A feast of family fun planned for this Christmas
A Christmas festival for Carlow is on the cards!
MOVE over potholes and enterprise grants, this winter Carlow County Council is organising a month of festive fun for the county. – Festival of Glow will run from 29 November to 24 December, and will involve a programme of family entertainment, festive markets, live performances, comedy, creative experiences and community celebrations across the county.
Designed to bring together families, businesses, and communities, will offer something special for everyone during the festive season. As cathaoirleach Ken Murnane, put it: “ captures the true spirit of Christmas in Carlow – a time to come together, to celebrate and to share in the joy of the season.”
Chief executive of the council, Coilín O’Reilly, said the accessible and inclusive festival is about more than celebration; it’s about connection. It is also a great opportunity to shop local: “If you love your town and village, please use the shops for your Christmas gifts and keep our town centres vibrant all through the year,” said Mr O’Reilly.
The festival begins with ‘Lightfest’, which will transform Carlow town into a winter wonderland of music, markets and magic. It will take place on 29 November at Carlow Town Hall car park. ABBAesque will provide a live performance, there will be festive food and craft stalls, and Santa Claus will join the mayor for the official Christmas lights switch-on and fireworks display. Gates will open at 3.30pm and families will need to pre-book free tickets through Eventbrite.
Santa’s Big Red Bus will then go on the road to visit children in The Square, Tullow on Saturday 6 December from 10am to 4pm and in Bagenalstown, outside the Old Post Office, from 1pm to 4pm.
In each 45-minute experience, families will experience face painting, elf-led fun, a private visit with Santa, and take home an ‘I am a Carlow Elf’ medal and festive gift. Tickets are €7.50 per child (adults go free) and must be booked through Eventbrite from 10 November.
The Santa Room at Carlow Library will offer a free, drop-in event from 29 November during regular library hours. Children can write letters to Santa and capture a magical Christmas photo.
There will also be a Jingle Bell Jog on 7 December for Carlow Regional Youth Services, festive ‘Shop Local, Shop Carlow’ days, and a series of creative competitions to encourage local talent.
My Festive Family Experience Art Competition is offering €50 prizes, and entries open on 15 November, with winners announced on 18 December.
The Letters to Santa Competition is open until 22 December via Santa postboxes, with twenty €50 vouchers to be won.
The Back to the Future Online Challenge requires people to guess Doctor O’Sullivan’s Carlow locations and be in with a chance to win a SuperValu voucher for €500 from SuperValu Tullow and SuperValu Bagenalstown.
The Student Enterprise Exchange will return to The Exchange on the 11-12 December. Similarly, Christmas Bounceland will take place on the 21 and 22 December, with tickets available from 5 December.
Carlow Library and VISUAL Carlow will host a range of events, including workshops, exhibitions, and seasonal showcases.
