Cork city gets a festive glow-up once again this year as Corkmas, a Cork City Council initiative, lights up the county capital. With a brand-new immersive light experience set in Emmet Place, start your festive season with a bang. Watch the lights of the city below as you take a ride on the Ferris Wheel or hop on for a spin around the carousel.

Cork city; November 18 - January 7.

Nano Nagle Place on Douglas Street in Cork hosts many markets throughout the year, but their craft-based Christmas market provides a unique opportunity to browse the best Cork creators have to offer and pick up some fantastic gifts. Peruse the outdoor stalls with a hot drink, stay for a live gig or talk, take the kids on a treasure trail and grab a bite to eat across two weekends in December.

Nano Nagle Place, Cork; December 2-3 and 9-10.

The bustling year-round Milk Market in Limerick is the oldest of its kind in the country. On December 3, they'll be hosting a special Christmas Art Fair featuring over 30 stalls of local art. But whenever you visit throughout the season, there will be the market’s usual selection of local crafts, produce and baked goods for sale, as well as vintage clothes and antique jewellery in the permanent shops around its edges.

The Milk Market, Limerick; December 3.

You'll find a balance of parades, delicious dining and other fun at Christmas in Killarney, a festival taking place at different venues in Killarney town through the festive season. The final two Thursdays of November, you can 'Dine in Killarney' at participating restaurants and enjoy a festive three-course menu for €35. Bring the kids to meet Santa at Deenagh Lodge in Killarney National Park, or head out and wonder at the big Christmas parade that runs through town every Saturday evening over the course of the festival.

Killarney, Co Kerry; November 25 - December 22.

Join the whopping quarter of a million people expected to visit the Galway Christmas Market in Galway’s Eyre Square this year. Peruse wooden chalets stocked up with everything from local crafts to treats like fresh crêpes, pretzels, bratwurst and mulled wine. Soak in some live music, delight in the giant Ferris Wheel and grab a brew at the German Bierkeller. Santa will also be seeing visitors – and he might just have a gift for you.

Eyre Square, Galway, November 10 - January 7.

Christmas festivities in Cavan kick off with the Christmas Cottage Market running down Town Hall Street the first weekend of December. Shop from Cavan's best artisan food, crafts and art at 50 stalls lining the street, and take little ones to explore Santa’s Reindeer Headquarters. 

Town Hall Street, Cavan; December 2-3.

The Slieve Russell Hotel once again plays host to Cavan’s Christmas Craft and Gift Fair on December 3. The ideal activity for a windy, rainy December day, this whole fair is held indoors in the cosy surrounds of the Woodford and Erne Suites in the hotel. Featuring around 60 vendors, there’ll be everything from quirky greeting cards and scented soaps to needlepoint quilts and more, ideal for those looking for artisanal Christmas gifts.

Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan; December 3.

For Christmas fun in Westmeath, head to Winterfest Mullingar on the weekends of December 8-10 and 15-17. There's an indoor Christmas market on Mount Street with 40 stalls of gifts, hand-crafted ornaments and sweet treats. Little ones can meet St Nick at Santa's Grotto, or on December 9 and 10, hop aboard the Santa Express that will take them all the way to Longford and back. 

Caffrey’s Marquee, Mount Street, Mullingar, Co Westmeath; December 8-10, 15-17.

Explore over 50 stalls at the Strokestown Christmas Market in Roscommon, where you can pick up candles, knitted scarves and ornaments, as well as homemade cupcakes and vegan treats to keep you going. Enjoy live music, street theatre, and a carol service, or pop by with the kids for an outdoor Christmas movie. You might even catch an appearance from Santa and Mrs Claus turning the Christmas lights on.

Strokestown, Co Roscommon; December 15-16.

Kick off your festive season in a medieval city with Yulefest Kilkenny. Gear up in your Christmas best for the Medieval Mile Run, or take things easy at the Christmas market set against the inviting backdrop of Kilkenny Castle, where you can pick up everything from home baked treats to affordable art. Santa makes his big arrival for the little ones on November 25.

Kilkenny City, Co Kilkenny; November 25 - December 23.

Over 100 wooden chalets make up the spectacular continental Christmas market at Waterford Winterval, which are laid out along the spine of the city’s medieval centre. Expect live music and performances across the city all festival long, with 20 free events scheduled. There’s also a nod to the heritage of the city with Déise Medieval, a recreation of a Viking settlement with actors who bring the spirit of a historical Christmas to life.

Various venues, Waterford; November 17 - December 23.

The grand Wicklow Christmas Market will be decked out with over 40 chalet vendors selling artisan woodcrafts and handmade ornaments every weekend until Christmas. Grab a bite to eat, whether you fancy a freshly griddled bratwurst or a chocolate cupcake. Take in fire shows, stilt walkers, and live music, bring the kids aboard the Santa Express train or head to the Eco Alpine Skate Trail for an environmentally friendly skate session.

Leitrim Place, The Murrough, Co Wicklow; weekends from November 18 to December 17.

Dublin 8 is known for its makers, creators and small businesses, and this year their wares will be shown in the Stillgarden Christmas Market at the Stillgarden Distillery in Inchicore. Browse the market’s stalls of artists, jewellers and other designers for creative Christmas gifts, grab a veggie snack or delicious dessert at one of the food trucks, and sip on specialty cocktails and mulled drinks with a Stillgarden twist.

Stillgarden Distillery, Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8; December 9-10.

Billed as the biggest craft and design fair in Ireland, Gifted is back again for another year with over 400 independent retailers and 100 artisan food producers. Browse organic beauty products and vintage pieces in the sustainability section, or stop by one of the specialty pet supplies vendors for a gift for your furry friend.

RDS Main Arena, Merrion Rd, Dublin 4; December 6 - 10.

For this year's Christmas at the Castle, Dublin Castle will be once again transformed into a winter market to rival the best on offer across Europe. The big change from last year? The market is now unticketed, so you can wander up at a time that suits you and take part in all the cheer. Shop from over 25 traditional alpine market stalls featuring an array of decorative crafts and inspiring gifts, sip on mulled wine and hot cocoa and take the kids for a spin on the vintage carousel.

Dublin Castle, Dublin 2; December 6 - 19.