Family Article

Ireland Christmas Markets & Events 2024

04-11-2024

As the festive season approaches, towns and cities across Ireland transform into magical winter wonderlands. Christmas markets pop up everywhere, bringing twinkling lights, holiday music, and the scent of mulled wine to the streets. From bustling city squares to quaint rural villages, these events are perfect for soaking up the Christmas spirit, shopping for unique gifts, and making memories with family and friends. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, there’s something truly special about experiencing Ireland’s growing festive charm and events. 

To help you find the best markets and events, we've gathered information on all the top Christmas happenings around the country. You’ll find everything from traditional craft stalls to Santa’s Grotto and dazzling light displays, ensuring a festive experience for all.

Connacht 

Connacht may host fewer Christmas events compared to other provinces, but its markets and festive activities are nestled in some of Ireland’s most scenic locations. From the bustling Galway Christmas Market to the enchanting Santa experiences in Sligo and Westport, there’s plenty of holiday magic to enjoy. 

Galway Christmas Market (Galway City, Eyre Square)

  • Date: November 8th – December 31st, 2024
  • Description: The Galway Christmas Market brings festive cheer to Eyre Square, with over 50 stalls selling local crafts, food, and Christmas gifts. Enjoy a Ferris wheel ride, live performances, and Santa’s Grotto.
  • Admission Fee: Free entry, but activities like Santa’s Grotto cost €20 per child
  • Official Website: https://www.christmasmarketgalway.com/christmas-market-galway2/

Winter Wonderland (Westport House, Westport)

  • Date: November 16th – December 23rd, 2024
  • Description: Experience a magical winter wonderland at Westport House, complete with Christmas decorations, Santa visits, and twinkling lights.
  • Admission Fee: €16.50 - €18.50 per adult, €37.50 - €38.50 per child (includes access to Santa’s Grotto) and €15 per baby.
  • Official Website: https://www.westporthouse.ie/winter-wonderland/

Wildlands Winter Wonderland (Wildlands, Ballycuirke East, Galway)

Ho Ho Ho It’s Santatown (Sligo Folk Park, Riverstown)

  • Date: December 14th & 15th, 2024
  • Description: This traditional Christmas event at Sligo Folk Park offers children the chance to visit Santa’s Grotto and enjoy festive entertainment in a charming rural setting.
  • Admission Fee: Prices are €15 per child and €5 per adult.
  • Official Website: https://sligofolkpark.com/2019/11/22/ho-ho-ho-its-santatown-in-riverstown/

Leinster 

Leinster offers the widest range of Christmas events, with festive markets, Santa’s grottos, and magical light displays in abundance. From Dublin’s iconic markets to Kilkenny’s Yulefest and Christmas experiences in Meath and Wicklow, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant region. 

Yulefest Kilkenny, photo taken by Dylan Vaughan

Jingle Fest at Emerald Park (Meath)

  • Date: November 22nd – December 23rd, 2024
  • Description: Jingle Fest at Emerald Park features festive rides, Christmas carol performances, and magical decorations, making it an exciting holiday experience for the whole family.
  • Admission Fee: Prices start from €11 for infant and up to €34 for 5-12+ child with Jingle Fest with Santa. Member prices are from Free up to €20.
  • Official Website: https://www.emeraldpark.ie/events/jingle-fest/

Elf Town (Dublin)

  • Date: November 22nd – December 23rd, 2024
  • Description: Elf Town brings the magic of Christmas to life, offering an immersive experience where children can meet Santa’s elves and visit the North Pole.
  • Admission Fee: Baby(under 13 months) is €9.95, Child us €29.95 and Adult is €19.95
  • Official Website: https://elftowndublin.ie/

Santa’s House Express (Kildare)

  • Date: November 23rd - December 24th, 2024
  • Description: Take a festive train journey to Santa’s house in Kildare, where children can enjoy interactive activities, meet Santa, and receive a special gift.
  • Admission Fee: Baby (0-12 months) is €9.95, Child is €18.95 and Adult €14.95
  • Official Website: https://santatrain.ie/

Luggwoods Christmas Experience (Dublin)

  • Date: November 23rd – December 23rd, 2024
  • Description: Walk through a magical forest in Luggwoods, where children can meet Santa and his elves in a beautifully decorated Christmas wonderland.
  • Admission Fee: Baby is €9.95, Child is €27.95 and Adult is €17.95
  • Official Website: https://luggwoodsevents.com/christmas/

Causey Christmas Experience (Meath)

