Christmas Market at Winterval, Waterford

The Christmas Market at Winterval sets up at John Roberts Square in Waterford city centre for the run of the festival, on weekends from 13 November through to 23 December 2026. Stalls sell a mix of crafts, food and festive gifts, giving the square, one of the more open public spaces in the city centre, a market atmosphere for the length of the Christmas season. Entry is free, and the market runs as one of several free attractions woven through Winterval alongside the Light Up Ceremony, the Blue Light Parade and the Truck and Tractor Parade, distinct from the festival’s ticketed attractions such as Waterford On Ice and the Medieval Museum’s Santa visit. As with much of Winterval, the market draws both local shoppers doing their Christmas shopping and visitors to the city taking in the wider festival, and its central location at John Roberts Square, close to Broad Street and the Apple Market, puts it at the heart of the festival’s footprint rather than off to one side. Stallholders vary from weekend to weekend, so returning more than once across the festival’s run can turn up a different mix of stalls each time.

What to expect

Market stalls selling crafts, food and Christmas gifts at John Roberts Square, running across Winterval’s weekend dates from mid-November to just before Christmas. Trading hours vary by weekend and by stallholder, so checking Winterval’s own listings closer to a visit is worth doing if a specific stall or opening time matters, but the market is reliably part of the festival’s core weekend footprint throughout its run.

Getting there

John Roberts Square is in Waterford city centre, just off Broad Street and within easy walking distance of the Apple Market and the quays. Public car parks are close by, though the surrounding streets get busy on market weekends, particularly close to Christmas.