If all you can think about is Santa, Christmas decorations, and presents, then it is time to start booking your Christmas experiences.
With endless magical winter adventures taking place across Ireland, there are several options.
Enjoy the festive cheer on the Santa Express, winter wonderlands, and Santa’s grottos.
We've rounded up our favourite Christmas experiences in Ireland you need to do this winter.
Santa’s House Express presents: Journey through Santa’s Kingdom in Dublin
Set up in 2014, the Santa House Express has been welcoming families as part of their traditions for almost a decade now at the beautiful Palmerstown House Estate.
Where
Palmerstown House Estate, Johnstown, Kill, Co Kildare
Located just off exit 8 on the N7 and a 15-minute drive from Dublin, Santa’s House Express is the best place to visit Santa this Christmas 2022.
The experience begins when you are greeted by twinkling lights at the North gates of Palmerstown House Estate, before embarking on an adventure through Santa’s Kingdom.
This year the team is combining the best of both with their traditional and drive-thru experience.
You can drive around the 2km route, taking in the magical displays of Elftown, The Reindeer Stables, The Toy Factory and much more along the way.
For the second part of the experience, you will park the car & make your way up Candy Cane Lane to visit Santa in his Manor House.
For the final part of the experience, guests can spend some time at our outdoor ‘Winter Wonderland’ village around the Manor, where you will find the ever-popular family funfair, along with stalls with food & drinks.
5 funfair ride tokens per child are included in the ticket, and opportunities for photos.
When
Select dates between Friday 25th November - Thursday 23rd December
Tickets are on sale now at Santa House Express
Wonderlights presents: 'The Night Sky at Malahide Castle and Gardens
The incredibly popular Wonderlights is making its return to Dublin this Christmas with an incredible new theme announced.
The brand new show will open at Malahide Castle & Gardens from November 4, 2022 - January 3, 2023.
Wonderlights is introducing an incredible new show this year called Wonderlights presents: 'The Night Sky'.
Guests will embark on a sensory adventure to the Northern Lights.
The show will journey from the Irish Countryside, across the Northern Seas, through the Arctic Forests and discover the spectacular Northern Lights.
The experience continues with some fantastic scenes of ‘The Night Sky’ from Meteor Showers to the Cosmos.
An international team of talented creatives have curated this spectacular new show.
Significant investment in state of the art technologies and dazzling displays will ensure returning guests will be super impressed.
Wonderlights is an enchanting event for all ages.
Perfect for all the family, couples and groups of friends, attendees will enjoy stunning light displays and immersive projections for a sensory experience like no other.
The route is fully accessible to wheelchair users, and buggies / prams are welcome.
Tickets
Entry times are every 15 minutes from dusk on selected dates between the 4th of November 2022 and the 3rd of January 2023.
Tickets are priced from €16.50 for Children, Students and OAPs, €20.00 for Adults plus booking fees, with Infants under 2 years going free.
Tickets are on sale now at wonderlights.ie
Cork North Pole Experience - Christmas 2022
The Cork North Pole Outpost Experience is a fun and imaginative theatrical production bringing to life the real values of a good ol’ fashioned Cork Christmas.
The interactive and immersive theatrical experience last approximately 65 – 80 minutes, you will visit 4 different themed areas, including the toy building workshop and Mrs Claus Kitchen where they will decorate their own cookies.
Every year the experience has new characters and themes with loads of fun and interaction.
The experience is concluded with a private visit to Santa Claus in his woodland cabin where there will be a photographer on hand to take a photo of your family or group.
Ticket prices are below:
Child €27.50
Adult €18.00
Toddler €13.00
Baby with Present €9.00
Photo €14.00
Tickets are on sale now at https://northpolecork.com/book-your-tickets/
Santa Visits the Big Top 2022, Co. Carlow
This Christmas you can have an unforgettable journey on the Rathwood Express through the Enchanted Festive Forest to see Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their dazzling dancing elves .
Beneath the twinkling Christmas lights of Santa’s Big Red Top, you will be immersed within the most spectacular interactive show made for all the family.
This Christmas experience will have you bursting with festive spirit.
Once you arrive, the elves will keep you entertained in the waiting area until it’s time to board the Santa Train.
Once on the train you will be taken on a magical journey through the Enchanted Festive Forest where you will see Santa's reindeer,
First stop: the brand-new Big Top.
This year’s magical show is produced by Spotlight Productions (RTE Toy Show creators.)
You will meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and all the elves in a spectacular Christmas Musical Extravaganza themed around A Child’s Imagination at Christmas.
After the show, you will visit Santa's Toy Factory where each child will receive a present from Santa.
The Express Train will then drop you off at the Candy Cane Lane where you can take festive photos with your family.
Tickets: Child €23.95 - €26.95 | Baby (under 12 months) €12.95. - €16.95 | Adult €14.95 - €17.95
Booking fees apply.
