Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Christmas Parade

To kick off Winterval in Waterford for its biggest year yet, this Friday (November 18th) opens the festivities with Ireland’s first Christmas Parade. It starts at 5.15 p.m. from the Clock Tower and will travel up through Barronstrand Street and John Roberts Square, continuing through Broad Street and finishing at the top of Michael Street. 

Parade Map

The parade will feature highlights of the festival, including the Gerbola Circus, City of Waterford Brass, the cast of Waterford Panto’s “Jack & The Beanstalk”, the new Winterval Mini Express Train, and visitors from the North Pole, including some of the big man’s naughtiest elves, Mrs. Claus and of course, the main man, Santa Claus.

When the parade arrives at the main stage, Santa will then officially open the festival, alongside the Mayor of Waterford, Cllr. John O’Leary, and illuminate Winterval by turning on the Christmas lights in the city.

What to look out for!

The magic and entertainment will then burst into action with the opening of the City Fairground and Winterval on Ice, the first Christmas Circus show at 6.30 p.m. on New Street, the first Winterval Illuminates light shows in its new location of Arundel Square from 7 p.m., and the main stage at the Winterval Food & Craft Market on O’Connell Street plays until 10 p.m. For grown ups, the entertainment will then continue into the small hours across Waterford’s busy bars and restaurants right around the city. Don’t miss the fun and festivities. Ho ho ho…

For more information, see Launch Event | Winterval 2022.