From 1pm starting at Dooley’s Hotel there will be a Christmas parade featuring the King and Queen of Winterval, minions, snowmen and lots more Christmas surprises. Throughout the day, they’ll make their way through Winterval and will be accompanied by Christmas characters and music to really bring the Christmas cheer to Waterford on Winterval’s last day. You never know where they might pop up so keep your eyes peeled.
The parade will make its way to Cathedral and Palace Squares for a little after 7pm and the parade characters will end their busy day at 7.30pm on the steps of the Deanery building where there will be snow and performances for the ultimate Christmas experience.
The grand finale has a whole host of other great events lined up to suit all ages and tastes. The WLR stage has a brilliant festive line-up planned to close the festival. WIT Alumni will take to the stage at 6.30pm and the last show of the amazing Waterford Illuminates, a firm favourite throughout the festival will close Winterval at 7.30pm.
Although Winterval is finished on Saturday, there’s still loads going on in Waterford. Santa’s Kingdom will be open until 2pm on Christmas Eve so the kids can visit Santa before he heads back to the North Pole. The Giant Snow Globe at George’s Court will be open until Sunday also, for the last chance to get some amazing family photos. Winterval on Ice will be open until the 14th of January. The Waterford Eye will still brighten up the Waterford sky line until the 7th and the Golden Gallopers will operate until the 7th so there will still be that little bit of Christmas magic in the new year!
For the last few days of Winterval, tickets can be purchased through the Winterval app which can be downloaded for both Android and iOS and can filter through all events, from free to ticketed. There’s also handy guides for food and drink and all the best places to stay in Waterford. Just search for ‘Winterval Waterford’ in the app store to download and make the most of the Winterval experience.
Here are 3 festive favourite must-dos before Winterval ends:
1. Santa’s Kingdom
Location: Old Sorting Office, Custom House Quay PRICE: €16.50 per child accompanied by up to two adults €5.00 for each additional adult. DATES & TIMES: Check winterval.ie. Booking essential.
Santa’s Kingdom this year is a beautifully restored building with a cosy fireplace for that true Christmassy feeling every child loves. While the kids wait to meet the man himself there’s loads to do, including a huge range of arts and crafts, lego and even snow!
2. The Giant Snow Globe at George’s Court
Location: St. George’s Court Shopping Centre PRICE: €12 includes a souvenir photo. DATES & TIMES: St. George’s Court opening times
For the ultimate Christmas experience visit the Giant Snow Globe. The Snow Globe is the perfect place to create amazing family memories, and to get the all-important Christmas family photo.
3. Story Telling at Reginald’s Tower
Location: Reginald’s Tower PRICE: Free DATES & TIMES: 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm all week
The iconic Reginald’s Tower in the heart of the Viking Triangle is the perfect place to enjoy a festive Christmas tale with a little bit of Waterford history thrown in. Brilliant for adults and kids alike to get into the Christmas spirit.
Other highlights from the festival include Winterval on Ice, the Winterval Express Train, WAMA collecting Santa’s Letters at The Apple Market, The Helter Skelter and many more. Booking tickets in advance so days can be spent exploring this interactive medieval city as it celebrates this most wonderful time of the year is highly recommended.
Tickets can be purchased through the Winterval app too which can be downloaded for both Android and iOS and can filter through all events, from free to ticketed. There’s also handy guides for food and drink and all the best places to stay in Waterford. Just search for ‘Winterval Waterford’ in the app store to download and make the most of the Winterval experience.
This Saturday, 23rd December, Winterval will wrap up with WIT Alumni will taking to the WLR stage at 6.30pm, before the amazing Waterford Illuminates closes Winterval at 7.30pm.
In the run up to Christmas, Winterval is open every day this week.
