Feeling festive? Eight Christmas experiences and events around the country you can book now
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As the temperature continues to fall, the temptation to throw on the TV with a hot chocolate in hand intensifies.
For those in the festive spirit, here’s a range of Christmas experiences available to book across the country now, even in September.
A new immersive winter wonderland experience, Winterlee, comes to Cork City from November 8.
Winterlee will see Páirc Uí Chaoimh transform into a festive winter village with various wooden chalets offering refreshments, local craft stalls, a high anticipated funfair as well as the Alpine Skate Trail.
The ice-skating trail officially opens its doors on November 8 and will run until January 19.
Alpine Skate Trail are offering limited early bird ice skating tickets at a discounted price at iceskating.ie.
Santa’s Workshop will set up shop at the GAA Museum in Croke Park for an unforgettable Christmas experience.
Visitors are invited to pull on their club or county colours during the experience as Santa is preparing to lead his team during a busy Christmas season.
All visitors will have access to the award-winning GAA Museum where they can see both Liam MacCarthy and Sam Maguire cups in all their glory.
The experience is wheelchair and buggy accessible. Free parking is provided outside the museum.
Meet the Bainisteoir opens its doors on Saturday, November 23 until Sunday, December 22.
Tickets must be pre-booked online in advance at crokepark.ie/santa.
Adult tickets are €15 apiece, children aged two and above are €22 and children aged 13 months to 23 months are €17. Children under one can come free of charge.
All children’s tickets include a gift.
Follow Fox Events announced the international award-winning Wonderlights, Ireland’s largest immersive light show experience returns to Fota House this festive season.
Now in its fifth year, Wonderlights will also run two extra venues in the capital, based in Malahide Castle and Gardens north of the city and Marlay Park in the south.
Committed to sustainability, Wonderlights’ displays are powered by hydrotreated vegetable oil, widely recognised as one of the most environmentally friendly fuel alternatives and utilise the most energy-efficient bulbs available.
The event kicks off from November 16 and tickets start at €15. Under twos and carers go free.
Visit wonderlights.ie to book your place.
Wild Lights is a magical experience that transforms Dublin Zoo into a winter wonderland with the power of light!
Visitors will be transported across time as they discover the history of our planet through the ages, there’s everything from pre-historic megafauna to life-changing first inventions and even beautiful works of art from the Renaissance, all in the form of bright and colourful, eye-catching lanterns.
Dublin Zoo is offering a 50% discount for the opening weekend from Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27. A 30% discount is available for the following weekend (November 1 to November 3.)
Wild Lights will open to the public from 6pm to 10pm on October 24 until October 28 and October 31 until November 3, and from 5pm to 9pm every day from November 4 Until January 5 (excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day).
All tickets must be pre-booked online at dublinzoo.ie and tickets will not be sold at the gates. Admission to Wild Lights will range from €24.50 to €25.50 for adults and from €20 to €21 for children.
An all-new winter attraction is coming to Slane Castle this festive period.
The Enchanted Kingdom brings visitors on a journey through a magical world hidden within our own thanks to immersive light and sound installation around the famous Slane Castle.
Starting on November 14, the experience will take place after sunset from Thursday to Sunday each week until January next.
The Enchanted Kingdom is family-friendly and fully accessible for wheelchairs and buggies and people of all ages and abilities.
A Christmas craft and food market will also be on site providing refreshments and festive treats.
The event will help raise funds for Special Hands, an activity group dedicated to improving the lives of children and young adults with additional needs.
The Enchanted Kingdom is by ticket only and tickets are now available from €21.50 on enchantedkingdom.ie.
Back by popular demand and now in a grander venue, Christmas in Kinsale promises to be a cherished family tradition for friends and families.
Brought to the stage by Anglo Irish Productions, set against the picturesque backdrop of the St. Multose Church in Kinsale, the event will showcase a heartwarming celebration of Irish culture via toe-tapping music and mesmerising dance performances.
The production will start at 7pm on December 21.
The venue is wheelchair access and guests with mobility needs will be in the designated seating area in the front row.
Main section and balcony seats start at €30 while side stage seats start at €45.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Located in the Palmerstown House Estate in Naas, Co Kildare, families will encounter a mischievous special guest in the Ice Cave, adding a playful twist to the journey.
Additionally, all-new immersive digital experiences have been integrated into the event, providing an extra dose of enchantment and interactive fun for visitors of all ages.
After your visit with Santa, the adventure continues back at the Winter Wonderland Village, where the festive funfair is in full swing. Each child receives two complimentary ride tokens, ensuring smiles and laughter all around.
Tickets cost €22 plus booking fees for an adult, €28.50 plus fees for children (ticket includes a gift from Santa and two ride tokens) and infant tickets cost €12 plus fees and a free toy is included.
Visit santashouseexpress.ie to book your tickets.
The Marble City Music Festival has just announced a stellar lineup for their Christmas Edition, which will take place in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny from Thursday, November 28 to Sunday, December 1 with an extra show on Sunday, December 6 in Curtis Auditorium at the Cork School of Music.
All concerts include complimentary mulled wine and mince pies, and most importantly, a warm welcome.
The Cork event will see Marble City Music Festival founder join celebrated Irish pianist Fiachra Garvey to launch and perform their entire debut album released under acclaimed British Record Label, Rubicon Classics.
Tickets can be bought online at marblecitymusicfestival.com.