Killarney is set for a bumper festive parade - and a very special visit from Santa himself this Saturday night.

A new route and a new float have been added this year, and there'll be great excitement in town after last year's parade was cancelled due to COVID.

The turn-off from the Killarney bypass road to Upper Lewis Road, from both the Cleeny and Park Road sides, will be closed from 5.30pm to 6.15pm this Saturday night to facilitate the first Christmas in Killarney parade of the season.

A new route will see participants leaving from Fitzgerald Stadium and proceeding along Lewis Road, College Street, Plunkett Street, Main Street and High Street, with the festivities due to commence at 6pm.

Other traffic restrictions will also apply with the streets involved – in addition to Upper New Street – to be closed off from 5pm to 7.30pm.

Members of the public intending to gather to watch the parade are being encouraged to wear facemasks at all times and to respect social distancing requirements.

The Christmas in Killarney Festival Committee has asked people to plan their evening in advance, to arrive and park early and to find a safe place from which to view the parade.

“In the times we are living in and with ongoing concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19, safety is paramount and we would ask everybody to heed the advice we are offering and to obey stewards on the night,” said Christmas in Killarney voluntary chairman Niall Kelleher.

“All the volunteers will be wearing facemasks and we would ask all others to do so as well. It will be a long evening so people are asked to find somewhere comfortable and safe and to ensure any children they have with them are kept safe too,” he added.

“We are asking people to arrive in town early, enjoy the atmosphere, check out the shops and maybe even enjoy one of the Santa sleigh rides.”

Following the enforced absence last year, this year’s parade promises to be extra magical with an incredible new float lined up while all the other favourite floats have been given a fabulous new look.

Santa Claus has confirmed that he will be in attendance at the parade and he is looking forward to meeting all the boys and girls who, he revealed, are all on his ‘Nice’ list this Christmas.