Winterval Waterford 2024: A Guide To The Waterford Christmas Markets

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 from 5:15pm with the switching on of the lights 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.