Friday December 1st
Runs until December 23rd.
Christmas Stables at Powerscourt
Where?: Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry.
Experience festive animal magic and meet unbelievably cute creatures at Powerscourt Estate with the arrival of the Christmas Stables.
Children and adults will adore a trip to the Christmas Stables where they’ll meet an array of furry friends. After arriving at Powerscourt Estate, visit Santa’s reindeer, meet some miniature donkeys, pygmy goats, rabbits and guinea pigs.
If you’re an animal lover, or have an animal fanatic at home, a trip to the Stables will be the icing on the cake for the whole family this festive season.
Admission is free.
Christmas Island at Hidden Valley Holiday Park
Runs until December 23rd.
Where?: Hidden Valley Holiday Park, Rathdrum.
Christmas Island is hosting the only Santa Experience in Ireland with both a train and a boat. Children will have a chance to go on enchanted train and boat journeys, meet the elves and have a sing and dance with them, visit Santa (all children receive a present and sweet treat), and there will be a playground and mini golf.
For more information, go to Christmas Island.
Santa at Avoca Powerscourt
Runs until 23rd December
Where?: Powerscourt House and Gardens.
Mr Claus and his elves will be at Avoca Powerscourt awaiting your visit, so we hope you’ve been good this year. While adults relax with a coffee or snack in the Terrace Café, children will be enchanted to meet Santa and his elves. Even Santa’s animals will be there at the Powerscourt Garden Pavilion. Deer, miniature donkeys, pygmy goats, rabbits, and guinea pigs will all be there, and are free to visit.
As well as Santa, there will be gift shopping, food and free parking, plus the Powerscourt Gardens.
All Santa bookings come with an exclusive offer of a promotional Family Ticket price to the Powerscourt Gardens.
Price: €10 (Non-refundable. Booking opened 9th October.)
For more information, go to Powerscourt House and Gardens.
Santas Journey at Djouce Golf Club
Note: runs every weekend until Christmas.
Where?: Djouce Golf Club, Roundwood.
As Christmas approaches, Santa, his elves and Mrs. Claus have created a magical journey in the foothills of the Wicklow mountains. This train journey sets off from Winter Wonderland Station stopping to see Santa’s Runway, The Talking Tres, Candy Cane Land, Elves Village, and many more along the way before meeting Santa himself.
Children will have the opportunity to get letters stamped by one of Santa’s elves to ensure it will be first priority, and the journey will come to an end as guests are invited into the Winter Lodge Café where hot drinks and festive treats will be available.
Price: €10 adults / €18 children (incl. free gift from Santa)
For more information, go to Santa’s Journey.
Killruddery Country House Christmas Party
Where?: Killruddery House and Gardens, Bray.
Killruddery will be hosting a Christmas Party with a lively atmosphere in their festive former Grain Store. With a mulled wine reception on arrival, followed by a four-course meal of Killruddery produce and music, everyone will make great memories. There are no minimum numbers for booking.
OR
Larger companies can book the entire Grain Store with options to host a drinks reception in Killruddery House before moving to the Grain Store for a four-course meal and music. The celebration can be tailored to requests.
Prices: starting at €85.
For more information, go to Killruddery House and Gardens.
Saturday December 2nd
Aughrim Town and Country Market
Where?: Aughrim.
This weekly event runs from 10am to 2pm and features a wide range of stalls. Produce includes meat, vegetables, cakes, eggs, plants, pottery, knitwear, jam and even tea or coffee. Craftspeople and local growers welcome.
For more information, go to Aughrim Town and Country Market.
Farm Market at Killruddery
Where?: Killruddery House and Gardens, Bray.
This weekly event runs from 10am to 4pm, featuring locally sourced produce, crafts and fine foods. Running all year round, this family-friendly event has a variety of hot foods, and seasonal themes promise a lovely atmosphere. Free parking is available.
For more information go to Killruddery Farm Market.
Christmas Outdoor Market
Where?: An Tairseach Organic Farm, Kilmantin Hill, Wicklow Town.
An Tairseach Organic Farm will hold an outdoor Christmas Market with a variety of handmade food and crafts, making perfect gifts for Christmas.
Located beside the Dominican College, the farm grows a variety of seasonal vegetables and raises organic lambs, cows and pigs. Their farm shop is full of healthy foods and gifts.
The market will run from 10am to 3pm.
For more information, go here.
Aonghus McAnally – Celebrating Christie Hennessy
Where?: The Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray.
Renowned entertainer Aonghus McAnally recreates the iconic sound of his close friend in a tribute to one of Ireland’s greatest singer-songwriters.
After a sell-out tour last Autumn, McAnally takes his show on a nationwide tour. Christie Hennessy delighted audiences until his untimely death in 2007, ages just 62. In this new show, McAnally brings the Hennessy songbook to life with his uncanny recreation of his close friend’s voice and guitar playing.
Show starts at 8pm.
Prices: €23 / €21 concession.
For more information, go to the Mermaid Arts Centre.
Sunday December 3rd
Glendalough Car Boot Sale
Where?: Glendalough, Laragh.
This car boot sale always features great clothes and accessories, home baking, plants and much more. Vans must be booked in, and car park spaces for the next month or so will be limited so it is advised to pre-book indoor spaces early.
For more information, or if you wish to book an indoor space, contact the Brockagh Centre on 0404 45600 or email laraghit@eircom.net
