SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Pay a visit to Christmas Island in Rathdrum and enjoy an enchanted train journey to the fairy forest, before meeting, dancing and getting creative with some elves, good and mischievous, and topping the visit off with a visit to Santa himself. Places are available from 9 a.m. to 9.45 a.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets cost €22.50 per child (aged one to 12), €10 for infants (up to a year) and €16.50 per adult.
SANTA DASH
Arklow Christmas Festival has teamed up with Inbhear Mor AC to host a Santa Dash at the Arklow Duck Pond at 9.30 a.m. People are encouraged to dress in festive gear to add to the Christmas spirit and to soak up the atmosphere as they walk, run or jog for one mile with family and friends around the Duck Pond.
CHRISTMAS STABLES
Children will love the chance to meet some of Santa’s animals, including Santa’s deer, pygmy goats, miniature donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion. A visit to the stables is free of charge.
WINTER SOLSTICE RITUAL
Celebrate the Winter Solstice Day with this celebration of the light at Luisne in Kilcoole from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants will gather to share extended mindfulness mediation practice. There will be quick walking, silent meditation, mindful walking and chanting. This is a free event with donations invited.
SANTA AT FESTINA LENTE
Santa and ponies will be at Festina Lente in Bray, with time slots from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bookings can be made at festinalente.ie. Children will get to visit with Santa, his miniature ponies and his helpers in his stable grotto. As a gift from Santa, children will get a token for a five minute pony ride in the indoor arena with Santa helpers. The cost is €15 per child.
REFUGEE SOLIDARITY DINNER
Bray refugee solidarity winter dinner will take place at the Taylor Centre on Vevay Road The day will include Santa, face painting and fun. Anyone who wishes to help can bring along a (preferably vegetarian or vegan) dish along to share.
CHRISTMAS LANTERN WORKSHOP
Crafty and creative kids will enjoy a Christmas Lantern Workshop in Cool Planet Experience at Powerscourt. Children will learn about sustainability as they cut, paste and create their own Christmas lantern. All materials are supplied. Workshops take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and cost €20.
STORY TIME YOGA
Parents and children can share some great storytime and learn fun yoga poses from 11.30 a.m. at Greystones Library. Spaces are limited so booking is essential. Places can be reserved by calling the libray on 01 2873548 or emailing greylib@ wicklowcoco.ie
BOATYARD CHRISTMAS MARKET
Head on down to the Boatyard Market in Greystones for some festive gift inspiration from noon to 5 p.m. This year’s market will be in support of Greystones Tidy Towns’ new sensory garden.
MUPPETS CHRISTMAS CAROL
Greystones Film Club presents the Muppets take on a Dickens’ classic at 1 p.m. in the Whale Theatre. Kermit, Gonzo and friends put a fresh spin on the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his encounters with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Tickets cost €10 and are available from the Whale.
THE TEDDY BEAR THIEF
The Enchanted Garden at The Avon in Blessinton will feature a live performance of Marty Moncrieff the Teddy Bear Thief at 3 p.m. Entry is free. Santa Claus will also be available to see children from noon to 4 p.m.
A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
What’s this? What’s this? Why, it’s Greystones Film Club presenting The Nightmare Before Christmas in the Whale Theatre at 4.30 p.m. When Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king, takes a shine to Christmas, chaos ensues but will there be time to put things right before Christmas Day. Tickets cost €10 and are available from the Whale.
SWAN LAKE
Ballet Ireland brings its national tour of the most famous ballet to the Mermaid Arts Centre at 7 p.m. Swan Lake is one of the great love stories of classical ballet and combines classical technique and ethereal imagery with Tchaikovsky’s majestic score. Tickets cost €25/€23 or €84 for a family ticket and are available from the Mermaid.
LONGEST NIGHT
East Coast Samaritans will hold a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. starting from 55 Main Street, Arklow. For information, call jo@samaritans.ie.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The Laura Greeves School of Music will host its Christmas concert in Hollywood Community Centre at 7 p.m. Admission is free and a raffle will be held.
SEASON OF LOVE
The senior students of Studio 55 present ‘Season of Love’, a festive musical theatre showcase, in aid of Arklow Community Action Resource Centre. The show begins at 7.30 p.m. at Studio 55 in the Bridgewater Shopping Centre. Tickets cost €10.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
Greystones Film Club brings its series of festive classics to a close with one of the biggest ones of all, as it screens ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at the Whale Theatre at 8 p.m. Released in 1946, it remains as touching, relevant and captivating as ever and reminds the audience of what’s really important at Christmas time. Tickets cost €10 and are available from the Whale.
PARTY NIGHT
Roundwood Variety Group will be holding it’s Christmas party and fundraising event in Tochar House from 8 p.m. There will be prizes to be won and plenty of dancing to be done as Roamin’ Cadillacs take to the stage.
SINGING SANTYS
Wicklow’s Singing Santys will be taking to the streets again this Christmas to raise valuable funds for Wicklow Meals on Wheels. The melodious group will be doing a tour of the pubs in Wicklow town from around 9 p.m. and are urging people to give generously. They have been fundraising for the Meals on Wheels for the past 34 years.