What’s On in Galway for Christmas 2025
🎄Things to do in Galway this Christmas 🎅
Ever since the arrival of the Continental Christmas Market in Eyre Square over 14 years ago, Galwegians have continued the tradition of transforming the city into a Christmas wonderland for the month of December. Christmas 2025 will be no different with the scale of the events being held expected to be bigger and better than ever before.
Here is a list of just some of the main attractions and activities to enjoy in Galway this festive season.
Galway Continental Christmas Market 🎡
7 November to 31 December 2025
The renowned Galway Continental Christmas Market will be running for an extended period in 2025 from 7 November to New Year’s Eve on 31st December 2025 and offers a range of festive delights in the heart of Galway City at Eyre Square.
Open from noon to 8pm, Monday to Wednesday, and 10am-10pm from Thursday to Sunday, the market offers more than 50 wooden chalets packed with European Christmas gifts, artisan food products, Santa’s Grotto, a 32 meter tall Big Wheel and a fairground carousel. Lively and fun, with performers, puppet shows, storytelling, live performances and carol singers, it attracted more than 600,000 visitors when last run.
More info +
Ice Skating in Galway ⛸
14 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Galway Skates is back for Christmas 2025 offering the wonderfully festive activity of ice-skating overlooking the Salthill Promenade and Galway Bay. Located at Leisureland, Salthill just 1 mile from Galway City, the ice rink is open from 14 November until 4 January. Suitable for kids from 4 years old it is a real Christmas treat for young and old. Treat your kids to the thrills and possibly spills of a genuine ice-skating experience on the 600m2 ice rink. For more see: www.irelandskates.ie
Elf Town 🧝♂️
21 November – 23 December 2025
Elf town offers a magical winter wonderland experience for all the family at Ballybrit Racecourse this Christmas. Visit Santa and meet Elfin Mc Grinchy to help him find his Christmas spirit and enjoy storytelling in the Christmas den. Other highlights include the elves disco with illuminated dance floor and a visit to icicles Frozen Sweet Shop made of real ice and sweets. Enjoy fun and games, and the Christmas carousel in the new Entertainment area. Mulled wine and a minced pie for grown-ups and candyfloss, popcorn, juice and hot chocolates for kids means there’s something for everyone. Elf Town is also wheelchair accessible. For more see: www.elftowngalway.com
Wildlands Winter Wonderland ⛄
14 November – 23 December 2025
Let your little ones go wild with excitement this Christmas at the Wildlands Winter Wonderland. Kids are invited to visit Baile Beag, a mini town decked out with all things festive. Here they can follow the elves and Mrs Claus around the various shops, posting their letters to the North Pole, helping a sick reindeer in the Reindeer Hospital, all before the all important visit to Santa who will invite them to choose a gift from the local toy store. You visit includes a takeaway hot chocolate with marshmallows and homemade cookie for each child and a mulled wine for the adults along with free access to the Fairy Trails, Playground & Junior Orienteering for the day. Wildlands Winter Wonderland usually runs on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from mid November and Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in December and also for additional days on Christmas week. For more see: www.wildlands.ie
Christmas Wonderland at Loughwell Farm Park ❄
December 2025
Visitors to Loughwell Farm Park this Christmas will experience a blizzard of festive cheer as they step into our Barn Yard Theatre which will be transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland for Santa, the elves and his magic balloon clown to feel at home. For children, there will be face painting, animal balloon making from the clown, letter writing to Santa and a magical trip through the miniature working Christmas village. As it is the season to be jolly, there will be mulled wine and mince pies for adults too. Located on the Spiddal Road from Moycullen. For more see: www.loughwellfarmpark.ie
Christmas Magic at Brigit’s Garden 🧝♀️
December 2025
This year, celebrate the true spirit of Christmas at Brigit’s Garden with an emphasis on light, love, and warmth during this dark season, and have some family fun as well. Each youngster receives a tiny wooden Christmas decoration to color at home as part of a cheery holly treasure hunt around the award-winning Celtic Gardens. On Christmas Eve, each family will get a special candle to light. You can hang your personal Christmas wishes or mementos of loved ones on our festively illuminated Christmas Wish Tree in the Hazel Room. Watch out for any impromptu Christmas carollers, too! Located just off the N59 at Roscahill between Oughterard and Moycullen. For more see: www.brigitsgarden.ie
Visit Santa’s Cabin at Galway Christmas Market 🎅
14 November – 22 December 2025 (weekends)
What better way to top off a visit to the Christmas Market than making a visit to the man in red and his elves in their very own Christmas cabin. Open on weekends during the Christmas Market, you can awaken the magic of Christmas in your little ones where they’ll also receive an age appropriate gift and take magical lasting memories home from their big day out. Your ticket includes craic with Santa’s Chief elf, a visit with Santa, and a present. Booking in advance advised. For booking and more click here.
