Winterval Waterford 2024 has been confirmed and its 12th year is set to be its biggest programme yet!
Winterval is one of a handful of Christmas markets in Ireland that has become a favourite of locals and tourists alike in recent years.
Below, you’ll find info on everything from the Waterford Winterval 2024 dates to what to expect and more.
Some quick need-to-knows about Winterval Waterford 2024
Now, although a visit to the Waterford Christmas Market is pretty straightforward, it’s worth taking 10 seconds to read the points below, first:
1. Location
Winterval takes place in Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city. The main market takes place in the Waterford Cultural Quarter and will be spread throughout Georges Street, Gladstone Street and O’Connell Street. There’s also events taking place in other locations.
2. Dates and opening hours
It has been confirmed that Winterval 2024 will run from Friday, November 15th until Monday, December 23rd 2024.
3. Plenty to see and do
The 2024 Waterford Christmas Market will see live performances, Santa, the Waterford Eye, Winterval Illuminates, Glow and plenty more (see below for full event list).
4. Make a weekend out of it
If you’re visiting from afar, make a weekend of your trip. There’s heaps of things to do in Waterford to keep you busy (like the Waterford Greenway) and there’s some great hotels in Waterford City to use as a base for a night or two.
About the Waterford Christmas Market
The Waterford Christmas Market is arguably one of the more popular Irish Christmas markets, alongside the likes of the Galway Christmas Market and the various Christmas markets in Dublin.
Now entering its 12th year in operation, Winterval 2024 returns on November 15th!
Winterval Waterford 2024 is bringing a host of live events and attractions along with the popular traditional market taking place in the Cultural Quarter.
What to expect from Waterford Winterval 2024
Now the Waterford Christmas Market dates and the line-up have been announced, we can go into more detail.
Here’s a sense of what to expect from Winterval 2024, from the launch night to the different events running.
1. The arrival of Santa and the Christmas light switch-on
The arrival of Santa to Waterford will take place at the opening of the Waterford Christmas Market on November 15th at 6 pm.
Thousands of people tend to line the streets as Santa switches on up to 100,000 Christmas lights.
2. The Christmas Parade
The Waterford Christmas Market really kicks off on November 16th with the big Christmas Parade.
The parade will roll through the city, arriving at Parnell St onto The Mall and then there’s a special effects display from the roof of the Bishop’s Palace.
3. The Christmas Market
The Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation Christmas Market will run from O’Connell St. and onto George’s St. and right up into John Robert’s Sq.
There’ll be over 80 vendors in place. Some of last years vendors included:
- Craft and food stalls
- The Winterval Mini-Express Train
- The Bricks 4 Kidz Land of Lego
- Santa’s VR Sleigh Ride
- The Snow Globe
- The Garter Lane Indoor Craft Market
- The Polish Christmas Village
- The Model Circus & Farground Exhibition
4. Waterford On Ice
Waterford On Ice returns on November 15th to the City’s quayside. It caters to all levels of skaters and includes penguin skating aids for kids.
You can pre-book tickets for ice skating at Winterval, if you like, here.
5. Santa at the Medieval Museum
Santa returns to Waterford Winterval with a twist this year – you can visit him in the Medieval Museum.
Tickets are now available to book here and the cost is €25 Per Child.
6. Winterval Illuminates
Taking place outside City Square Shopping Centre, Waterford Winterval Illuminates is a festive light show that boasts music, magic and fun.
The 9m-high tower brings light, sound and special effects to the city along with a projection show.
7. The Waterford Eye
If you fancy grabbing an eagle-eye view of the Winterval Waterford, you can fork out a few quid and see them from the top of a Ferris wheel.
8. Live entertainment at the Circus Tend
For those who enjoy live music as part of their Irish Christmas traditions, you’re in luck.
The Waterford Christmas Markets live music offering takes place in the brand new circus tent, right in the heart of the city.
Acts confirmed are:
- Tumbling Paddies: Thu, 12 Dec, 2024
- Mick Flannery: Fri, 13 Dec, 2024
- Stereo MC’s: Sat, 14 Dec, 2024
- Gavin James: Sat, 21 Dec, 2024
9. The Winterval Fairground
You’ll find the fairground at Winterval dotted through the city. 2024 should see the return of the Helter Skelter, the Vintage Carousel, the Vintage Ferris Wheel and The Golden Gallopers.
10. Winterval Exploration Dome
Discover Winterval’s Exploration Dome, a captivating igloo-shaped planetarium in Constitution Square!
Dive into Genesis, a 20-minute journey through Earth’s fiery evolution, running every half hour.
More festive markets like Winterval
If you’re spending Christmas in Ireland and you fancy visiting a market, there are plenty to choose from:
- Dublin Christmas Markets
- Kilkenny Christmas Market
- Galway Christmas Market
- Glow Cork
- Belfast Christmas Market
- Wicklow Christmas Market
- Dublin Castle Christmas Market
FAQs about the Christmas market in Waterford
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘When does Winterval Waterford 2024 kick-off?’ to ‘Is it worth going to?’.
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.
What are the dates for Winterval Waterford 2024?
It has been confirmed that Winterval 2024 will run from Friday, November 15th until Monday, December 23rd 2024.
Is the Waterford Christmas Market worth visiting?
Like most Irish Christmas markets, we’d say yes and no. Yes if you live a reasonable distance away. No if you live a good distance away and are visiting and expecting something like the German Christmas markets.
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 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.