Together for Christmas in Limerick with a host of Christmas Crackers and old favourites returning

Limerick has always had a magical atmosphere at Christmas time and this year is going to be bigger and better than ever! Being together with friends and family is part of the Christmas tradition. Meeting up with old friends, gathering with family on Christmas Day makes the period special, and there’s no better place to be together than Limerick.

Limerick’s Christmas stocking is full to the brim with a range of Christmas Crackers and the return of some old favourites, that just make Christmas in Limerick the place to be this season for young and old.

To help you get to experience all the Christmas in Limerick events a special festive digital guide has been produced by the Marketing & Communications Department of Limerick City and County Council letting you know where and when all the events taking place across Limerick during this festive period.

It is available on Limerick.ie/Christmas.

Here’s a roundup of some of the Christmas crackers you won’t want to miss this festive season!

Get the Festive Feeling at the Christmas Village
10am – 10pm | Fri 25 – Sun 27 Nov • Thu – Sun 01 – 18 Dec • Mon 19 – Thu 22 Dec

Arthur’s Quay Park is Christmas central this year! Gather with family and friends at the Christmas Village and enjoy vintage amusements and carnival games, strap on your skates and take to the ice, or wrap your hands around a delicious hot chocolate and simply soak up the festive spirit!

Food lovers can feast on everything from German Bratwurst, traditional crepes, mini doughnuts and other tempting treats! For those who fancy a tasty tipple, the traditional Bier Keller is just the spot to toast the season and enjoy a pre-party get together before a night on the tiles in Limerick city centre!

Get Your Skates on
10am – 10pm | Fri 25 Nov – Sun 08 Jan

Limerick on Ice is back and is one of the only cities in the country to have a festive ice rink. Located in the Christmas Village, why not experience the magic of real ice at one of Limerick’s most celebrated Christmas attractions. Whether you're a seasoned skater or a complete beginner, this is the ultimate winter fun activity for all to enjoy!

Happy Days at the Christmas Tree Maze
10am-6pm | Sat & Sun 26 Nov – 18 Dec

Prepare to be a-mazed at this new free family festive fun experience! Little ones and the young at heart are invited to wander through the magical Christmas Tree Maze, discover all its secrets and make it through to the other side!

A Christmas Tale at the Castle
5.30pm, 6.30pm, 7.30pm | Sat 26 Nov – Wed 21 Dec

This is the first Christmas that King John’s Castle is in the ownership pf the Council-owned Discover Limerick company, and it’s hosting ‘A Christmas Tale at the Castle’.

Spend an enchanted evening at King John’s Castle this Christmas as the medieval walls come to life with colourful illuminations in an immersive 3D audio visual festive animation show.

It is a Christmas tale for all the family to enjoy with 24 performances running from 26 November - 18 December.

Limerick Festive Fair
12pm – 8pm (Mon – Fri) • 10am – 8pm (Sat & Sun) | Fri 25 Nov – Thu 22 Dec

Bedford Row and Thomas Street will be a hive of activity with a host of artisan traders selling handmade crafts, Christmas gifts and sumptuous seasonal treats at the Limerick Festive Fair.

Each weekend, carolers, choirs and bands will take to the stage to provide musical merriment, sure to get shoppers into the Christmas spirit!

Get Crafty this Christmas
Workshops: Fri 09 – Sun 11 Dec & Fri 16 Dec | Parade: Sun 18 Dec

Nothing says Christmas like twinkling lights on winter nights! Join Lumen Street Theatre for a fun-filled festive workshop to make your very own magical lantern before coming together for the Parade of Lanterns to show off your colourful crafty creations!

Returning favourites include:

Enjoy the delicious buzz of Christmas at Limerick Milk Market with a range of themed markets, handmade crafts and gifts, seasonal foods, local fashion and festive fun set to take place throughout December!

Santa Claus (and his helpers) is coming to town and you can see him in at Santa’s Magical Cabin in the Jetland Shopping Centre, or at his Grotto in the Castle Oaks in Castleconnell, enjoying his Festive Funland in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lough Gur Santa Experience, Stonehall Farm in Kilcornan and the People’s Museum.

A day at the races has fast become a seasonal tradition in the Irish sporting calendar. The Limerick Christmas Racing Festival from Monday 26 to Thursday 29 December is the ideal place to continue the festive celebrations in style with excellent racing action and plenty of entertainment off track!

Join family and friends for an evening of festive fun at the Treaty City Brewery Night Fair in Limerick's Medieval Quarter on Friday 09 and Friday 16 December. With Christmas gift ideas from local artisan producers and craft-makers, tasty treats to tempt the tastebuds and Treaty City brews on tap, it’s a sure-fire way to get everyone in the festive mood!

The wonderful and festive Christmas lights in the city centre are now lighting adding to the magical feeling that only the city centre can create during the festive season.

All Limerick’s Christmas Street lights are 100 per cent LED, which means they use the least amount of electricity. The times the lights will be on have been reduced, taking into account the current energy situation, but rest assured, you will be able to enjoy the lights during your shopping trip or night out with friends or family.

Commenting on the upcoming season, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Francis Foley said: “Christmas is such a wonderful time of year, and it is magical in Limerick, with the lights turned on, the atmosphere is truly memorable.”

“There is something for everyone in Limerick this year with more events than ever before I’m confident they will entice even more people to visit Limerick City Centre as families and friends get together, and enjoy the Christmas festive offering.”

“Christmas is a time to take stock and I’m urging everyone across Limerick city and county to come out in force, shop local and support our businesses.”

Donn O’Sullivan, Head of Marketing & Communications with Limerick City and County Council said: “Christmas is going to be an exciting time in Limerick again this year. People coming together to enjoy what the city and county has to offer is at the core of this year’s programme. There is so much to see and do this year that there is something there for everyone to be excited about.”

Eileen Coleman, Head of Tourism and Festivals & Events at Limerick City and County Council said: “We are delighted to welcome Christmas in Limerick 2022 as we emerge from the Covid pandemic of the past two years. While we are still in challenging times, Christmas is still a special time of the year for families and friends to celebrate together.”

“In Limerick we are endeavouring to ensure that the season is celebrated with plenty of activity in Limerick that will create a festive atmosphere and enjoyable experience. Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas in Limerick.”

Getting to Limerick this festive season has never been easier! Christmas shoppers and visitors to Limerick can avail of more than 8,000 on and off street car parking spaces, 40 km of dedicated cycle lanes and over 30 bus routes serving the city, county and region.

  • Park & Stride - FREE parking in Council Car Park behind Merchant’s Quay.
  • Access is via Nicholas Street – it is open Saturdays & Sundays from 26 Nov - 18 Dec from 9am - 10pm and on Christmas Eve from 9am - 6pm
  • City Centre On-Street Parking - Over 3,000 on-street parking spaces in Limerick City- Parking is from 50c per half hour (Monday to Saturday)
  • FREE after 5.30pm daily and always FREE on Sundays
  • In Abbeyfeale, Kilmallock and Newcastle West - First hour FREE between 9.30am – 5.30pm as usual - Additional 2 hours FREE on-street parking from 2.30pm daily 03 Dec – 31 Dec. Parking is always FREE on Sundays

Check out the digital guide for all the events taking place across Limerick during this festive period on Limerick.ie/Christmas.

Download the Digital Guide here or keep up to date with everything Christmas in Limerick by logging on to Limerick.ie/Christmas and follow us on:

Instagram: @ChristmasInLimerick

Facebook: ChristmasInLimerick

Twitter: @XmasLimerick

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