Christmas markets in Ireland: 2026 dates and what to expect
Share this post
Christmas markets in Ireland open from Friday, November 6, when Galway’s Eyre Square fills with more than 50 wooden chalets. Larger markets open in November and smaller town markets follow from late November into December. Dublin adds new events this year, including Everwinter at the RDS showgrounds.
Galway and Belfast are the two best Christmas markets in Ireland this year. Waterford’s Winterval and Kilkenny’s Yulefest are the best picks for a smaller, more local feel.
This roundup covers 2026 dates, opening hours, what’s free, what to book ahead, and a route linking several cities. For the traditions behind the stalls, see Christmas in Ireland.
Christmas markets in Ireland: 2026 dates at a glance
Entry is free at nearly every market below, so the real costs are accommodation, food, drink and rides. Dates shift each year, so confirm them on the organiser’s page before you book.
| Market | where | 2026 dates | Entrance fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galway Christmas Market | Eyre Square, Galway | November 6 to December 22, with the Big Wheel and vintage amusements continuing to January 3, 2027 | Free market entry. Tickets are required for selected attractions, including Santa’s Cabin. |
| Waterford Winterval | Waterford city | Weekends from November 13 to December 23 | Free market entry, with ticketed events |
| Belfast Christmas Market | City Hall grounds, Belfast | November 14 to December 22 | Free |
| TwinkleTown Dublin | Smithfield Square, Dublin | November 20 to December 31 | Free, rides and ice skating extra |
| TwinkleTown Dublin | St. Patrick’s Park, Dublin | November 27 to December 23 | Free, rides and ice skating extra |
| Everwinter | RDS showgrounds, Dublin | November 25 to January 3, 2027 | €2.50 |
| Swords Castle Christmas Market | Swords Castle grounds, Dublin | November 27 to 29 and December 5 and 6 | Free |
| Yulefest Kilkenny | The Parade, Kilkenny | November 28 to December 23 | Free |
| Christmas in Cork | Bishop Lucey Park, Cork | Wednesday to Sunday, November 20 to December 22 | Free |
| Wicklow Gaol Christmas Market | Wicklow Gaol, Wicklow | November 21 to December 20, Saturdays and Sundays plus Fridays December 4, 11 and 18 | Free market entry |
| Sligo Christmas Market | Quayside Shopping Centre, Sligo | November 27 to December 23 | Free market entry, with ticketed events |
| Mountain View Night Market | Mountain View, Kilkenny | November 21 to December 20, Saturdays and Sundays | €3 car park fee |
| Eclectic Avenue Market | North Main Street, Wexford | Weekends from November 27 to December 24 | Free |
| Terenure Christmas Market | Terenure, Dublin | Dates to be announced | Will be confirmed when the date is announced |
| Christmas at Nenagh Castle | Nenagh, Tipperary | December 5 | Free |
| Clonmel Christmas Market | Clonmel, Tipperary | Dates to be announced | Will be confirmed when the date is announced |
Galway, Belfast, Waterford, Dublin, Kilkenny and Cork are all open between November 28 and December 22, though Waterford, Kilkenny and Cork run on selected days. Galway opens first and Kilkenny’s Yulefest opens last, so aim any trip across several cities at that stretch.
The best Christmas markets in Ireland
Nine larger markets and 7 smaller markets earn a place on the plan. Each entry covers what to expect, where it runs, the dates, the cost and the opening hours.
Galway: The largest market in the Republic of Ireland
Galway (Gaillimh) hosts the largest Christmas market in the Republic of Ireland and is in its 16th year. More than 50 wooden chalets fill Eyre Square, alongside a 32-meter Big Wheel, a traditional carousel, Santa’s Express Train, live adult choirs and Santa’s Cabin. The square sits beside the train and bus stations, so you can arrive without a car.
- Where: Eyre Square, Galway.
- Dates: November 6 to December 22, with the Big Wheel and vintage amusements continuing to January 3, 2027.
- Cost: Free entry. Tickets are required for selected attractions, including Santa’s Cabin.
- Hours: Monday to Wednesday, noon to 8 p.m., with the bar open until 10 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The market drew approximately 450,000 visitors in 2025, so I’d aim for a weekday afternoon. Spend the rest of the day on Shop Street and in the Latin Quarter.
Belfast: More than 100 stalls at City Hall
Belfast (Béal Feirste) hosts its Christmas market on the grounds of City Hall. More than 100 stalls sell international food, drinks and local crafts. The market has run there since 2004.
- Where: City Hall grounds, Donegall Square, Belfast.
- Dates: November 14 to December 22, opening at noon on the first day.
