December 17th - 23rd
Elfstival Festive Family Quarter
VIPSanta 2021
Nov 19th - Dec 23rd over 19 Days
11am - 6pm
Please see vipsanta.ie for all pricing and event details
Santa Claus is coming to town! Santa, and his team of trusty Elves, are making the journey from the North Pole to the wonderful Waterford Winterval this festive season.
Visit Santa Claus at his Grotto and tell him all about your Christmas wishes.
Every child will be gifted a beautiful book: “The Adventures of Johnny Magory” - written by Irish author Emma-Jean Leeson.
The whole family can then jump in for a photo with Santa, taken by one of his Elves. The Elves will print this photo for you in their Workshop, and they can even print it onto your own custom snow globe or Christmas tree ornament. Then, venture outside into our Yuletide Café and enjoy some of the delicious Christmas treats.
Have you written your letter to Saint Nick yet? You can get creative at our letter-writing station, and pop it into the North Pole Post Box; every evening the Postmaster Elf delivers these letters to Santa himself! Inspire the festive spirit with VIPSanta.
Continental Christmas Market Quarter
Ireland’s Largest Christmas Tree
Nov 19th - Dec 23rd over 19 Days
Free for everyone
Building upon the wonderfully rich and much-loved 9 year history of Winterval, this year’s world-class festival line-up is bigger and brighter than ever with Ireland’s largest Christmas tree measuring over 50ft tall!
Take your family photo with the spectacular and sparkly Largest Christmas Tree in Ireland this winter season!
Continental Christmas Market Quarter
The Waterford Eye
Nov 19th - Jan 9th
Operates 7 days a week
Mon-Fri: 11am - 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am - 10pm
Adults - €5
Child (Under 12) - €4
Special 2 Adults/2 Children (Under 12) €15 VIP Experience
€50 for a group of four
Pay-in-Person
(no Pre-Booking Available)
It wouldn't be Christmas in Waterford without the Waterford Eye!
The 32 meter high Big Wheel will operate throughout the festival and beyond into early January.
A unique experience at Winterval, this iconic Big Wheel will operate throughout the festival. For a special occasion choose the VIP experience.
Enjoy warm blankets, complimentary chocolate and prosecco, or non-alcoholic fizz for children’s groups.
Take a spin with your family, with up to four persons (from one household) in each pod. This is the perfect way to see Waterford City and the beautiful river Suir from a new height.
The Ever-Greenway Quarter
Apple Market Sunday Sessions at The Ever-Greenway
Dec 19th
Free for everyone, no booking required!
Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to kick back to live music at Apple Market Sunday Sessions celebrating and supporting live artists and musicians.
This Sunday’s line-up includes:
1pm:
Hot Club De Deise -
Jypsy Jazz Trio
2pm:
Monkey Harris -
Electric covers, Guitar/Vocal/Flute
3pm:
Calypso Trio -
Sax/Guitar/Vocals/Jazz
4pm:
High Hopes Choir
Winterval Wonder-Events Quarter
Waterford’s Winter Music Series 2021
Every Saturday & Sunday
Beginning 20th Nov until 23rd Dec
Time: 12- 3pm
Price: Free!
Website Link: www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com
Contact: houseofwaterfordcrystal@fiskars.com
House of Waterford Crystal is delighted to present their Annual Winter Music Series which will begin on Saturday 20th November and will run every Saturday & Sunday until the 23rd of December.
The Winter Music Series will coincide with Waterford’s wonderful Winterval - Ireland’s Largest Christmas Festival and will showcase the vast range of musical talent we have here in Waterford! With such a wide variety of performers scheduled, from jazz trios, traditional Christmas Carolers and classical guitar and harp, there will be something for everyone!
Take in the Christmas atmosphere as you listen and browse the stunning displays at House of Waterford Crystal’s showroom; enjoy a warming lunch with friends, indulge in a beautiful festive Afternoon Tea or grab a hot chocolate and treat to go at The Crystal Café’s Crepe Station!
