Waterford, Nov 17th to Dec 23rd 2018
It’s that time of year again as Ireland’s largest Christmas Festival returns for 2018. Running from 17 November to 23 December, there are plenty of musical, creative and theatrical events happening throughout Waterford city, some of which we’ve mentioned below.
For full listing of events please go to http://winterval.ie/events
Winterval Launch
JR Square, Saturday 17 Nov 4:15pm, Lights on 5pm.
Santa will arrive in JR Square, Waterford city on the 17th November, accompanied by Kirsten Mate Maher Waterford Rose 2018, the International Rose of Tralee, to celebrate the start of Winterval and to help the Mayor turn on the city’s lights. WLR FM will be on hand to broadcast the event live, and there’ll be music provided by the wonderful Brass & Co.
Waterford Music Presents
Large Room, City Hall, Nov 17th and Dec 17th at 7:30pm
Price: €20
Tickets available at door.
Two very special concerts with Waterford Music.
Nov 17th: Irish Chamber Orchestra; Jörg Widmann, Conductor, Katherine Spencer, clarinet.
Dec 17th: Solstice Week Stars; Tara Erraught, mezza-soprano, Dearbhla Collins, piano.
Polish Christmas
Georges Court Shopping Centre, Winterval dates. Sat, 1 – 6pm; Sun, 12 – 6pm; Mon-Fri, 3pm – 6pm
The Polish Community in Waterford invites you to the unique venue for their delightful arts and crafts, and gingerbread man making workshops. Come along and sample the unique tastes and smells of a Polish Christmas, with Waterford’s Polish community. Admire Christmas decorations, knits, jewellery, handbags, scarves, toys, beeswax candles, hand-painted glass, ceramics, Christmas cards, beautiful wall art and many more handcrafted by local Polish artists and craftspeople.
There’ll also be very traditional crafts to buy, or take part in the arts & crafts or gingerbread making workshops.
Bake your own Gingerbread Biscuits workshop – €10 pp
Make your own Christmas Cards workshop – €6 pp
To avoid disappointment pre-book your space at the very busy workshops by calling Bart at 085 755 7855. Workshops run every hour on the hour.
Cartamundi Giving Tree
Georges Court Shopping Centre, during opening hours 17 Nov to 24 Dec
Make your own Christmas decorations for the Cartamundi Giving Tree and bring it along to Georges Court Shopping Centre to hang on the tree. For every decoration, Cartamundi will donate a toy or game to the St Vincent de Paul.
Event sponsored by Cartamundi.
Christmas Cinema Club
The Reg, Every Sat & Sun from 23rd Nov 2pm & 4pm
Price: Free
Rated: PG
Enjoy “Home Alone”, the classic Christmas movie in the Reg over Winterval. admission is free and there’ll be a tuck shop on site for all your cinema treats.
Christmas Card and Decoration Making Workshop
Would you like to learn how to make your own Christmas cards and decorations using origami techniques? Ayuko Moriya will lead two fantastic workshops at Garter Lane Arts Centre on Saturday 24 November at 1:30pm and 3:30pm.
Suitable for 15+
Price per workshop: €12.50
Four great workshops will take place over four successive Saturdays during Winterval, where you can learn various new craft skills, all of which can be put to good use this Christmas! All materials supplied.
Garter Lane Christmas Craft Fair
Garter Lane Arts Centre, Sat 24 Nov to 23 Dec, Mon to Sat 10am to 5:30pm, Sun 12pm to 5:30pm
Everything you need to complete your Christmas shopping is all under one roof in this, the 35th year of the Southeast’s longest running Christmas Craft Fair.
House of Waterford Crystal Music Series
Christmas Lunchtime Recital Series
Waterford Crystal, every Saturday & Sunday throughout Winterval from Nov 24.
1.45pm & 2.45pm
Price: Free
Project Music and House of Waterford Crystal present their free lunchtime Christmas recital series, featuring some of Waterford’s stunning musical talent. Musicians such as Valerie Leahy, Dominic McGorian, Marian Ingoldsby and Gerry Kane will perform, as well as so many more. No need to book, just drop in and enjoy.
Evening Classical Music Soirees
Project Music and House of Waterford Crystal present three evenings of music in this prestigious venue, featuring musicians from Waterford and around the world. The opening Gala Concert features Sara Lee, international award winning pianist from South Korea, with the other nights involving local talent such as Valerie Leahy and Marion Ingoldsby.
