CHRISTMAS WHAT’S ON
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22 CHRISTMAS MARKET Killruddery House 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Scrumptious seasonal treats everything you need to create a festive feast and so many gift ideas, you may just get one for yourself. This weekly market, which has free parking and entry, has had a Christmas makeover! CHRISTMAS STABLES Powerscourt Garden Pavilion 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kids will love the chance to meet some of Santa’s animals. A visit to the stables is free of charge. CHRISTMAS ISLAND Hidden Valley Holiday Park, Rathdrum From 10.30 a.m.
Places are extremely limited and must be booked in advance. Tickets are €18.50 per child, €7.50 per infant and €14.50 per adult. BABY SANTA EXPERIENCE Killruddery House 1.20 p.m.
Tickets are very limited and must be booked in advance. The price of €45 includes entrance for a baby and up to six other people (if bringing other children, this price does not include a gift for them but one can be booked separately). SANTA’S JOURNEY Djouce Golf Club 1.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Santa, his industrious elves and Mrs Claus have created a magical journey in the foothills of the Wicklow mountains. Tickets cost €18 for children and €12.50 for adults. SANTA’S GROTTO Arklow Bay Hotel 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Santa’s Grotto returns to the Arklow Bay Hotel for the festive season. ROMEO AND JULIET Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray 7 p.m.
In Ballet Ireland’s production, Shakespeare’s tragic tale is transported from the streets of medieval Verona into the classrooms of a modern-day high school. It becomes a play within a play. Romeo and Juliet promises to delight with an enduring tale of love and tragedy set to the familiar and wonderful score by Prokofiev. Tickets, which are available from the Mermaid, cost €22 or €75 for a family of four. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23 CHRISTMAS MARKET Killruddery House 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Scrumptious seasonal treats everything you need to create a festive feast and so many gift ideas, you may just get one for yourself. This weekly market, which has free parking and entry, has had a Christmas makeover! CHRISTMAS STABLES Powerscourt Garden Pavilion 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kids will love the chance to meet some of Santa’s animals. A visit to the stables is free of charge.
FESTIVE FESTIVITIES
Festina Lente, Bray 10.45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Children will get to visit with Santa, his miniature ponies and his helpers in his stable grotto before, if they wish, going on 10-minute pony ride in the indoor arena. Each family is asked to donate a non-perishable food item for Santato pass onto Wicklow Homeless Five Loaves homeless. The Santa visit, hat fitting and pony ride will take around 25 minutes. For more information go to festinalente.ie. The cost is €5 per child.
SANTA’S JOURNEY
Djouce Golf Club 11 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Santa, his industrious elves and Mrs Claus have created a magical journey in the foothills of the Wicklow mountains. Tickets cost €18 for children and €12.50 for adults.
SANTA’S GROTTO
Arklow Bay Hotel 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Santa’s Grotto returns to the Arklow Bay Hotel for the festive season.
ROMEO AND JULIET
Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray 3 p.m.
In Ballet Ireland’s production, Shakespeare’s tragic tale is transported from the streets of medieval Verona into the classrooms of a modern-day high school. Tickets, which are available from the Mermaid, cost €22 or €75 for a family of four.
CHRISTMAS JUMPER NIGHT
Castle Inn, Newcastle 9 p.m.
The now-famous Cristmas jumper night will feature prizes for the best Christmas jumpers and DJ Ken pumping out the tunes.
SINGING SANTAS
Various venues, Wicklow town 9 p.m.
Wicklow Singing Santas 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 and are urging people to give generously. Last year over €1,400 was raised for the Meals on Wheels. If interested in joining the Santas, contact Michael on 0862575110. CHRISTMAS EVE A MORNING AT THE MOVIES East Glendalough School 10 a.m.
Wicklow Parish Church will be screening ‘The Muppets Christmas Carol’ to help get children in the Christmas spirit as the big night approaches.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
Fitzwilliam Square, Wicklow town From 11.30 a.m.
Wicklow Male Voice Choir will be donning their Christmas hats and delivering some much-loved carols while raising funds for the local Lions Club. Santa, his elves and some Lions Club members will be joining them and members of the public are welcome to join in.
FESTIVE CAROLS
Arklow Bay Hotel 5 p.m.
Come along to the Arklow Bay Hotel lobby for festive Christmas carols.
CHRISTMAS EVE CAROLS
Woodenbridge Hotel 6 p.m.
The Woodenbridge Hotel welcomes the public for festive carols at the hotel on Christmas Eve. CHRISTMAS DAY WICKLOW CHRISTMAS TOGETHER Parochial Hall, Wicklow town 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This non-religious celebration for young and old, individuals and families, has been organised to ensure that nobody needs to spend Christmas Day on their own. It includes Christmas dinner at 2 p.m. plus music, dancing, a sing-song and lots of fun. Enquiries can be made to Lauren on 087 7665131. Tickets cost €5 for individuals or €10 for families and are available from Track One, Wings Angel Shop and Earls Newsagent.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DAY MEAL
Loaves and Fishes Cafe, Arklow 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The kind staff of the Loaves and Fishes Cafe don’t want anyone to be alone this Christmas and are organising a full-filled day with a traditional Christmas dinner, music and a visit from Santa. This is a free event but places must be booked in advance (to ensure there is enough food, etc) by calling 087 7756736. ST STEPHEN’S DAY STREETS OF WICKLOW RUN East Glendalough School 10.30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Work off the Christmas dinner and the box of Celebrations with this 5km road race (at 11 a.m.) and one-mile race for the very young (at 10.30 a.m.). Organised by Inbhear Dee Athletic Club, this is a great family event with cash prizes for the first five men and women home and a perpetual cup for the fastest family across the line. Registration is open now at inbheardeeac.com and costs €15 for adults, €8 for students and €45 for families. Entry for the kids’ race will cost €3 on the line.