Elf Town, Co. Galway
Elf Town is a 2 hour Christmas experience set over 3 different buildings with the magical journey itself set over 4 floors, where at the end, you and your family get a private visit with Santa who is the most realistic and authentic Santa you will find.
The children will be amazed when he knows a little secret about each child.
This year, every child will receive an Elf Town branded gift pack with an official invite from Santa to Elf Town addressed to the children, our unique Golden ticket and a map of Elf Town.
This will come by reindeer post from Santa himself before your booking date. All included with your ticket purchase.
Tickets: €32.95 per adult, €46.95 per child, and €9.95 for a baby
(Under 13 months at date of visit)
Find out more at: https://elftown.ie/
Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo
Wild Lights, the spectacular, night-time experience at Dublin Zoo, is back with an exciting brand new theme – The Magic of Life.
Wild Lights will take place from 28th October 2022 – 9th January 2023.
Following a magical journey through Dublin Zoo, guests will get the opportunity to see breath-taking lanterns showcasing some of the most fascinating plant and animal communities and ecosystems on our planet.
Admission to Wild Lights will be €23 for adults and €19 for children. Annual pass holders can avail of a special rate of €21 for adults and €17 for children.
Santa’s Enchanted Christmas, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
Take your little ones to Enniscorthy, Co Wexford this Christmas season and treat them to the ultimate magical adventure at Santa’s Enchanted Christmas Enniscorthy.
Check-in for your Enchanted Christmas experience at the New Santa HQ in the winter wonderland of the National 1798 Rebellion Centre.
Everything is being put in order to create a magic location with Santa and Mrs Claus busy wrapping gifts, baking biscuits and writing lists.
Tickets: From €12.00, with free parking, and fully wheelchair accessible.
There is an opportunity to snap your own seasonal pics or purchase a professional memento from the studio.
Visit the official website here for further information on the Santa's Enchanted Christmas.
Donegal’s Lapland, Co. Donegal – a live Christmas show
Families flock back to Donegal’s Lapland year after year for many reasons and have done so since 1999.
When the show starts the elves appear and explain the story of Christmas.
The show continues and Santa makes his entrance, coming down the chimney.
First stop is the toy factory where Santa will let each child chose their own present before you all head off to explore the rest of Santa’s Village.
Santa’s Village includes;
The stable with crib
Post office
Santa’s Sleigh
Santa’s Toy Store
Tickets
Child Ticket (aged 2 & over) = €16.50
Child Ticket (0 – 23 months) = €5.00
Adult Ticket = €16.50
Christmas at Tayto Park (Emerald Park), Co. Meath
The Christmas Experience at Tayto Park, soon to be Emerald Park is back and better than ever for 2022.
Go on a magical journey through Elf-land guided by Santa's head elf Jingles, who will introduce you to all the elves who are busily preparing for Christmas, leading you to Santa's House where Santa Claus himself will be waiting to meet you.
Pre-book online today, and guarantee your slot at the Christmas Experience. Tickets from €10.
https://taytopark.ie/events/the-christmas-experience-at-tayto-park-2022
Winter Wonderland at Westport House in Co. Mayo
This Christmas Westport House will transform their 18th-century coach house, and grounds into a beautiful, festive, magical atmosphere all complete with awe-inspiring decorations and snow.
The experience will run from November 19th - December 23rd 2022.
You can meet the Elves and visit Santa one-on-one in his Grotto in the snow-dusted wooded TinselTown.
Ride the Wonderland Express Train around Westport Estate and take in the decorations.
Hop off at stunning Westport House where you can meet Mrs Claus and be sure to take a family picture under the giant Christmas Tree.
Winter Wonderland - Child €35 per ticket
Winter Wonderland - Adult €15
Winter Wonderland - Infant €15
An infant is a baby from 1 - 2 years old. Babies under 1 go free.
Christmas Island Santa Hidden Valley Holiday Park | Wicklow
Families can book the Christmas Island experience as a day visit, or as an overnight stay.
Your Christmas Island Experience includes:
A journey on the North Pole Express train, a
dults and children make a Christmas ornament with the Elves
Elf Entertainment with Santa’s Head Elves
A Journey on Santa’s House Boat to Santa’s Grotto
Personal Santa Visit – children and infants receive a present
Christmas cinema room
Letters to Santa
Christmas Family Photo (extra fee) – this must be booked online at time of booking
Paint and Decorate your own Christmas Craft to take home (extra fee)
Winter Downhill Tubing – no snow required! (extra fee)
Christmas Carvery, Desserts, Drinks at The Lakehouse (extra fee)
Playgrounds
Games Room
November Dates: 25th, 26th & 27th
December Dates: Every Thursday to Sunday as well as December 22 & 23
Christmas Island Tickets:
€18.50 Adult
€26.00 Child
€10.00 Infant
