Waterford Winterval Festival partners with local charites and aims to raise over €15,000

A number of local charities in Waterford are set to get a boost from the 2023 Winterval Festival. 

The 2023 Winterval Festival is aiming to ‘give back' as much as it can to those in need in Waterford. The festival has a number of particular events planned in association with Waterford-based charities.

On Sunday, December 10th the Winterval Tractor Parade in association with Suir Garages and in aid of Tintean Housing will take to the Quays of Waterford and culminate at the waterside Carpark where kids can peer at a Deere, or aspire to be as classy as a Massey from 6 pm until 7.30 pm. This is a free event but we ask that those who take part in the parade, or who come to watch, make a donation of any value to the homeless charity Tinteán Housing Association. 

Next up on December 15th locals and visitors alike are invited to join the Winterval team on their bicycles as they take to the streets from 7.30 pm for the Jingle Bells Cycle beneath the twinkling lights of the City. Participants are encouraged to get out the tinsel, the fairy lights and the Christmas jumpers; this is a short 2km family-friendly cycle route suitable for ages 6+. 

On December 22nd BuskAid will fill the streets with music and song with the goal of raising much-needed funds for Tinteán Housing, a Waterford-based homeless charity. BuskAid is Ireland's city-wide busk for charity in aid of the homeless. Based in Waterford City, it aims to raise funds and awareness for local homelessness charity Tinteán Housing, through music and volunteering. Donation buckets will be all around Winterval on the day. Special guests will appear throughout the day, building into a giant 'Big Busk' at the end, followed by an uplifting performance by the High Hopes choir. 

The festival organisers are asking people to please consider making a donation, “You can donate to one of the bucket collections on the day to support our charity partner - Tintean Housing Association. They do incredible work in the provision of accommodation with support, in a safe environment, to women and families who present as homeless. You can also choose to donate online at any point during the festival via www.winterval.ie"

In addition, the Elves Workshops at Winterval is operated and run by The Red Cross with all donations going directly to the charity. 

The 11th annual Winterval Festival is now on until December 23rd.  The City is transformed into a land of magical festive entertainment with a festive Fairground and Winterval on Ice, a Gerbola Christmas Circus, A Narnia Christmas Show, the magical Winterval Illuminates light show, a Viking Yule Settlement where you can hark back to how Christmas was celebrated in the Viking City. 

You can enjoy the Port of Waterford Eye, the Winterval Mini Express train, Glow Gardens, a virtual ride in Santa’s sleigh, a miniature model Circus showcase and of course, Santa Claus will be ensconced with his elves at the Gingerbread House in the City centre and there is even a gigantic talking postbox at The Apple Market. Plus there is an abundant programme of music and theatre events and live performances on the main stage which is right in the heart of the Winterval Glenveagh Food & Craft Market which features over 100 food and craft producers.

There are over 40 events and over half of those are free - check out the full Winterval Festival programme of events  at www.winterval.ie