November 26th - 28th
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
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.
An Cheathrú Shíorglas
REIC
26 Samhain
7pm - 8.30pm
Is oíche filíochta dhátheangach, agus go minic ilteangach, í REIC, ócáid ina mbíonn filíocht, ceol, scéalaíochta, rap agus go leor eile. Cuirtear fáilte roimh an Ghaeilge i gcónaí, chomh maith le taispeántas i dteangacha eile. Beidh Ciara Ní É, bunaitheoir Reic ann mar bhean an tí. Is file í Ciara agus comhbhunaitheoir an chomharghrúpa Aerach.Aiteach.Gaelach í.
Nov 26th
7pm - 8.30pm
Free for everyone
Booking information:
To be announced at a later date
REIC (pronounced ‘wreck’) is a bilingual, and often multilingual, spoken word event featuring poetry, rap, music, storytelling, and everything else you can think of! It provides a welcoming space where Gaeilge is encouraged. Ciara Ní É, the founder of REIC, will be hosting the event. She is a poet and co-founder of LGBTQ+ arts collective Aerach.Aiteach.Gaelach.
Ceathrú Imeachtaí Iontais Winterval
AR AIS LE CHÉILE
26 - 28 Samhain
12 pm - 5pm
Bígí linn ag Ar Ais Le Chéile, féile nua spleodrach mar chuid de Winterval, ina mbeidh an Ghaeilge mar theanga bheo agus cultúr agus oidhreacht Ghaeltacht na nDéise á cheiliúradh.
Tá Ar Ais le Chéile á n-eagrú i gcomhar le hOifig Ghaeilge Chomhairle Cathrach & Contae Phort Láirge, Glór na nGael agus Plean Teanga na nDéise. Beidh rí-rá agus ruaille buaille le filíocht, ceol, scéalaíocht agus rap; ceol traidisiúnta agus amhránaíocht ar an sean-nós agus Pop-Up Gaeltacht nó dhó.
Beidh teaghlaigh in ann a gcuid Ghaeilge a labhairt agus spórt agus spraoi a bheith acu le clár lán imeachtaí ó Ghlór na nGael agus beidh go leor Craic agus Comhrá, Cúpla Focal agus Cupán tae ‘as Gaeilge’ le linn na Féile. Bainigí taitneamh as Ar Ais Le Chéile sa ‘Wonder Events Marquee’, ag ceiliúradh na Gaeilge mar theanga bheo.
Nov 27th & 28th
12 pm - 5pm
Free for everyone
Booking information:
To be announced at a later date
Join us at Ar Ais Le Chéile, Winterval’s new action-packed hero event celebrating Irish as a living language and the wonderful culture and heritage of Waterford’s Gaeltacht na nDéise. Ar Ais le Chéile is presented in conjunction with Waterford City & County Council’s Irish Office, Glór na nGael and Plean Teanga na nDéise. There will be rí-rá agus ruaille buaille with poetry, music, storytelling and rap; trad music and sean-nós singing concerts and sessions and a Pop-Up Gaeltacht or two. Families will get their Gaeilge flowing and have spórt agus spraoi with a busy programme of events from Glór na nGael and there will be plenty Craic agus Comhrá, Cúpla Focal agus Cupán tae throughout the festival to chill out, have a cup of tea, chat and all the craic ‘as Gaeilge’. Enjoy so much more at Ar Ais Le Chéile at the Wonder- Events Marquee, celebrating Irish as a living language.
An Cheathrú Shíorglas
Pop-Up Gaeltacht
26 Samhain
8.30pm - 10.30pm
Ócáid is ea an Pop-Up Gaeltacht a thugann deis do ghnáth-Ghaeilgeoirí an teanga a labhairt ar bhealach éasca neamhfhoirmeálta, fiú mura dóigh leo go bhfuil scoth na teanga acu.
Spás d’úsáid shóisialta na teanga atá ann, nó i bhfocail eile - craic agus comhrá sa phub.
Nov 26th
8.30pm - 10.30pm
Free for everyone
Booking information:
To be announced at a later date
The Pop-Up Gaeltacht is an event which allows ordinary Irish speakers to use the language in a relaxed informal atmosphere, even if they don't feel that their Irish is faultless.
It provides an opportunity to practice the language in a social setting, or in other words - it's having the craic as Gaeilge in a pub.
Ceathrú Imeachtaí Iontais Winterval
Glór na nDéise Gala Concert
27 Samhain
7:30 to 9 p.m
Amhránaíocht agus Ceol Traidisiúnta le Cór Fear na nDéise agus ceoltóirí agus damhsóir ar an sean nós faoi scáth
Féile John Dwyer.
Nach deas a bheith Ar Ais le Chéile!
