From live entertainment to Santa Grotto’s, simple stalls to wooden chalets. You’ll find everything from handmade ornaments to freshly baked breads. In all, a fun way to prepare for the Holiday Season ahead. And to help you plan your experience here is ‘Skyscanner’s Guide to the Best Christmas Markets in Ireland 2018’.
Best Christmas Markets in Ireland 2018
Dublin City
Market: Dublin Flea Christmas Market
Where: The Point Square, Dublin 1
When: December 6th – 9th and 13th – 16th
Highlights: Arts and Crafts
What to expect: Plenty of opportunities to stock up on Christmas gifts for all the family from craftspeople to designers, artists to collectors and small independent businesses – all under one roof in the middle of Dublin.
Okay so it doesn’t have chalets, fake snow, or Christmas decorations galore but looks may be deceiving, from this image anyway, because the Dublin Flea Christmas Market is a fabulous festive market and highly deserved a place on this Best Christmas Markets in Ireland list. And the advantages of being housed in a purpose built shopping centre in Dublin City (which it has been since 2015) is that it doesn’t matter if it’s lashing rain or snowing, plus there is plenty of space and escalators – for those tired legs.
Nearby Christmas Markets, Fairs and Events that are deserving of a ‘Best Christmas Markets in Ireland’ mention:
George’s Street Arcade– Dublin 2, Gifted The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair – RDS Dublin 4, Winter Funderland – RDS Dublin 4, Bushy Park Christmas Market – Dublin 6W, Smithfield Lights – Dublin 7, Christmas at The National Botanic Gardens – Glasnevin Dublin 9, Honest to Goodness Craft & Gift Fair – Glasnevin Dublin 9, Christmas at Airfield – Dublin 14, Christmas at Farmleigh – Phoenix Park Dublin 15, Christmas at Castletown House – Kildare.
Kilkenny
Market: Yulefest Kilkenny
Where: Various locations throughout Kilkenny
When: Month of December
Highlights: Easy going and family friendly
What to expect: Yulefest in Kilkenny City is a family focused experience that includes a Santa Run and a Christmas themed gardens at Butler House. There’s a Christmas tree festival at St Canice’s Cathedral, an antique carousel and ice-skating for those who fancy warming up before hitting the markets. At the markets one can enjoy music, workshops, an assortment of local crafts and of course lots of food and hot beverages – Kilkenny was named the Foodie Destination of the Year 2018 after all. Keep an eye out for artworks by local schools and nursing homes, as connectivity within the community was a major theme behind Yulefest in 2017.
Limerick
Market: Christmas at the Milk Market
Where: The Milk Market, Limerick City
When: December 13th – 16th and December 20th – 23rd
Highlights: The locally produced food
What to expect: Limerick’s Milk Market takes place all year round, every weekend from Friday through to Sunday. However on the lead up to Christmas it takes on a festive theme. You’ll find stalls selling local arts and crafts, and those selling collectables and vintage fashion. And if you fancy making up your own fresh food hampers as gifts, you’ve come to the perfect place because you’ll find a generous selection of artisan foods including cheeses, breads, meats and even wine!
Cork
Market: Glow – A Cork Christmas Celebration
Where: Grand Parade and Bishop Lucey Park, Cork City
When: Four weekends leading up to Christmas, starting on November 30th
Highlights: The Santa’s Workshop
What to expect: The Glow Christmas experience in Cork is a family friendly experience leading up to ‘the big day’. The market is situated on Grand Parade in the city and the majority of what is on offer is food, mostly hot, and sweet treats. Expect a crowd when the Christmas lights are turned on midway through the festival. And music to enjoy throughout the celebration, from brass bands to local choirs. Glow also includes a giant Ferris Wheel, which can be found in Bishop Lucey Park, perfect for inspiring those festive feels, and a great view of the city from on high. You’ll also find a Santa’s Workshop in the park that includes elves very busy at work wrapping presents for all the littles around the world.
Waterford
Market: Waterford Winterval
Where: Viking Triangle of Waterford City
When: From November 17th to December 23rd
Highlights: The family friendly entertainment
What to expect: The markets at Waterford Winterval can be found lined up in gorgeous little wooden chalets. Here you’ll find local designers and crafts for sale alongside food stalls offering a selection of hot foods to be enjoyed on the go, and local produce to take home. Other attractions include a parade, an Enchanted Christmas Santa’s Grotto, the Winterval Illuminates Light Show, an entertainment stage (the amazing Street Theatre company Spraoi performed in 2017) and the Waterford Eye Ferris Wheel. And for those who like to be active one can skate the evening away at Winterval on Ice, catch the Winterval Express Train or climb aboard the Horse Drawn Sleigh.
Galway
Market: Christmas Market Galway
Where: Eyre Square, Galway City
When: December 16th to December 22nd
Highlights: The local and international food offerings
What to expect: Known as the Galway Continental Christmas Market for a very good reason, the Christmas Market in the heart of Galway City is a worldly affair. There are lots of opportunities to purchase gifts from local and Ireland based craftspeople and artists, from wooden toys to ceramics. Food-wise you can visit a number of the wooden chalets that offer artisan foods to suit every taste from vegetarian dishes to authentic German bratwursts. Follow a savoury bite with a sweetened French crepe, a Belgian waffle or some Czech chimney cake. And take home a selection of Italian chocolates or Irish made fudge. Yum. The market also includes a beer tent, a Ferris wheel, Santa’s Grotto and entertainment.
Belfast
Market: Belfast Continental Christmas Market
Where: Belfast City Hall
When: November 17th to December 22nd
Highlights: The wide selection
What to expect: Last but not least, Belfast Continental Christmas Market is high on the Best Christmas Markets in Ireland list. With a backdrop of the beautiful Belfast City Hall, this Christmas market is a hot favourite amongst market goers. With a strong focus on independent and locally produced food and wares, the award-winning market is really a food lovers dream – think locally sourced seafood, freshly baked breads and sweet treats from around the globe. It is home for five weeks to over 100 chalets offering local and international wares from over 30 different countries. It also offers continental bars for those who fancy a tipple and a Santa’s Grotto for those with littles.
Where’s your favourite Christmas Market? Could you add it to this Best Festivals in Ireland list or is it further afield?
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