The enchanting winter markets synonymous throughout continental Europe are the inspiration behind Waterford Winterval, Ireland’s Christmas Festival. The festival aims to bring together the festive sights, sounds and Yuletide charms of Ireland’s South-East region while also providing the whole family and visitors on a Christmas vacation in Ireland with lots and lots of fun!
The month long event in Waterford City, 21st November to 23rd December 2014, will be one of the largest festive celebrations of the Christmas season in Ireland with in excess of 25 separate events and activities with the added bonus that 17 of these events are free of charge.
Waterford Winterval – Ireland’s Christmas Festival
Some of the complimentary Christmas events include the awe inspiring 3-D sound and light show designed exclusively for Winterval. This visual and audio spectacular will take place each evening during the festival in the Old Deanery in Cathedral Square.
The festival may draw inspiration from the wonderfully enchanting winter markets seen in Germany, France and Denmark; but there will be a uniquely Irish take on Christmas. The Waterford Vikings Fado will set up camp at Greyfriars Church from where they will demonstrate the traditions of a Viking Christmas.
Celebrating the Polish culture a ‘Traditional Polish Christmas’ will be hosted by Waterford’s Polish community and offers festival goers Gingerbread Man making class for children and lots more at ‘Swiety Mikolaj’. The events which requires tickets include Santa’s Grotto situated in the Medieval Museum, a ride on the horse-drawn sleigh, the Winterval Express road train and so much more.
A festive ‘Winterval Market’ also takes over the heart of the Medieval city where 60 beautifully decorated traditional log cabins will host an offering of the very best quality and range of goods from Ireland’s food and craft producers.