Kilkenny launches Festive Fridays at Yulefest 2024!

Kilkenny is lighting up this holiday season with the launch of Festive Fridays a Night Time Economy and Shop Kilkenny Initiative.

Every Friday of Yulefest, the city will host an array of festive activities designed to bring the community together, support local businesses, and create a vibrant night time atmosphere for both residents and visitors alike. From magical Christmas trails to live entertainment, Festive Fridays at Yulefest Kilkenny promises an unforgettable holiday experience for everyone.

Yulefest Christmas Trail: A Journey of Holiday Magic

The heart of Festive Fridays lies in the Yulefest Christmas Trail, an experience that invites visitors to explore Kilkenny's historic streets, uncover hidden gems, and participate in an exciting interactive quiz. Christmas Trail Maps are available for collection at the Yulefest HQ (located at the corner of Rose Inn Street and the Parade — Eircode: R95Y672) or local shops. An interactive family friendly trail around Kilkenny city, the trail takes in the city’s Christmas Lights, Christmas Trees and historical areas while ‘reindeer spotting’, answering questions and solving puzzles. A magical way to spend an evening with the family in the beautiful medieval city of Kilkenny this festive season!

The trail is a self-guided free activity on public streets. Follow the map to get to every stop and answer the questions and puzzles as you go. Once you’ve completed the trail you can submit your answer sheet in the Yulefest postbox to be in with a chance of winning weekly Shop Kilkenny vouchers! 

The Yulefest Christmas Trail is live throughout the festival, so you can pick a time that suits you, although we highly recommend the evenings when the lights shine their brightest. A highlight of the trail, as mentioned above, includes:

• Reindeer Trail: Santa’s reindeers are popping up in shop windows around Kilkenny. See if you can spot them all! Where they are one week might not be where they are the next. On the back of your Christmas Trail map, colour in the reindeer and answer the questions as you find them to be in with a chance to win one or our five weekly €20 Shop Kilkenny Vouchers! 

Reindeer Garden at Rothe House

Visit this beautiful Kilkenny treasure with a festive twist and come see the Yulefest display of reindeer in the beautiful Rothe House Garden. The garden can be visited from 3pm-6pm throughout December will late opening on Fridays and Saturday till 8pm. Stop in while you’re on the Yulefest Christmas Trail. The retail shop will be open during the garden opening times, selling local crafts and Irish products. An easy place to pick up some gifts while you are here!

KCLR Battle of the Buskers 

This December we’re bringing live entertainment to the streets of Kilkenny! Feel the energy of local talent as Kilkenny's buskers battle it out each week for the chance to win a €500 cash prize, together with recording time in studio and airplay on KCLR 96fm!  

Featuring a lively blend of musicians performing holiday classics and original tunes, providing the perfect soundtrack to the Christmas festivities. Come out Friday 6th, 13th, 20th December from 6pm, visit all 4 buskers and vote for your favourite! 

Yulefest Festive Fridays: An Interactive Experience!

• Scéals of Hiss'mas: Join the National Reptile Zoo for a journey through the festive season around the world - told through the lens of the reptiles, amphibians and insects who live there! An interactive learning experience featuring new animals each week, with activities for everyone! These weekly workshops will take place every Friday throughout Yulefest in the Yulefest Marquee on the Parade. Each workshop will include three animal encounters, stories of winter celebrations from the places the animals come from and a ‘HissMass’ game or activity. An engaging and unique event for children and families each Friday in December. Workshops are suitable for children aged 5+ and children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets available at yulefestkilkenny.ie
• Kiddies Carnival Rides at Canal Square: For those seeking thrills, Canal Square is the place to be! Bringing a festive, fun-filled atmosphere to the heart of the city. Head down to Canal Square on Friday evenings (4pm-8pm), Saturdays (11am-8pm) and Sundays (11am-6pm) and have spin! Rides are suitable for children only, cost €3 per ride.
• Mrs Claus and her elves will be stopping in and out of shops around the city to say hello. If you see them make sure to say hello and get a photo! 

Launch Celebration: Lights, Music, and Community Spirit

The festivities kicked off in grand style on Saturday November 30 with Santa’s arrival to the city and the official launch of Yulefest Kilkenny 2024. Santa took to the River Nore by boat before travelling around Kilkenny’s medieval streets by Steam Train. A spectacular site to behold! Santa and his elves were overwhelmed with the welcome they received at Canal Square and he was delighted to see all of the children and families who came out to see him.  Kilkenny’s Mayor Andrew McGuinness had the honor of switching on the city’s Christmas lights alongside Santa himself and Cathaoirleach Michael McCarthy, which filled the streets with a magical glow. The moment was made even more special by a stunning performance from Enya Cox, a talented singer from Castlecomer and finalist on The Voice Kids. Enya's beautiful rendition of ‘Oh, Holy Night’ and ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ provided the perfect soundtrack as the lights illuminated the city, signaling the start of a magical season.

Festive Fridays and the Night Time Economy Initiative

The Night Time Economy Initiative, in partnership with Shop Kilkenny, is a key part of this year’s Yulefest celebrations, designed to encourage people to experience Kilkenny’s vibrant Christmas scene after dark. By supporting local businesses, the initiative aims to boost the local economy while providing a safe, welcoming, and fun environment for everyone to enjoy the holiday season. Festive Fridays will run from 5 PM to 9 PM, with a host of events, activities, and live performances, ensuring the city remains lively well into the evening.

Event Information:

When: Every Friday in December, from 5pm to 9pm

Where: Kilkenny City Centre

Start: Yulefest HQ (Corner of Rose Inn Street and the Parade – Eircode R95Y672)

Full Event Details: www.yulefestkilkenny.ie

Whether you're here to explore the Christmas trail, enjoy a live performance, or simply soak in the festive atmosphere, Yulefest Kilkenny 2024 offers something for everyone. Don’t miss out on this magical holiday celebration—Kilkenny is waiting to be explored under the stars!

Yulefest Kilkenny celebrates Christmas in Kilkenny and runs until December 22. Featuring the Yulefest Christmas Market, live music on the Yulefest Live Music Stage, and family entertainment each weekend plus a range of festive events each week! 

For more information and the full event schedule, visit www.yulefestkilkenny.ie or follow on social media at @YulefestKilkenny.