas, hopping off at the 18th-century Westport House, where you can meet Mrs Claus, the Elves and visit Santa one-on-one in his Grotto in the snow-dusted wooded Tinsel Town. 

The event features real snow, toy workshops, toasted marshmallows, a live crib, face painting and more. 

Tickets for children are priced at €37.50, adult tickets €16.50 and baby tickets (23 months and under) are €15. 

• See westporthouse.ie.

8. Embrace the magic of Peter Pan, reimagined by Roddy Doyle, at the Gate Theatre

This winter, the Gate Theatre presents JM Barrie’s children’s classic Peter Pan, in a magical new version by bestselling author Roddy Doyle. 

Starring Liam Bixby as The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up and Kin’s Clare Dunne as Captain Hook. 

• Tickets from €31.50, runs until January 14. 

For those travelling to the capital for the show, official accommodation partner The Croke Park Hotel is offering a special Peter Pan deal from Thursday to Saturday including; two tickets to the show, overnight accommodation for two with breakfast, a two-course pre-theatre dinner in The Hawthorn, an exclusive signed Peter Pan programme by iconic Dublin author and playwright, Roddy Doyle, and two signature cocktails on return. Rates from €350.

• gatetheatre.ie
• doylecollection.com

9. Take a walk through winter woodlands at Strokestown Park House

Santa’s mischievous head elf will guide all who love Christmas both young and old on a magical festive adventure through Strokestown Park House this year. 

The magic of Christmas will be brought to life as Irish Heritage Trust transforms the Palladian Mansion into a festive setting to experience all the traditional charm and magic of times past — including a walk through the woodlands. 

• Tickets €15 for adults, €35 for children and infants under one go complimentary. Book at strokestownpark.ie.

10. Explore Santa’s Magical Market in Cork

Cork Santa’s Magical Market is returning to the Marina Market from Friday, November 25 until December 23. 

The market includes interactive areas full of Christmas magic. 

Families can wander through snow-kissed woods, ride on the Polar Express train into the magical Christmas village, help the elves make toys at the Elf Toy Workshop, make treats at Mrs Claus’s bakery and visit the South Pole Post Office. 

It is also dog friendly so your pet doesn’t have to miss out on the family adventure and can also be booked in for their own special visit with ‘Santa Paws’. 

• Tickets start at €10, book at santasmagicalmarket.clr.events.

11. Enjoy the spirit of Christmas at St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick

A special evening to immerse you in the Christmas spirit with a blend of classical and popular songs.

Soprano Regina Nathan returns for her yearly Christmas Concert at St Mary’s Cathedral on Bridge Street, Limerick, on November 25. 

The concert includes a medley of popular musical theatre songs and cherished Christmas classics, accompanied by pianist Cathal Synnott. 

• Tickets €30, from reginanathan.com.

12. Check out the Magical Blarney Market (and order your Christmas dinner)

Indulge in a wonderful dining experience at the enchanting Magical Blarney Market, located within the renowned Blarney Woollen Mills. 

This festive market kicks off with Santa’s arrival this evening at 5pm and will be open every weekend until December 24. 

Featuring local vendors and live music, it promises to be a treat for all generations. Plus, you can also order your Christmas dinner to take away for December 23/24. 

• Santa at Magical Blarney tickets cost €13.95 for children/babies, and €2 for adults. See blarney.com/santa-book-now.

13. Experience Wild lights at Dublin Zoo

Quickly becoming a linchpin of an Irish Christmas, Wild Lights returns to Dublin Zoo this year. 

Open to the public every day from now until January 7 from 5pm to 9pm (excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day), this year’s theme is ‘The Enchanted Zoo’. 

You will be transported to lands of magic and wonder, with fairies mythical creatures, multi-coloured animals and even a candyland, all lit up as beautiful silk lanterns. 

• Tickets are priced at €24.50 for adults and €20 for children. See tickets.dublinzoo.ie.

14. Devour a festive afternoon tea at the G Hotel, Galway

Treat yourself to an indulgent treat this festive season with afternoon tea at the G Hotel. 

The sandwich selection includes festive treats like fresh and smoked salmon rillette on brown bread with dill and cucumber, and a sausage stuffing, walnut and sage croquette with a cranberry gel. 

The pastry team have also curated a host of sweet treats including Christmas pudding and a Baileys salted caramel yule log. 

Served with a selection of teas and coffee, priced at €38 per person. 

• See theghotel.ie

15. Take a ride on Cork’s iconic ferris wheel

Transforming the skyline and offering unparalleled views of the surrounding area, the much-loved 32m panoramic wheel returns to Cork City this year. 

Open daily from 12pm to 9pm, from now until January 7 (closed 6pm Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and Jan 8, closed Christmas Day). 

Tickets: regular €4; junior €3.50, carousel €2.50.

16. Sing Christmas songs with Una Healy and Luke Thomas in Dublin

Una Healy teams up with Ireland’s King Of Swing Luke Thomas and his band The Swing Cats for a festive show this December 9 in Dublin. 

Expect a night of nostalgic festive favourites and vintage pop classics. 

• Tickets €30, see thesugarclub.com.

17. Visit Santa in his grotto at Bunratty Castle, Clare

Walk through the Bunratty Folk Park Trail of Lights, enjoy a heartwarming visit with Ms Claus at the Golden Vale Farmhouse, take a journey aboard the Polar Express Train, experience puppet and magic shows, listen to traditional Christmas tales by the resident seanchaí, and meet Santa Claus himself at Bunratty Castle this Christmas. 

From December 1, tickets €18 per adult, €35 per child, €10 for babies (0-12 months). 

• Book at bunrattycastle.ie.

18. Experience Christmas from New York at Dromoland Castle, Clare

Enjoy the festive atmosphere of mulled wine and mince pies at Dromoland Castle, followed by a magical Christmas performance featuring The New York Tenors, Irish soprano Deirdre Masterson, and the Aoide Voices. 

• Tickets from €75, see eventbrite.ie.

19. Do your Christmas shopping in Midleton

Midleton & Area Chamber of Commerce is encouraging shoppers to boost local trade and support businesses that were affected by Storm Babet in October by doing their Christmas shopping in the locality. 

From Murphy’s Butchers to Denbar Jewellers, Bluebell’s gift shop and Flowers on Main Street, there is no shortage of options.

20. Support The Christmas Jingle 2023, Cork City

Christmas Jingle is Live at The Pav and is a blend of live music, festive beverages, exciting giveaways and heartwarming holiday spirit, all in support of Cork Arc Cancer Support. 

The Sunday, December 3 event includes a lineup of talented singers and musicians from Cork who will come together to perform timeless Christmas classics in a charity concert. 

Attendees can also look forward to a raffle featuring fantastic prizes generously contributed by local businesses. 

• Tickets from €25, see eventbrite.ie.

21. Take a Christmas Day plunge for charity

Christmas Day swims will be happening across the country, many in aid of worthy charities. 

Some for your diary include the Cork Simon White Bay Christmas Swim, Lahinch Christmas Swim (this year in aid of Cuan an Chláir), and Cope Galway Christmas Swim at Blackrock Beach, Salthill.