Ireland’s Christmas Festival will officially open in Waterford City on Friday Nov 17th with the turning on of the Christmas lights.

The Winterval Parade will also be commencing at 5:15 pm in the Viking City. Santa Claus is, of course, the grand marshal and he will arrive in the City Centre on an icy float having parked up his sleigh for the duration of this stay in Waterford.

The parade will commence from The Clock Tower on Waterford’s historic quayside and travel up Barronstrand Street into John Robert’s Square where upon reaching his Gingerbread House, Santa and his band of merry elves will join the Mayor of Waterford Cllr. Joe Conway in officially lighting up the festive season as they switch on the lights at 6pm.