Santa is coming to town!
Boating down the Nore, and cycling around the city to the Kilkenny Castle Park, Santa is arriving once again to Kilkenny on Saturday the 26th of November. Join him as he takes the green route across the city, by boat and by bike arriving on the Parade just in time to launch this year’s Yulefest. Watch on from the streets or join him on his Santa’s City Cycle. There will live music and street entertainment for all the family to enjoy. It’s the most wonderful time of the year so root out your Christmas jumper and come join us as we welcome Santa to our Medieval city and launch Yulefest 2022!
Watch Santa as he travels up the river from Green’s Bridge to Canal Square (2.30pm -2.45pm). Line the river banks and bridges to give Santa, the Civil Defence and the Nore Dragon paddlers a wave of welcome into the city. Then meet Santa as he comes off the boat at Canal Square and join him for the second part of his journey – Santa’s City Cycle. ‘Bling your bike’ and join environmentally conscious Santa as he takes the green option and takes his bike on the road around the city. Children of all ages* are welcome to join Santa’s City Cycle. Meet at Canal Square from 2.15pm to depart at 3pm.
Santa’s City Cycle will be followed by the turning on of the city’s Christmas lights and the official launch of Yulefest 2022 from the Yulefest Bandstand on The Parade (4.30pm – 5pm).
On the day the Kilkenny Christmas Market will be open on the Parade from 1-6pm so you can pick up some tasty treats or get your Christmas shopping started early!
Timeline for the day:
1pm: The Yulefest Christmas Market officially opens
2pm: Music at Canal Square & on the Yulefest Bandstand
2.30pm: Santa begins his journey up river from Green’s Bridge to Canal Square.
3pm: Santa’s City Cycle departs from Canal Square
3.30pm-4pm: Santa’s City Cycle arrives at the Kilkenny Castle Park
4.30-5pm: The official launch of Yulefest Kilkenny 2022 at the Yulefest Bandstand.
5pm: The official switching on of the Christmas lights
*All children participating in the cycle must be accompanied by an adult.