Christmas Day Swim for Cope 🏊♀️
25 December 2025
The Christmas Day Swim (or super quick dip for most of us!) is a long running tradition for the people of Galway. Over the years it has grown into an enormously popular event, especially for those who are home for the festive period or visiting the city during the holidays. Held on Christmas morning from 10am to 1pm at Blackrock beach and diving tower in Salthill, the Christmas Day Swim helps support local charity COPE who provide invaluable services to the homeless, victims of domestic abuse and the elderly. Registration is €10 for one person or €30 for the family or donate what you can on the day. Brave the cold so others don’t have to this Christmas. For more see: www.copegalway.ie
Festive Markets throughout Galway 🎁
November – December 2025
embrace the holiday season with Galway’s diverse array of Christmas markets and fairs! From the enchanting Galway Christmas Market in Eyre Square to the community-centered fairs in Clifden, Kinvara, Oughterard, and beyond, there’s a festive event for everyone. Each market offers something unique—whether it’s handmade crafts, artisan foods, live music, or special visits from Santa. Browse one-of-a-kind gifts, enjoy festive treats, and immerse yourself in the warmth and joy of Christmas throughout Galway. More info +
Light Up Galway 🌟
14 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
The streets of Galway will be transformed into a winter wonderland again this Christmas. From Eyre Square down to the Spanish Arch and beyond will feature large, glittering light installations and dramatic light projections on prominent city buildings making the city glow like never before. More info +Loughrea Icebreakers Christmas Day Swim 🏊♂️
25 December 2025
Grit your teeth and take a leap into the crystal-clear waters of Loughrea Lake on Christmas morning at 11.30am at Long Point, Lough Rea. Join dozens of other fun-loving people and feel revitalised like never before by starting off Christmas Day with a wonderful act of generosity. All funds raised support the activities of CASA Loughrea who organise monthly social afternoons for people with disabilities from all over county Galway. For more click here.
New Year’s Eve Festive Family Féile 2025 ✨
31st December 2025
Galway’s New Year’s Eve Family Festive Féile is expected to return on December 31st (tbc), bringing warmth and joy to the heart of the city as it prepares to welcome 2026. From 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Cross Street and the grounds of St. Nicholas Collegiate Church will burst into life with music, street performers, and fun for all ages. A magical family-friendly countdown at 8:00 pm will see the church’s iconic bells ring out for younger revellers. Part of Galway City Council’s Night-Time Economy initiative, the Féile promises a safe, inclusive celebration filled with culture, flavour, and festive cheer. More info +Connacht Rugby Matches 🏉
December 2025
What better way to catch up with your fiends before hitting the cosy pubs of Galway City than heading up to Dexcom Park to see a great game of Rugby. Connacht usually have 2 or 3 crunch matches over the Christmas period. For more see: www.connachtrugby.ie
Live Music Gigs in Galway this Christmas 🎶
December 2025 / January 2026
Get ready for a cracking Christmas line-up! The live music scene heats up in December, kicking off with Ash’s ‘Ad Astra Tour’ at Róisín Dubh on the 7th. Damien Dempsey brings his powerful presence to Leisureland on the 13th. The momentum continues on the 18th with Kean Kavanagh at Róisín Dubh. The 19th offers a fantastic double bill: catch the legendary Aslan at Monroe’s, or opt for the soulful voice of Mary Coughlan at the Black Box. A brilliant mix of rock, folk, and indie to celebrate the season! For listings of more great live gigs in Galway this Christmas and new year click here.
For a list of all events in Galway this Christmas see the Galway Events Calendar section. If you are visiting Galway on a shopping break see our Christmas shopping guide to Galway.
Christmas in Galway FAQs
Is Galway a good place to visit at Christmas?
What’s on in Galway at Christmas?
- The Christmas market
- The Christmas lights
- Festive drinks in cosy pubs
- The Panto at the Town Hall Theatre
- Christmas movies at the Cinema
- Christmas Day swim in Salthill
What is typically open between Christmas and New Year in Galway?
Below is a summary of what’s typically open in Galway between Christmas and New Year (especially December 29–31).
Christmas Market & Festive Attractions
The Galway Christmas Market in Eyre Square usually runs until early January, so it should still be open. Expect the big wheel, carousel, food stalls, and lights to be active during that week.
Cinemas
Galway’s main cinemas — Eye Cinema (Wellpark), Omniplex (Salthill), and IMC (Headford Road) — usually stay open throughout the holiday period, sometimes with slightly reduced schedules.
Museums & Galleries
The Galway City Museum is typically open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm, and closes only on Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day. It’s likely open again from December 27 onwards.
Smaller galleries may reopen after St Stephen’s Day but could have shorter hours.
Theatres & Live Shows
Venues such as the Town Hall Theatre and Taibhdhearc often host Christmas shows, pantomimes, and concerts during this week. Booking in advance is advised, as these performances can sell out.
Shops & Shopping Centres
Most shops in Galway reopen on December 27 and operate with near-normal hours from the 29th to 31st.
Larger centres like Corrib and Eyre Square are open daily, though they may close a bit earlier than usual. Independent shops sometimes take a few extra days off.
Day Trips & Outdoor Activities
Some tour operators still run excursions to Connemara, the Cliffs of Moher, or the Burren, though on a reduced schedule.
Boat trips to the Aran Islands are weather-dependent and limited at this time of year.
Coastal walks, the Salthill Promenade, and nearby scenic drives are all accessible year-round.
Where can I bring the kids to visit Santa in Galway this Christmas?
- Santa’s Grotto at Galway Christmas Market
- Santa at Wildlands Winter Wonderland
- Santa at Turoe Pet Farm
- Santa at Loughwell Farm Park
See here for more places to visit Santa in Galway this Christmas
What’s open in Galway on Christmas Day?
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