- Cost: Free entry. Prices are in pounds sterling, since Belfast sits in Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom.
- Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with bars closing at 9 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with bars closing at 11 p.m. Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
The Christmas lights switch-on at City Hall runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on November 14. It’s a free ticketed event, and tickets sold out as of November 5. City Hall stays open during the market, which helps on a rainy day.
Waterford: Winterval runs mostly on weekends
Waterford (Port Láirge) runs Winterval, now in its 14th year. The festival has grown steadily, and this year’s program promises to be the biggest to date. More than 60 attractions are spread across the city, including a market, a Christmas train and light trails.
- Where: Waterford city.
- Dates: Weekends from November 13 to December 23, so plan a Friday to Sunday stay.
- Cost: Free market entry, with ticketed events.
- Hours: Times vary by event, so check the Winterval program.
TwinkleTown: Smithfield Square and St. Patrick’s Park
Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath) has no single anchor market in 2026, since the Dublin Castle market isn’t running. TwinkleTown was last year’s newcomer and returns with a second location in St. Patrick’s Park.
- Where: Smithfield Square and St. Patrick’s Park, Dublin.
- Dates: Smithfield Square runs November 20 to December 31. St. Patrick’s Park runs November 27 to December 23.
- Cost: Free entry. Rides and ice skating cost extra.
- Hours: Both locations open Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Everwinter: A new market at the RDS
Everwinter comes from the team behind Taste of Dublin and the Dublin Castle Christmas market. It combines a Christmas market with a covered ice rink, circus, vintage fairground and festive food and drink. The event is new this year and sits at the RDS showgrounds in Ballsbridge.
- Where: RDS showgrounds, Ballsbridge, Dublin.
- Dates: November 25 to January 3, 2027. The full market and entertainment program finishes on December 23.
- Cost: €2.50 general entry. Ice skating, Robert Fossett’s Circus and fairground rides are booked separately.
- Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. Closed Mondays.
Swords Castle: A free market in North County Dublin
Swords Castle hosts a small Christmas market on its grounds, in the center of Swords. The historic setting gives it plenty of charm, and traders sell gifts, crafts and food.
- Where: Swords Castle, Swords, north County Dublin.
- Dates: November 27 to 29 and December 5 and 6.
- Cost: Free entry.
- Hours: Friday, November 27, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, November 28 and 29, noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, noon to 6 p.m.
Kilkenny: Yulefest beside the castle
Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh) places its Yulefest Christmas market on The Parade, beside Kilkenny Castle. The castle gives it one of the best settings among Christmas markets in Ireland. Market days cluster on weekends, with three extra days from December 21 to 23.
- Where: The Parade, Kilkenny.
- Dates: November 28 to December 23.
- Cost: Free entry.
- Hours: Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cork: Bishop Lucey Park
Cork (Corcaigh) holds its Christmas market in Bishop Lucey Park as part of A Cork Christmas Celebration, often called Corkmas. The program also includes a Christmas parade and a Ferris wheel.
- Where: Bishop Lucey Park, Cork.
- Dates: Wednesday to Sunday, November 20 to December 22. Wider Christmas in Cork events and activities run from November 15 to December 31.
- Cost: Free entry to the market.
- Hours: Check the Cork City Council program for market times.
Wicklow Gaol: A courtyard market in Wicklow Town
Wicklow Gaol hosts a free Christmas market in its historic courtyard, following the launch of Wicklow Wrapped there last December. Expect local food, craft and music in a setting that suits the festivities.
- Where: Wicklow Gaol, Wicklow Town.
- Dates: November 21 to December 20, on Saturdays and Sundays plus Fridays December 4, 11 and 18.
- Cost: Free market entry. Ticketed activities and workshops.
- Hours: Fridays, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Smaller Christmas markets
Not every town can host a market that runs for several weeks. Smaller markets across Ireland fill the gap with handmade goods and local treats.
These markets run on shorter schedules, so check each organizer’s page before you travel:
- Sligo Christmas Market: November 27 to December 23, 2026.
- Mountain View Night Market (Kilkenny): November 21 to December 20, 2026, on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Eclectic Avenue Market (Wexford Town): Each weekend from November 27 to December 24.
- Terenure Christmas Market (Dublin): Dates to be announced.
- Christmas at Nenagh Castle (Tipperary): December 5.
- Clonmel Christmas Market (Tipperary): Dates to be announced.
Is Dublin a good place to visit for Christmas markets?
Dublin (Baile Átha Cliath) works well for a Christmas city break. Its markets, however, don’t match Galway’s or Belfast’s. The Dublin Castle market isn’t running in 2026. However, TwinkleTown and Everwinter fill the gap, along with the Swords Castle Christmas Market.