Christmas Cultural Quarter
Winterval Stage at the Cultural Quarter
Saturday Dec 18th
Stage Runs: 2pm - 8pm
The Cultural Quarter are continuing the live music showcase on Saturday's Dec 11th and Dec 18th with their Winterval Stage at the Cultural Quarter, two spectacular live music and performance concerts for all to enjoy!
Elfstival Family Festive Quarter
Elfstival
Nov 19th - Dec 23rd
Little and big kids (and grown ups that are still kids at heart) can look forward to Elfstival - this year’s children and family destination quarter.
Make sure to take your family photo with Winterval’s brand new giant Elfstival!
Elfstival Family Festive Quarter
Santa’s Giant
Post Box
Nov 19th - Dec 23rd
It’s a chance for all the children to post their special letters to Santa in Winterval’s giant postbox.
Proudly sponsored by
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Continental Christmas Market Quarter
Georges Court Nutcracker Trail
Winterval Dates
Can you find the 10 Nutcracker Kings who have appeared throughout
Georges Court?
According to German folklore, traditional Christmas nutcrackers
were given as keepsakes to bring
good luck to the family.
Pick up a map in any of the stores or cafes and find all 10 Nutcrackers and their Names, write them down and trade for a Lollipop in any of George’s Courts food or retail establishments.
Continental Christmas Market Quarter
Golden Gallopers
Antique Carousel
Nov 19th - Jan 9th
10am - Close of Business
in John Roberts Square
€3 per Person, €5 for 2 Persons
Pay-in-Person (no Pre-Booking)
Festival favourites, the Golden Gallopers are great entertainment for the young and the young at heart! Take a ride on this authentic vintage carrousel, the perfect way to start your Christmas.
Winterval Wonder-Events Quarter
ALPINE HOTEL
Nov 19th - Dec 23rd
€3 Per Person
Pay-in-person (no pre-booking)
New for 2021, not to be missed right at the heart of the brand new Wonder-Events Quarter.
A wonderful 3 storey walk through experience for kiddies and adults. Don’t forget to check in with our Christmas Mousse, Arnold.
Elfstival Family Festive Quarter
BALLOON RIDE
Nov 19th - Dec 23rd
€2.50 Per Person
Pay-in-Person (no pre-Booking)
Join us at the kiddies balloon ride, a perfect spin for the younger visitors
Continental Christmas Market Quarter
HELTER SKELTER
Nov 19th - Dec 23rd
€2 per slide
Pay-in-Person (no pre-booking)
Another great one for the kiddies, climb the twisty stairs to great heights to slide your way back down through the twists and turns.
Winterval Wonder-Events Quarter
Hobby Horses ride by John Connolly, former Master Blower the House of Waterford Crystal
Nov 19th - Dec 23rd
Pay-in-Person (no pre-Booking)
Join us at the Hobby Horses ride by John Connolly, former Master Blower the House of Waterford Crystal
Winterval Wonder-Events Quarter
Toy Town Children’s Carousel
Nov 19th - Dec 23rd
€2.50 Per Person
Pay-in-person (no pre-booking)
One for the smaller visitors! Little
ones can jump in their favourite carriage and enjoy a spin round
on this family favourite.
This one is sure to get your smallies smiling this Christmas season.
Elfstival Family Festive Quarter
Vintage Ferris Wheel
Nov 19th - Dec 23rd
€3 per person or 2 people for €5
Pay-in-person (no pre-booking)
Take in the view of Elfstival, the
festive family quarter, from above as you spin round on the vintage ferris
wheel at Winterval!
Located in Arundel Square outside City Square Shopping Centre.
This vintage ride is nostalgic fun
for all ages.
Continental Christmas Market Quarter
Polish Christmas
19th Nov - 23rd Dec
Thurs to Sun: 12pm - 6pm
Free Entry - Pay as you go for
crafts and pastry
Polish Christmas Sample the unique tastes and smells of a Polish Christmas, with Waterford’s Polish community.
