Winterval 2024: lightshows, parades, elves and reindeers
The Winterval Parade will officially launch Waterford as European City of Christmas this Saturday, November 16.
Winterval 2024 is set to launch this Friday, November 15, after months of build-up, organising and fine-tuning.
Excitement is at fever pitch, as the Déise becomes a winter wonderland for the 12th outing of the festival.
The pressure is on after last year's mammoth success, which saw Waterford secure the title of European Capital for Christmas 2024.
This Friday, November 15, Santa Claus will be stopping by Waterford City to officially launch the Winterval festival, with a little help from the Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy.
At 6pm, Santa himself will be on Broad Street to switch on the Christmas lights.
On Saturday, November 16, the Winterval Parade will take place in the City, with a ceremony to officially declare the European City of Christmas title.
The parade will feature some of the main attractions of the festival, such as acts from The Trash Test Dummies, the cast of Waterford Panto, and the delightful Waterford Viking Elves, 'old world' choristers, the Winterval Mini Express Train, visitors from the North Pole, Monster Trucks, Nutcracker Brass Band, fire performers, some of the big man's naughtiest elves and even Mrs Claus herself.
One of this year's hotly anticipated features is the 'Gateway to Brno'- a live portal that will connect Waterford to the Czech city of Brno, a fellow European City of Christmas. The portal opening will take place at noon on Sunday, November 17, in the Apple Market.
10-year-old Adam King, of Late Late Toy Show fame, launched his first book 'Farron's Adventure' at The Book Centre on Saturday, November 9.
The talented young man was at The Book Centre to share his tale of the cheeky Viking elf Farron and his Christmas adventure in Waterford.
All proceeds from the book go to the voluntary charity 'Junior for Juniors', who provide care and solace to children in the paediatric wards of University Hospital Waterford.
At the launch, Adam said: "I’m delighted to launch my first book and help the charity. I remember one time I hurt my leg and I was in the hospital, while I was waiting a lady brought in blocks that I could use to make houses and they were really fun and they took my mind off of maybe having to get surgery."
Co-directors of Winterval, John Grubb and Trevor Darmody, have promised "some wonderful and quirky events, held in some of our incredible and unique historic spaces" during the festive spectacular.
"This year’s programme is fun-filled and light-hearted offering escapism and joy for all ages. We were especially conscious of the socialisers amongst us, who perhaps don’t have a requirement for Santa, so we have added lots of new elements to attract those audiences to the festival more and more too."
They continued: "It is the first year of the celebration of our European title and while that has certainly added some pressure on us at Winterval to deliver more, it was a task that we relished; we took a look at what was happening at other festivals globally but also at what our beautiful ancient city could offer and we have come up with a programme that brings the two together."
