In the ‘Pynck’ at the best Christmas Markets this year
THERE is nothing that can match a great Christmas Market – the atmosphere, the wonderful aromas of tempting nibbles, scented candles and fresh evergreen, the music – and the one-stop shopping opportunities for Christmas gifts. Some of the best seasonal Markets can be nearby, or worth travelling the distance to find those truly inspired Christmas gifts, and Pynck.com has put together some of the best. Meanwhile there are magical places to visit Santa Claus around Ireland and the best places to see Christmas lights as well as things to do with the kids during the festive season, and many of the events can found on social media including Facebook and Twitter.
THE Après Village in Dublin is offering family fun and festive activities every day from 12pm to 7pm. There are food and craft stalls, Santa in his Grotto, a carousel and big wheel along with the VR Ski Experience, an inflatable snow globe and much more and all with free admission.
THE Galway Christmas Market has transformed Eyre Square in the heart of Galway City into a magical winter wonderland, and the 32m Observation Wheel has made a welcome return. The Christmas Market features traditional Bavarian and Irish Craft stalls and food, beverages and gift ideas from across Europe along with Santa’s Grotto.
SANTA’S Magical Winter Wonderland in Buncrana, County Donegal continues until Sunday, 20th December with a Christmas Carousel and a live crib including Santa’s own reindeer on a visit from the North Pole. Sing along with the Christmas Karaoke and post that wish list in Santa’s Christmas Letterbox while browsing arts and crafts workshops and enjoying storytelling with Mrs Claus and her elves as well as live music.
THE festive fun begins in Cork City at ‘Glow, a Cork Christmas Celebration’ on Saturday, 30th November, and continues until Saturday, 21st December. The festival will offer something for everyone including food markets and entertainment, a gigantic Ferris wheel and a free festive installation in Bishop Lucey Park.
BELFAST Christmas Market is back until Sunday, 22nd December and with unique gifts, gourmet food and drink on offer along with a special post box for Christmas wish lists direct to Santa Claus, there is something for everyone at the Belfast City Hall Grounds.
WINTERVAL in Waterford City makes a return, and the annual festival and Christmas Market continues weekends until Monday, 23rd December. Don’t miss ‘Waterford Illuminates, a 3D illuminating light show each evening and there is an ice rink and over 45 events happening now. The Winterval Express Train is a great way to take it all in and discover where best to stroll around in the ancient Viking city of Ireland’s Sunny Southeast.
LIMERICK Christmas Market at Milk Market will be taking place weekly from Monday, 2nd December, featuring up to 60 stalls and shops. Choose from artisan festive and specialty foods, handcrafted gifts, collectables, toys, books, fashions and seasonal decorations.
STRANDHILL People’s Market will kick off Christmas celebrations in Hangar 1 at Sligo Airport on Saturday, 30th November with artisan food and craft producers every Sunday from 11am to 4pm and night markets every Friday in December from 5pm to 9pm. Santa Claus will be at the Christmas Market every Friday and Sunday through December, and all funds raised from Santa’s Grotto will go towards an inclusive centre for children and young adults at the special needs local charity, ‘Our Voice, Their Future Northwest’.
CARLOW Christmas Market will open for the first time at Old Perry’s Building in Carlow Town and has expanded to two weekends. The festive fun kicks off from Friday, 29th November and continues until Sunday, 1st December, and returns on Friday to Sunday, 20th-22nd December. There will be more than 50 artisan food and craft stalls, visited by Santa and Mrs Claus and fun attractions.
FROSTIVAL Winter Festival at the Dundalk Christmas Market opens with the Carnival of Light Parade in Dundalk Town Centre from 4pm to 8pm on Friday, 22nd November, and the festival continues until Sunday (24th November) ahead of the Christmas Market, which will be happening with fun family events, food and refreshments through December.
WINTERFEST Mullingar in County Westmeath opens for two weekends from Thursday to Sunday, 5th-8th December and Thursday to Sunday, 12th-15th December featuring the Christmas Market and Ice Rink and family-friendly attractions. The festival will feature food and drink along with the Christmas Market in the Town Park.
YULEFEST Kilkenny will be is back every Saturday until 7th December in Graiguenamanagh at the Christmas Market in Abbey Hall and in Thomastown at the School of Food Christmas Market for one day only on 24th November from 12pm to 4pm. The Clomantagh Castle Community Christmas Fair will take place on Saturday and Sunday, 7th-8th December and all events are offering free admission and opportunities to find local handmade Christmas gifts for all the family.
BOOK a trip on the Santa Express at Wicklow Christmas Market until Sunday, 15th December and while in Wicklow Town enjoy free admission to all the artisan foods and crafts in the Abbey grounds. There will be live music along with the Alpaca Experience, puppet shows and cookie and gingerbread workshops, and a magical Fun Fair. The Wicklow Christmas Market offers the quieter Santa Express Sensory Train.
