Galway Christmas Market 2022: Dates + What To Expect

The countdown to the Galway Christmas Market 2022 has begun!

Arguably one of the most popular Christmas markets in Ireland, the Christmas markets in Galway give the already buzzy city of tribes an added layer of atmosphere. 

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Galway Christmas Markets 2022, from the dates and what’s on to where to stay and more.

Some quick need-to-knows about the Galway Christmas Market 2022

Although a visit to the Christmas markets in Galway in 2022 will be fairly straightforward, take 20 seconds to read the below points:

1. Location

So, over the last couple of years the market has been scattered across Galway City. However, it sounds like this years event will be contained to Eyre Square.

2. Dates

It has been confirmed that the Galway Christmas Market 2022 will kick-start on Friday November 11th and will run up until December 22nd.

3. Opening hours

The markets are open for a good chunk of the day. Here’s the most up-to-date opening times:

• Monday to Wednesday: 12 noon – 8pm
• Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 10pm
• Sunday: 10am to 8pm

4. Make a weekend of it

Personally, I wouldn’t visit Galway just for the markets, as you get through them in under an hour. However, there’s plenty of things to do in Galway that make it a great spot for a festive weekend away. See our Galway hotels and our Galway bed and breakfast guides for places to stay close by.

About the Galway Christmas Markets

The Galway Christmas Markets are now in their 12th year and they attract visitors from far and wide.

If you’ve visited in previous years you’ll know that there’s the usual mix of festive stalls along with live entertainment, a 32m ferris wheel, beer tents and more.

Last years market attracted 350,000 visitors and, given that things are now relatively back to normal, we can expect this years event to be business-as-usual.

What to expect if you plan on visiting the Galway Christmas Markets in 2022

If you fancy visiting Galway at Christmas in 2022, here’s a bit of what you can expect, aside from the many great pubs in Galway and the endless number of great restaurants in Galway, that is!

1. Over 50 chalets

Visitors to this years markets can expect to find over 50 wooden chalets dotted around Eyre Square.

You can expect all of the usual festive bits and bobs here, from arts and crafts to hand-made gifts, food and plenty more.

2. Activities for families

Families visiting the Christmas markets in Galway in 2022 have plenty to look forward to. Here’s a taste of what awaits:

• Santa’s Express Train
• The traditional Carousel
• A 32m ferris wheel
• Santa’s postbox

3. Beer tents and the Après Ski Bar

One of the more popular features of the Christmas markets in Galway was the Eyre Square beer tent. However, in recent years (basing this on experience) it had gone to the dogs and felt more like a kids disco.

The beer tents are back in 2022. There’s been talk of an Après Ski Bar. If you visited the market 5 or 6 years ago you’ll remember there was a class Après Ski Bar down near the Spanish Arch, but then it disappeared.

Let’s hope this really is returning in 2022!

Are the Galway Christmas Markets worth visiting?

So, if you live in/near Galway then yes, absolutely. If you’re going to have to travel and stay in the city and you only plan on visiting the markets, then no.

Again, this is only my opinion, but you’ll walk around the Christmas markets in Galway in well under an hour, unlike some of the larger European markets.

However, if you pair a visit to the markets with some of Galway’s other attractions, e.g. Connemara, then they are well worth a visit!

FAQs about the Christmas markets in Galway

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from the dates of the Galway Christmas Markets 2022 to where to stay.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.