Monthly Archives: September 2025

Winterval-Waterford
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Winterval Waterford City

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Ireland’s largest Christmas festival, and now the European City of Christmas, will return to Waterford in November and December for its 13th year with an even bigger and more festive program. Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, will once again be transformed into a magical Winterval wonderland as it welcomes 1.8 unique festival visitors throughout its 21-day celebration.

Presented by Waterford City and County Council, Winterval 2025 will feature many beloved attractions, exciting new events, and enchanting reimaginings of festival favorites. As the European City of Christmas, the event will offer a world of holiday celebrations, magical experiences, festive family attractions, seasonal surprises, and a variety of free and ticketed events for all ages.

Winterval will run on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 21st to December 23rd, 2025.

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Santa is coming back to Winterval

Santa’s Grotto is one of the shining highlights of Winterval, returning to Waterford’s historic underground vaults for 2025, where children can step into Santa’s enchanting Christmas kingdom. From the moment little visitors arrive, they are greeted by cheerful elves, who guide them through a twinkling wonderland filled with festive surprises, sparkling decorations, and the gentle scent of cinnamon and pine.

Inside the grotto, children can meet Santa himself, share their Christmas wishes, and pose for magical photos in a truly immersive festive setting. The experience also includes a special play area designed to delight all senses: soft, colourful toys, tactile activities, and interactive features ensure younger guests have endless fun while exploring Santa’s world.

Tickets for Santa’s Grotto are now on sale. Families are encouraged to book early, as tickets often sell out quickly, guaranteeing every child the chance to experience the joy, wonder, and magic of meeting Santa in this unforgettable setting.

* Also available – Sensory Santa @ Winterval – See booking link for more details

BOOK NOW

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Full list of events…

1.        Winterval Illuminates 

2.       Drone Show 

3.       Winterval On Ice

4.       The Winterval Christmas Market

5.       The Winterval Circus 

6.       Glow Fairylight Garden

7.       Visit Santa @ Winterval

8.       Mini Express Train

9.       Panto – Jack & The Beanstalk

10.   Panto – Cinderella 

11.   Snowball Play Fun 

12.   Gingerbread Making

13.   Santa’s Giant Disco Postbox 

14.   The Snowball Stage

15.   Winterval Christchurch Live  – Francis Black

16.   Winterval Christchurch Live  – Pa Sheehey

17.   Winterval Christchurch Live  – Susan O’Neil

18.   Churchyard Sessions – The Knockadollys

19.   Churchyard Sessions – The Poppa Zitas

20.   Churchyard Karaoke Igloo 

21.   K-POP Demon Hunters Sing Along Tribute 

22.   Choral Trail: Brahms ‘A German Requiem’ 

23.   Choral Trail: Lyons Club Appeal Orchestral & Choral Concert

24.   Choral Trail: Lumina Christmas Concert 

25.   Choral Trail: Massed Choirs 

26.   Choral Trail: Olde Worlde Choir

27.   Viking Storytelling 

28.   Movie @ The Reg 

29.   The Elves Workshop 

30.   Winterval Official Opening & Turning on of Christmas Lights

31.   Santa’s Magical Sleigh Ride, Virtual Reality

32.   City Fairground

33.   Viking Elf Trail

34.   Draw Your Hero: The Elf Saves Christmas

35.   WAMA Wreath Making Craft Workshops

36.   Conscious Crafting For Adults 

37.   Conscious Crafting For All The Family 

38.   Polish Christmas Village

39.   Port of Waterford Eye

40.   WCQ Market

41.   Garter Lane Craft Fair

42.   Mirror Magic at the Apple Market 

43.   Suircon

44.   Deise Medieval

45.   Blue Light Showcase

46.   Tractor Parade

47.   Jingle Bells Cycle

48.   Buskaid

49.   Waterford Treasure Children’s Christmas Trail

50.   Enjoy Christmas at Bishops Palace (Bridgerton Tour)

51.   The Santa Cruise, on the Barrow Princess

52.   Rotary Tree

53.   Giving Tree

54.   Tasteful Tours 

55.   Winterval Official Late Nite Club

56.   Primary School Workshops

57.   Walkabout Acts (Bubbles The Elf / Seaweed Girl  / Dancing Santa / Elf Mascots / Olde Worle Choir

58.   Winterval Photo Orienteering

Further details of the 2025 Winterval Festival programme will be revealed over the coming weeks, for now, details on the Santa experience can be viewed and reservations made at www.winterval.ie

winter wonderland at kia ora mini farm
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Kia Ora Mini Farm Wexford

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Visit Santa Claus in Gorey, Wexford

Visit Santa in Gorey, Wexford at his Kia Ora Mini Farm Magical Christmas Experience

Santa Claus is delighted to announce his return to the Wexford Winter Wonderland that is Kia Ora Mini Farm. Come visit the animals, see Santa’s cosy home and view in amazement our enchanting musical light show.

Admission: €24.50 per child, €12.50 per adult, €12.50 under 11 months old

The Booking Time that you are choosing is the actual time that you will meet Santa. You can arrive at the farm any time during our opening times prior to this time but AT LEAST 15 minutes prior to the booking time. All guests on the booking should arrive to check in together. If your booking is late in the evening you should give yourself plenty of time to visit our animals and have a look around the farm before you make your way to visit Santa. Please be outside Santa’s door 5 minutes before your booking time.

