The Kilkenny Christmas Market 2026

The Kilkenny Christmas markets (Yulefest Kilkenny) is one of the lesser-known Christmas markets in Ireland.

And, although it’s one of Ireland’s smaller markets, Yulefest packs plenty in, with live music, festive stalls, family events and light shows from late November through December.

Below, you’ll find info on everything from when the markets take place to what events to look out for.

Some quick need to knows about the Kilkenny Christmas market 2026

Although a visit to the Kilkenny Christmas markets is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location + parking

The Kilkenny Christmas markets take place on The Parade in the heart of the city. If you’re driving, you can park in the Market Yard and the County Hall car parks.

2. Dates

The Kilkenny Christmas Market has been confirmed to run from Saturday, November 28th to Wednesday, December 23rd, 2026. The market runs at weekends until December 20th, with three additional market days on December 21st, 22nd and 23rd.

3. Opening times

The Christmas markets in Kilkenny will run Saturdays (11am – 8pm) and Sundays (11am – 6pm) from November 28th to December 20th. There are also three Christmas week markets: Monday 21st (11am – 6pm), Tuesday 22nd (11am – 7pm) and Wednesday 23rd (11am – 6pm).

4. Heaps of events

There’s a busy events schedule surrounding the market, from Santa’s arrival and the Yulefest Live Music Stage to movie nights, the Santa Truck, the Luxmuralis Sound and Light Show and a Festive Finale on December 22nd.

Things to do in and around the Christmas market in Kilkenny

Now that the Christmas market in Kilkenny has been confirmed, here’s what you can expect when it kicks-off:

1. Kick-off day with Santa

The Kilkenny Christmas Market launches on Saturday, November 28th, with Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves making their way into the city.

The festivities begin at 2pm at Canal Square, with Santa travelling by boat along the River Nore before making his way through the city and on to The Parade, where he’ll switch on the Christmas lights at 5pm.

2. The stalls at the Parade

As is the case with every Christmas market in Ireland, Yulefest Kilkenny boasts its fair share of stalls. Here, you’ll find local artisans tucked away in beautiful wooden huts selling everything from food and crafts to festive trinkets.

3. The Yulefest Movie Night

Yulefest Movie Night returns on Thursday, December 10th, 2026, with Home Alone 2: Lost in New York showing inside the Yulefest Marquee on The Parade. The movie starts at 7pm, with tickets costing €3 per person or €10 for a family of four, plus booking fees. It’s perfect for those looking for some pre-dinner entertainment, before tipping into one of the many restaurants in Kilkenny.

4. The Christmas tree festival

From December 3rd, St. Canice’s Cathedral will be filled with quirky, creative Christmas trees made by local groups and families.

5. Santa Truck at Yulefest

On Saturday, December 12th, Santa and Mrs Claus roll into Kilkenny in their illuminated Santa Truck, all in aid of LauraLynn Children’s Hospice.

You can watch the truck as it drives through the city or visit it at its final stop on The Parade beside the Christmas Market, where children can step aboard and see Santa’s grotto.

6. The Live Music Stage

The Yulefest Live Music Stage brings free entertainment to the market every weekend, with local and regional musicians, choirs, dancers and family performers taking to the stage in the Yulefest Marquee. Performances begin on November 28th and continue through Christmas week.

7. ‘The Gift’ by Luxmuralis

Luxmuralis returns to St Canice’s Cathedral from December 11th – 19th with a new immersive light and sound show called The Gift. The 800-year-old cathedral will be transformed with projections, soundscapes and festive imagery inspired by winter and the Christmas story. Tickets cost €12.50 for adults and €8.50 for children.

8. The Yulefest Christmas Trail

The free Yulefest Christmas Trail runs throughout the festival and takes families on a self-guided adventure around Kilkenny’s Christmas lights, trees and historic streets. You’ll follow a map around the city while answering questions, solving puzzles and keeping an eye out for Santa’s reindeer along the way. Maps are available from local shops, Kilkenny Tourist Office and the Yulefest Christmas Market information point at weekends.

9. The Christmas Train

The Yulefest Christmas Train runs through Kilkenny every weekend during the festival, with a 20-minute journey through the city led by Santa’s Chief Elf.

It departs from outside Kilkenny Castle every 30 minutes and runs Saturdays from 12pm – 8pm and Sundays from 11am – 7pm. Tickets cost €7 per person or €20 for a family of four.

10. The Made in Kilkenny Christmas Pop-Up

Another good one for Christmas shopping is the Made in Kilkenny Christmas Pop-Up, which runs from November 28th to December 24th, from 10am – 6pm. Located at The Bank on Rose Inn Street, it brings together local makers selling handmade pottery, textiles, woodwork, jewellery, glass and more.

Other Christmas markets in Kilkenny

Outside the city, Mountain View in Ballyhale is bringing back its popular Christmas Markets for 10 dates in 2026.

The markets kick off on November 21st and run every Saturday and Sunday until December 20th, with Saturday night markets running from 3pm – 9pm and Sunday markets from 10am – 3pm.

There are a couple of other festive events worth knowing about, too. Santa’s Magical Village returns to The Craft Yard at Castlecomer Discovery Park on selected dates from November 28th to December 23rd, with families meeting elves, Mrs Claus and other characters before visiting Santa.

Nore Valley Park Santa’s Grotto also runs at MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre on selected dates from December 4th to 24th. Children can meet Santa and Mrs Claus, post their Christmas letters and receive a gift and keepsake photo.

More Irish markets like Yulefest Kilkenny

If you’re spending Christmas in Ireland there’s plenty to see and do.

And, if the Christmas market in Kilkenny doesn’t tickle your fancy, there’s plenty of other markets dotted around Ireland to choose from:

• Dublin Christmas Markets
• Waterford Christmas Markets
• Cork Christmas Markets
• Wicklow Christmas Markets
• Galway Christmas Markets
• Belfast Christmas Markets

FAQs about the Kilkenny Christmas Markets

We’ve had a lot of questions over the last couple of days asking about everything from what’s on at Yulefest Kilkenny to whether or not it’s worth visiting.

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.