Mount Congreve and Tramore's Japanese Gardens prepare for festive season 

Waterford’s Mount Congreve Gardens and Tramore’s Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens are in the process of preparing their festive offerings, with an array of trails, workshops and lighting spectacles taking place.

At Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, the Enchanted Garden Winter Lights returns for its ninth year, where tens of thousands of lights will cover the stunning Japanese Gardens transforming it into a magical winter wonderland.

The gardens will be lit by a sea of twinkling lights, animal sculptures, dramatic tree and foliage lighting, all creating an extraordinary atmosphere filled with old world charm.

Visitors can follow a dedicated one-way system around the gardens and are met at every turn by magnificent light displays, fuelling the imagination of all who visit.

There will be an opportunity to meet live winter characters on your walk and for 2024 a new section, the Tree Spirit Path, will open up for the first time. 

Families and friends can stop by the open fire and enjoy hot chocolate or Gluhwein. Hidden fairy doors light up for this special event and a selection of carefully chosen classical and enchanting music will fill the air.

The event is suited to all age groups, young children, couples, friends and extended family groups.

Visitors come from all over Ireland annually to view the spectacle, with this year’s iteration open from the end of November to the end of December, 4.30pm to 7.30pm four nights per week, with extended week days during Christmas Week.

Meanwhile, at Mount Congreve, their extensive Christmas programme features festive lights, workshops, trails and more.

This is a wonderful time of year to explore the woodland gardens with one of their resident gardeners, as well as to get some top tips on yuletide foliage and natural materials that can form part of your Christmas décor.

The gardens will turn on their lights on November 23, offering guests mulled wine alongside music from jazz singer Maria Hymas.

Also at the gardens, guests can enjoy a hand-on festive wreath-making workshop. In this two-hour workshop you’ll explore the woodland gardens with one of the garden team who will share top tips for picking yuletide foliage and natural materials, before making your festive creation.

Also featured will be a festive candle-making workshop and a Christmas calligraphy workshop.

Guests can also experience some old-world charm with festive afternoon tea in the restored Tack Room, or embark on the Magical Elf Garden Trail.

Meanwhile, the featured artists for this year’s Winter Exhibition will be announced this month.