Winterval 2024 defrosting... already!
Elves ‘Glitter’ Aoife Daly and ‘Sparkles’ Anna Keanneally waking up Santa Claus in the 12th century medieval undercrofts in Waterford City. Photo: Patrick Browne
The Winterval elves are busy getting prepared for the biggest Christmas festival in Europe, and they want everybody in the Déise to know about it.
This year will see the 12th outing of Winterval, the massively popular Christmas extravaganza that takes over Waterford from mid-November until Christmas Day.
Waterford was crowned European City of Christmas 2024, after the huge success of Winterval last year.
While we here at the Waterford News & Star try to observe Spooky Season first (especially the Hill at Halloween), the elves could not be ignored, bartered or reasoned with.
More events have yet to be announced, but already the festival schedule has something for everyone. Festival Directors John Grubb and Trevor Darmody have created a thrilling line-up that will delight attendees and capture the spirit of the Yuletide.
They've made their arrangements with Santa so that on Friday, November 15, the big man himself will be in Waterford City to switch on the Christmas lights with a little help from Mayor of Waterford City and County Council Jason Murphy.
Afterwards, Santa will take up his post at the brand new Winterval Grotto in the 12th Century medieval undercrofts in Waterford City. Santa will be at the Grotto to welcome visitors until December 23, when he has to go back to the North Pole for some pressing business.
The Winterval Ice Rink, Fair Ground on the Quayside and the Winterval Illuminates Lightshow will also be returning this year.
Australian comedy troupe Dummies Corp will be performing their unhinged slapstick comedy throughout the festival. The group are bringing their show 'Trash Test Dummies' to Garter Lane for audiences of all ages.
The show opens at Garter Lane on Friday, November 15, and will run for six weekends, finishing on Sunday, December 22. The show time pattern would be one show on Fridays at 7pm, and two shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30pm and 4:30pm.
To find out more about events and tickets go to winterval.ie. Tickets to Santa’s Grotto at Winterval went on sale from Wednesday, September 4.
