A brand-new theatrical production has been added to the Christmas in Killarney festival line-up, bringing a major family attraction to the town throughout the winter season.

Titled Christmas in Killarney – The Show, the new production makes its debut at Killarney Racecourse. It runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday across the four weekends leading up to Christmas, offering a fresh entertainment experience alongside the town’s existing seasonal celebrations.

The narrative follows a story based locally, beginning when Santa’s sleigh crash-lands in Killarney during a routine test flight. With Santa missing, a search-and-rescue team of North Pole elves and their loyal reindeer Olive embark on a race against time to locate him before Christmas Eve. The journey takes the characters through recognisable local locations, including the streets of the town and Killarney National Park.

The stage production combines live acting, music, and comedy designed for audiences of all ages. The storyline concludes directly in time for the cast to join the weekly Magic Parade in the town centre each Saturday.

The addition expands the six-week festival schedule, which is managed by Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce and supported by Kerry County Council. The new show runs alongside returning attractions, including the weekly parades, Christmas markets, and seasonal dining events across local venues.

Organisers confirmed that tickets for Christmas in Killarney – The Show are available via the Killarney Racecourse website, with multiple showtimes scheduled across each weekend of the run.

Highlights of the upcoming six-week festival

The six-week Christmas in Killarney festival returns with a full schedule of street entertainment, markets, and family attractions across the town starting late November.

Ireland’s only weekly Christmas Magic Parades return to the town centre each Saturday from November 28, featuring festive floats, costumed characters, and street performers. Santa’s Holiday Residence opens at Golden Gate Lodge in Killarney National Park from November 27 to December 23, offering family visits with Santa and his elves.

Local culinary event Dine in Killarney takes place across two evenings on November 19 and 26, with over 30 participating restaurants providing three-course seasonal menus. Old Market Lane hosts the town’s Christmas Markets, featuring handcrafted items and seasonal goods from local vendors. Killarney on Ice also returns to Beech Road from November 27 through January 10.

Autism friendly festival events

Organisers of Christmas in Killarney have confirmed a suite of accessibility measures to ensure festival events are inclusive for all visitors.

As an Autism Friendly Town, Killarney will feature designated quiet viewing areas along the routes for each of the weekly Saturday Magic Parades. Wheelchair accessible viewing platforms will also be installed at main gathering points throughout the festival grounds.

To assist families, visual and sensory guides detailing the environment and noise levels of key festival experiences will be provided on the festival website prior to the opening weekend.

Santa Grotto tickets go on sale

Tickets for Santa’s Holiday Residence at Golden Gate Lodge go on sale today, Friday, September 11, on the official festival website.

The experience runs from November 27 to December 23, featuring meetings with Santa’s elves, an official certificate, and a private family visit with Santa in his firelit sitting room. Advance booking is required through christmasinkillarney.com.

Festival Highlights at a glance

Weekly Magic Parades: Four parades take place each Saturday leading up to Christmas, starting November 28, featuring dazzling festive floats, characters, elves, and Santa.

Santa’s Grotto: Located at Golden Gate Lodge in Killarney National Park from November 27 to December 23, complete with an official Nice List Certificate and firelit sitting room visit.

Dine in Killarney: Special three-course festive menus across more than 30 local restaurants on November 19 and 26.

Christmas Markets: Open-air cabins offering seasonal treats and handcrafted gifts at Old Market Lane, off Market Cross.

Killarney on Ice: Ice-skating rink operating at Beech Road from November 27 to January 10.

Santa’s Grotto tickets go on sale today

Tickets for Santa’s Holiday Residence at Golden Gate Lodge in Killarney National Park go on sale today, Friday, September 11, via the official festival website.

Running from November 27 through December 23, the experience includes interactive visits with Santa’s elves, an official Nice List Certificate, and a private family meeting with Santa in his firelit sitting room.

Organisers advise advance booking due to high demand. Full ticket details for Santa’s Grotto, Christmas in Killarney – The Show, and Killarney on Ice can be accessed at christmasinkillarney.com.

Killarney and its surrounding district were well represented at the 95th National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co. Offaly, this week.

Members of the Killarney Valley Classic and Vintage Club turned out in force on Wednesday to support the event, while local competitor Ryan Wharton took to the fields.

Competition results were not yet finalised as the Killarney Advertiser went to press on Thursday evening, with a full event roundup to follow next week.

Local hospitality businesses also made their presence felt at Europe’s largest outdoor exhibition.

Representatives from the Gleneagle Group and Hotel Killarney were among the local trade exhibitors showcasing the town’s tourism offering to massive crowds throughout the three-day event.

Organisers reported huge daily attendances across the site, with 77,000 visitors streaming through the gates on Tuesday’s opening day and a further 91,000 attending on Wednesday. Similar crowds were expected for Thursday’s final day of competition.