Waterford winter festival opens on Friday

Ottoline Spearman

Waterford's winter festival Winterval opened on Friday, with the city's Christmas lights being switched on.

Ireland's largest Christmas festival is now in its 13th year, with over 60 different events and attractions planned across Waterford this Christmas.

Waterford, the European City of Christmas, has 50 events on offer, including the Winterval Christmas Market, and over 100 food, craft and drinks producers and creators.

Winterval spans from Michael Street to George’s Street to Hanover Street and onto O’Connell Street and Gladstone Street, and includes John Robert’s Square, Arundel Square and Cathedral Square and Garter Lane.

Over 40 local makers will be at Garter Lane Gallery selling jewellery, art, candles, ceramics, soaps and lotions, leatherware, knittedwear, wood turned gifts and more.

Winterval will run on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from November 21st to December 23rd, 2025.