Christmas calendar: Locations and times of Cork's markets and events
The iconic Ferris Wheel and vintage carousel will once again take pride of place on Grand Parade from November 28.
While it might be hard to believe that it's that time of the year again, Christmas in Cork is about to kick off.
Another year of festive celebrations will see a whole host of activities and events take place across the city this winter.
Ice skating, Christmas markets, craft fairs, light shows, candlelight concerts and party cruises — there's truly something for everyone this year.
Here is a breakdown of the Christmas events and activities to mark on your calendar this November and December.
Corkmas, Cork city’s annual Christmas celebration, will return this year from November 14 to December 31.
Festive lights, sounds and flavours will fill the city, from the Corkmas parade and bustling Christmas markets to the Santa Experience and the return of the iconic Ferris Wheel on Grand Parade.
Returning for its second year, the Corkmas parade will feature dazzling floats, marching bands, performers, and a very special visit from Santa Claus, marking the traditional switching on of Cork’s Christmas lights on Friday, November 14, from 7pm to 8pm.
The Christmas Market and Santa Experience at Emmett Place will open this festive season from Thursday to Sunday from November 21 through December, offering festive food and handmade gifts.
The iconic Ferris Wheel and vintage carousel will once again take pride of place on Grand Parade from November 28.
Since its inception in 2019 by Follow Fox Events, Wonderlights has transformed its host venues into landscapes of impressive lighting displays and immersive projections. ​
Last year, Wonderlights was brought down south and will return to Fota House with a brand-new show, Fota by Night, from November 6.
Fota by Night will celebrate the natural beauty of Fota’s gardens after dark by bringing visitors into a realm of light and wonder, featuring a striking wildlife installation with golden sculptures of animals that once roamed Fota, including rabbits, foxes, deer, squirrels, and brown bears.
​Wonderlights at Fota House will open from Thursday, November 6, and tickets are available to book here.
ON ICE will once again offer classic indoor ice-skating sessions and themed events at the Marina Market this winter.
Whether you're a first-time skater or confident on the ice, people are invited to experience the buzzing atmosphere of the skating rink, which will open from November 7 to December 24 and reopen from December 26 to January 4.
Click here for tickets.
Popscene Christmas Party Cruise and Cork Harbour Cruises are joining forces once again this festive season to deliver a Christmas party night with a difference.
The Popscene Christmas Party Cruise returns for its third consecutive year on Saturday, November 28.
The event will see Cork Harbour Cruises’ vessel, An Carrig Aonair, set sail on a 2.5-hour festive party cruise through Cork’s historic harbour, soundtracked by the biggest 80s and 90s throwback anthems by Popscene’s resident DJ Pat D.
Tickets, priced at €65, also include a post-cruise transfer to Popscene on Oliver Plunkett Street and free entry into the venue.
Tickets are available here and corporate or group bookings can be made by emailing xmas@popscene.ie.
Iceskating.ie will bring Cork’s Alpine skate trail to Tedcastles Yard on Centre Park Road this year.
People of all ages are invited to glide across the ice and soak up the festive atmosphere, with penguin skate aids for beginners and a thrilling trail for seasoned skaters.
The Alpine Skate Trail will open from Friday, November 7 to Sunday, November 21, and tickets are available here.Â
This festive season, Candlelight, the globally acclaimed series of live concerts presented by Fever, will transform UCC’s Aula Maxima with thousands of flickering candles.
The unique experience features classic Christmas carols and timeless festive melodies, performed by a talented local string quartet.
Some of the Candlelight Concerts taking place in Cork over the festive season include Hans Zimmer’s Best Works; Tribute to ABBA; Tribute to Queen; Tribute to Leonard Cohen; Tribute to Taylor Swift; Tribute to Coldplay; Christmas Classics and Christmas Movie Soundtracks.
These are ticketed events and tickets are available here.Â
The Marina Market is anticipating its busiest Christmas ever, with a series of pop-up Christmas markets featuring new and old vendors from November 22 to December 31.
Festive stalls, local food, live music, and family-friendly activities will take place at the Marina Market on the weekends of November 22 and 23, November 28 to 30, December 5 to 7, December 12 to 14 and December 17 to 23.
Running from November 22 to December 23 at the Marina Market, The Big Freeze transforms the Marina Market into a snow-dusted, Scandinavian-inspired winter wonderland where families can wander through icy forests, glowing tunnels, and a snow village before visiting Santa in his log cabin.
The Christmas lights in Douglas Community Park will be switched on by Irish writer and Douglas resident Gareth O’Callaghan on Sunday, December 7.
Santa will also be making the rounds, and local groups will perform carols throughout the day. Food stalls will be serving lunch and brunch from 12pm and artisan sellers will be offering handmade crafts, crepes, and hot drinks on the day.
The Glucksman’s annual craft and design fair will offer people an opportunity to buy and give sustainable Irish gifts this Christmas, with more than 50 craft makers and designers from all over the country participating in this year's event.
The fair will take place across the Gluckman’s three gallery floors, including a dedicated display showcasing six emerging makers, from Friday, November 7 to Sunday, November 9.
No booking is required, and entry costs €8 or €5 with an event flyer.
The Blarney Christmas Fair 2025 at Scoil Mhuire gan Smál in Blarney will offer a range of stalls featuring textiles, wooden crafts, jewellery, paintings, candles, and skincare.
Whether you're looking for the perfect gift or to indulge yourself, there’s something for everyone.
The fair will take place on Sunday, November 30 from 10am to 4pm.
Entry to the fair is free and no booking is required.
The Giving Thanks Christmas Market at St Anne’s Church is a community event and fundraiser held beneath the iconic Shandon Bells in Cork city.
The market is dedicated to showcasing the talent of artists and makers in the Shandon area, offering unique and high-quality gifts for the festive season.
The market will take place on Saturday, November 22, from 11am to 5pm.
The Ballymaloe Craft Fair will feature more than 200 Irish craft and design exhibitors and artisans over two weekends.
A diverse range of unique, handmade Christmas gifts, decorations, and a delicious line-up of food and drink offerings will take over the Ballymaloe Grainstore on the weekends of November 14, 15 and 16 and November 21, 22 and 23.
The fair is a ticketed event and tickets are available here.Â
The holiday spirit will be well and truly alive at Nano Nagle Place for its annual Christmas markets on December 6, 7, 13 and 14.
A selection of handmade gifts, decorations, and unique items from local makers and crafters will be on offer at the markets, celebrating creativity and community.
The markets will take place over two weekends, December 6 and 7 and December 13 and 14, from 11am to 4pm each day. Entry is free.
The Sample Studios Christmas Art Trail will take place in Fitzgerald's Park on Mardyke Walk on Thursday, December 4.
The event will begin at 5pm at Fitzgerald’s Park with the opening reception of Black Gives Way to Blue, a solo exhibition by visual artist Ava Hayes.
Tea, coffee, and hot chocolate will be served alongside festive snacks, before leaving for Triskel Arts Centre at 6.30pm, where Sample-Studios will present the opening reception of First Contact, a solo exhibition by Conor O’Brien.
The event is free and no booking is required.
The Christmas makers market at Benchspace at the Marina Commercial Park will allow visitors to shop from the community of small businesses based out of Benchspace.
People will get an insight into how they work, and have the opportunity to support local businesses and buy unique handmade gifts.
The makers market will take place on Friday, December 12 (4pm to 9pm) and Saturday, December 13 (11am to 7pm).
Entry is free and no booking is required.
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