6 Must-Visit Holiday Markets in Ireland

The holiday season is a great time to visit Ireland — the temperatures are cooler, and the crisp winter days are perfect for brisk coastal or hill walks before gathering around a crackling fire and tucking into warming seafood chowder or hot chocolate. Everything comes alive with Christmas trees, holiday decorations, and twinkling lights, and the festive magic extends to the Christmas markets and festivals around the country.

While there probably won’t be snow, the festive atmosphere of the markets will draw you in with their rows of cute decorated wooden huts filled with gifts, the tempting aromas from food stalls, and the unmistakable scent of mulled wine. Here are some of the best holiday markets in Ireland.

Winterval (Waterford)

Waterford Winterval is a favorite Christmas market for atmosphere and it’s part of a whole Christmas festival which takes over Ireland’s oldest city for 21 days. The market’s wooden cabins have more than 100 food, drink, and craft producers and stretch from the city’s old Viking area across the historic streets and squares.

Look out for locally produced jewelry, knitwear, arts, candles, and ceramics from producers like Adele Stanley Ceramics, Lismore Candle Company, and Church House Pottery, and everything from wooden breadboards to bespoke skateboards by Copper Coast Woodcrafts. Foodies should not miss handmade chocolates by Victoria’s Incredible Edibles, plus everything from crepes and doughnuts to barbecue. There’s also a Winterval Circus, an ice rink, pantomime shows, and a mini express train to check out. It runs on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Nov. 21 to Dec. 23.

Christmas at the Limerick Milk Market (Limerick)

The historic Milk Market in Limerick has been running since 1852 and is a lively foodie hot spot any weekend, with stalls featuring artisan foods, local producers, and crafts, plus live music. The whole market gets a festive makeover for December with a Christmas canopy of lights and a festive theme to the local food, handmade crafts, and art on offer. There’s also music, plus family fun like movies and a Santa’s Grotto.

While you’re shopping, take a break at the open-air café with foodie treats from the Flying Cheese Brigade, sweet and savory offerings from Bon Appétit Crêperie & Catering, coffee from Harpers or Greenacres, Meltie toasties from SOS Cookies, and sweet delights from Wild Fig Foods. The holiday theme runs from Friday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Dec. 7; Friday, Dec. 12 to Sunday, Dec. 14; and Friday, Dec. 19 to Wednesday, Dec. 24

St George’s Christmas Twilight Market (Belfast)

Another year-round foodie favorite is St George’s Market in Belfast, which has quality artisan food producers and craft stalls every weekend throughout the year, with live music performances. The market turns into a festive wonderland the weekend of Nov. 25-26 for the St George’s Christmas Twilight Market, with two evenings of food, drinks, crafts, and entertainment. There will be everything from gourmet street food and local produce to artisan crafts, and you can tuck into hot chocolate or mulled wine and mince pies while spotting ideas for gifts to take home for loved ones.

Look out for paella from Tapitas, sizzling ribs and sauces at Lagan Ribs, or local producers like Glens of Antrim Crisps and Sporeshore Mushrooms. The Christmas Twilight Market runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Nov. 25-26, and the regular market runs every weekend until Christmas. Continue the festive fun at the main Belfast Christmas Market which takes place at City Hall from Nov. 15 to Dec. 22.

Galway Christmas Market (Galway) 

Galway is known for its arty, creative vibe, and one of the highlights of the city in December is the continental Galway Christmas Market, which is set in chalets in Eyre Square in the city center, with stalls from local and European traders. Look out for beautiful Irish-made products at stalls by Craft Art Olive Wood, The Seaweed Skin Company, and Rí na Mara cosmetics. To keep warm while shopping, tuck into treats like hot dogs, crepes, and of course, gluhwein. Don’t forget to walk the historic streets of the city’s Latin quarter for more festive shopping. The market runs from Nov. 7 to Dec. 31, except for Dec. 25.

Montalto Estate and Castle Ward (County Down)

Historic homes make great settings for holiday markets, so if you prefer a more intimate market rather than a city affair, look out for a Christmas market in a Georgian House or country estate – they run at various weekends in December, all over Ireland. Northern Ireland has some lovely options where you can do some sightseeing as well as get into the holiday cheer.

A Twilight Christmarket in the Carriage Rooms with handmade crafts, artisanal gifts, live music, and foodie treats is one feature of the month-long festivities at the 18th-century Montalto Estate. The Twilight Christmas market runs at Montalto from 5.30 p.m. on Dec. 5 and from 11 a.m. on Dec. 6. You can also book for a winter wreath-making workshop (Nov. 29-30) or enjoy Christmas carols and afternoon tea in the historic Montalto House (Dec. 14).

Castle Ward is a beautiful estate to visit time of year (parts of the courtyard served as Winterfell in the hit HBO series Game of Thrones). It all gets a festive touch for its Georgian Christmastide event, which features the annual Christmas Artisan Market, with local craft makers and food producers showcasing their work in the theatre space and stable yard. You can also hit the tearoom for mince pies and gingerbread lattes, or visit Castle Ward’s Christmas shop to stock up. The Castle Ward Christmas Artisan Market is on the weekend of Dec. 6-7. Georgian Christmastide runs on the weekends of Nov. 29-30, Dec. 6-7, and Dec. 13-14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.