Christmas at Market Cross Shopping Centre
Market Cross Shopping Centre High Street, Kilkenny, Ireland
Free
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Family Friendly
Winter Wonderland at Market Cross Shopping Centre
Market Cross Shopping Centre High Street, Kilkenny, Ireland
€12
Mountain View Christmas Market
Mountain View Markets Mountain View, Kiltorcan, Ballyhale, Kilkenny, IrelandGet into the holiday spirit at the Mountain View Christmas Night Market—a festive evening filled with joy, delicious food, live music and unique gifts suitable for everyone on your list!
With over 150 traders, this is Ireland’s largest Christmas market and the perfect chance to support local businesses and embrace the season's magic. This is a BYOB and dog-friendly event, so bring everyone along!
Launching on the 30th of November from 4pm -10 pm, the Night Market launches our festive season!
Free
Santa’s Magical Village at Castlecomer Discovery Park
Castlecomer Discovery Park The Estate Yard, Drumgoole, Castlecomer, Co. KilkennyStep into a whimsical wonderland at Santa's Magical Village this holiday season where you and your family will visit wonderfully decorated and festive indoor spaces, join in the Christmas cheer with our mischievous elves and meet the great man himself - Santa Claus!
This event will be running from the 29th of November to the 23rd of December 2023 in the magically festive & historic setting of Castlecomer Discovery Park’s Craft Yard.
€23 – €128
Christmas Workshops at Discovery Park
Castlecomer Discovery Park The Estate Yard, Drumgoole, Castlecomer, Co. KilkennyTake part in lots of lively Christmas workshops at Castlecomer Discovery Park,
Taking place each weekend beginning on the November 30th.
From crafts to science and nature, there is something for all curiosities!
€8 – €10
Yulefest Kiddie Carnival
Head down to Canal Square on Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays and have spin!
Rides are suitable for children only, cost €3 each and will there each Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Yulefest beginning November 30th.
Fridays 4pm – 8pm
Saturday 11am – 8pm
Sunday 11am – 6pm
€3
Santa’s Grotto at MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre
MacDonagh Junction Shopping CentreThe elves have set up a winter village at MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre bringing all the joy of Christmas to your family young and old.
Children will be kept entertained with fun and games and the whole family is invited to join the fun along with the mischievous elves before visiting Santa's enchanting grotto.
The Christmas Experience includes a visit to Santa, with one printed photo and a quality present.
€12 – €19
Mrs Claus’ Storytime
Join Mrs Claus and her elves for story time in the Yulefest Yurt! Gather and hear a magical tale. After the reading you can meet Mrs Claus and her elves and take a photo!
Each day of the Yulefest Market, starting from Sunday 1st December.
Free
Reindeer Garden at Rothe House
Rothe House 14 Parliament St, KilkennyVisit this beautiful Kilkenny treasure with a festive twist and come see our display of reindeer in the beautiful Rothe House Garden. Why not stop in while you’re on the Yulefest Christmas Trail!
*There is free admission to the garden from 3-6pm every day in December (closed December 2nd). With late opening until 8pm on Saturdays (except the 7th). Admission will be via the Rothe House shop and visitors must register their name on entry.
The retail shop will be open during the garden opening times, selling local crafts and Irish products. An easy place to pick up some gifts while you are here!
Free
12 SCÉALS OF HISS’MAS with the National Reptile Zoo
Yulefest Bandstand on the ParadeThe 12 Scéals of Hissmas! Join The National Reptile Zoo for a journey through the festive season around the world – told through the lens of the reptiles, amphibians and insects that live there! An interactive learning experience featuring new animals each week, with activities for everyone!
These weekly workshops will take place every Friday throughout Yulefest in the Yulefest Yurt Marquee on The Parade. Each workshop will include 3 animal encounters, stories of winter celebrations from the places the animals come from and a ‘Hiss’Mass’ game/ activity. An engaging and unique event for children and families each Friday in December.
Workshops are suitable for children aged 5+ and children must be accompanied by an adult – adult ticket required (minimum of 1 adult to 5 children)
€3 – €5
Festival of Light Castlecomer
CastlecomerThe Festival of Light Returns to Castlecomer!
Castlecomer’s Festival of Light is back for 2024! Mark your calendars for Friday, 6th December and join us for an evening filled with festive cheer, and heartwarming community spirit.
What to Expect:
Live music from Enya Cox Dempsey & Rhythm Riot Music
Santa turning on the Christmas Tree Lights
PLEASE NOTE – There will be no lantern parade to the Discovery Park. All activity will happen in the square.
Bring your family and friends, wrap up warm, and let’s make this holiday season shine brighter than ever!
