Take a look at what’s happening in Kilkenny before Christmas!
Yulefest, Kilkenny’s Christmas Festival offers a packed programme of Christmas activities for visitors across the city and county right up until Christmas Eve!
Pick up the perfects gifts at the Yulefest Market, open again this weekend from 10am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday and from Tuesday 20th until Friday 23rd with live music and family-friendly street entertainment, and drop in to the MADE in Kilkenny Christmas Pop-Up on John Street to buy local handmade craft this Christmas with the wonderful collection of designers from MADE in Kilkenny. Head out of the city to Ballyhale for the Mountain View Markets open each Sunday and to Callan for a Christmas market on Sunday 18th.
Enjoy free live music at the Yulefest Bandstand each day of the Market with performances at 12pm, 1.15pm, 3pm and 4pm. On Friday evenings head to the Watergate Urban Park to enjoy great music and a fun atmosphere with our resident DJs Se7ev Inch Collective who will be on hand to get you in the festive party mood. Get together with your friends and head into your favourite Parliament St. eatery, grab a pizza, and bring it with you. There will be a crêpe van onsite too for something sweet or savoury! DJ Beats is the perfect way to start your Friday nights in the City!
Pop in to the Pembroke Hotel to view a stunning exhibition of iconic hurling and camogie photographs, these images are beautifully framed and would make a very special gift for any sporting fan. Take a selfie and show your support at Amber Stars for Yulefest. The LOVE star installation from Amber’s One Million Stars project is back for Yulefest 2022. Now a staple in Kilkenny at Christmas time, this meaningful art installation is on view this Christmas alongside the Amber Star in Castle Yard. Head from Castle Yard to Butler House & Gardens to experience the magical Christmas Garden.
There’s another few performances of The Elves & the Shoemakers at Padmore & Barnes, a short and very sweet story about a Christmas gift based on one of the very few traditional fairy tales with a Christmas theme. Watergate Theatre and Set Theatre have amazing gigs and events taking place right up to Christmas, check their websites to see the full listings.
On Wednesday 14th the Medieval Mile Museum will host a special Christmas concert at the museum. MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre presents an outdoor movie night on Thursday 15th with the iconic Christmas feel-good movie Elf on the big screen. Remember this is an outdoor event so wrap up warm and bring chairs, cushions, blankets and treats for a magical night of cinema in the city. Rothe House will host a customer evening on the 15th where you can enjoy discounts and choose the perfect gift from the Merchant Shop’s range of work by Irish producers and makers.
James Stephens Barracks open their doors on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th for a Walking Tour that will include a visit to the Barracks museum, the old Detention Barracks, and the Officer’s Mess where there will be a viewing of Christmas 1914, recorded in the barracks in 2018. This visit will step back in time and recollect stories of soldiers and Christmas by reconnecting with our military heritage and history through items and events that are connected with the Barracks.
Explore the county and enjoy all that Kilkenny has to offer from beautiful crafts at the Castlecomer Craft Yard to the old world charm of Callan to Santa’s Reindeer Trail in Woodstock. Christmas in Kilkenny extends throughout the county and there’s lots for you to see and enjoy when you get out and explore your place.
It’s also a great time to visit your local library with Christmas Storytime in Castlecomer on Thursday 15th, Urlingford on Friday 16th, Graiguenamanagh on Tuesday 20th and Thomastown on Thursday 22nd December. There’s still time to visit Santa and the Elves at Nore Valley Christmas Experience at MacDonagh Junction, Winter Wonderland at Market Cross and have Lunch with Santa at the Clubhouse!
Yulefest Kilkenny is programmed, produced and marketed by Kilkenny County Council. Visit YulefestKilkenny.ie
