6 Cork Christmas Markets to Visit in 2026

The Cork Christmas Markets have been through a transformation in recent years, swapping old favourites for new experiments and, at times, leaving us wondering where the festive magic had gone…

For over a decade, Glow was the Christmas market in Cork. Then, in 2023, it was scrapped in favour of Solas, a light “show” that never managed to capture the festive buzz.

Thankfully, in 2024, Corkmas really kicked off, with a big parade, a city-wide lights switch-on, stalls on Emmet Place and plenty more!

Fast forward to 2026: Cork’s Christmas celebrations are officially confirmed to run from November 15th to December 31st, kicking off with the Christmas Parade on November 15th.

The different Cork Christmas Markets 2026

Now that Glow Cork is no longer a thing, what can you expect from the festive period in the Rebel County?

Quite a bit, as it happens! Below, you’ll find a mix of markets and fairs that are taking place in the city and beyond.

1. The new Cork Christmas Market

Details for Cork’s Christmas celebrations are starting to land, with the Christmas Parade, Bishop Lucey Park Christmas Market and Grand Parade Ferris Wheel all confirmed for 2026.

The Cork Christmas parade

Christmas in Cork officially kicks off on Sunday, November 15th, when the Christmas Parade returns to the city centre. Full details have yet to be announced, but Cork City Council says the parade will fill the city with light, music and festive entertainment.

Solas

The ‘Solas’ light installation made its debut in 2023, replacing Glow and transforming Grand Parade with an immersive display of lights, colour and music. Details of Cork’s 2026 Christmas lights have yet to be announced, so it’s not yet clear whether Solas itself will return or whether a new installation will take its place.

Bishop Lucey Park Christmas Market

The main Cork Christmas Market has a new home for 2026 at Bishop Lucey Park. There’ll be a selection of festive traders selling seasonal food, sweet treats, artisan gifts and locally made products. Exact dates and opening hours have yet to be announced.

Counting House Plaza

Counting House Plaza will also form part of Cork’s Christmas celebrations in 2026, with Cork City Council describing it as the city’s ‘ultimate Christmas entertainment space’.

The Ferris Wheel

The 32m Panoramic Ferris Wheel and vintage Carousel will return to Grand Parade from November 27th to December 31st, 2026. Opening hours and booking details have yet to be announced.

2. The Marina Market

It’s looking more and more like the Marina Market will be the main Cork Christmas Market going forward.

If the Marina Market follows the same schedule as last year, it is expected to run from late November through to New Year’s Eve.

Santa’s Magical Market

The Big Freeze transforms the Marina Market into a snow-dusted, Scandinavian-inspired winter wonderland.

Families can wander through icy forests, glowing tunnels, and a snow village before visiting Santa in his cosy log cabin. The experience is dog-friendly, fully accessible, and includes sensory-friendly hours in partnershi

The Marina Market Christmas markets

There’ll be a series of pop-up Christmas markets featuring local traders and craftspeople. Expect festive stalls, local food, live music, and family-friendly activities.

ONICE at the Marina

ONICE at the Marina Market is confirmed to return for winter 2026, although its opening date has yet to be announced. Based on last year’s schedule, it is expected to open in mid-November.

3. Smaller Christmas Markets in Cork

There are plenty of smaller markets taking place in Cork at Christmas. Here are several that are still TBC:

• Glucksman Craft & Design Fair
• Cork Printmakers Fair
• St Anne’s Church Shandon Giving Thanks Market
• Blarney Christmas Fair
• Sample Studios Christmas Art Trail
• Benchspace Makers Market

4. Nollaig: A Journey to Believe

One of the biggest new additions to Christmas in Cork for 2026 is Nollaig: A Journey to Believe which takes over Elizabeth Fort from November 27th to December 22nd.

Created by the team behind The Nightmare Realm in partnership with Cork City Council, this is a 75-minute immersive Christmas experience that takes families through woodland, Jingle Town and a series of indoor and outdoor spaces before finishing with a visit to Father Christmas.

It runs across 18 selected nights, rather than every night between those dates. Tickets start at €19.50 for adults, with dedicated family and sensory-friendly sessions available.

5. Alpine Skate Trail

The Alpine Skate Trail will likely return to Tedcastles Yard, Centre Park Road.

If it follows last year’s schedule, the Alpine Skate Trail is expected to open in early November 2026.

This is a twisting outdoor ice trail through a winter wonderland setting, with lights, music, and plenty of spots for photos.

More festive events like the Christmas market in Cork

If you’re spending Christmas in Ireland, you’re in luck – there’s plenty of other Christmas markets taking place if you don’t fancy the Christmas market in Cork. Here are a few to check out:

• Waterford Winterval
• Belfast Christmas Market
• Wicklow Christmas Market
• Dublin Christmas Markets
• Kilkenny Christmas Market
• Galway Christmas Market
• Dublin Castle Christmas Market

FAQs about Christmas in Cork

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘When does it start?’ to ‘What’s on?’.

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.