City is simply having a Winterval Christmas time

The final week of the inaugural 24-day Winterval festival in Waterford is under way, with thousands of visitors expected as the city goes into full festive mode.

Already the festival has proved hugely popular, with many of the trail events and attractions free of charge and aimed at families.

The Winterval market will be open every day this week, where festival-goers can stay warm with a hot drink and put in some last-minute shopping.

A highlight of the festival has been the free 3D Light and Sound show which is projected onto the front of the Old Deanery from 5pm.

The Animal Farm located on Coal St, just off the city’s quayside, is a hive of activity, with attractions including deer, llamas, calves, ducks, miniature ponies, and more.

Festival-goers can also enjoy the Helter Skelter Santa slide, the giant Snow Globe located beside the Bishop’s Palace, the Toy Museum at the large room in City Hall, the Yule Viking Christmas at Greyfriars, which features a village of feisty but friendly Vikings, the Polish Christmas where children can make and decorate gingerbread men, free storytelling sessions at Reginald’s Tower, and craft workshops with the Workhouse Studios on The Mall.

Meanwhile, the Bishop’s Palace is offering an opportunity to step back in time and to see how people celebrated the festive season in Georgian times.

A Georgian Christmas features tours, with guides giving an insight into how Christmas was celebrated in the 18th century.

This Thursday, Dec 20, the Bealtaine Choir will perform carols on the grand stairs in the palace’s entrance hall.

The 40ft Viking Longboat that sailed Santa Claus up the River Suir to open the Winterval Festival is now on display by Reginald’s Tower.

Winterval festival-goers will have the opportunity to meet the craftsmen who built the longboat on Saturday, Dec 22, from 11am to 6pm at Reginald’s Tower.