Nov 27th
7:30 to 9 p.m
Free for everyone
Booking information:
To be announced at a later date
Traditional Music and Song with Cór Fear na nDéise (The Male Voice Choir from the Ring Gaeltacht) and traditional musicians and seannós dancer with
Féile John Dwyer.
It's good to be Ar Ais le Chéile
(together again)!
Winterval Beyond Waterford City
The Ultimate flight with Santa
Nov 27th & 28th
Dec 4th, 5th, 11th & 12th
Times:
12.30pm-1.30pm
depending on availability
Let your little one get excited about Christmas this year by having a flight with Santa in his helicopter from Waterford Airport with Adventure 001.
This year we have made this experience Covid Friendly so you can still enjoy the special occasion! Each family will travel as one unit through the airport and fly as a family on an exclusive flight.
Capacity will be limited so we can manage the flow of passengers through the airport. You will be greeted by Santa’s Elf who will show you through to the departures lounge where you will board the helicopter with the man himself. Buckle up and enjoy the flight! When you land Santa’s Elves will be waiting to give you your gift and hot chocolate in the arrivals lounge.
There will also be a glass of bubbly for adults!
Don't forget to take your camera, so you can you can re-live the experience with friends and family and show off your fantastic photographs
To Book click Here
Package Includes:
Fly for 20 kilometres on board one of our
Jet Powered Helicopters
Hot Chocolate Cones and Goody Bag
(For Kids Only)
Safety Briefings & Public
Liability Insurance
Up to 3 Voucher Holders can fly in the Rear of the Helicopter
Free Car Parking
24/7 Online Booking Facility
Minimum Age for Child is 2 Years old for this event
Spectators are welcome and may take photographs
PLEASE NOTE:
If these dates are postponed then the tickets will remain valid for another normal pleasure flying event.
Winterval Beyond Waterford City
Fly with Santa
Nov 27th & 28th
Dec 4th, 5th, 11th & 12th
Times:
9.30am - 3pm depending on availability
Let your little one get excited about Christmas this year by having a flight with Santa in his helicopter from Waterford Airport with Adventure 001.
This year we have made this experience Covid Friendly so you can still enjoy the special occasion! Each family will travel as one unit through the airport and fly as a family on an exclusive flight.
Capacity will be limited so we can manage the flow of passengers through the airport. You will be greeted by Santa’s Elf who will show you through to the departures lounge where you will board the helicopter with the man himself. Buckle up and enjoy the flight! When you land Santa’s Elves will be waiting to give you your gift and hot chocolate in the arrivals lounge. There will also be a glass of bubbly for adults! Don't forget to take your camera, so you can you can re-live the experience with friends and family and show off your fantastic photographs.
To Book click Here
Package Includes:
Fly for 10 kilometres on board one of our
Jet Powered Helicopters
Hot Chocolate Cones and Goody Bag
(For Kids Only)
Safety Briefings & Public
Liability Insurance
Up to 3 Voucher Holders can fly in the Rear of the Helicopter
Free Car Parking
24/7 Online Booking Facility
Minimum Age for Child is 2 Years old for this event
Spectators are welcome and may take photographs
PLEASE NOTE:
If these dates are postponed then the tickets will remain valid for another normal pleasure flying event.
The Ever-Greenway Quarter
Apple Market Sunday Sessions at The Ever-Greenway
Nov 28th
1pm - 5pm
Free for everyone, no booking required!
Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to kick back to live Trad music as part of the Ar Ais Le Cheile Winterval weekend at the Apple Market Sunday Sessions celebrating and supporting live artists and musicians.
This Sunday’s Trad music
line-up includes:
1pm-2:15pm:
Tommy Keating
2:30pm-3:15pm:
Cór Fear na nDéise
3:30pm-4:10pm:
Muintir Uí Dhálaigh
4:20pm-5:00pm:
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
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.
Winterval Wonder-Events Quarter
Winterval
Express Train
Nov 19th - Dec 23rd
Fridays 2pm - 7.30pm
Every other day 10am-7.30pm
Departs every 30 minutes.
Adults - €6
Children - €5
Pay-in-person
Children must be accompanied by an adult. All aboard the Winterval Express Train as it journeys through the heart of the city, and Winterval, along the Mall, through the Applemarket, and The Quay by the spectacular Waterford Eye.
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
Star Flyer
Nov 19th - Dec 23rd
€3.50 Per Person
Pay-in-Person (no Pre-Booking)
See Ireland's oldest city from new heights as you take an exhilarating spin on Winterval's Star Flyer at
The Tower Hotel.
Rising 40m above the ground, you'll get a great view of Winterval from the air.
Continental Christmas Market Quarter
Polish Christmas
23rd 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!
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
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
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 Waterford Hospice and Solas.
This is Ireland's oldest memorial tree of its kind, and this year it is extra special as it is held at 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.