Galway Christmas Markets 2024
Back for it’s 14th year in Eyre Square, the Galway Christmas Market is the closest thing to a Bavarian Christmas Market in Ireland. Food lovers will be wowed by the artisan food producers of Galway city and beyond. There will be a wide variety of entertainment, chalets with crafts and gifts available this winter in the city centre.
What you need to know about the Christmas Fair
The Galway Christmas Market will be held in Eyre square from Friday November 8th until the 5th of January. What’s special about this year, is that some of the stalls will reopen from the 26th of December.
The market will open from 10am most days, with the exception of a 12pm start on Monday to Wednesday. The craft stalls and entertainments will close at 8pm, however the ‘Beer Tent’ will continue serving until 10pm each night. There will be some selected dates with extra hours at the stalls.
Make a weekend of your trip to the Christmas Market and stay in just outside Galway City Centre. The Clybaun hotel is a 4 star property filled with seasonal treats for you and your family this winter. Our stylish guestrooms are the perfect base for exploring an authentic experience at the festive fair. Discover our packages for your break to the city of tribes now!
What’s on at the Galway Christmas Markets in 2023
The market attracts traders from all over Galway city, but also the whole province of Connacht, that offer handmade crafts, artisan food products and creative gift ideas.
Traditional Chalets
You will find over 50 chalets in this Bavarian style Christmas market in Galway. Some of our favourite stalls return this year, including the freshly baked French pastries stall, the chocolatier with handmade fudge and the European traders with the Austrian market food.
Food enthusiasts will love the delicious street foods on offer in the food market, and guests will not come back to the Clybaun hungry with some of the artisan traders on offer. You can feast on a flame grilled bratwurst, pretzels or confectionery, crêpes and waffles.
Now that festive food is covered, you cannot pass the Glühwein tent without stopping for a beautiful glass of mulled wine. Spiced with cinnamon and star anise, then sweetened with brown sugar before being finished with a slice of orange to serve with the delicious drink. If wine isn’t to your flavour, try the hot toddy or cider at the tent.
Family Fun
The Galway Christmas Market is a brilliant event for kids and adults alike. There is lots of entertainment over the season, with school choirs taking the stage in the entertainment area. Bringing the festive cheer with their carols, before other bands turn the market into a winter wonderland.
Kid’s will not go hungry with a food stall serving traditional crepes with berries, chocolate and banana or gingerbread people! Ensure to have an extra layer when bringing the kids as the cooler evenings set into eyre square.
The View Wheel
The giant 32-metre high ferris wheel returns to the Galway Xmas Market from the middle of November. The big wheel moves around each month to different cities in Ireland, but always finds it’s home in Galway. Take a spin around the observation wheel this winter to see the sites of Galway city and bay.
The Beer Tent
With European lagers to locally brewer Galway Bay, the beer tent at the Galway Christmas market always proves to be a big hit for beer lovers. The experience at the beer tent is the closest to German beer festival outside of Germany. There is no need to book the beer tent, However if you want to reserve a table and skip the queue you can book a very special VIP ticket from the Roisin Dubh. They’re not on sale just yet, but when they start selling, be quick!
The beer tent at the Christmas Market opens daily, and unlike the stalls which close at 8pm, the beer tent will continue serving later into the evening until 10pm.
Visit Santa Claus and the Elves
Take the Santa Express train from outside the Skeff Bar this year and arrive to Eyre square in style. Whizz past the shops in the city in the unique train ride
Santa Claus will be back in his Grotto this year, and excited to meet your entire family. Meet the chief elf in charge of Santa’s grotto and experience festive fun before entering Winter Wonderland. Each child will receive a festive gift from the big man.
This Santa visit matches perfectly with your time in the Xmas market. While the rest of the family look at hand made gifts, you and your child can spend some time with Santa at the Grotto.
Tickets for the Grotto are €20 each, you can book on Christmas Crackers.
Are the Galway Christmas Markets worth visiting?
Absolutely, the Xmas Market is a brilliant family break and a stay at the Clybaun makes it all the better. Experience our stylish rooms and take a dip in our pool before going to the market.
The Christmas Market in the city is the closest to a Bavarian style you will find. Packed with artisan food creators, handcrafted gifts and a beer tent that is on par with Oktoberfest, the festive fair is perfect for city breaks.
With a lot of family themed stalls, a trip to the market is brilliant with kids. With complimentary access to the market, you do not need to worry about how long you spend if you must leave.
FAQs about the Christmas markets in Galway
What dates is the Galway Xmas Market taking place?
From Friday November 8th until the 5th of January, with some stalls reopening from the 26th of December.
What time does the market open and close?
The market will open at 10am most days, with the exception of a 12pm start on Monday to Wednesday. The craft stalls and entertainments will close at 8pm, however the ‘Beer Tent’ will continue serving until 10pm each night.
What kind of entertainment is available at the Christmas Market?
There will be school choirs taking the stage in the entertainment area, bringing festive cheer with their carols, before other bands turn the market into a winter wonderland.
What kind of food stalls are there at the Galway Xmas Market?
You can find freshly baked French pastries, chocolates and handmade fudge, as well as Austrian market food and traditional crepes with berries, chocolate and banana.
Is there a ferris wheel at the market?
Yes! The giant 32-metre high ferris wheel returns to the Galway Xmas Market from the middle of November.