Waterford is gearing up for a spectacular Christmas as Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Liam Brazil, unveils the programme for Winterval 2026.
Now in its 14th year, Ireland’s Christmas festival will bring weekends of festive entertainment to the city from November 13th to December 23rd, with headline gigs, Christmas markets, magical family experiences and seasonal celebrations designed to attract visitors from near and far.
With almost half of its events available free of charge, Winterval offers something for every age and budget, from family adventures and cultural experiences to major live music and nights out.
The festival has become a major fixture on Ireland’s Christmas calendar, showcasing Waterford at its most festive while giving visitors plenty of reasons to explore the city, support local businesses and make a Christmas break of it.
The programme is now unveiled ahead of the festival’s return on November 13th 2026. Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr Liam Brazil, says: “Winterval is one of the great highlights of the year for Waterford, bringing people together and creating an incredible atmosphere throughout the city. Now in its 14th year, the festival continues to offer more experiences and more reasons for people to visit over the Christmas season.
“Almost half of Winterval’s events are free, making the festival accessible to as many people as possible. It is also an important opportunity for our local businesses, from hotels and restaurants to retailers, cafés and tourism attractions. By encouraging people to visit, stay overnight, shop locally and enjoy our hospitality, Winterval makes a valuable contribution to the local economy. I would encourage everyone to explore the programme and experience the special atmosphere the festival brings to Waterford.”
Winterval Director Trevor Darmody says the festival’s appeal extends well beyond its family attractions, with a strong programme of nighttime entertainment giving adults plenty of reasons to visit.
“Winterval is very much a festival for everyone. While the magic of Christmas will always be at its heart, we have a fantastic programme for adults as well as children. The Hive is a major addition to the festival’s entertainment offering, with Bob Geldof and The Boomtown Rats, The High Kings and Mad Ferritt, Ireland’s original Oasis tribute act, among the headline acts. With more acts still to be announced, there is a real opportunity to combine a day exploring Waterford with a great night of live music.
“We are particularly proud that almost half of our events are free. Whether you are bringing the family, meeting friends for a gig, planning a couples’ getaway or simply looking for a festive day out, there is something to suit everyone. We want people to come to Waterford, stay a little longer and discover everything the city has to offer at Christmas.”
The new Hive venue will host The High Kings on December 18, Bob Geldof and The Boomtown Rats on December 19, and Mad Ferritt on December 20, along with ‘A very K-Pop Christmas’ and more. The concerts add a major live music dimension to the festival and strengthen Waterford’s appeal as an evening and weekend destination.
Families can look forward to the return of Santa’s Magical Grotto beneath the Medieval Museum, where children can meet Santa in the atmospheric 12th-century undercrofts. Winterval On Ice, the fairground, festive trails, the Winterval Mini Express Train and spectacular light displays will add to the seasonal atmosphere, while the Christmas markets bring artisan gifts, food and festive treats into the heart of the city.
New additions to the 2026 programme include the Paint Your Own Pottery Christmas Ornaments workshop and the Bishop’s Palace Calligraphy Workshop, offering visitors the chance to create something special for the season. The new Santa Truck Community Celebration is a free event, while local historian Julian Walton will explore Waterford’s Christmas traditions in The Christmas Family – An Evening With Julian Walton.
The wider programme includes the Polish Christmas Village, Victorian Christmas at the Bishop’s Palace, the Winterval Circus and the Children’s Christmas Trail, alongside seasonal theatre productions including Sleeping Beauty at Theatre Royal Waterford and Snow White at SETU Arena. Together, the events celebrate the city’s heritage, creativity and community spirit while offering visitors plenty to discover throughout the festival.
With its medieval streets, independent shops, restaurants, hotels and cultural attractions, Waterford offers plenty to explore beyond the festival itself. Winterval provides a platform to showcase the city to audiences from across Ireland and further afield, supporting local businesses while encouraging visitors to return throughout the Christmas season. Winterval 2026 takes place on selected dates from November 13 to December 23.
For the full programme, event details, tickets and visitor information, see www.winterval.ie
