Christmas in Ennis 2026

Join us for a range of activities celebrating Christmas in Ennis. The festive season kicks off with the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Abbey Street on Thursday evening 26th November. 

Thereafter you can partake in and enjoy a range of festive events to bring you right up to Christmas Eve.

Christmas events

Switching on of Christmas Lights

Thursday 26th November, 5:00pm-7:15pm.

Switching on of Lights at Abbey Street Car Park. With live musical performance by the amazing 5-member band 'Switch' and with Santa Claus himself arriving on a sleigh with Mayor of Ennis Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle and his special guest, who will be given the honour of switching on the lights at 6.45pm. 

Music, snow, balloons, face painting, street food and lots of fun!

Special Guest pic of 3rd class pupil winner

Musical performance by 'Switch' Band

Street Entertainment

• Saturday 5th December??, The Wobbly Circus comes to the streets of Ennis. Don't miss these breathtaking acrobatic entertainers to get you in the festive spirit.

Christmas Markets and Santa's Grotto

Saturday 12th December & Sunday 13th December, at Market Building, Ennis Street.  10:00am-3:00pm. 

The Market Building will be decked out with festive trees and lights and will feature quality local food stalls, and gifts, as well as Santa's Grotto open 12:00pm-4:00pm. 

Santa's Grotto: 

12:00pm-4:00pm

This Saturday and Sunday, bring the little 'uns along to visit Santa and take a photo.  There will be note pads and pencils and benches for children to sit and write those important Santa requests and then post them in the Santa Post Box.

Christmas Markets:

10:00am-3:00pm
Sample and purchase an array of high quality locally produced foods and speciality gifts. Stalls will include:
• Nordic Twist – cakes and pastries
• Sweet n Green – award-winning dips
• St Tola’s Goat's cheeses
• Savage Cabbage
• Sliabh Aughty Honey
• Quin Art
• Burren Beef Experience
• Western Herd Brewing
• Valentyna Kyryliuk - gemstone jewellery and felting crafts

•Oir Tonics - TBC


Saturday, 12 December only
• Vicky’s Cupcakes

Sunday, 13 December only
• Tania Little – gemstone and felt crafts

Coffee and crepes

musical entertainment from Ennis Ukelele Band and from St. Michael's Villas Choir.

pic of Santa grotto, pic of markets

Family Festive Orienteering Hunt

Sunday 6th December

2:00pm-4:00pm.

Family fun-filled Treasure Hunt around the town. Commencing at Temple Gate Plaza.

• replace poster with 2026 version

Seasonal Movie in Glór

Friday 11th December

6:00pm.

Glór will host a seasonal Christmas favourite.  Tickets on-line at Glór boxoffice from 27th November.

• new pic of festive film chosen

Rachel Allen Cookery Demo at Glór

Wednesday 16th December, Glór.

8:00pm-10:30pm.

Join Celebrity chef Rachel Allen in a festive cookery demonstration.

Kitchen setup by renowned chef Kenny Maguire.

Tickets will be sold online from Glór boxoffice (from 27 November) for approximately €20.

Foyer exhibitors before the event and during the interval:

• Sweet n Green – Blas na hÉireann award-winning Sriracha Mayo and Hummus
• Western Herd – local craft brewery
• Burren Beef Experience – including its expanded charcuterie range
• Oir Tonics – award-winning producer with a growing international presence
• Savage Cabbage – fermented foods

Celebrity Chef Rachel Allen.

Ennis Street Radio

From Bing to Bublé - warm sounds of Christmas present and past from Ennis Street Radio from 12th December right through to Christmas Eve.

Parking for Christmas

Public Car Parks:

Free parking in all Council car parks, from 2:00pm daily, 26th November - 1st January 2026, and free all day Sundays (pay as normal for on-street parking).

List of public car parks:

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Free parking 9:00 am - 6:00 pm in Council HQ, New Road every Saturday and Sunday from 29th November to 20th December, and on 24th December.

Free parking 9:00 am - 6:00 pm in Waterpark Campus, Drumbiggle, every Saturday and Sunday from 27th November to 24th December.

Additional Free Parking:

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Private Car Parks:

List of private car parks:

Last years list was in an image - add the list in text

*weekends only

Parking restrictions and road closures

To facilitate Switching on Lights event 25th-27th November, all roads within Abbey Street car park will close, in 2 phases.

• Phase 1: West of the main through road, adjacent to the river, between Costa Coffee and O’Brien’s Café from Wednesday 25th November 2026 at 6:00 p.m. until Friday 27th November 2026 at 8:00 am.
• Phase 2: The main through road which connects Bank Place and Abbey Street from Thursday 26th November 2026 from 3:00pm until Thursday 26th November at 11:00pm.