As the festive season settles in, towns and communities across Ireland are lighting up streets, gardens and historic places with events that celebrate the warmth of December. From music to markets and storytelling, these pre-Christmas outings offer something for every mood.
1. Santa at Malahide Castle,
Co Dublin
Malahide Castle’s Santa experience is known for its calm, inclusive feel. The softly lit rooms of the 12th-century castle create a gentle setting that suits children who prefer quieter visits, making it ideal for neurodivergent children with differing sensory needs. Families follow a relaxed route through the castle, stopping for Santa’s sleigh and the much-loved wishing tree.
Mrs Claus spends extra time with each group before children meet Santa in his reading room. Families can enjoy the vintage funfair or something warm from the Alpine Food Village.
Tickets start at €16.50.
santaatmalahidecastle.ie
2. Christmas Lights Tractor Run, Co Longford
Abbeyshrule’s ‘Drive Into the Night’ tractor run is one of the most uplifting gatherings in the midlands. On Sunday 14 December, the airfield begins to glow from 3.30pm as tractors arrive decorated in lights and festive touches.
The cavalcade sets off at 5pm, creating a bright procession through the village and surrounding countryside. The run supports the Carrickedmond and Abbeyshrule Defibrillator Group, adding purpose to the festivities.
Whether joining the line-up or watching from the roadside, it promises an evening full of colour and local pride.
Event details are available on the Abbeyshrule community Facebook page
Seamus, Katie, Hannah and Noah Kenny made a great effort at last years run. The Massey Santa Sleigh won best decorated modern tractor on the 2024 run. Great effort by the Kenny Family. /Frank McGrath Photography
3. Country Music Christmas
Concert, Co Sligo
Crossan Entertainment brings its annual Christmas Concert to the Sligo Park Hotel on Thursday 18 December. The Ryan Turner Band leads a lively line-up including Erin Magee, Mary Rose and Enda, Barry Kirwan, Lisa Stanley, Gerry Guthrie, Louise Morrissey, Jack Keogh, David James and Patrick Feeney. It is always a crowd-pleasing evening filled with favourite songs and festive cheer.
Doors open at 7pm for an 8pm start. Tickets for the concert are €30.
sligoparkhotel.com
Patrick Feeney, singer.
4. Merchy Christmas,
Co Dublin
Merchy Christmas returns to The Grand Social on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December, offering a creative alternative to traditional gift shopping. From 11am to 7pm, Irish artists and bands sell merchandise directly to fans, from vinyl and prints to tees, patches and one-off pieces. What began during lockdown has grown into a lively, much-loved festive market with a friendly atmosphere.
Donations support Dublin Simon Community and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, and visitors can meet musicians, browse exclusive designs and enter the daily jumbo raffle. It is also a great place to find last-minute presents that feel personal and well chosen.
Admission is free with a suggested €6 donation.
grand-social.com
5. Christmas at Nano Nagle Place, Co Cork
Nano Nagle Place blends community, creativity and calm during the festive season. This year’s programme opens with A Christmas Carol in the Goldie Chapel from 4 to 7 December.
The Cork City Book Fair on 6 December brings booksellers from across Munster, while the Christmas markets on 6, 7, 13 and 14 December fill the courtyards with handmade crafts, local makers and treats. The Lighting the Darkness ritual on 11 December offers a reflective pause, and children can enjoy a decoration workshop on 13 December. The Lantern Project’s Crochet Ladies host their market on 14 December, and there’s late openings on 5, 12 and 19 December. Events range from free to €15.
nanonagleplace.ie
6. Christmas at Ulster Folk Museum, Co Down
The Ulster Folk Museum in Cultra offers a nostalgic step back from December’s bustle with its Christmas Evenings on Friday 12 and Friday 19 December.
From 5pm to 9pm, visitors wander cobbled streets as cottages glow with wreaths, braziers and warm lights. Guests can enjoy traditional crafts, carols, silent-era Christmas films and storytelling by the fire. Tickets cost £15 for adults and £9 for children.
ulsterfolkmuseum.org
7. Santa’s House Express,
Co Kildare
Santa’s House Express at Palmerstown House Estate, close to Kill, remains one of Ireland’s most popular festive experiences, attracting more than 60,000 visitors each year.
This year introduces a Junior Reporter competition in partnership with FM104, inviting children aged five to 11 to interview Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves, with winners receiving a family ticket and a Smyths Toys voucher.
Families travel by Santa train through twinkling woodlands before meeting Mrs Claus and Santa in the manor. Winter Wonderland Village adds rides, festive treats and plenty of photo opportunities.
Tickets start at €19 for adults and €24 for children.
santashouseexpress.ie
8. Wonderlights: Winter’s
Brightest Tradition
Wonderlights returns with three new illuminated trails at Marlay Park and Malahide Castle in Dublin and Fota House and Gardens in Cork, using more than three million lights.
In Marlay Park, The Magic of Winter features mirrored lakes, glowing creatures and a 30-metre hydro screen. Fota by Night highlights nature with a 13-foot hummingbird, a giant storybook and a seasonal projection show. Each event will be sure to bring some extra sparkle to Christmas family outings this season.
