The city is calling this Christmas

There’s nothing like the buzz in Cork city around Christmas time.

It’s the smell of mince pies and mulled wine wafting in the air, it’s the sound of excited children and it’s the taste of spiced beef and turkey. You can’t beat the city during the festive season and with everyone being encouraged to shop locally and support local traders, hopefully this year will be one of the busiest!

But first, the lights! Thousands of sparkling lights are currently being donned around the city’s landscape and massive Christmas trees are being fitted and decorated.

The switching on of the Christmas lights always draws a big crowd and it shouldn’t be any different when the lights are turned on this year on Sunday 17 November from 6-7.30pm.

Glow has also become central to the city’s vibrancy at this time of year too, so why not visit the festive installation in Bishop Lucey Park, soar high above Cork on a giant Ferris wheel and indulge in the festive markets and entertainment on the Grand Parade this Christmas?

Glow will take place on:

Friday 29 November-Sunday 1 December

Friday 6-Sunday 8 December

Friday 13-Sunday 15 December

Friday 20-Sunday 22 December

Opening hours

The markets will be there from 12 noon-8.30pm while the Park will open from 4.30-8.30pm each day.

 

Everyone has different traditions and each one is memorable and heart-warming in their own way.

There’s families getting along (and arguing!), there’s work night outs and there’s friends reconnecting. Speaking of work nights out, if your workplace hasn’t booked anything, check out what some pubs and restaurants have on offer this year.

For example, Reardens is a popular haunt around Christmas and this year they have come up with menus reflecting their location near the Court House on Washington Street. So is your boss heading to the District Court, Circuit Court or High Court as these are the menus they offer starting from €8.50 per person?

Also, why not grab a coffee or hot chocolate from one of the many independent coffee shops around the city, take the headphones out of your ears and listen to the many choirs and buskers? Explore your city! Take in the atmosphere and stroll around Cork city’s shops and markets.

Head to the panto (oh yes you will!), reconnect with friends and family, raise money for charity - no matter what you decide to do, be well, be safe and enjoy everything Cork city has to offer.

Nollaig shona duit!