Book Now

Contact us on 053 94 21166, 086-0836715 or 086-8788424 for details

Opening Hours Christmas 2025

November:

  • Sat 29th: 3-7pm
  • Sun 30th: 1-7pm

December:

  • Sat & Sun: 1-7pm
  • Midweek: 4-7pm*
  • *Closed 8th – 11th of Dec

kia ora mini farm wexford

From start to finish a festive Christmas visit to Santa at Kia Ora Farm in Wexford is full of sparkle and will include:-

  • Thousands of Twinkling Lights
  • Live Stable of Bethlehem
  • Illuminated Light Show
  • Feed the Reindeer and other animals
  • Visit Santa’s Bedroom Kitchen, Workshop and Post Office
  • Post your Letter in Santa’s Post Box

 

kia ora mini farm wexford

From start to finish a festive Christmas visit to Santa at Kia Ora Farm in Wexford is full of sparkle and will include:-

  • Each Family will have their own booking time with Santa Claus. You Can take as many photos as you wish and throughout the farm.
  • Each good child will then be directed to the Giant Present Room to check if their family is on the list to choose their fantastic gift.
  • Please ensure to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your booking time to ensure that you are ready to meet Santa at the time specified in your booking.
  • Please ensure that everyone on the booking arrives together at the same time to the entrance for check in to the farm at least 15 minutes prior to time booked to see Santa.

 

Address : Courteencurragh, Gorey, Co. Wexford

Phone : 053 9421166 / 086-8788424 / 086-0836715

Web address : www.kiaoraminifarm.ie

 

 

Santa-Experience
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The Santa Experience – Santa’s Magical Cabin

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Santa’s Magical Cabin is back for 2025!

The award winning and original Santa’s Magical Cabin returns for this Winter season!  

Over the past 15 years Santa’s Magical Cabin in association with Dunnes Stores has provided children and adults alike with a wonderful visit to Santa Claus in his magical cabin! 

Upon check-in an elf guide will meet each family and take them directly to meet Santa Claus.

Children will be amazed by what Santa knows about them, thanks to the “Santa Needs to Know” forms. Santa will also give each child a beautiful age appropriate gift. 

Everyone will be entertained throughout by energetic elves who will tell everyone exactly how Santa, his reindeer and all the elves prepare for Christmas. 

Tickets cost €14.00 per child & €7 per adult and can be booked online in advance to ensure you get your preferred time and date.

Each ticket includes meeting and interacting with elves, meeting your elf guide, visiting Santa in his Magical Cabin, Santa knowing personal information about each child and an age-appropriate gift from Santa.

A professional photographer will be on hand to capture all those magical moments and you can order 8 x 10 framed prints immediately afterwards if you wish. The first print is priced at €18 and subsequent prints will be priced at €12 per print. A digital photo package is available whereby you can get all of your photos on a Santa USB stick PLUS 1 printed photo for just €40. A special personalised invitation from Santa to your children can also be purchased for €15 (includes €2.95 postage) which is posted directly to your home. 

Come join the magic!

Venues

  • Dunnes Stores, Ilac Centre, Dublin 1
  • Dunnes Stores, Kilnamanagh, Tallaght, Dublin 24
  • Dunnes Stores, Patrick Street, Cork
  • Jetland Shopping Centre, Ennis Road, Limerick
  • The Kyle Centre, Portlaoise 
  • Dunnes Stores, Ennis Town Centre

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Dates/Times

  • 15th November to 23rd December 2025
  • 12pm to 6pm (generally) See website
  • Please check our online booking system for exact dates and times opening times of your preferred location

Admission

  • Children €14.00 (incl. gift)
  • Adult €7 (no gift)
  • Baby €14 (with gift)
  • Baby €6 (no gift)
  • Special invite: €15

Photos

  • €18 for first photo
  • €12 for each additional copy
  • €40 Digital photo USB + 1 printed photo 

Santa’s Shop

  • Reindeer Food: €4
  • Finding Nutmeg book €12
  • Activity book: €7
  • Finding Nutmeg + Activity book €17

Booking

Book online now at www.santaexperience.ie

Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSantaExperience/

Instagram: santaexperienceireland

 

dublin zoo
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Boo at the Zoo Dublin Zoo Spooktacular Halloween

We are calling all local monsters, witches and superheroes to step into the wildest celebration in town this Halloween: Boo at the Zoo! From October 25th to November 1st 2025, Dublin Zoo will transform into a world of spooky surprises and eerie adventures, including a Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt with annual passes to be won. That’s not all, as little ones dressed up for Halloween will go free on Friday, 31st October 2025* as long as they are with a full-paying adult!

From thrilling keeper talks and pumpkin carving fun to Halloween discos and ghostly surprises hidden throughout the Zoo, Boo at the Zoo promises plenty of ghouls, giggles, and spine-tingling adventures for all ages.

Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt – 2 Annual Passes to Be Won! 

  • From October 25th to November 1st 2025, explore Dublin Zoo like never before with two thrilling story-based trails featuring 15 spooky checkpoints each. 
  • Crack riddles, complete eerie challenges, and scan hidden QR codes to collect clues.
  • Solve the mystery final answer for a chance to win one of two Dublin Zoo Annual Passes – giving your family a full year of free visits, behind-the-scenes adventures, and wild days out.
  • It’s the perfect Halloween midterm fun for mischief-makers big and small!

Halloween Day Fun – October 31st 

  • Kids in Costume Go Free! From boo-tiful ghouls and mini monsters to wild creatures and impressive superheroes, children in Halloween costumes will run wild with free entry to Dublin Zoo! Tickets are available online or at the gate, only valid with a paying adult. T&Cs apply: One child in costume will receive free entry to Dublin Zoo per full paying adult on Friday 31st October 2025.  Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online. Offer only applies to single adult tickets, not family tickets. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
  • Free Face Painting (11am-3pm, Zoorassic World): Watch your little monsters transform into ghouls, ghosts, and wild creatures! The frightfully fun face painting will turn kids into the creepiest creatures at Dublin Zoo.

Phoenix Park
Dublin 8
Tel : Email : info@dublinzoo.ie
Web : www.dublinzoo.ie