Yulefest Kilkenny kicks off this Saturday with Santa's arrival to the city

Yulefest, Christmas in Kilkenny is finally here! Join Santa as he arrives to Kilkenny to officially launch Yulefest Kilkenny 2024 on Saturday, November 30!

Keeping with tradition Santa will travel by boat down the River Nore, before taking a trip around the city and finishing up at Kilkenny Castle. Finally, he will join Cathaoirleach Councillor Michael McCarthy, Mayor Andrew McGuinness, and Castlecomer’s super musician Enya Cox on The Parade for the switching on of the Christmas Tree Lights!

Old and young are encouraged to come out and welcome Santa to town! Enjoy live music, the Yulefest Christmas Market and
maybe even get a picture with the big man himself! The festivities will begin on Canal Square at 2pm and Santa will turn on the lights on The Parade between 4.30pm and 5pm. 

The Mobile Sensory Hub will also be present at this year’s Yulefest Launch on November 30 and finale Saturday on December 21. This will a calm and safe sensory space for those who need it. Slots are 25 minutes and booking is required. Book via the yulefestkilkenny.ie website or by contacting Premier Sensory Solutions directly on 086 033 0319 or emailing info@premiersensory.ie. 

Yulefest Kilkenny showcases all the fantastic festive activities taking place throughout Kilkenny while hosting the Yulefest Christmas Market, Live Music Stage, Storytime with Mrs Claus and Art Workshops each weekend! Festive Fridays with the Battle of the Buskers, carnival rides, late night shopping and more plus special events throughout the month including the new Yulefest Christmas Trail!

Yulefest Christmas Trail: An interactive family friendly trail around Kilkenny city, taking in the city’s Christmas Lights, Christmas Trees and historical areas while ‘reindeer spotting’, answering questions and solving puzzles. A magical way to spend an evening with the family in the beautiful medieval city of Kilkenny this festive season! The trail is a self-guided free
activity, participants simply need to pick up a map in shops throughout Kilkenny or at Yulefest HQ (where?) Then submit their answers for a chance to win weekly prizes!

Yulefest Kilkenny Battle of the Buskers in association with KCLR96fm: This December Yulefest are bringing live entertainment to the streets of Kilkenny! If you are an individual musician or a group enter now to win €500. Twelve artists will be selected to perform acoustically on the streets of Kilkenny on Friday nights in December. The overall winner gets the €500, together with recording time in studio and airplay on KCLR.
To enter – send a voice clip via WhatsApp to 083 306 9696 or email your entry to busking@kclr96fm.com. This is an initiative of Kilkenny’s Night Time Economy Scheme, Kilkenny County Council and Yulefest Kilkenny in association with KCLR96fm. The public are invited to come enjoy the music every Friday evening on the streets of Kilkenny.

The Yulefest programme of events has something for everyone. Including Santa experiences, markets around the county, music concerts, art workshops and lots more!  Whether you're looking for a festive staycation or family fun-activities, Yulefest
Kilkenny has something for you. With great shopping and food as standard come and celebrate Christmas in Kilkenny with Yulefest! Find out more at yulefestkilkenny.ie

More events to look forward to…

Yulefest Craft Workshops: Where you and your family can make beautiful Christmas decorations and gifts using local, traditional, and organic materials. Through these workshops, you’ll learn to craft stunning holiday pieces that add a personal, handmade touch to your festivities. Whether you’re crafting personalized gifts or festive home décor, these workshops are a
perfect opportunity to bond with family and indulge in the warmth and creativity of the holiday spirit.

Mrs Claus’ Storytime: Join Mrs Claus and her elves for story time in the Yulefest Yurt! Gather and hear a magical tale. After the reading you can meet Mrs Claus and her elves and take a photo! Each day of the Yulefest Market, starting from December 1.

The National Reptile Zoo Pop-up Workshops with the 12 Scéals of Hiss’mas: Join The National Reptile Zoo for a journey through the festive season around the world – told through the lens of the reptiles, amphibians and insects that live there! An interactive learning experience featuring new animals each week, with activities for everyone!
These weekly workshops will take place every Friday throughout Yulefest in the Yulefest Yurt.
on The Parade. Each workshop will include 3 animal encounters, stories of winter
celebrations from the places the animals come from and a ‘Hiss’Mass’ game/activity. An
engaging and unique event for children and families each Friday in December. Book tickets
now at yulefestkilkenny.ie
Santa Truck: Santa & Mrs Claus will be arriving to Kilkenny in style on December 8th.
Watch the lit-up Santa truck drive past or join us at its final stop on The Parade, beside the
Yulefest Christmas Market, where Children will be able to come aboard the truck and see
Santa’s Grotto.
On the night Santa’s helpers will be taking donations for the LauraLynn Hospice or you can
donate online through their idonate page. Come out and say hello at this unique Christmas
experience!
Yulefest Live Music Stage at the Yulefest Yurt: Be entertained every weekend with music,
dancing and family entertainment with free live local performances on the Yulefest Live
Music Stage in the new Yulefest Yurt! There is something for everybody as the varied
programme showcases local and upcoming talent. Featuring performances from Code of
Behaviour, Raindogs, Lady Desart Choir, The Presidents, Burnchurch, Comhaltas Craobh
Osraí and Alize’s School of Singing plus lots more…
Taking place every Saturday and Sunday, alongside the Yulefest Christmas Market, on The
Parade in Kilkenny city! Beginning November 30 th . Performances are at 12noon, 2pm and
4pm with special performances each Saturday at 6pm to accompany the late-night market.
Fiery Festive Finale on Saturday 21 st December, with street entertainment and Pyro
Collective Fireshow in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle. An Energetic, raw and a spectacular
sight to behold! Ticket announcement coming soon…