CARLOW Town Hall will be lit up for a series of free, family-focused illumination shows, Christmas cinema, a Food & Craft Exhibitor and a magical vintage carousel are all coming to town as the county’s first ever Christmas Market gets underway!
A specialist team which has run hugely successful Christmas Markets across Ireland have partnered with Carlow Local Enterprise Office (LEO) for the three day spectacular which runs in the Town Hall Square from Friday, December 14, through until Sunday, December 16.
The Carlow Christmas Market opens on Friday from 1pm to 7pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon until 7pm. There’s no entry fee and everything, bar the visits to Santa’s Grotto and Funfair attractions, are free.
Organiser, Stuart Montgomery, says they’re thrilled to have over 50 top quality food and craft producers, many of them local crafters, involved. “All of the craft exhibitors will be under one big marquee, the aroma of pancakes, tasty hot food, coffee and hot chocolate will fill the air as Market-goers mingle outside
“We’re delighted to have a number of local businesses involved. It means that locals can support Carlow-based enterprises and keep money in the local economy. Among the 50+ exhibitors are personalised Christmas decorations, hampers, candle-makers, jewellery, knitwear, children’s books, jams and chutneys and much, much more.
“Local producers include Under the Oak Tree Designs, Toyfix, Jo Browne, Elaine Scully Styling and Sweet Baking Mama and many more. Carlow is a fantastic town and the Town Hall setting is perfect, ensuring it will be a truly magical experience for all the family,” he said.
Two free movies will be shown each evening and the free illumination shows run for 15 minutes every half hour from 5pm each day. Mr and Mrs Claus will arrive at 2pm on the opening day until 7pm and will be open for visitors to their grotto on Saturday and Sunday from 12-6pm. For all the latest information head to Facebook.com/carlowxmas
Delta Sensory Gardens hosts its very popular Christmas Wonderland and over the coming days and it will be a hive of activity and fun. It includes a huge range of traditional gifts, decorations, folk craft and much more. A colourful display of outdoor lights have been hung in the sensory gardens with festive face painting, a Scavenger Hunt and more. Light lunches, tea, coffee and cakes are served each day with Christmas opening extended each evening until 7pm.
Special features include Santa’s Workshop this Saturday and Sunday, December 15 and 16, which includes a visit to the elves workshop, Mrs Claus’ storytelling, arts and crafts, face painting and having a picture with Santa. Delta is also hosting their ever-popular Santa’s Sensory Experience over the same dates. It is now completely booked out, such is the demand.
It is designed for children with children with special needs, autism and sensory disorders. The Sensory Santa Experience also includes rooms devoted to seeing, hearing, smelling and touching. Siblings are also welcome and VIP, individual Santa visits are also available. For Santa’s Workshop bookings, log on to www.yourdaysout.com
And for those who have not yet got their Christmas tree, they’re available every weekend at Huntington Castle. Entire families are invited to come along, tour the house and gardens and visit the tea rooms.
Head of Enterprise with Carlow LEO, Kieran Comerford, said; “With the help of the businesses and the people of Carlow, we’ve put together a programme of over 100 events as part of the wider County Carlow - A Festive Family Experience programme. Christmas is a truly magical, family-focused time of year and we encourage all the people of Carlow to come out and support these event which continue right up until Christmas Eve.”
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Photo Captions – a vintage carousel, similar to the one which will be in front of the Town Hall for Carlow’s first ever Christmas Market.
An illumination, similar to the one which will be cast on the Town Hall for Carlow’s first ever Christmas Market.