Free
Santa for Temple Street
The Parade, Kilkenny CitySanta and his sleigh will be on the Parade on Saturday 7th December collecting money for Temple Street Childrens Hospital!
Santa and his sleigh is led by John Holohan in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital. Every winter, John shuts down his workshop during the month of December and travels around with his true to life reindeer and sleigh. Over the years John and Santa for Charity, has raised quite literally hundreds of thousands of euros for the Temple Street Children’s Hospital, bringing magic and joy to countless numbers of children.
Come say hello and donate to a great cause! Any donation, however small will be very gratefully received with 100% of all proceeds going to Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
Free
Santa Run
Kilkenny Castle ParkThe family fun run will take place on Sunday the 8th December 2024. There will be a 2km and 5km option. Both are buggy and dog friendly.
Most importantly, you should dress to impress in your Santa, reindeer and elves outfits. Top prizes will go for best dressed. All proceeds go to the St Vincent De Paul.
Full details and registration information coming soon!
This is an event for all ages to enjoy together!
Children’s Storytelling & Craft Workshops
Rothe House 14 Parliament St, KilkennyGet into the Christmas spirit with tales of Christmases past and present. Step back in time and imagine what Christmas was like in Tudor times for the lucky Rothe children!
Then, be inspired to make your own Christmas ornament to hang on your tree at home and create beautiful crafts that celebrate the spirit of Christmas. Our craft activities will inspire children’s creativity and bring out their inner artist.
If the weather permits, children will take a cosy walk in the garden before finishing up with a warming hot chocolate and festive treat.
Our friendly team will ensure a safe and welcoming environment.
€10
Avalon House Hotel Santa Experience
Avalon House Hotel The Square, Castlecomer, Kilkenny, IrelandGet ready for a magical holiday experience because Santa Claus is making a special stop at Avalon House Hotel again this year! Join us on 15th & 22nd December for a festive celebration filled with joy and holiday spirit.
Bring the whole family and don't miss the chance to meet Santa in person, take photos, and create cherished memories. Whether it's your little one's first encounter with Santa or a beloved annual tradition, this event promises to be a highlight of the season.
€35
Home Alone
Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, KilkennyAll Kevin McCallister wants for Christmas is for his family to disappear. So when he wakes to discover that they have accidentally left for their Christmas trip without him and that his wish has come true, he does what any kid would do - he parties! But when he learns that two burglars with a Christmas list of their own are working their way up the block, he is forced to defend the family home on his own and sets about decking the halls with ingenious traps to hold the thieves at bay until his relatives come home.
€7
Mobile Sensory Hub
At this year’s Yulefest Launch on November 30th and finale Saturday on December 21st we will be hosting a Mobile Sensory Hub on the Parade. This will a calm and safe sensory space for those who need it. Slots are 25mins and booking is required. The Mobile Sensory Hub is Premier Sensory Solutions innovative service designed to bring a fully functional sensory space directly to communities and events
Free
Christmas Jumper Junior Parkrun
Kilkenny countryside park junior Parkrun is a free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds). It is held every Sunday at 9:30 am.It takes place at Kilkenny Countryside Park, Dunmore, Co. Kilkenny. It is free but please register beforehand. Only register once with Parkrun and print off and bring your barcode. On Sunday 22nd of December, there is a special fun junior Parkrun with a Christmas jumper fancy dress theme. There will be goodies and spot prizes on the morning. Come along and have some fun ,while enjoying the outdoors. The aim is to have fun!
Grey Matter
Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, KilkennyPaul Curley present’s Grey Matter, a new play for young audiences by Paul Curley and Ger Clancy. A scientist. A parrot. A lifelong friendship. Grey Matter explores the joyful relationship between a boy and his pet (African Grey) parrot as they journey through life together, experiencing the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
Performer and writer Paul Curley in collaboration with designer and puppet-maker Ger Clancy bring this captivating play for young audiences to life, asking us to consider who we are, and how we get to know ourselves. Directed by Bjarne Sandborg of Teater Refleksion (Denmark) and Ian Cameron (Scotland) along with designers Sarah Jane Shiels, Ciara Fleming and composer Denis Clohessy, Grey Matter promises to be a treat for audiences young and old.
Suitable for ages 8yrs +
€8
A Big Egg
Watergate Theatre Parliament St, Gardens,, KilkennyFrom the new "Story Time" series of family musicals by the creators of There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly.
For Jack and his little sister Molly Easter is all about eggs.
But how big can an egg get.
And what wonderful surprises might there be inside?
Based on the picture book by Steven Lee and performed with a magical mixture of live action, animation and puppetry,
this scrumptious, sing-along musical is guaranteed to make your little ones love Easter (and each other) more than ever before.
Perfect for ages 2-102!
€9