My advice: visit Dublin for the city itself, then add a market day in Kilkenny or Galway.
How to plan a trip around Christmas markets in Ireland
Dates are the easy part. The details below save money and a few headaches.
What to book ahead
- Accommodation: Book early for weekends near Galway’s Eyre Square and Belfast’s City Hall.
- Belfast lights switch-on: Free tickets sold out as of November 5, so plan around the market itself.
- Santa visits: Santa’s Cabin in Galway runs on weekends from November 13 to December 20, and advance booking is advised.
- Trains: Services run from Dublin to Galway, Kilkenny, Waterford and Cork, and the Enterprise service links Dublin and Belfast.
- Rental car: Book one if you plan to visit several cities. Cars drive on the left, and rural roads run narrow and slow.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Planning around the Dublin Castle market: It isn’t running in 2026.
- Visiting Waterford or Kilkenny midweek: Market days cluster on weekends.
- Mixing up currencies: Budget in euros in the Republic of Ireland and in pounds sterling in Belfast.
- Arriving at dusk: Daylight fades at approximately 4 p.m. in mid-December, so reach the stalls by mid-afternoon and stay for the lights.
- Skipping a waterproof layer: Rain arrives in November and December, and most stalls sit outdoors.
A route that links several markets
Seven nights covers five cities in the window between November 28 and December 22.
- Dublin, two nights: Visit TwinkleTown in Smithfield Square.
- Kilkenny, one night: Drive approximately 90 minutes from Dublin for Yulefest.
- Waterford, one night: Winterval sits approximately 45 minutes from Kilkenny.
- Cork, one night: Budget approximately 90 minutes from Waterford.
- Galway, two nights: Budget approximately three hours from Cork.
Time Kilkenny and Waterford for a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Belfast works better as its own weekend, since it sits in Northern Ireland and uses a different currency. The Enterprise train from Dublin takes approximately two hours.
What a traditional Irish Christmas adds to a market visit
The markets follow a Continental style, with timber chalets, mulled wine and a Big Wheel. The older Irish Christmas happens at home, where a candle in the window on Christmas Eve welcomes anyone passing.
St. Stephen’s Day on December 26 (Lá Fhéile Stiofáin) is the next holiday, and Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Christmas) falls on January 6. Tradition gave women a day of rest on January 6, following the cooking and hosting of Christmas week.
Frequently asked questions about Christmas markets in Ireland
Which is the best Christmas market in Ireland?
I’d pick Galway and Belfast as the two best Christmas markets in Ireland. Galway offers free entry, more than 50 chalets and a central square beside the train station. Belfast adds scale, with more than 100 stalls around City Hall. Choose Galway for a west coast weekend and Belfast for international food.
Where are the best Christmas markets in Ireland in 2026?
Galway opens first on November 6, followed by Waterford’s Winterval on November 13 and Belfast on November 14. Cork’s Bishop Lucey Park market runs from November 20, and Kilkenny’s Yulefest launches on November 28. In Dublin, TwinkleTown opens in Smithfield Square on November 20 and Everwinter opens at the RDS on November 25.
Is Dublin a good place to visit for Christmas markets?
Dublin works for a Christmas city break, though not mainly for its markets. The Dublin Castle market isn’t running in 2026. TwinkleTown (Smithfield Square and St. Patrick’s Park), Everwinter (RDS showgrounds) and Swords Castle Christmas Market (Swords Castle grounds) are the main options. Pair them with the city’s shops, pubs and museums, and add a market day in Kilkenny or Galway if the stalls matter most.
Where is the best place to go for Christmas in Ireland?
It depends on the kind of Christmas you want. Galway pairs a large market with pubs and a walkable center, and Kilkenny pairs a castle setting with a compact city. Belfast suits a city break built around a large market. Confirm opening hours for anything planned on December 25.
Which is better, Belfast or Galway Christmas market?
Belfast wins on size and its City Hall backdrop, with more than 100 stalls and a lights switch-on on opening day. I’d pick Galway for atmosphere in a walkable city, with a Big Wheel, live choirs and an earlier opening date. Both are free to enter. Budget in pounds sterling for Belfast and euros for Galway.
Book your Christmas markets in Ireland trip
Christmas markets in Ireland overlap from November 28 to December 22, and a visit across several cities works best in that window. I plan custom trips, and through Fora Travel, I can handle the bookings, including cars, transfers, flights, activities, hotels and travel insurance.
Ready to turn these dates into a booked trip? Visit my advisor profile to start planning your Christmas trip.