  • Date: November 16th – December 23rd, 2024
  • Description: The Causey Christmas Experience offers festive activities for all ages, including visiting Santa’s house, exploring magical winter scenes, and more.
  • Admission Fee: Babys are free, 1 year olds (12-23 months) are €10.95, Children is €29.95 and Adults are €19.95 
  • Official Website: https://www.causey.ie/causey-christmas-experience/

Christmas Island at Hidden Valley Holiday Park (Wicklow)

  • Date: November 23rd – December 23rd, 2024
  • Description: Hidden Valley transforms into Christmas Island, offering a festive adventure filled with light displays, Santa’s Grotto, and holiday activities.
  • Admission Fee: Infant is €11, Child is €32.50 and Adult is €19.50
  • Official Website: https://www.hiddenvalley.ie/christmas-island-2023/

Yulefest (Kilkenny)

  • Date: November 30th – December 21st, 2024
  • Description: Kilkenny’s Yulefest is a city-wide celebration of Christmas, featuring festive markets, light displays, and entertainment for all ages.
  • Admission Fee: Free entry (Some attractions may have fees)
  • Official Website: https://yulefestkilkenny.ie/

The Christmas Experience at Malahide Castle (Dublin)

  • Date: November 22nd – December 23rd, 2024
  • Description: Experience Christmas at the stunning Malahide Castle, where children can meet Santa, explore the festive grounds, and participate in seasonal activities.
  • Admission Fee: Infant is €12 to €16, Child (13 months – 12 years) is €26.50 to €30.50 and Adult (13 yrs+) is €18 to €22
  • Official Website: https://www.malahidecastleandgardens.ie/the-christmas-experience/

Santa at Mountain View Market (Kilkenny)

Santa at Airfield Estate (Dublin)

  • Date: November 24th – December 23rd, 2024
  • Description: Airfield Estate offers a unique Christmas experience where children can meet Santa, explore the festive grounds, and enjoy seasonal activities.
  • Admission Fee: Under 1s is €10, Child is €29 and Adults are €29 for the Santa’s Woodland Experience.
  • Official Website: https://www.airfield.ie/christmas-tickets/

Santa at Croke Park (Dublin)

  • Date: November 23rd  - December 22nd, 2024
  • Description: Visit Santa at Croke Park for a festive day of fun, where families can take part in holiday activities and tour the famous stadium.
  • Admission Fee: Infants under 1 is free, children aged 13 months – 23 months is €17 (including gift), children aged 2 upwards is €22 (including gift) and Adults are €15
  • Official Website: https://crokepark.ie/santa

Land of Light (Westmeath)

  • Date: November 8th – December 21st, 2024
  • Description: Land of Light offers a spectacular Christmas light show, creating a magical experience for families to enjoy during the holiday season.
  • Admission Fee: Child under 24 months are free, child is €15 to €17 and adult is €20 to €22.50
  • Official Website: https://landoflight.ie/

Santa at Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm (Offaly)

  • Date: November 30th – December 22nd, 2024
  • Description: Santa makes his annual visit to Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm, where children can meet Santa and enjoy festive farm activities.
  • Admission Fee: Baby under 12 months is free, unless they get a gift from Santa then it’s €8, Child is €25 and Adult is €10
  • Official Website: https://molliemoos.ie/home/santa-at-mollie-moos/

Winterfest Mullingar (Westmeath)

  • Date: Various dates in December 2024
  • Description: Winterfest Mullingar offers a variety of festive attractions, from markets to light displays, creating a magical atmosphere in the town.
  • Admission Fee: Free entry (Some attractions may have fees)
  • Official Website: https://winterfestmullingar.ie/

Santa’s Grotto at Carlow Eco Garden (Carlow)

  • Date: November 30th - December 22nd, 2024
  • Description: Visit Santa’s Grotto at Carlow Eco Garden, where children can meet Santa in an eco-friendly setting, complete with holiday activities.
  • Admission Fee: Child is €25 and Adult is €15
  • Official Website: https://ecogardenshop.ie/santa-grotto-experience/

Ulster 

Ulster is home to some of Ireland’s largest and most popular Christmas markets, with Belfast’s renowned market being a standout. From festive fairs at Glenarm Castle to winter wonderlands in Donegal and Tyrone, Ulster is packed with Christmas cheer for all ages. 