There'll be lots of very special traditional crafts to buy, cakes to
taste and freshly baked gingerbread
biscuits to go!
Continental Christmas Market Quarter
ARTFORM ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION
2nd-23rd December
Exhibition opening times:
Mon to Sat 11am to 6pm
Sun 1pm to 6pm
Following the success of the last 3 years, Artform Art Fair is back for its fourth edition in the stunning 3 storey period building at 44 The Quay Waterford, from 2 to 23 Dec, in the festive context of Winterval – the Waterford Christmas Festival, launching on 2 Dec 6-10pm, and staying open
Mon to Sat 12 noon to 6pm;
Sun 1pm to 6pm
The event is free, all welcome.
For a safe and enjoyable visit, guests will be asked to observe public health and safety guidelines.
All artwork will also be available from our online gallery on www.artform.ie.
This year, the annual exhibition of contemporary and plein air art will feature over 200 art works by Irish-based artists included by invitation and newly also through an open call selection process.
The open submission section is intended to offer an opportunity for conversation of artistic expressions by emerging and established artists.
In addition, for the first time, a series of prizes will be awarded to artists in selected categories.
In this context, in conjunction with GOMA Gallery of Modern Art and Theatre Royal, Artform presents a retrospective solo show of artist Ben Hennessy, recipient of Artform ‘Waterford Platform’ Award 2021.
Please follow us on FB and IG @artformdunmoreeast for updates as they happen.
For further details please contact info@artform.ie;
Continental Christmas Market Quarter
Rotary Club Memorial at Ireland’s Largest Christmas Tree
Nov 19th - Dec 24th
(subject to availability of volunteers)
Waterford Rotary Club Memorial Christmas Tree Appeal is in support of Waterford Hospice and Solas Cancer Support Centre.
Purchase a special memorial bow to remember a loved one and raise much-needed funds for Hospice and Solas.
This is Ireland's oldest memorial tree of its kind, and this year it is extra special as it is Ireland’s Largest Christmas Tree so please support these great causes.
Bows can be purchased from anywhere in the world, online here
Christmas Cultural Quarter
A Christmas Carol by
Charles Dickens
Dec 1st - 21st
Previews Nov 28th, 29th & 30th
Ticket 22 euro
Previews 12 euro
Book Tickets here:
Michael Grant and Pádraig Ó Gríofa Present A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Directed by Liam Meagher ‘A Christmas Carol is an immortal classic that never fades.
It promises to fill the theatre with a traditional Christmas atmosphere bringing heart-warming joy in this timeless uplifting story’. This Victorian Classic revives Christmas past in the heart of Waterford City, home of Winterval, blending old and new for 2021.
The show is live, please check with the venue for safety protocols.
Winterval Beyond Waterford City
The Enchanted Garden Winter
Light Festival
Dec 3rd - Jan 9th
Runs weekly:
Wed - Sun Nights
4pm – 8.pm Weather Permitting.
Closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, St. Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day
Adults €6
Children €3
Booking will be available online
from mid November at www.lafcadiohearngardens.com
or directly from gardens.
Now in it’s sixth year, the Enchanted Garden has firmly established itself as one of the leading Winter Light
Festivals in Ireland.
These unique Japanese Gardens are lit at night by a sea of twinkling lights, animal sculptures, dramatic tree and foliage lighting all creating a magical winter wonderland.
Visitors young and old are mesmerized as they walk via a one way system through the gardens and are met at every turn by stunning displays. The Victorian Garden brings old world charm to the festival and fuels the imagination of all who visit.
There will be an opportunity to meet the Winter Fairy on your journey or stop by the open fire and enjoy Hot Chocolate or Gluhwein. Hidden fairy doors light up for this special event and a selection of carefully chosen classical and enchanting music fills the air.
This is a magical experience for
all age groups.