Christmas isn’t the only thing to get excited about this December! Galway is full of activities and events happening across the city, here’s just a small sample of what we’re looking forward to.
GALWAY CHRISTMAS MARKET
11th November - 22nd December
This year’s market opens on Friday November 11th and brings cheer to Eyre Square until Wednesday the 22nd of December. Festive visitors, kids and adults alike, can get in the Christmas spirit with a visit to Santa plus a spin on both the traditional Carousel and the View wheel, which offers a stunning view of the lights of Eyre Square, right out to Galway Bay, while food lovers can feast on everything from German Bratwurst, Traditional Crepes, Irish handmade fudge, Chimney cakes and other indulgent confectionery from over 60 traders as well as a range of hot food at the charcoal grills.
ELF TOWN
25th November - 23rd December
Elf Town returns to the Ballybrit Racecourse this festive season for another year of Christmas magic. A 2-hour Christmas experience, set over 3 different buildings with the magic adventure itself set over 4 floors, the journey is set to amaze and excite children. Meet Mrs. Claus in her kitchen and Santa in his grotto, where Santa will have a gold coin for each child who visits to exchange in his workshop for a special Christmas gift. This year, every child will receive an Elf Town branded gift pack with an official invite from Santa to Elf Town addressed to the children, our unique Golden ticket and a map of Elf Town. This will come by reindeer post from Santa himself before your booking date.
WILDLAND'S WINTER WONDERLAND
18th November - 23rd December
A magical Christmas play village for children up to 8 years of age. Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year and for its second year Baile Beag is again being transformed into a beautiful atmospheric Christmas-themed play village! Here children can explore their imagination in our immersive Wildlands Winter Wonderland experience. The start of each visit will be spent in the village interacting with Santa's elves and Mrs. Claus. Children can post their letter to the North Pole in our custom-made Christmas Post Box, meet Santa's elves, help a sick reindeer in our reindeer hospital, see the Christmas tree lights and enjoy a reading of "The Night Before Christmas" by Mrs. Claus, all before Santa himself lands down the chimney to all the visitors in an Baile Beag with a Ho-Ho-Ho and a bump!
DAVID O'DOHERTY - WHOA IS ME
2nd December
As seen on BBC's 'Live at The Apollo' and Channel 4's '8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown', David O’Doherty performs at The Town Hall Theatre this December, with his new show ‘Whoa Is Me’. Here he comes again, trotting on to the stage with all of the misplaced confidence of a waiter with no pad. Is he going to remember it? HOPEFULLY! There'll be lots of talking, some apologising and some songs on a glued together plastic keyboard from 1986.
ANNUAL LOCAL FOOD & CRAFT GIFT FAIR
3rd - 4th December
This popular event showcases Galway designers, handcrafted goods and artisan produce, with over 50 stands featuring the best in locally produced gifts! Since 2012, the LOCAL Craft and Food Gift Fair has grown in popularity and reputation – featuring some of the best local crafts people and artisan food producers. This two-day fair is great opportunity to find unique gifts before Christmas, along with a wide range of artisan jams, jellies, chutneys, cakes, cheeses, vegan foods, juices, and craft brews. Beautiful creations of local craft experts will be on show ranging from handmade ceramics, leather work, wooden carvings, household decorations, gifts, jewellery and more.
CONNACHT RUGBY VS BENETTON RUGBY
3rd December
Join Connacht Rugby as they take on Benetton Rugby as part of the United Rugby Championship this December. With kick-off from 3:15pm on Saturday 3rd December, the stadium promises to come alive with the electric excitement of both Connacht & Benetton fans alike. As the official hotel partner of Connacht Rugby Team, we are delighted to support them for another year!
FONTAINES D.C.
3rd December
To celebrate the release of their new highly anticipated album, ‘Skinty Fia’, Fontaines D.C. will embark on a UK & Irish National Tour taking place in Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and Belfast this November and December. Skinty Fia is an Irish phrase that translates to English as “the damnation of the deer”. The phrase, which is used to display disappointment or annoyance, resonated with frontman Grian Chatten as the correct expression of his feelings towards the “mutation” of Irish culture abroad
SÉAN KEANE CHRISTMAS BY THE HEARTH
3rd December
Get in the festive spirit with this heart-warming musical get together. The Distinctive Voice of Ireland! Join Seán Keane and his band along with Scoil Éanna Choir, Bullaun, County Galway for a special Christmas by the Hearth concert.
NUTCRACKER SWEETIES BALLET
13th - 14th December
Ballet Ireland present Nutcracker Sweeties. This holiday season, the curtain rises on Ballet Ireland’s Nutcracker Sweeties, a re-telling of one of the world’s favourite Christmas ballets. It’s a magical Christmas Eve. Ciara and her brother Fionn are on a shopping trip to a famous department store in Dublin. They wander off from their parents and the magic of Nutcracker and Christmas begins
HERMITAGE GREEN
16th December
Hermitage Green has been touring sold-out shows right across the globe, entertaining fans throughout the Middle East, Australia, North America, United Kingdom, and Ireland. Selling out iconic music venues and performing for thousands of people at some of the biggest festivals, this five-piece band has had the chance to share the stage with incredible artists such as Lewis Capaldi, Paloma Faith, Bastille, Two Door Cinema Club, Tom Odell, Gavin James and more.
.jpg?h=520&w=520)