Tickets begin at €15 with off-peak
savings.
wonderlights.ie
As the festive season settles in, towns and communities across Ireland are lighting up streets, gardens and historic places with events that celebrate the warmth of December. From music to markets and storytelling, these pre-Christmas outings offer something for every mood.
1. Santa at Malahide Castle,
Co Dublin
Malahide Castle’s Santa experience is known for its calm, inclusive feel. The softly lit rooms of the 12th-century castle create a gentle setting that suits children who prefer quieter visits, making it ideal for neurodivergent children with differing sensory needs. Families follow a relaxed route through the castle, stopping for Santa’s sleigh and the much-loved wishing tree.
Mrs Claus spends extra time with each group before children meet Santa in his reading room. Families can enjoy the vintage funfair or something warm from the Alpine Food Village.
Tickets start at €16.50.
santaatmalahidecastle.ie
2. Christmas Lights Tractor Run, Co Longford
Abbeyshrule’s ‘Drive Into the Night’ tractor run is one of the most uplifting gatherings in the midlands. On Sunday 14 December, the airfield begins to glow from 3.30pm as tractors arrive decorated in lights and festive touches.
The cavalcade sets off at 5pm, creating a bright procession through the village and surrounding countryside. The run supports the Carrickedmond and Abbeyshrule Defibrillator Group, adding purpose to the festivities.
Whether joining the line-up or watching from the roadside, it promises an evening full of colour and local pride.
Event details are available on the Abbeyshrule community Facebook page
Seamus, Katie, Hannah and Noah Kenny made a great effort at last years run. The Massey Santa Sleigh won best decorated modern tractor on the 2024 run. Great effort by the Kenny Family. /Frank McGrath Photography
3. Country Music Christmas
Concert, Co Sligo
Crossan Entertainment brings its annual Christmas Concert to the Sligo Park Hotel on Thursday 18 December. The Ryan Turner Band leads a lively line-up including Erin Magee, Mary Rose and Enda, Barry Kirwan, Lisa Stanley, Gerry Guthrie, Louise Morrissey, Jack Keogh, David James and Patrick Feeney. It is always a crowd-pleasing evening filled with favourite songs and festive cheer.
Doors open at 7pm for an 8pm start. Tickets for the concert are €30.
sligoparkhotel.com
Patrick Feeney, singer.
4. Merchy Christmas,
Co Dublin
Merchy Christmas returns to The Grand Social on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December, offering a creative alternative to traditional gift shopping. From 11am to 7pm, Irish artists and bands sell merchandise directly to fans, from vinyl and prints to tees, patches and one-off pieces. What began during lockdown has grown into a lively, much-loved festive market with a friendly atmosphere.
Donations support Dublin Simon Community and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, and visitors can meet musicians, browse exclusive designs and enter the daily jumbo raffle. It is also a great place to find last-minute presents that feel personal and well chosen.
Admission is free with a suggested €6 donation.
grand-social.com
5. Christmas at Nano Nagle Place, Co Cork
Nano Nagle Place blends community, creativity and calm during the festive season. This year’s programme opens with A Christmas Carol in the Goldie Chapel from 4 to 7 December.
The Cork City Book Fair on 6 December brings booksellers from across Munster, while the Christmas markets on 6, 7, 13 and 14 December fill the courtyards with handmade crafts, local makers and treats. The Lighting the Darkness ritual on 11 December offers a reflective pause, and children can enjoy a decoration workshop on 13 December. The Lantern Project’s Crochet Ladies host their market on 14 December, and there’s late openings on 5, 12 and 19 December. Events range from free to €15.
nanonagleplace.ie
6. Christmas at Ulster Folk Museum, Co Down
The Ulster Folk Museum in Cultra offers a nostalgic step back from December’s bustle with its Christmas Evenings on Friday 12 and Friday 19 December.
From 5pm to 9pm, visitors wander cobbled streets as cottages glow with wreaths, braziers and warm lights. Guests can enjoy traditional crafts, carols, silent-era Christmas films and storytelling by the fire. Tickets cost £15 for adults and £9 for children.
ulsterfolkmuseum.org
7. Santa’s House Express,
Co Kildare
Santa’s House Express at Palmerstown House Estate, close to Kill, remains one of Ireland’s most popular festive experiences, attracting more than 60,000 visitors each year.
This year introduces a Junior Reporter competition in partnership with FM104, inviting children aged five to 11 to interview Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves, with winners receiving a family ticket and a Smyths Toys voucher.
Families travel by Santa train through twinkling woodlands before meeting Mrs Claus and Santa in the manor. Winter Wonderland Village adds rides, festive treats and plenty of photo opportunities.
Tickets start at €19 for adults and €24 for children.
santashouseexpress.ie
8. Wonderlights: Winter’s
Brightest Tradition
Wonderlights returns with three new illuminated trails at Marlay Park and Malahide Castle in Dublin and Fota House and Gardens in Cork, using more than three million lights.
In Marlay Park, The Magic of Winter features mirrored lakes, glowing creatures and a 30-metre hydro screen. Fota by Night highlights nature with a 13-foot hummingbird, a giant storybook and a seasonal projection show. Each event will be sure to bring some extra sparkle to Christmas family outings this season.
Tickets begin at €15 with off-peak
savings.
wonderlights.ie
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