The Wicklow Gaol Christmas Market Returns in 2026
Christmas at Wicklow Gaol returns in 2026 with a new German Alpine Christmas Village, free festive market, Victorian Santa experience and Dickens & Scrooge tours.
The first market takes place on November 21st, with selected dates running until December 20th. The historic courtyard of Wicklow Gaol will be transformed with traditional wooden chalets selling festive food, crafts and gifts, along with live music and The Governor’s Table Café.
The Wicklow Gaol Christmas Market
Although a visit to the Wicklow Gaol Christmas Market is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
1. Dates and location
Wicklow Wrapped takes place in the courtyard of Wicklow Gaol, right in the heart of Wicklow Town. The dates for the 2026 market are:
- November 21st – 22nd
- November 28th – 29th
- December 4th – 6th
- December 11th – 13th
- December 18th – 20th
The market runs from 2pm – 7pm on Fridays and 10am – 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Entry to the Christmas Market is free.
2. The German Alpine Christmas Village
The big addition for 2026 is an authentic German Alpine Christmas Village within the historic courtyard walls. Traditional wooden chalets will house festive food, crafts and gifts, while live music adds to the atmosphere. You’ll also find The Governor’s Table Café on site.
3. Victorian Santa
Victorian Santa begins on November 28th and runs on the remaining Christmas Market dates. Santa runs from 2pm – 6pm on Fridays and 10am – 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Tickets cost €15.95 for infants aged 0 – 2, €22.95 for children aged 3 – 12 and €12.95 for those aged 13+. Children’s tickets include a gift and all prices include booking fees.
4. Dickens & Scrooge tours and workshops
The Dickens & Scrooge character-led tours begin on November 21st, adding another suitably atmospheric experience to the historic Gaol setting. There’ll also be a programme of Christmas workshops, although details have yet to be announced.
Other festive markets in Wicklow
Wicklow Wrapped isn’t the only festive event that we’re hoping will return to the Garden County this year. The long-running Wicklow Christmas Market also made a big change in 2025, moving from Wicklow Town to Avondale Forest Park.
Last year’s event featured Wicklow On Ice in front of historic Avondale House along with the Treetop Night Lights, which transformed the park’s elevated walkway and 38-metre tower after dark. There were also artisan stalls, local food vendors and family activities throughout the grounds.
Further afield, there are plenty of Christmas markets in Ireland, from the Dublin Christmas markets and the Galway Christmas markets to ones in Cork, Belfast and Waterford.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.
