Winterval Waterford 2026: What's On/Latest Info

Winterval Waterford 2026 returns from November 13th to December 23rd, with the festival taking place across Waterford City over 23 days.

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 2026 dates to what to expect and more.

Some quick need-to-knows about Winterval Waterford 2026

Photos via Winterval on FB

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 throughout Waterford City, with the main Christmas Market spread across John Roberts Square, Arundel Square, Georges Street and O’Connell Street. Attractions and events take place at numerous other locations around the city.

2. Dates and opening hours

Winterval runs on weekends from November 13th to December 23rd, 2026. The Christmas Market opens Thursdays and Fridays from 2pm – 8pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 11am – 8pm.

3. Plenty to see and do

The 2026 festival boasts over 60 attractions and events, including the Christmas Market, Waterford On Ice, Winterval Illuminates, Santa, the Port of Waterford Eye, GLOW, the Winterval Circus and plenty more.

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

Photos courtesy of 256 via Fáilte Ireland

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 14th year, Winterval returns from November 13th to December 23rd, 2026, with more than 60 attractions and events taking place across Waterford City.

Winterval Waterford 2026 will bring 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 2026

Courtesy Failte Ireland

The Winterval 2026 programme is packed with free and ticketed attractions. Here’s what to expect:

1. The Winterval Light Up Ceremony

Winterval 2026 officially kicks off on Friday, November 13th with the Winterval Light Up Ceremony on Broad Street. The free event marks the official opening of this year’s festival and the start of over a month of festive events across Waterford City.

2. The Christmas Parade

The Waterford Christmas Market really kicks off on 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 Christmas Market at Winterval is spread throughout John Roberts Square, Arundel Square, Georges Street and O’Connell Street.

You’ll find Christmas craft and food stalls alongside attractions like the Winterval Mini Express Train, Santa’s VR Sleigh Ride, the Helter Skelter, Santa’s Giant Disco Postbox, the Garter Lane Craft Fair and the Polish Christmas Village. The market is free to enter and opens Thursdays and Fridays from 2pm – 8pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 11am – 8pm.

4. Waterford On Ice

Waterford On Ice returns to The Quay for Winterval 2026. It caters to all levels of skaters, with penguin skating aids available for younger children. Advance booking is recommended as sessions can sell out during busy periods.

5. Santa at the Medieval Museum

Santa returns to the 12th-century underground caverns beneath Waterford’s Medieval Museum for Winterval 2026. Children can meet Santa, receive a gift and take part in festive games and activities, while each family receives a printed photograph. Tickets cost €26 per child plus booking fee, with up to two adults included free.

6. Winterval Illuminates

Winterval Illuminates returns to Cathedral Square in the Viking Triangle for 2026. This free projection-mapping show transforms the façade of the Silver Museum with Christmas animations, music, light, sound and special effects.

7. The Waterford Eye

The Port of Waterford Eye returns to Merchants Quay throughout Winterval, offering views across the city and its Christmas festivities from above.

8. Live entertainment at the Circus Tent

For those who enjoy live music as part of their Irish Christmas traditions, you’re in luck.

The Waterford Christmas Markets live music programme includes several big performances at Park Road beside the People’s Park. The High Kings perform on December 18th, followed by The Boomtown Rats on December 19th and Oasis tribute Mad Ferritt on December 20th.

9. The Winterval Fairground

The Winterval Fairground returns to John Roberts Square for 2026, with a selection of traditional fairground attractions running throughout the festival.

10. The Winterval Circus

The Winterval Circus runs from December 5th to 20th at Park Road, opposite the People’s Park. The one-hour family show takes place inside the Big Top and features a mix of traditional circus acts and festive entertainment. Tickets cost €12 per person plus booking fee, with a family-of-four ticket available for €40 plus booking fee.

11. Christ Church Live

Another new addition last year, Winterval Christ Church Live transforms Christ Church Cathedral into an intimate concert venue.

12. Winterval Cruises

Winterval Cruises return to Adelphi Quay from November 29th to December 21st, offering visitors the chance to see Waterford from the River Suir during the festive season.

13. GLOW

GLOW is a free, sensory-friendly fairy-light garden in the Bishop’s Palace Gardens at Constitution Square. The gardens are covered in twinkling lights throughout Winterval, creating a quieter alternative to some of the busier festival attractions. GLOW opens daily from 4:30pm.

14. The Winterval Mini Express Train

The Winterval Mini Express Train takes visitors on a road-train journey through Waterford’s historic streets and past many of the festival’s main attractions. Trains depart roughly every 15 minutes and tickets cost €5 per person.

15. Snowball Fighting

Another new addition to the Waterford Christmas Market is an indoor snowball-fighting experience on Michael Street. The giant inflatable dome lets kids and adults battle it out with soft artificial snowballs. It costs €2 per person and there’s no need to pre-book.

More festive markets like Winterval

If you’re spending Christmas in Ireland and you fancy visiting a market, there are plenty to choose from:

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 2026 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 2026?

Winterval runs on weekends from November 13th to December 23rd, 2026. The Christmas Market opens Thursdays and Fridays from 2pm – 8pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 11am – 8pm.

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

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.