Galway Christmas Market: A Festive Experience in Eyre Square
Join us at The Connacht Hotel - Explore Galway at Christmas!
Every winter, Galway’s Eyre Square transforms into a magical festive village. The Galway Christmas Market draws half a million visitors and runs for several weeks – in 2025 it’s expected to open in mid‑November and continue into early January. Wooden chalets, twinkling lights and live entertainment create an atmosphere straight out of a storybook. Whether you’re visiting with family, friends or a special someone, this market is a highlight of the Wild Atlantic Way and an easy day trip from Dublin.
Festive Stalls & Handcrafted Gifts
More than 50 traditional wooden chalets fill Eyre Square, offering everything from artisan crafts to locally made ornaments. As you wander between stalls you’ll find handmade jewellery, woollen scarves and unique Christmas decorations that make perfect gifts. The market has a strong local flavour, with craftspeople selling products you won’t find in mainstream shops. Browsing these chalets is a delightful way to support small businesses while soaking up Galway’s festive spirit.
Food, Drink & the Bier Keller
If your ideal Christmas outing involves hearty food and warming drinks, you’re in luck. The market hosts a tempting mix of bratwursts, crêpes, roast chestnuts and waffles, plus mulled wine and hot chocolate for chilly evenings. Galway’s famous Bier Keller – a rustic beer tent with live music – operates daily and offers VIP tickets for faster entry. It’s a great place to try craft beers and join in the singing, making the market both a foodie destination and a lively social scene.
Family‑Friendly Fun
Families will find plenty to keep children entertained. The Christmas Marketfeatures a 32‑metre Big Wheel, a traditional carousel and the Santa’s Express train. Santa’s Grotto invites young visitors to meet Santa and post letters in his special postbox, while Santa’s Cabin in Market Square offers one‑on‑one visits (tickets include a gift). With a safe, pedestrian‑friendly layout and dazzling lights along Quay Street and the Latin Quarter, the market is an enchanting experience for kids of all ages.
Entertainment & Atmosphere
Live entertainment – from local choirs and musicians to street performers – keeps spirits high throughout the market. After sunset, thousands of fairy lights illuminate the stalls and surrounding streets, turning Eyre Square into a sparkling wonderland. Visitors often combine the market with a stroll through Galway’s Latin Quarter or a visit to nearby pubs, adding to the festive atmosphere. Even if you only have an hour, the market’s compact size makes it easy to savour the sights and sounds of Christmas in Galway.
Why Stay at The Connacht Hotel?
The Galway Christmas Market is more than a shopping destination – it’s a seasonal celebration that captures the magic of the west of Ireland. To make the most of your visit, stay at The Connacht Hotel. This family‑friendly hotel is situated on the Dublin Road, just minutes from the city centre, and offers on‑site parking plus nearby bus links for easy access to Eyre Square. Its central location means you can explore the market by day and return to spacious rooms, a leisure centre and warm hospitality at night. With special offers and free kids club when you book direct, The Connacht Hotel provides great value and convenience. Book your stay, enjoy the festive fun of Galway’s Christmas Market, and experience Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way at its most enchanting.
