CO WICKLOW CHRISTMAS WHAT’S ON
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18
HEART OF WINTER
Lyngo Theatre brings the magical, musical ‘Heart of Winter’ to the Mermaid Arts Centre at 10 a.m. Christmas is coming and Sally can’t sleep. Her dad reads her a story about the last snowflake and that night Sally has a dream that changes everything. Tickets cost €10/€8 or €30 for a family and are available from the Mermaid.
CHRISTMAS STABLES
Children will love the chance to meet some of Santa’s animals, including Santa’s deer, pygmy goats, minature 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.
CHRISTMAS FAIR
The Kildare Steiner School Christmas fair takes place from noon to 2 p.m. at the school in Gormanstown, Dunlavin. The whole community is welcome to come along and enjoy carol singing, refreshments, a raffle, bring and buy sale, plus lots of seasonal goodies, crafts and Christmas wreaths.
CHRISTMAS ISLAND
Pay a visit to Christmas Island in Rathdrum between 3.45 p.m. and 7.45 p.m. (limited availability) 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. Tickets cost €22.50 per child (aged one to 12), €10 for infants (up to a year) and €16.50 per adult.
SANTA EXTRAVAGANZA
Santa will be paying a whistlestop visit to Kilcoole, stopping off at all the local estates to meet the children. He will be leaving Byrne’s car park at 4 p.m. and will be stopping off at New Road, Beechwood Park, Beechcourt Avenue, Village Gate, Seaview, The
Bentley, Iniskeen, Bayview Close, Ard na Mara, Cedarwood Cresent, Rockmanor Drive, Carraig Mor, Wellfield, Beachdale and Meadowbrook. He will return to Byrnes for a 30-minute pitstop before heading off on round two, visiting Holywell Avenue, Holywell Grove, Ballycrone Manor, Cooldross Lane, Woodstock/ Ternlee, Bramble Corner, Riverside/ Sylvan Lawn, Hazelwood Cresent and Bullford Cresent.
THE GRINCH
Dive into the world of Dr Seuss, with a screening of The Grinch, the cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas. This funny, heartwarming movie kicks off at 7 p.m. and tickets cost €8/€6.50 and are available from the Mermaid Arts Centre.
CAROLS AT THE LIBRARY
St Mary’s and St Gerard’s National School Choir will perform a selection of carols at Enniskerry Library from 7.30 p.m. The carols will be performed by candlelight in what should be a fun, festive family occasion at the local library.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19
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 extremely limited. Tickets cost €22.50 per child (aged one to 12), €10 for infants (up to a year) and €16.50 per adult.
CHRISTMAS STABLES
Children will love the chance to meet some of Santa’s animals, including Santa’s deer, pygmy goats, minature 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.
FESTIVE FAMILY FUN
Head along to the Little Bray Community Centre for an afternoon of Christmas celebrations from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be crafts, carols, fun and games, a visit from Santa and more. Places are limited and families must be booked in in advance by calling 01 2768848.
THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS
Settle down for a festive treat at the Mermaid Arts Centre as Clara (Mackenzie Foy) seeks the one-of-akind key that will unlock a box that holds a gift from her late mother. A golden thread leads her to the coveted key — which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world where Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip, a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms. This movie begins at 7 p.m. and tickets, costing €8/€6.50, are available from the Mermaid.
SCHOOL CONCERT
The Bigstone National School annual Christmas concert will take place in Bigstone Hall at 7 p.m. sharp. Entry is free and there will be a raffle on the night.
CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
At 7.30 p.m., a candlelit procession through the monastic gates in Glendalough will proceed to the ruins of the candlelit cathedral for an evening of traditional carol singing. Tea and coffee will be provided afterwards in the Glendalough Hotel. This a free event and open to everyone, including children, which must be accompanied by an adult. Participants should wrap up warm, bring a torch and aassemble in the Glendalough Hotel car park at 7.15 p.m.
CHRISTMAS CAROLS
There will be carols for everyone to sing along to at the Holy Rosary Church in greystones on Thursday, December 19 at 8 p.m. The evening will include mulled wine and mince pies.
ORSON WELLES’ CHRISTMAS CAROL
AboutFACE Ireland presents ‘Orson Welles’ Christmas Carol’ at the Whale Theatre at 8 p.m. It’s Christmas Eve 1938 in CBS Studio 1, where Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre Company are set to perform ‘A Christmas Carol’. It’s ten minutes to go and legendary Scrooge Lionel Barrymore has fallen sick. Orson has to step into his shoes; the script still isn’t right, his cast are revolting; and the pressure’s on after the success of ‘War of the Worlds’. Tickets cost €18/€15 and are available from the Whale.
UGLY CHRISTMAS JUMPERS
The Brass Fox in Wicklow will be celebrating that festive favourite, the ugly Christmas jumper, with a special party from 8 p.m.
ARDMORE CHRISTMAS DRAW
The annual Ardmore Rovers Christmas Draw and night out takes place in The Wild Goose at 8.30 p.m. There will be €2,000 worth of prizes to be won and an exclusive raffle for those in attendance at what is always a very enjoyable evening.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20 CHRISTMAS STABLES
Children will love the chance to meet some of Santa’s animals, including Santa’s deer, pygmy goats, minature 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.
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 12.30 p.m. to 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.
ELF
Greystones Film Club presents the delightful and sentimental ‘Elf’ at the Whale Theatre at 4.30 p.m. Will Ferrell has rarely been better as unlikely elf Buddy, who is taking the long walk from the North Pole to find his birth father. 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.
CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISER
The Hub in Kiltegan will be celebrating the Christmas season with a fundraiser from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Guests can enjoy a glass of mulled wine or hot chocolate, mince pies, Christmas cookies and plenty of Christmas spirit. A raffle will also be held. Entry will be €5 for adults and €3 per child.
SOLSTICE MILE
Greystones Athletics Club will host the Soltice Mile, a series of graded one mile races (four laps of the track), to mark the winter solstice, at 7p.m. at Shoreline Leisure Sports Park. Open to everyone aged over 12, entry donation are €5 for adults or €3 for under-12 to under-16. Tea/coffee and cakes will be served afterwards.
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.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
West Wicklow Voices will host a wonderful evening of festive, choral music at St Mary’s Church of Ireland in Baltinglass from 7.30 p.m. Tickets will be available on the door and cost €10 for adults and €5 for children.
CANDLELIGHT CAROLS
Calary Church will host a carol service by candlelight at 7.30 p.m. The collection on the night will be divided between Tiglin Ashford and the Simon Community.
MEDITATION BY CANDLELIGHT
Heartfulness meditation by candlelight will take place at Common Ground, Church Terrace in Bray from 7 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. The evening will include a 30 minute meditation, followed by a hot fruit cup and mince pies. The event is free of charge.
LOVE ACTUALLY
Greystones Film Club presents the seasonal favourite ‘Love Actually’ at 8 p.m. in the Whale Theatre. The film follows the loves and losses of a number of characters as their stories criss-cross and culminate in a sentimential scene in airport arrivals. Tickets cost €10 and are available from the Whale.
SKANKIN’ CHRISTMAS PARTY
SKA DJ Tommy Rash and the Rude Dudes will host a big Christmas bash in aid of the Extinction Rebellion in the Hot Spot Music Club in Greystones. The night will include a presentation and a raffle. Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets cost €8.
CHRISTMAS JUMPER NIGHT
The Scoil Aodán Naofa Parents Council will host a Christmas jumper night at 9 p.m. in McCreas Bar in Carnew. Entry will be €5 per person and all proceeds will be used to fund interactive whiteboards for the school.
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.
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.