Midleton to be transformed into Christmas wonderland for Jingle and Mingle event

The focus is turning to the festive season, and that includes shopping for those all-important gifts.

Each year, many more of us are shopping online, with the ease of a click, meaning you can do it all from the comfort of your armchair without having to leave your home.

But one thing is for sure, if you do that, you are missing out on the opportunity to indulge your senses in the festive atmosphere of an Irish town or city at Christmas.

Few things are more special than spending a day strolling around your local town, festooned with lights and decorations, supporting local businesses, buying your Christmas gifts, or even stopping off in your favourite restaurant or café or pub to relax and unwind.

One such place that turns itself into a winter wonderland each year is the East Cork town of Midleton.

Throughout the year, it is a large, thriving market town that serves a wide hinterland of surrounding towns and villages, stretching east towards Youghal and north to Fermoy, as well as serving the harbour towns and villages including Aghada, Whitegate and Cobh.

From early December, Midleton is transformed, with an impressive array of lights and numerous Christmas props placed all around the town, from polar bears, elves, a giant nutcracker, Santa’s train, a large Christmas Tree, to brightly painted reindeer.

Each year, the reindeer are treated to a new colourful coat of paint in contrasting bright colours, painted by various local schools.

Anyone who visits the town, either by car, bus or the regular trains, will notice the cheerful characters.

Midleton has been long regarded as a great town for foodies, with a great tradition of restaurants, as well as a fabulous choice of shops including clothing, giftware, jewellery, electronics and flower retailers.

With a choice of lots of free parking just a short walk from Main Street, you can easily access the many shops and cafés around the town.

After the devastating effects of the flooding caused by Storm Babet in October, 2023, businesses in Midleton have been working hard together with Midleton Chamber and Cork County Council on ensuring the Flood Relief Scheme can be delivered in a timely schedule, so that the town is always open for business to serve the people.

There have been some successes in tackling the effects of flooding over the past year, which include the implementation of interim flood relief measures and the announcement of schemes such as flood barriers, so business owners have every reason to remain positive.

In the wake of the flooding, one of the stand-out successes back in December, 2023, was the very first Jingle & Mingle event, and so, this year, the local Midleton and Area Chamber of Commerce have again teamed up with local retailers to bring you Jingle & Mingle 2024.

It will take place over two days this week - on Friday, December 6, and Saturday, December 7.

Come to town on those days and be entertained by the young boys and girls from six local national school choirs, performing Christmas carols at various locations.

On Saturday, three adult choirs will be heard around the town with their festive songs, and the RedFM Roadshow with Colm O’Sullivan will be on Main Street broadcasting from PTSB between 1-4pm, with lots of giveaways in their Spin The Wheel competition.

Earlier on Saturday, Santa will be arriving at the Farmers’ Market, and in the afternoon there will be lots for kids to do with face painting and Lego workshops.

Participating retailers will be open late on Friday, with discount offers throughout the weekend. Additionally, the Shop Local campaign operated by the Midleton Chamber allows anyone buying at one of participating retailers to enter a weekly draw with great prizes of vouchers to be used in local stores. The final draw takes place after Christmas with a first prize of €500.

So, if you are looking for something to do or a place to be, or even if you need to get those Christmas presents, why not come and spend some time in Midleton this weekend? You won’t be disappointed with the choice of shops and the great value, as well as the sheer joy of soaking up the festive atmosphere.

Check out our Instagram pages #thisismidleton and #midletonchamber for more updates.