Ireland’s Biggest Christmas Festival - Winterval Waterford Opens November 21st

Ireland’s largest Christmas festival, Winterval, officially opens in Waterford next Friday, November 21st, transforming Ireland’s oldest city into a twinkling winter wonderland. The festivities will begin in John Roberts Square from 5:30 PM, with the official turning on of the Christmas lights at 6:00 PM. Mayor Cllr. Séamus Ryan will join Santa Claus for the countdown to illuminate the city, with live music and entertainment broadcast by WLR FM, including a special performance by Glenn Murphy.

Following the switch-on, festivalgoers can continue their evening with the first showing of Winterval Illuminates in Cathedral Square at 6:30 PM, kindly sponsored by Bausch & Lomb. The Winterval Christmas Market and Glow Fairylight Garden, powered by Encon, will remain open until 8:00 PM, while Santa’s Giant Disco Postbox in Arundel Square, sponsored by City Square Waterford, will have festive fun every half hour.

A highlight of the opening weekend will be the Winterval Sky Spectacular Drone Show on Saturday, November 22nd at 7:00 PM. This free event will feature 150 illuminated drones dancing across the night sky above the River Suir in a breathtaking display of colour and movement. Families are invited to gather along the quayside for the best views of this dazzling performance.

Trevor Darmody, Festival Director of Winterval, said, “This year’s Winterval is a true celebration of Ireland’s Christmas spirit. We’re bringing the magic of the season to life with something for everyone — from the lights switch-on to Ireland’s biggest drone show, from markets and workshops to live entertainment across the city. Waterford is proud to host Ireland’s Christmas Festival, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors from near and far to share in the joy in our European City of Christmas.”

Running until December 23rd, Winterval 2025 offers more than 50 festive events and attractions designed to delight families and visitors of all ages. Highlights include the Winterval Christmas Markets with over 100,000 sparkling lights, the Winterval Circus, Port of Waterford Eye, Santa’s Grotto in the 12th-century underground caverns beneath the Medieval Museum, the Glow Fairylight Garden powered by Encon, the Winterval Fairground, the Winterval Cruises on the River Suir, and a host of new experiences such as the indoor Snowball Play Fun dome, Concious Crafting Workshops and Gingerbread Making Workshops.

Winterval Illuminates will run nightly in Cathedral Square, transforming the Silver Museum façade into a dazzling light and music spectacle. Throughout the city, families can enjoy performances, festive food, and immersive experiences that celebrate the warmth and wonder of the Christmas season.

The festival’s expansive Winterval Christmas Market is a central feature, set within a charming collection of wooden cabins that line the spine of Waterford’s historic city centre and cultural quarter. The market stretches from Michael Street through John Roberts’ Square onto George’s Street through Hanover Street and onto O’Connell Street and Gladstone Street, incorporating key locations such as Arundel Square, Cathedral Square, and Garter Lane.

Visitors can immerse themselves in a sparkling Christmas atmosphere while browsing over 100 food, craft, and drink producers from local, regional, and national creators. The market offers a rich variety of seasonal treats, handcrafted gifts, and festive delights. Waterford’s craft heritage shines brightly at Garter Lane Gallery, where more than 40 local makers present jewellery, ceramics, candles, soaps, leatherware, knittedwear, wood-turned gifts, and much more. Highlights include Adele Stanley’s beautiful tableware, bespoke skateboards by Copper Coast Woodcrafts, silk and velvet scarves by Silks by Mauney, handmade chocolates from Victoria’s Incredibel Edibles, and copper and enamel jewellery by Gwen Dunne.

The food and drinks offering is equally enticing, with vendors such as Rom’s Crepes, SugarMama Grills, BadBoy BBQ, Pipers Churros, Dinky Doughnuts, Oh So Chocolate’s gourmet hot chocolates, and Papa’s Mulled Wines. Additional gift options include Sperrins Country Wear, El Dragonfly woollen accessories, Lismore Candles, Churchhouse Pottery, Native American crafts, and hand-knitwear and jewellery from local artisans like Becky and Gina Kinsella. Visitors can also commission bespoke Christmas decorations from Real Image using their own photographs.

Winterval 2025 is proudly supported by Waterford City and County Council, the Waterford business community, and festival partners, including Volkswagen, Tesco, The Granville Hotel, Fitzwilton Hotel, Travelodge Waterford, and House of Waterford, sponsor of Santa’s Grotto. Other key sponsors include Parker Law, Expressway, Rapid Cabs, City Square Waterford, Bausch + Lomb, Guinness/Rockshore, Zinnia, Encon, Port of Waterford, LEO Waterford, Journi Credit Union, WAMA, and WLR.

Last year, Winterval attracted over one million visitors, and organisers are encouraging festival fans to plan their visits early by exploring the full schedule and booking tickets at www.winterval.ie.