SPLASH AND DASH
Lacken Beach 11 a.m.
Parents from Lacken NS will be taking part in the fourth annual splash and dash to raise money for the school (to donate, search ‘lackensplashndash’ on justgiving.com). The brrr-ave souls will be taking to the water at 11 a.m. then warming up afterwards in Zellers. ANNUAL WICKLOW SWIM The New Pier, Wicklow town 12.45 p.m.
Wicklow Swimming Club will be raising money for the Wicklow Day Care Centre with a bucket collection at its annual St Stephen’s Day swim. Everyone is welcome to come along and blow away the cobwebs after Christmas. Fancy dress is optional. 8TH ANNUAL EAMONN BURKE CHARITY SWIM South Beach, Arklow 1 p.m.
Join Eamonn and Mary Burke from Arklow for their 8th annual charity swim in aid of the St Vincent’s Foundation. The swim takes place at 1 p.m. and all are welcome. To get a sponsorship card call 087 9259504. COOLBOY AND COOLAFANCY – THE REMATCH Coolboy Community Field 1 p.m.
After a draw last year, Coolafancy’s finest will take on the Coolboy men and women in the long awaited rematch on the soccer field in aid of the newly formed Coolboy Community Field Development Group. The day will start with a ‘Stars of the Future’ match featuring up and coming GAA stars. This will be followed by the main event. Donations can be made on the gate. ST STEPHEN’S NIGHT SPECTACULAR Arklow Bay Hotel 8 p.m.
A ‘spectacular’ evening in aid of St John’s Senior School ‘Space to Play’ campaign. Tickets cost €10 and are available in the Arklow Bay Hotel and the school office. WEDESDAY, DECEMBER 27 GLENCORMAC UNITED CHARITY MATCHES Ryder’s Field From 12.30 p.m.
First up at the annual Glencormac United Charity matches will be the Joe Molloy Memorial Shield at 12.30 p.m. where the coaches will again take on Karl Bradshaw’s under-14 squad. Then it is the Benny Finnerty Cup around 1.45 p.m., when the current Glencormac team will face former stars with a few special guests. All money raised will go to the Irish Heart Foundation and Purple House Cancer Support Group.
ROUNDWOOD FUN DUATHLON
Kavanagh’s Vartry House, Roundwood 2 p.m.
This five-mile cycle and one-mile run is being held in association with the Roundwood and District Community Council and in aid of St James and St Vincent’s Cancer and Leukaemia Research. The route will take in some of the Vartry Reservoirs trails. For families and those of a less competitive nature, there is a shorter walk which will be entirely on footpaths or on the Vartry trails. An evening of great entertainment is planned afterwards in Kavanagh’s. Registration is from 1.30 p.m. with a race start time of 2 p.m. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28 CINDERELLA Arklow Sports and Leisure Centre 7 p.m.
Classic characters Cinderella, Prince Charming and the Stepmother take to the stage to bring this timeless fairytale to life. This is an Arklow Panto Creations production and tickets, which cost €15 for adults and €10 for children (family and group discounts available), are available on gr8events.ie. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 CINDERELLA Arklow Sports and Leisure Centre 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
This is an Arklow Panto Creations production and tickets, which cost €15 for adults and €10 for children (family and group discounts available), are available on gr8events.ie. AN EVENING WITH REMY NAIDOO Whale Theatre, Greystones 8 p.m.
Having made her name through covering pop hits – a formula that saw Remy make her mark as a contestant on RTE’s The Voice Of Ireland – Greystones will get to witness a singer returning to her roots, and her first love. Jazz To Soothe The Soul will feature a full band and the likes of Billie Holiday and Norah Jones swirling in the air. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets, costing €10, are available from the Whale. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30 THE NUTCRACKER Whale Theatre, Greystones 4 p.m.
Only sixty tickets maximum are being released for this special live screening from Mosco of The Nutcracker performed by the Bolshoi Ballet. Doors open at 3.15 p.m. and tickets, which are available from the Whale, cost €20 or €17.50 for OAPs, students or the unemployed.
OVER 40S CHARITY MATCH
Whitegates, Wicklow 5 p.m.
After last year’s thrilling encounter, Arklow Town and Wicklow Rovers get ready to square up again in this fundraiser for Parkinson’s Ireland. Rovers edged last year’s match so, no doubt, Arklow will be seeking to reverse that result and a big crowd is expected under the lights for what promises to be another thrilling encounter.
CINDERELLA
Arklow Sports and Leisure Centre 7 p.m.
This is an Arklow Panto Creations production and tickets, which cost €15 for adults and €10 for children (family and group discounts available), are available on gr8events.ie. NEW YEAR’S EVE NEW YEAR’S DINNER DANCE Greystones RFC 8 p.m.
Club members and friends are invited to come and ring in the new year with some scrum-ptious food and a ruck-ing great band. There will be a prosecco reception, fourcourse meal, bubbles at the ball and music by Ultrasound. Tickets cost €80 and are available by emailing info@greystones.ie NEW YEAR’S DAY SPLASH & DASH Blessington 11 a.m.
Extreme Fitness invites everyone to come along for this annual hike/ run followed by a dip in the lake. The hike section may be walked or run but everyone meets up to brave the water at the end. These free events are organised to simply to raise awareness of people with chronic illness but donations are welcome. Contact Brian at 083 1447778 for more information.