The Wicklow Christmas Market is officially returning in 2026, after storm damage forced a change of plans last year.
In 2025, the festive action moved to Avondale Forest Park in Rathdrum, but this year the market will return to Wicklow Town with an all-new event and location. Exact dates and further details have yet to be announced.
Will it become one of the stand-out Christmas markets in Ireland? Hopefully! Here’s what you need to know!
About the Wicklow Christmas Market
Photos via Beyond the Trees Avondale on FB
After a one-year stint at Beyond the Trees Avondale in 2025, the Wicklow Christmas Market is back in Wicklow Town for 2026. Here’s what we know so far.
1. Where it’s on
The market is returning to Wicklow Town for 2026, but it’ll be at a brand-new location. The exact location has yet to be announced.
2. Dates
The Wicklow Christmas Market will return in 2026, but the Avondale market runs from November 14th, 2025, to January 4th, 2026.
3. Entry
Entry details for the 2026 market have yet to be announced.
4. What to expect
Expect festive food stalls, local crafts, real-ice skating at Wicklow On Ice, and the Treetop Night Lights – an illuminated forest walk that turns Avondale’s canopy into a glowing winter wonderland.
5. There’ll also hopefully be the Wicklow Gaol Christmas Market
Wicklow Wrapped launched at Wicklow Gaol in December 2025, with 26 local food and craft producers, live music, wreath-making workshops and outdoor demonstrations. There’s no word yet on whether it’ll return in 2026.
What to expect from the Wicklow Christmas market
Photos via Wicklow Christmas Market on FB
While we’re still waiting for the full details of the 2026 Wicklow Christmas Market, it’s worth looking at what was on offer during its one-year stint at Avondale Forest Park in 2025.
Although this year’s event will be back in Wicklow Town at a new location, last year’s line-up gives you a taste of what the organisers have delivered in the past.
1. Wicklow On Ice
One of the main attractions at Avondale was Wicklow On Ice, a sheltered real-ice rink set in front of historic Avondale House. Sessions lasted 45 minutes, with options for different ages and abilities along with dedicated sensory sessions.
2. The Christmas Market
The Wicklow Christmas Market organisers brought their trademark wooden huts to Avondale, with local crafts, handmade gifts, art and festive food on offer. The market itself was free to visit, although there was a €6 parking charge at Avondale.
3. Treetop Night Lights
Another highlight of last year’s event was Treetop Night Lights, which illuminated Avondale’s 1.4km treetop walkway and 38-metre viewing tower after dark. The experience featured glowing wildlife installations, festive music and views across the illuminated forest.
Other festive Irish markets worth considering
If you’re spending Christmas in Ireland and you fancy visiting some other festive markets, you’re in luck – there are plenty taking place this year:
- Galway Christmas Market
- Belfast Christmas Market
- Glow Cork
- Winterval Waterford
- Kilkenny Christmas Market
- Dublin Castle Christmas Market
- Dublin Christmas Markets
FAQs about the Wicklow Town Christmas Market
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘How do you get here by bus?’ 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.
Is the Wicklow Christmas Market running in 2026?
Where will the Wicklow Christmas Market be held in 2026?
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.