Waterford Other Christmas Activities 2026

Waterford transforms into a holiday wonderland featuring over 60 events and attractions spread across the city. Visitors can browse handcrafted gifts and artisan foods at the Christmas Market, skate on the ice rink, and view projection mapping lightshows. The festival...

Gather in the heart of Waterford City for an evening of festive entertainment, live music, and holiday cheer. The Mayor of Waterford City & County joins Santa Claus on stage to lead the official countdown and illuminate the city. Crowds...

Located along the quayside in the heart of Waterford City, Winterval on Ice offers an ice skating experience for skaters of all abilities. Penguin skating aids are provided to assist young children on the rink. Trained ice marshals and staff...

Set inside historic 12th-century medieval caverns beneath Waterford City, families visit Santa Claus in an intimate underground grotto setting. While waiting for their turn, children can enjoy a selection of festive games and activities. Every visiting child receives a gift...

Hop on board the Winterval Mini Express road train for a fun-filled journey through the historic streets of Waterford. Passengers can take in sights of festival attractions along the route, including the Helter-skelter and Carousel, the Winterval Christmas Market, and...

Visitors experience traditional carolling as it once was with the Winterval Olde Worlde Choir and SETU Lumina. The ensemble performs harmonies by candlelight while outfitted in traditional period dress. In addition to stationary sets, the choir delivers walkabout performances across...

The Santa Truck journeys across Rice Bridge and travels along Waterford's historic quays before parking on The Mall outside House of Waterford Crystal. Once the truck arrives, families can step aboard to meet Santa, explore the truck, and snap festive...

Visitors join head housekeeper Mrs. Rickards for a festive spin on the 'Splendour & Scandal Tour' through Waterford's Georgian Bishop’s Palace. Guests explore candlelit, grand rooms dressed in lovingly handmade Victorian decorations while learning the origins of cherished holiday traditions....

Visitors attend an orchestral and choral performance presented inside the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity. Led by orchestra leader Eimear Heeney and conductor Kevin O’Carroll, the musical event is now in its 36th year. The concert serves as a...

Passengers take a scenic cruise along the River Suir aboard the Barrow Princess, passing landmarks such as the King's Channel, Waterford Castle, and the Port of Waterford out to Bellview Port. Guests can take in panoramic views from the open-air...

Visitors embark on a festive hunt through City Square Shopping Centre to locate 12 hidden Viking Elves. Participants pick up a trail map to track down each elf and record their names. Completed maps can then be traded in at...

Cyclists deck themselves and their bicycles in fairy lights, tinsel, and holiday jumpers for a novelty ride through Waterford City. The gentle course winds through the city centre and concludes at Cathedral Square in time for the Winterval Illuminates light...

Guests step inside Santa's sleigh lodge and take their seats aboard a mechanically controlled sleigh for an intrepid North Pole journey led by Santa's helper Dash. Wearing HD VR headsets, riders experience 360-degree visuals paired with physical motions that tilt...

Participants begin at the Information Station to collect either the Winterval Photo Map or the Heritage Photo Map. Explorers then visit each numbered spot on the map, determine which photo corresponds to that location, and write their answers into the...

Families embark on a festive trail through Waterford's museums to discover the origins of Christmas traditions. Starting at the Medieval Museum, participants explore the museum spaces to solve Christmas clues. Completing the trail may even earn visitors a special prize...

Children and families can step into the elves' workshop to take part in hands-on holiday activities. Visitors help the elves bake cookies in Mrs. Claus’s kitchen and get creative with festive arts and crafts. Guests also assist the busy elves...

Guests join eminent local historian Julian Walton in the Theatre Room to discover the history of the Christmas Family of Whitfield Court. First appearing in Waterford in 1666, the family remained central figures in local society through the nineteenth century....

Participants take part in hands-on holiday building sessions using provided Lego bricks and materials. Builders can craft festive characters brick by brick, including Santa Claus, prancing reindeer, jolly snowmen, and elves. The creative workshop welcomes builders of all skill levels,...

Families gather for a creative workshop to paint their own Christmas decorations. Participants design and paint festive pottery ornaments to take home for the holiday season.

Participants roll, cut, bake, and decorate their own gingerbread creations using a variety of colourful toppings and festive decorations. The hands-on, 60-minute session lets guests craft traditional holiday shapes or design custom gingerbread figures. Finished baked treats can be taken...

Santa Claus, Mrs Claus, and the elves arrive by boat along the River Nore before traveling through the city streets to Kilkenny Castle. Visitors can enjoy live music and festive cheer, gather around the Christmas tree on the Parade to...

Visitors can enjoy a diverse lineup of live performances featuring regional bands, community choirs, and Irish dancers inside the market marquee. The stage also offers family entertainment, including interactive children's dance parties and circus workshops. Audiences can soak up the...

Visitors step aboard a decorated train steered by Santa’s Chief Elf for a journey through the heart of the city. Along the way, passengers listen to an exclusive festive story celebrating local traditions and holiday cheer. The tour loops past...

Visitors can watch the illuminated Santa truck drive past or meet it at its final stop. Children are invited to step aboard the truck to explore Santa's Grotto and visit with Santa and Mrs Claus. Attendees can also purchase children's...

Visitors board the Rathwood Express for a train ride through a twinkling forest to a festive live show inside the Big Top. Families stop at the reindeer farm to see Santa's reindeer and visit Santa's Toy Workshop, where each child...

Guests embark on an elf-led five-stop Magical Trail featuring Make-A-Teddy and a visit to Santa in his log cabin with a gift. The experience includes a Festive Banquet Meal served by elves alongside interactive cabaret-style show entertainment with characters such...

The Snowball Stage in Constitution Square is a community hub for Winterval. It hosts local talent, including brass bands and choirs, every weekend afternoon.

Christmas Churchyard Sessions is a free outdoor music event at the 15th-century French Church in Waterford. The Knockadollys play Irish and Folk music, and The Papa Zitas play 1960s Motown.

Children aged 5-12 can create and decorate holiday wreaths at free, hands-on workshops led by WAMA at the WCQ Place. All materials are provided for these beginner-friendly sessions.

The Christmas Jumper Junior Parkrun is a free 2k event for juniors aged 4 to 14 at Kilkenny Countryside Park. Participants are encouraged to wear Christmas jumpers for spot prizes.

Experience the magic of the holiday season at the Talbot Hotel Carlow with their special Santa Experience. This event offers a delightful opportunity for families to create lasting memories, including a festive breakfast with Santa himself. Immerse yourselves in the...