Enquiries and reservations can be made at the House of Waterford Crystal Reception desk or emailing pmmtickets@mail.com.
Christmas Library Events
Various Waterford Libraries, 26th Nov to 18th Dec
Workshops, book clubs, Christmas carols and story time!
Price: Free
For information on events and times click here.
Spraoi’s Winter Wonderland
Wyse Park, Nov 30th to Dec 2nd, Dec 7th to 9th, 14th to 16th, 21st to 23rd.
5pm to 8pm
Spraoi’s Winter Wonderland at Wyse Park offers an enchanting family attraction at Winterval this Christmas. That Special magic for which Sproai are renowned will be on display with that usual large-scale effect, along with music, lights, sound and spectacle all transforming the city centre park into a Christmas wonderland. journey through time as you wend your way through the Manor St gates in Waterford’s historic city walls, and be transported to a magical land.
Igloo Stage
Constitution Square, See social media and the Winterval app for updates on performances and times.
Price: Free
The special stage on Constitution Sq will feature the best of musical and choral talent from Waterford and beyond over the Winterval dates.
12 Days of Winterval
Nov 30th, Dec 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.
As a tribute to the much loved Christmas song, 12 days
From spoken word to string quartets and brass bands, and from street theatre to ceili’s and drumming, there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy.
Rotary Tree
John Robert’s Square, during Winterval dates.
Waterford Rotary Club Memorial Christmas Tree Appeal is in support of Waterford Hospice. Visit the tree and purchase a special memorial bow to raise funds for Waterford Hospice. And every Saturday during Winterval, from Dec 1st, there will be festive musical performances around the tree.
Willow Weaving
Garter Lane Arts Centre, Dec 1st at 2pm
Price €12.50
Suitable for ages 15+
Produce a lovely willow platter for your Christmas table using willow and other festive materials. Led by Cathy Hayden, local craftswoman.
Handel’s Messiah
St. John’s Church, Dec 2nd at 7.30pm
Price: €20
Booking: http://www.theatreroyal.ie
Early booking is advised.
Performed by the City od Dublin Chamber Orchestra and the Notable Works Chorus, with musical director Kevin O’Carroll, Handel’s Messiah is now one of the best-known and most loved choral works in the world. Notable Works is a Waterford choral initiative to afford audiences the opportunity to enjoy the great choral works.
Christmas Tree Festival At Christchurch
Christ Church Cathedral, Fri 7th Dec 12-7pm, Sat 8th Dec 11-7pm, Sun 9th Dec 2-6pm, Mon 10th Dec to Thurs 13th Dec 12.30-6pm, Fri 14th Dec 12-7pm and Sat 15th Dec 11-6pm.
Price: Adults €2.50, children €1
Come and see all the wonderful Christmas tree creation made by local schools, charities, businesses or individuals. If you want to make your own Christmas tree, from 12inches to 12feet, using socks, stones, balloons, jumpers or junk, you can enter for free, forms available from Christchurch Cathedral or Waterford Chamber. All proceeds go to the upkeep of the Cathedral and a local charity.
Christmas Wreath Making
Garter Lane Arts Centre, Dec 8th at 2pm
Price: €12.50
Suitable for ages 15+
Make your own Christmas wreaths to decorate your home this Christmas season. Led by florist, Ray Jacques.
Winter Wonderbands
Applemarket, Constitution Sq. and John Robert’s Square, Dec 9th 1:30pm to 4pm
Price: free
Bands will compete across three areas of the city for the Waterford Business Group Wonderbands Perpetual Trophy. This event showcases regional bands, who will be judged on musical content, audience participation and entertainment value.
Jewellery Making Workshops
Garter Lane Arts Centre, Sat Dec 15th 1:30pm and 3:30pm
Jewellery Making Workshop with Clare Horgan at Garter Lane Arts Centre.
Price: €12.50 per workshop
To book click here.
For more info visit: www.garterlane.ie
Four great workshops will take place over four successive Saturday during Winterval, where you can learn various new craft skills, all of which can be put to good use this Christmas!
All materials supplied.
Suitable for 15+
All images and information taken from http://winterval.ie/
For booking and general enquiries:
Email info@winterval.ie
Message on Facebook
Call 051 511078