Cork trending as key Christmas destination for 2024

The festive season is well and truly underway, and nothing says Christmas like twinkling lights, hand-crafted gifts, and mulled wine.

Christmas markets have become increasingly popular with people of all ages in recent years.

There was a time when you had to hop on a plane to Munich or Vienna for a market experience to remember, but new attractions closer to home have earned Cork a place among the top Christmas destinations around the world.

Recent research from the travel insurance company InsureandGo revealed that Cork was in the top three trending cities for Christmas markets in 2024.

According to the data, there’s been a 108% increase in searches for Christmas markets in Cork, compared with 2023.

It ranks closely behind Tokyo (116%) and Sydney (223%).

The spike in interest comes as a number of high-profile Christmas experiences launch in the city, such as Corkmas, which is run by Cork City Council, and Winterlee, taking place at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Cork’s proximity to major European cities makes it the ideal destination for a festive break without the large crowds of bigger cities.

“Cork is a very attractive city break destination, and it comes as no surprise that it is cited as one of the best cities for Christmas visitors. 

"Cork is easily accessible from some of the biggest cities in the UK and Europe, with daily flights from the likes of London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Bristol and Amsterdam,” says Barry Holland, Communications Manager at Cork Airport.

“With large-scale Christmas events such as Corkmas, the city is well positioned as a Christmas city break destination to consumers in the UK and Europe.”

Corkmas 

Corkmas kicked off earlier this month with a Christmas Parade in the city centre and will run until the end of December.

On Emmett Place, there will be a Santa Experience and Christmas Market selling food and crafts, open Friday to Sunday.

The iconic Ferris wheel and SOLAS light installation will be on Grand Parade from this Friday.

“It’s bigger and better than last year, it’s exciting,” says Shane O’Sullivan, Digital and Marketing Manager at Cork City Council.

“We have the Christmas market in Emmett Place, and there’s over 20 traders, with treats and trinkets, jewellery, food, beverages and hot chocolates.”

Cork City Council has worked closely with Cork Chamber and Cork Business Association, and one of the goals of Corkmas is to bring more footfall into the city.

“I make a conscious effort now to support local more, and that is the key message throughout the campaign,” says Shane.

“We’re asking people to come into the city and have lunch here, enjoy the Santa experience and the market. There’s a lot to offer.”

Cork retailers are being encouraged to join in the festivities and add some sparkle to the streets, with a Christmas window display competition running over the festive period.

Cork libraries have asked children to draw their favourite Corkmas scene or colour in a famous Cork landmark, 23 winners have been chosen and will feature in bus shelters across the city over the festive period.

For those hoping to come into the city but avoid the traffic, the Black Ash Park and Ride will be operating from the Kinsale Road, and information and opening and closing times are available on the Corkmas website.

While Cork may be smaller than other popular city break destinations, its compact size gives it an advantage when it comes to hosting Christmas markets and events.

A walkable city is ideal for visitors and locals to get the most out of their experience.

“Cork is unique in its topography, it’s easy to navigate around,” says Shane.

“From the Ferris wheel and SOLAS on Grand Parade, you can just walk up to the Christmas market. Then you could shop on Pana, or go up to MacCurtain Street.”

Cork Airport has seen a growing trend of UK travellers hopping on a flight to Cork for a day trip.

The city’s proximity to the airport makes it the ideal spot for a quick visit to sample local cuisine, enjoy the cultural offerings, and pick up some unique Irish gifts.

“With multiple flights daily from London and Manchester, we have noted a growing trend of passengers taking day trips to Cork city, where passengers fly to Cork in the morning and return later in the evening,” says Mr Holland.

Festive events 

There are festive events happening throughout Cork.

Cork City Council has made a digital map available on its website, which includes Winterlee, events at local libraries, musical performances, carol concerts, art exhibitions, and local festivities in areas such as Blarney, Douglas and Blackpool.

“There are 80 events happening across the city, and we’ve created a digital map for parents to plan out their festive experience. There’s free events, and naturally paid for events,” says Shane O’Sullivan.

One major new addition to the Leeside festive scene is Winterlee at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

It promises to be a “captivating winter wonderland” with a Christmas market featuring wooden chalets offering festive food and drinks, craft stalls, a funfair, and Alpine Skate Trail.

The organisers have made parking available at the Live At The Marquee site, and this can be pre-booked online. Winterlee is open now and runs until January 19.

Nano Nagle Place will host Christmas Markets on two weekends, December 14 and 15 and December 21 and 22.

There will be an array of crafts made by local artists and designers.

Throughout December, they are hosting a number of events including their Cork City Book Fair, decoration competitions, a Children’s Christmas Trail and a performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

The weather is never guaranteed in Cork, but Marina Market has quite literally got things covered.

The popular indoor hub is hosting its third annual festive experience, with a Christmas Village that includes markets, music and activities from Friday.

They are offering a twist on the classic Santa experience with Saving Santa, an escape room where children have to rescue Santa when his sleigh breaks down.

Over 40 minutes, they help the elves to fix the sleigh, wrap presents, and solve festive puzzles.

Once they’ve saved Santa, they get to meet the man himself.

Also new this year is Marina Market On Ice, where kids and adults can work up an appetite with ice skating before checking out the range of food stalls available.

For those looking to go off the beaten track, a number of markets and events are happening around Cork.

Glanmire will host an indoor craft market in St Joseph’s Church Hall on Sunday, December 8. Entry and parking are free, and there will be 18 vendors selling locally made gifts and crafts. There will also be a raffle in aid of Glanmire Community First Responders.

A short train journey from the city centre will take you to Midleton, where a Jingle & Mingle event is taking place on December 6 and 7.

There will be late night shopping on the Friday, special offers and prize draws, performances by local choirs, festive workshops such as wreath making and cupcake decorating, and Santa’s grand arrival on Saturday morning.

As Corkonians, we are fortunate enough to have all this on our doorstep.

There’s only a few shopping weeks left until Christmas, and it’s more important than ever to shop and support local. Whether you live around the corner or a flight away, if you’re looking for a convenient and accessible destination for Christmas magic without the crowds, Cork is just the ticket

See www.corkcity.ie/en/a-cork-christmas-celebration