Cork is brimming with events this Christmas from festivals, markets and ferris wheels to hilarious pantos, theatre and stand-up comedy
Corkmas is Cork City's big Christmas festival and is packed with lots of things to do, see and eat. The Ferris Wheel is back on weekends from Friday 29 November until Monday 30 December with superb panoramic views of a fully lit up city and beyond.
Cork City Christmas Market on Emmet Place runs Thursday to Sunday from Saturday 30th November to Saturday 22nd December bringing joy for all age groups with lots of exciting performances from Christmas themed characters, roving musicians and drummers. Complete with wooden chalets offering gifts and snacks, with the plaza transformed into a Christmas village consisting of a broad mix of vendors offering a range of festive delights and artisan crafts.
Other markets in the city worth checking out are at Nano Nagle on Douglas Street and St. Peter's Cork on North Main Street which will raise funds for Cork Cancer Support.
All Christmas markets in County Cork are listed here.
Speaking of markets, the mega-popular Marina Market hosts a unique Saving Santa Experience this year as well as a host of events like a performance from the amazing Voiceworks on 21 December.
In Clonakilty catch the BELIEVE Christmas experience at the Model Railway Village and be sure to visit North Pole Cottage and the Elf Village.
Pantomania
The Cork Opera House and Everyman host traditional pantomimes this year, Cinderella and Red Riding Hood respectively, and are close to sell outs so get your tickets fast (they’re behind you!). In Macroom, Cinderella also comes to the newly re-opened Briery Gap Theatre.
For adults only check out The Improv Panto at Cork Opera House - an unscripted show of mayhem where the audience calls the shots or check out some stand-up comedy at Cork's dedicated Comedy Club at City Limits.
Páirc Uí Chaoimh, a short distance from Cork city centre hosts WinterLee, "an immersive winder wonderland" which includes the very exciting Alpine Skate Trail - a Cork Christmas must-do!
Visiting Santa Claus
Dressed in the red and white of Cork, Santa’s magical omnipresence means there are lots of places to see him around the city and county this year. Check out the Magic of Santa and Wonderlights (pic below) at Fota House near Cobh and the North Pole Experience at Cuskinny.
Up The Walls
When the visit to Santa is done there’s still loads for kids to do in Cork with indoor attractions like climbing paradise Awesome Walls , trampoline mania at Bouncezone , ten pin bowling and laser tag at Planet in Blackpool or at Leisureplex on MacCurtain Street. Meanwhile, Jungle World in Midleton and Monkey Maze in Glanmire are the perfect places to let smaller kids run/climb off that pent-up Christmas energy.
Teens and adults can go karting, drifting or burn off the Christmas excess in sumo wrestling suits at Adventure Park in Watergrasshill and for days with less energy to spend on fun, the city and counties cinemas are all open with the latest movies.
https://www.purecork.ie/pure-christmas
Wed 27 Nov | Rachel Galvo - The Shite Feminist **extra Date Added Due To.. | Cyprus Avenue | 19:00 | €21 | |
Wed 27 Nov | Stand-up Comedy Club: Low-key Funny | The Roundy | 20:30 | FREE |
Thu 28 Nov | Rachel Galvo - The Shite Feminist | Cyprus Avenue | 19:00 | €21 | |
Thu 28 Nov | Stand-up Comedy Club: Thursday Showcase | The Roundy | 20:30 | 10€ |
Fri 29 Nov | Funny Friday Special | City Limits | 20:00 | 20 | |
Fri 29 Nov | Cork Comedy Showcase | 115 Café & Wine Bar | 20:00 | FREE | |
Fri 29 Nov | Stand-up Comedy Club: Gong Show Final | The Roundy | 20:30 | 12€ |
Sat 30 Nov | Stand-up Comedy Club: Earlier Show | The Roundy | 18:30 | €10 | |
Sat 30 Nov | The Everyman Panto: Red Riding Hood | The Everyman | 19:00 | From | |
Sat 30 Nov | Fred Cooke and Guests | City Limits | 20:00 | 20 | |
Sat 30 Nov | Dancing At Lughnasa | Ballymaloe Grainstor | 20:00 | 20 | |
Sat 30 Nov | Stand-up Comedy Club: Cork's Primetime Comedy Show | The Roundy | 20:30 | 22€ |
Sun 1 Dec | Ed Byrne: Tragedy Plus Time | The Everyman | 20:00 | €35 |
Tue 3 Dec | Comedy Cavern: Open Mic | Coughlan's | 20:30 | FREE |
Thu 5 Dec | A Christmas Carol | Nano Nagle Place | 19:00 | €15 | |
Thu 5 Dec | Stand-up Comedy Christmas Party At The Coco Comedy Club | The Roundy | 20:30 | 10€ |
Fri 6 Dec | Best Of Cork Christmas Party Special | City Limits | 20:00 | 20 | |
Fri 6 Dec | The Improv Panto 2024 | Cork Opera House | 22:30 | €25.00 |
Sat 7 Dec | Ross Browne Plug Guests | City Limits | 20:00 | 25 |
Tue 10 Dec | Comedy Cavern: Ross O'Donoghue & guests | Coughlan's | 20:30 | FREE |
Fri 13 Dec | December Gatherings and Absences: A Playback Theatre Perform.. | Quaker Meeting House | 19:00 | €10/€5 | |
Fri 13 Dec | Cinderella | Briery Gap | 19:30 | €15-€20 |
Sat 14 Dec | Christmas Special with Chris Kent and Guests | City Limits | 20:00 | 25 |
Tue 17 Dec | Comedy Cavern: Test Tube Babies Christmas Special | Coughlan's | 20:30 | FREE |
Sat 21 Dec | Christmas Special with Mike Rice and Guests | City Limits | 20:00 | 25 |
Fri 27 Dec | Funny Friday Christmas Party Special | City Limits | 20:00 | 20 |
Sat 28 Dec | Best Of Cork Christmas - Pre New Years Party Special | City Limits | 20:00 | 20 |
Thu 2 Jan | Comedy Cavern: Katie Boyle | Coughlan's | 21:00 | €20 |
Tue 7 Jan | Comedy Cavern: Comedy Cavern : Comedian Of The Year Competit.. | Coughlan's | 20:30 | FREE |