Get a snapshot of the festive season in Droichead Nua. Our guide covers all the essential holiday activities. For Droichead Nua residents and newcomers, this guide highlights the top festive attractions.
This holiday season, experience the enchanting atmosphere of Winterval, where the streets come alive with lights, markets, and seasonal cheer. Next, enjoy Glow - A Cork Christmas Celebration, known for its stunning light displays and vibrant festive market. And the Christmas at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a magical setting filled with festive activities for all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Droichead Nua
- Winterval (Waterford)
- Glow - A Cork Christmas Celebration (Cork)
- Christmas at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park (Bunratty)
- Limerick Christmas Racing Festival (Limerick)
- Leopardstown Christmas Festival (Dublin)
- Wicklow Christmas Market (Wicklow)
- Kilkenny Christmas Markets (Kilkenny)
- Waterford on Ice (Waterford)
- Santa’s Gingerbread House at Winterval (Waterford)
- Ballincollig Christmas Market (Ballincollig)
See these and even more events listed below!
Droichead Nua Holiday Light Displays
Corkmas
What to Expect:
Interactive light installation and festive activities.
Description:
Corkmas is a vibrant celebration featuring twinkling lights, joyful activities, and a true Cork Christmas Experience. The event includes a Christmas pageant, Santa Experience, and the return of the Ferris Wheel and vintage carousel.
Where: Cork | More Info: Corkmas
Trail of Lights at Bunratty Folk Park
What to Expect:
Extensive festive light installations and character displays.
Description:
Explore the illuminated festive displays across 26 acres of Bunratty Folk Park, featuring giant festive installations, the Abominable Snowman, and the Giant Christmas Jumper of the Earl of Thomond.
Where: Bunratty | More Info: Trail of Lights at Bunratty Folk Park
Droichead Nua Holiday Markets and Shopping
Glow - A Cork Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations and festive activities.
Description:
Corkmas features a Christmas parade, markets, Santa Experience, and the return of the Ferris wheel and vintage carousel. The event includes interactive light installations and street performances, encouraging residents and visitors to explore the city.
Where: Cork | More Info: Glow - A Cork Christmas Celebration
Kilkenny Christmas Markets
What to Expect:
Medieval city setting with local artisans and live music.
Description:
Kilkenny Christmas Markets offer festive treats, creative crafts, live music, and family entertainment each weekend, with a Christmas light trail and special events each week.
Where: Kilkenny | More Info: Kilkenny Christmas Markets
Wicklow Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Eco-Ice Skating Rink and diverse artisan food stalls.
Description:
The Wicklow Christmas Market offers a variety of international cuisine, over 40 craft stalls, and live entertainment, including a legendary fire show and stilt walkers. It features a diverse array of artisan foods and treats, as well as carnival rides and games for all ages.
Where: Wicklow | More Info: Wicklow Christmas Market
Ballincollig Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique local crafts and seasonal items.
Description:
The Ballincollig Christmas Market offers a variety of festive stalls selling unique gifts, seasonal items, and local crafts. Visitors can enjoy the lively atmosphere and explore the diverse offerings while getting into the holiday spirit.
Where: Ballincollig | More Info: Ballincollig Christmas Market
Mistletown Market
What to Expect:
Victorian Carousel and live performances.
Description:
Mistletown Market offers an Artisan Food Village with over 20 traders, a Craft Market featuring unique gifts, and a Vintage Carnival with a Victorian Carousel dating back to the 1890s. The event also features live performers on a raised main stage with panoramic views.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Mistletown Market
Christmas Medieval Market at Bunratty Castle
What to Expect:
Medieval artisans and artisan food producers in a festive setting.
Description:
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the charm of Bunratty Castle's Christmas Medieval Market. Twinkling fairy lights cast a warm glow as the aroma of sugared treats and festive spices fills the air. Skilled craftspeople showcase their talents alongside artisan food producers, offering a dazzling array of Christmas goodies and handcrafted treasures perfect for filling stockings or finding unique gifts.
Where: Bunratty | More Info: Christmas Medieval Market at Bunratty Castle
Droichead Nua Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Winterval
What to Expect:
Diverse range of events including a snow play center, circus museum, and live music performances.
Description:
Winterval is Ireland's largest Christmas festival, now the European City of Christmas, featuring over 60 events including festive family attractions, seasonal surprises, and a variety of free and ticketed activities for all ages.
Where: Waterford | More Info: Winterval
Christmas at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
What to Expect:
Personal meet and greet with Santa Claus.
Description:
Visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park for a Christmas experience featuring Santa's grotto, festive light displays, and traditional characters. Enjoy a variety of activities including the Polar Express train ride, puppet shows, and a medieval Christmas market.
Where: Bunratty | More Info: Christmas at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
Limerick Christmas Racing Festival
What to Expect:
Family-friendly racing event with live entertainment.
Description:
Limerick Christmas Racing Festival is a four-day event featuring glamour, festivities, music, and top-class Jumps Racing. Highlights include the Doran's Pride Grade 2 Novice Hurdle, Dawn Run Grade 2 Novice Steeplechase, and Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Steeplechase. The final day is a Family Fun Day with children's amusements and entertainers.
Where: Limerick | More Info: Limerick Christmas Racing Festival
Droichead Nua Other Holiday Activities
Leopardstown Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
High-quality National Hunt racing with Grade 1 events and live music.
Description:
The Leopardstown Christmas Festival is a four-day event featuring top-class National Hunt racing, live music, and various attractions. It includes Grade 1 races, the Savills Style Awards, and entertainment in the festival marquee. Located near Dublin City Centre, it offers a range of hospitality options and exclusive packages.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Leopardstown Christmas Festival
Santa’s Gingerbread House at Winterval
What to Expect:
Meet Santa in a beautifully decorated gingerbread house setting.
Description:
Santa's Gingerbread House at Winterval features a charming, intricately decorated house where visitors can meet Santa and his elves amidst a festive atmosphere filled with holiday cheer.
Where: Waterford | More Info: Santa’s Gingerbread House at Winterval
Waterford on Ice
What to Expect:
All-levels ice skating with penguin aids for kids.
Description:
Waterford on Ice offers an exceptional skating experience with penguin skating aids for kids and trained ice marshals ensuring a safe and fun day out for families, large groups, and school groups.
Where: Waterford | More Info: Waterford on Ice
Dun Laoghaire Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Sustainable Santa Experience with model railway and station master interaction.
Description:
The Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival features a wide range of festive activities for all ages, including the National Maritime Museum's Sustainable Santa Experience and Ireland's largest ice-skating rink at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. The event also includes charity carol singing, a traditional Christmas family funfair, and decorated shop windows around town.
Where: Dun Laoghaire | More Info: Dun Laoghaire Christmas Market
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Naas (6 miles)
- Celbridge (15 miles)
- Tallaght (19 miles)
- South Dublin (20 miles)
- Carlow (24 miles)
- Sandyford (24 miles)
- Dublin (25 miles)
- Dun Laoghaire (28 miles)
- Bray (29 miles)
- Swords (31 miles)
- Navan (33 miles)
- Balbriggan (39 miles)
- Kilkenny (41 miles)
- Drogheda (41 miles)