Belfast Christmas Market (Belfast City Hall)

Glenarm Castle Christmas Experience (Glenarm Castle)

  • Date: November 29th – December 15th, 2024
  • Description: Enjoy a festive journey through Glenarm Castle, where visitors can meet Santa, explore Christmas markets, and participate in seasonal activities.
  • Admission Fee: Prices starting £30-£32.50 per Child, £25-£27.50 per adult and Under 1s is £7.50 - £8.50
  • Official Website: https://glenarmcastle.com/events/christmas-experience/

Santa at Oakfield Park (Oakfield Park, Donegal)

  • Date: November 29th – December 23rd, 2024
  • Description: Santa arrives at Oakfield Park, offering children and families a magical Christmas experience with festive lights, train rides, and a visit to Santa’s Grotto.
  • Admission Fee: Starting at €121.20 per carriage (4 people)
  • Official Website: https://oakfieldpark.com/santa/

Todd’s Leap Winter Wonderland (Todd’s Leap, Tyrone)

  • Date: December 1st to 22nd, 2024
  • Description: Enjoy a fun-filled festive day at Todd’s Leap, where children can meet Santa, enjoy a snow-tubing run, and visit the magical Winter Wonderland.
  • Admission Fee: Prices are £24 per person.
  • Official Website: https://toddsleap.com/events/winter-wonderland/

Munster 

Munster’s Christmas celebrations continue to grow, with Winterval in Waterford leading the way as Ireland’s largest Christmas festival. Across the province, from Cork to Killarney, you’ll find festive markets, light displays, and Santa experiences that capture the true spirit of the season. 

Winterval (Waterford City)

  • Date: November 15th – December 23rd, 2024
  • Description: Winterval is Ireland’s largest Christmas festival, offering a mix of traditional markets, Santa’s Grotto, festive lights, and family-friendly entertainment.
  • Admission Fee: Free entry to the market; individual activities vary in price
  • Official Website: https://www.winterval.ie/

Christmas at Bunratty Castle (Bunratty, Clare)

  • Date: November 29th – December 23rd, 2024
  • Description: Step back in time and experience a traditional Irish Christmas at Bunratty Castle, complete with festive music, entertainment, and Santa visits.
  • Admission Fee: Prices start at €39.95 per child, €20 per adult and €10 for 0 – 10 month.
  • Official Website: https://www.bunrattycastle.ie/christmas/christmas2024/

Wonderlights at Fota House (Cork)

  • Date: November 16th, 2024 – January 4th, 2025
  • Description: Fota House lights up with festive displays and enchanting light shows, creating a magical atmosphere for families to explore during the Christmas season.
  • Admission Fee: Prices start at €15 – €23.50 per child, €15 - €25.50 per adult, €15 - €21.50 for student (13 – 18 yrs), €15 - €21.50 for OAP and infants under 2 years of age are free. 
  • Official Website: https://www.wonderlights.ie/fota-house

Christmas in Killarney (Killarney, Kerry)

  • Date: November 23rd, 2024 – January 5th, 2025
  • Description: Killarney comes alive with festive cheer, hosting Christmas parades, festive markets, and light displays for visitors of all ages.
  • Admission Fee: Free entry to most events, with some paid attractions. Santa Grotto prices are €15 per child and €7.50 per Adult.
  • Official Website: https://christmasinkillarney.com/

Santa at Leahy’s Open Farm (Cork)

  • Date: November 30th - December 23rd, 2024
  • Description: Meet Santa at Leahy’s Open Farm, where children can enjoy a festive day out, participate in Christmas activities, and visit the farm animals.
  • Admission Fee: Prices start from €15.50 up to €28.50
  • Official Website: https://leahysopenfarm.ie/leahys-open-farm-cork/santa-in-the-barn/

Conclusion: Stay Safe and Insured This Christmas 

In 2024, we have more Christmas markets and events than ever before, scattered throughout Ireland. With the AIG Ireland’s Christmas event list, created by our team here in Dublin, we aim to make it easier for you to find a Christmas event or market near you. 

Weather you’re driving to a local market or taking a road trip across the country, staying safe on the road is a top priority. Make sure to check out AIG car insurance, which includes roadside assistance as standard, to ensure that if you break down this festive season, your car is covered. 

Across the island of Ireland, from Santa’s Grotto in Carlow to the sparkling lights of Malahide Castle, from Belfast’s large Christmas Market to Killarney’s Street festival, stay safe. Drive carefully, plan your trips well and enjoy the festive magic of Christmas across Ireland. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at AIG Ireland 

Tips for safe driving in Ireland:

  • Feel stressed behind the wheel? Check out our advanced driving tips from an expert and see how you can improve.
  • Driving on the motorway in Ireland requires adherence to rules for your own safety and the safety of others. Discover our guide to driving on the motorway here.

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