Best Ireland Christmas Markets and Events in 2025

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 7th – December 31st, 2025
• 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, and an age appropriate gift is included.
• Official Website: Galway Christmas Market 

Winter Wonderland (Westport House, Westport)

• Date: November 15th – December 23rd, 2025
• Description: Experience a magical winter wonderland at Westport House, complete with Christmas decorations, Santa visits, and twinkling lights.
• Admission Fee: €19.50 per adult, €39.50 per child (includes access to Santa’s Grotto) and €15 per baby.
• Official Website:  Winter Wonderland 2025, Westport House

Wildlands Winter Wonderland (Wildlands, Ballycuirke East, Galway)

• Date: run on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting Saturday 22nd of November, 2025
• Description: A magical woodland Christmas experience at Wildlands, featuring festive activities, Santa’s Grotto, and seasonal treats.
• Admission Fee: 
  November: Kids 1 + €37 | Adults €23 | 0–1 years €12
  December: Kids 1 + €39 | Adults €25 | 0–1 years €13
• Website: Wildlands Winter Wonderland

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

• Date: TBC
• 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: HO-HO-HO it’s 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. 

Jingle Fest at Emerald Park (Meath)

• Date: November 21st – December 23rd, 2025
• 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 €21.
• Official Website:  Jingle Fest at Emerald Park

Elf Town (Dublin)

• Date: November 15th – December 24th, 2025
• 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.  This year all children will receive the souvenir Elf Town Golden Tickets by post in advance of their arrival date!
• Admission Fee: Baby (under 13 months) is €12.95, Child is €29.95 and Adult is €19.95.
• Official Website:  Elf Town Dublin

Santa’s House Express (Kildare)

• Date: November 28th - December 23rd, 2025
• 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 from €12, Child is from €28.50 and Adult is from €22
• Official Website: Santa’s House Express

Luggwoods Christmas Experience (Dublin)

• Date: November 22nd – December 23rd, 2025
• 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 from €10.95, Child is from €44.95 and Adult is from €34.95
• Official Website: Luggwoods Christmas Experience

Causey Christmas Experience (Meath)

• Date: November 23rd – December 23rd, 2025
• 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 €12.95, Children is €32.95 and Adults are €22.95 
• Official Website: Causey Christmas Experience

Christmas Island at Hidden Valley Holiday Park (Wicklow)

• Date: 
  November Dates: 22, 23, 28, 29 & 30
  December Dates: Every Thursday to Sunday & Wednesday Dec 17th & Monday Dec 22nd
• 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 €12, Child is €34.50 and Adult is €21.50
• Official Website:  Christmas Island at Hidden Valley Holiday Park

Yulefest (Kilkenny)

• Date: November 29th – December 23rd, 2025
• Description: Kilkenny’s Yulefest is a city-wide celebration of Christmas, featuring festive markets, light displays, and entertainment for all ages.
• Admission Fee: Infant is Free, Child is €8 and Adult is €12
• Official Website: Yulefest Kilkenny

The Christmas Experience at Malahide Castle (Dublin)

• Date: November 28th – December 23rd, 2025
• 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:  Santa at Malahide Castle

Santa at Mountain View Market (Kilkenny)

• Date: Starts at November 23rd 
• Description: Santa visits the charming Mountain View Market, where families can enjoy festive shopping, food, and Christmas entertainment.
• Admission Fee: Free entry (Some attractions may have fees)
• Official Website:  Santa at Mountain View Market

Santa at Airfield Estate (Dublin)

• Date: November 22nd – December 22nd, 2025
• 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 €12.50, Child is €31.50 and Adults are €22.50 for the Santa’s Woodland Experience.
• Official Website: Santa at Airfield Estate

Santa at Croke Park (Dublin)

• Date: November 29th  - December 23rd, 2025
• 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 €18 (including gift), children aged 2 upwards is €23 (including gift) and Adults are €16
• Official Website: Santa at Croke Park

Land of Light (Westmeath)

• Date: TBC
• 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: December 6th – December 21st, 2025
• 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 €26 and Adult is €10
• Official Website: Santa at Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm

Winterfest Mullingar (Westmeath)

• Date: TBC
• Description: Winterfest Mullingar offers a variety of festive attractions, from markets to light displays, creating a magical atmosphere in the town.
• Admission Fee: TBC
• Official Website: Winterfest Mullingar

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)

• Date: November 15th – December 22nd, 2025
• Description: Set in the iconic Belfast City Hall, this market features over 100 stalls offering international cuisine, local crafts, and festive goods.
• Admission Fee: Free entry
• Official Website: Belfast Christmas Market

Glenarm Castle Christmas Experience (Glenarm Castle)

• Date: December 1st – December 15th, 2025
• 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 £28 - £30 per Child, £28 - £35 per adult and Under 1s is £8.50
• Official Website: Christmas At Glenarm Castle

Santa at Oakfield Park (Oakfield Park, Donegal)

• Date: November 28th – December 23rd, 2025
• 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 €109 per carriage (4 people)
• Official Website: Oakfield Park

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

• Date: December 5th to 22nd, 2025
• 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 from £22.50 - £24.50 per person. Under-1s are free and do not need a ticket.
• Official Website:  Todd’s Leap 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 21st – December 23rd, 2025
• 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:  Winterval  

Christmas at Bunratty Castle (Bunratty, Clare)

• Date: November 28th – December 23rd, 2025
• 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 €40 (includes gift) per child, €25 per adult and €12 (includes gift) for 0 – 12 month.
• Official Website: Christmas at Bunratty Castle

Wonderlights at Fota House (Cork)

• Date: November 6th – December 28th, 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 – €24 per child, €15 - €25.50 per adult, €15 - €22 for student, €15 - €22 for OAP and infants under 2 years of age are free. 
• Official Website: Wonderlights at Fota House

Christmas in Killarney (Killarney, Kerry)

• Date: November 28th – December 23rd, 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 €10 per Adult.
• Official Website: Christmas in Killarney  

Santa at Leahy’s Open Farm (Cork)

• Date: November 29th - December 23rd, 2025
• 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 €29.50
• Official Website:  Santa at Leahy’s Open Farm 
   

Conclusion: Stay Safe and Insured This Christmas 

In 2025, 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. 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!