The oldest city in Ireland is no stranger to interloping men with beards – this is where the Vikings landed after all – but with Winterval they’ve embraced Santa with open arms and established Ireland’s foremost Christmas festival in the process. This year it was crowned European City of Christmas 2024, meaning Waterford is set to join European cities like Prague, Cologne and Budapest as the continent’s most festive destinations.
Waterford City and County Council has supported and managed the festival since its inception over a decade ago and its success can be attributed to the collaborative efforts and vision of the local authority, the Winterval festival committee and local stakeholders, for bringing Christmas to life in Waterford.
Trevor Darmody is the festival’s co-director and has been involved with Winterval from its inception in 2012.
“Christmas is such a draw in major cities across Europe but if you go back 12, 13 years ago, that just wasn’t a thing in Ireland,” he says. “Winterval was the first place to bring in a light show, markets and fairground attractions. And while it has been copied, it remains a standout and has become Ireland’s Christmas capital.”
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Darmody attributes the success of Winterval to a number of factors. “Waterford is such a walkable city, it’s not a big sprawl, meaning Winterval is not just happening in certain pockets of the city – it’s all very connected no matter where you are.”
The festival has proven to be a huge economic driver for the city – last year there was an estimated footfall of more than 650,000 people at the festival over its six weeks’ running period. “It breathes life into the city,” Darmody notes. One of the main reasons Winterval works so well is that it is truly a collaborative affair, delivered by Waterford City and County Council with significant support from sponsors and the local Waterford business community, who embrace it with enthusiasm.
Having served as co-organiser in 2021, Darmody has witnessed the festival go from strength to strength, culminating in the recent designation as European City of Christmas. “You aren’t awarded this title lightly and once you receive it, you hold on to it for posterity.” What the new designation also allows is the sharing of ideas and experience, something he says is invaluable as Winterval aims to get bigger and better – and more innovative – every year.
“The designation of European City of Christmas has opened up new opportunities to grow the festival, and to connect with our European counterparts in the Czech Republic, who are also celebrating this year with the designation as European Capital of Christmas,” says Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Jason Murphy.
And in 2024 Winterval is bursting at the seams. “This year we are really upping the ante,” Darmody says. While the Glenveagh Market with its more than 60 stalls is the centrepiece of the festival – and allows you to pick up a hot chocolate, a hot dog, and all your stocking fillers – it is so much more than that.
The opening day of the festival has become an opening weekend, with events taking place right throughout the weekend. The city’s Christmas lights were switched on by the Mayor of Waterford City and County, and Santa, with the now legendary and spectacular Christmas parade featuring the main man himself and a special effects display from the roof of the beautiful Bishop’s Palace.
This year Brno in the Czech Republic is also celebrating its award as capital of Christmas 2024 and the link between the two cities will be embodied in a dolmen-shaped gateway in the city’s Apple Market that will connect to another gateway in the city centre of Brno. The opening weekend of Winterval will culminate in the official opening of the gateway to Brno.
The fairground is back, as is Winterval Illuminates, a music and light show that takes place every 30 minutes and is a huge hit with kids (look out for the snowstorm/foam party as it ends). The popular ice-skating rink will also open again, allowing for icy thrills and spills for all ages. And watch out for every parent’s nemesis – the Elf on the Shelf – dotted throughout the city.
There will be gingerbread making classes, an Igloo Dome offering a 5D experience with audiences travelling through time inside, and a gigantic Circus Museum will be on offer at City Hall’s Large Room. The Glow Gardens with more than 10,000 twinkling lights at New Street is always a major draw and the Port of Waterford Eye – the giant Ferris wheel – is a must-do.
It doesn’t end there, however. A stunt show with monster trucks and motorbikes will take place this year, while the much-loved light up tractor parade will also return. Another addition to the Winterval roster is new show Trash Test Dummies. Darmody is thrilled with this coup, admitting he has been trying to book the hilarious Australian slapstick comedy troupe since 2020.
Winterval is also leading the way in showcasing how Christmas, and festivals in general, can be more sustainable. This year, Winterval has partnered with Waterford Foodbank which will be managing re-turn recycling bins across the festival. All money raised will support the work of Waterford Foodbank for those experiencing food poverty.
Workshops throughout the city and county’s libraries will help educate children on how to reduce waste at Christmas time and for those looking for a more environmentally friendly way to experience Winterval, be sure to check out the Jingle Bell Cycle organised with Waterford City and County Council’s Active Travel team.
While the nature of the festival means families are its main demographic, this year Winterval is aiming to capitalise on the citywide buzz it generates and cater for everybody – even the “anti-Santys”, laughs Darmody.
This is manifesting itself in The Big Top Live, a 1,200 capacity tent that will be erected in the city centre for the last two weeks of the festival. Huge names are on the bill including Gavin James, Mick Flannery, Stereo MCs and EMF.
“Integrating the family offering with Waterford’s rich musical and nightlife scene is the right step,” Darmody says.
Indeed, the beauty of Winterval is that there is something for everyone – and far too much for just one visit. With 60 different events on top of the markets, lights and fairground – half of which are free – “there is probably even too much for one weekend,” Darmody warns. The magic of Christmas over and over? See you in Waterford.
Winterval is delivered by Waterford City and County Council with support from sponsors and the Waterford business community. For further details on Winterval in Waterford, running on key dates from November 15th to December 23rd see winterval.ie