Winterval Waterford 2023 returned on November 17th and the reviews after the first week have been very positive.
Winterval is one of a handful of Christmas markets in Ireland that has become a favourite of locals and tourists alike in recent years.
This year, things kicked-off with a Christmas Parade on November 17th and there’s a jam-packed event schedule from then until December 23rd!
Below, you’ll find info on everything from the Waterford Winterval 2023 dates to what to expect and more.
Some quick need-to-knows about Winterval Waterford 2023
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 (called the ‘Glenveagh Christmas Market at Winterval’) 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 (see below).
2. Dates and opening hours
The dates for Winterval Waterford 2023 have been confirmed. The market Waterford Christmas market will start on Friday, November 17th will run from 11am to 8pm on following dates:
- November: 17th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 25th + 26th
- December: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th + 17th
- Christmas week: 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd + 23rd
3. Plenty to see and do
The 2023 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 11th year in operation, Winterval 2023 returned on November 17th with a bang.
Winterval Waterford 2023 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 2023
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 2023, from the launch night to the different events running.
1. The Christmas Parade kicks things off
The Waterford Christmas Market kicks off with the big Christmas Parade on November 17th at 17:00.
The parade will roll through the city, following a 1km route from the Quayside to the top of John Robert’s Square.
2. 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.
Thousands of people tend to line the streets as Santa switches on up to 100,000 Christmas lights.
3. The Christmas Market
Called the ‘Glenveagh Christmas Market at Winterval’, the traditional market will take place throughout Georges Street, Gladstone Street and O’Connell Street.
It’ll run from 11am to 8pm only on the dates listed above and visitors can expect:
- 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 17th 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’s Gingerbread House
Santa returns to Waterford Winterval and tickets are already available to book at a fairly hefty cost of €25 Per Child.
Tickets are (thankfully!) free for adults and those who visit each receive a present and printed family photo.
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.
Prices last year were around €5 for adults and €4 for kids under 12.
8. Live entertainment
The Waterford Christmas Markets always have a solid line-up of musical events and this year is no different. Here are some of the main events:
- Yuletide Scenes @ Christchurch Cathedral: Dec 8th – Dec 16th
- Winter Music Series – House of Waterford: Nov 25th – Dec 23rd
- Home Alone by National Symphony Orchestra: Dec 10th
- Irish Doctor’s Choir: Nov 26th
- Lions Club Christmas Concert: Dec 16th
9. The Winterval Fairground
You’ll find the fairground at Winterval dotted through the city. 2023 sees the return of the Helter Skelter, the Vintage Carousel, the Vintage Ferris Wheel and The Golden Gallopers.
More festive markets like Winterval
There’s plenty of festive fun scattered across Ireland this year.
Here are some of the most notable markets taking place:
- 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 2023 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 2023?
Is the Waterford Christmas Market worth visiting?
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.