Winterval, Ireland’s largest Christmas festival returns to Waterford this November and December for its 11th year with its biggest and most festive programme yet. Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, will be transformed into a magical Winterval wonderland from Friday, November 17th until Saturday, December 23rd.
Be a part of our journey through a world of Christmas celebration, magical experiences, festive family attractions, seasonal surprises and an abundance of free and ticketed events for all ages to enjoy.
Brought to you by Waterford City and County Council, Winterval 2023 will see the return of lots of the original attractions like Santa’s arrival to Waterford, Winterval On Ice, the Port of Waterford Eye, the Helter Skelter and Winterval Carousel; newer events like the Winterval Circus, the Fire Show, and the Lego exhibition, and magical reimaginations of so many of the festival favourites including a multi-dimensional light show, European-style Winterval food and craft markets, a packed programme of live music and performances and an enchanting display of festive decoration that will dazzle and delight Kids from 1 to 92 … and it’s all happening this Christmas in the heart of Waterford City.
Tickets are now on Sale for Santa’s Gingerbread House
Top secret visits have been taking place right under the noses of the people of Waterford as Santa has made preliminary visits to Ireland’s Christmas Festival to ensure his elves are carrying out all of his tip top plans for his candy filled Gingerbread house in the city centre for Winterval.
The elves have been super-duper busy preparing for the confidential check-in’s from the main man and for the official arrival of Santa at the 2023 Winterval festival, which will take place in Waterford for the 11th year this November 17th to December 23rd 2023.
From September 3rd 2023, tickets for all the little boys and girls visiting the festival are on sale for a visit to Santa Claus at his wonderful Gingerbread House at www.winterval.ie
Overflowing candy canes, jellytot buttons and icing tops, ‘Santa’s Gingerbread House’ will land in the heart of Waterford City Centre, right at the top of John Robert’s Square, surrounded by all the other delights and activities that Winterval has to offer. A band of merry elves will lead little ones to the door of Santa’s magically sweet cabin and families can enjoy the photo stops along the way.
The all-new ‘Santa Gingerbread House’ offers free tickets for adults, and visitors to the main man will each receive a present and printed family photograph. Santa will host little guests all the way through the festival until December 23rd, 2023.
At Ireland’s Christmas Festival there will be plenty to see and do before you ever head to Santa Claus. The festival organisers are planning another Winterval festival extravaganza with all of the festival’s firm favourites including the Waterford Illuminates light show, Ice Skating, the Winterval Christmas Market, live music gigs and lots more set to dazzle and delight.
“Trevor Darmody from the Waterford Academy of Music and Arts and I have been reliving our great Christmas pasts over the entire summer as we meet the fellow festive creators across Ireland and beyond.
We have a wonderful, surprising and delightful array of events and activities for all ages in the family and we can’t wait to unveil the full programme of events in the next few weeks too. For now, Santa has given his seal of approval and we are thrilled to say “tickets to see Santa at Winterval are now available.”
Further details of the 2023 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
