Waterford set to twinkle brightly this Christmas as Winterval programme is revealed

Waterford, which has been designated Europe’s City of Christmas for 2024, is set for its place in the spotlight this festive season as it hosts dozens of events throughout the Winterval Festival.

Santa Claus will help launch the festivities underway on November 15 when he arrives to switch on the Christmas lights in the city at a fun-filled ceremony which begins at 6pm.

On the following day, the now famous Winterval Parade will take place with a ceremony to officially declare the European City of Christmas title.

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In what is set to be an epic celebration with a festive parade arriving at Parnell St onto The Mall and spectacular special effects display from the roof of the beautiful Bishop’s Palace audiences will be awed with sounds, light, colour and performance.

New events at Ireland’s largest Christmas festival include ‘Snow Play’ an icy snow centre where the young and the not-so-young can enjoy some snow play & throw some snowballs; an Igloo Dome offering a 5D experience with audiences travelling through time inside; a gigantic Circus Museum will be on offer at City Hall’s Large Room; what is sure to be a sell-out at Garter Lane is a new show titled ‘Trash Test Dummies’ by the award-winner Dummies Corp., the Australian leader in slapstick children’s comedy, there will be a huge Monster Truck and stunt show in Ireland’s largest circus tent and lots lots more.

In all, there is a programme of over 60 events on offer with at least half being free of charge. 

To attract new audiences from further afield to Winterval and scaling the festival up after dark is a brand-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 gig tickets now available for sale on winterval.ie.

Artists include Gavin James, Mick Flannery, Stereo MC’s, EMF, and 30 Years of House Music with Tasty Choons for Tasty People.

The Jack & Jills Children’s Foundation Christmas Market at Winterval will span from O’Connell Street through the spine of the city onto George’s Street, into John Robert’s Square and connecting to Arundel Square offering a market of over 80 vendors with wares from wooden toys, to knitted wares, to hand-crafted candles, to art to wood turned bowls along with Gluwhenin and of course hot chocolate and delicious treats along the way.

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Speaking at the launch of Winterval 2024, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Murphy said: “Winterval was a festival that began with a big ambition to lay claim to Waterford being the capital of Christmas in Ireland, very early on, that ambition was fulfilled but its ambitions to grow and offer more never faded. We are thrilled and honoured here in Waterford to celebrate our first year as a European City of Christmas, a title which will remain with the city from here onwards and one that we can continue to celebrate each year and build upon."

John Grubb and Trevor Darmody, Winterval Festival Directors, added: “2024 is a milestone year for Winterval and Waterford. It is the first year of the celebration of our European title and while that has certainly added some pressure on us at Winterval to deliver more, it was a task that we relished; we took a look at what was happening at other festivals globally but also at what our beautiful ancient city could offer and we have come up with a programme that brings the two together. There are some wonderful and quirky events, held in some of our incredible and unique historic spaces. This year’s programme is fun-filled and light-hearted offering escapism and joy for all ages."

Firm favourites are also back for the festival, including the Winterval ice rink and fairground set for the city’s quayside while the wonderful Winterval Illuminates Lightshow is bound for the city centre plus there will be Gingerbread making workshops, the Glow Gardens with over 10,000 twinkling lights at New street, a Wobbly Mirror installation at The Apple Market, the Port of Waterford Eye and one-off events like the Jingle Bells Cycle, Carol concerts, Suircon, a Light up Tractor parade and more.

Santa will be in 12th-century caverns that lie beneath the city’s Medieval Museum in the Viking Triangle where he will spread joy and holiday cheer to boys and girls of all ages.

Winterval is delivered by Waterford City and County Council with support from sponsors and the Waterford business community. For further details on Winterval in Waterford, running on key dates from November 15 to December 23 see winterval.ie.