Waterford kicks of first year as the European City of Christmas with Winterval Festival

Waterford City was jam-packed and shining brightly over the weekend as tens of thousands of festivalgoers enjoyed the official opening of the Winterval Festival and the official celebrations of Waterford’s first year as the European City of Christmas began.

On Friday evening the Mayor of Waterford City and County, Councillor Jason Murphy, and Santa Claus joined forces to dazzle and delight with the switching on of the City’s Christmas lights at a packed ceremony in John Robert’s Square marking the beginning of the 12th annual Winterval festival which is on offer until December 23rd.

On Saturday afternoon, crowds took to Parnell Street and the Mall in the City to enjoy the official celebrations of the European City of Christmas title for Waterford.

An amazing festive parade saw acts from Winterval’s Trash Test Dummies, the cast of Waterford Panto and the delightful Waterford Viking Elves, Giant ‘Brick Boy’ Lego men, the WAMA Postbox collection elves, the Winterval Mini Express Train, visitors from The North Pole, Monster Trucks, the Nutcracker Brass Band, Fire Performers and more entertain the crowds gathered to enjoy the festive season in Ireland’s oldest City.

Following the parade, an incredible and spectacular special effects display was showcased from the beautiful Bishop's Palace and audiences were awed with sounds, light, and colour displays projected onto the stunning building facade.

There were jaw-dropping musical performances from the roof of the Theatre Royal from Kayleigh Quinlan, accompanied by an orchestra led by Killian Browne and beats from the Big Bang drumming band got the crowds dancing in the streets.

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Commenting on the opening of the festival and its European designation the directors of Winterval, John Gubb and Trevor Darmody, said that “Waterford has for the last 12 years been delivering an incredible Christmas festival."

"Building from humble beginnings with big ambitions to become Ireland Christmas Capital to an even bigger festival with global ambitions and now holding a much sought after status as a European City of Christmas - a designation and title that remains with Waterford from here onwards.

"We have already seen the impact of this recognition since it was announced in December 2023 as international visitor numbers and international media visits to Waterford this year have already spiked.

"We are very much looking forward to further growing our European links as we open a ‘Gateway’ which will digitally connect Waterford as the European City of Christmas to Brno in the Czech Republic next Friday, November 22nd when the first exchange will take place between Waterford and our friends in Brno.”

Throughout the festival visitors to Waterford’s Apple Market in Waterford will be able to enjoy a cultural exchange with the people of the Czech Republic via the ‘Gateway to Brno’ along with a calendar of festive performances planned for airing during the Winterval festival's opening hours.

The Winterval festival is open every weekend from now until Monday, December 23.

The festival directors also detail that in order to attract new audience segments to Winterval and scale the festival, “We have a new after-dark programme of events for adults, 'The Winterval Big Top Live' will host a series of events, artists and performances throughout the festival with artists like Gavin James, Mick Flannery, Stereo MCs, EMF, and 30 Years of House Music with Tasty Choons for Tasty People.”

Winterval is supported by Waterford City and County Council as well as a host of other local, national and international businesses, all of whom have a keen interest in Waterford and the Southeast region.

For further details on Winterval, see www.winterval.ie.