Christmas Market (Galway 2023)

Gadgetman496

Galway's Christmas Market is returning this year and promises to be bigger, better, and longer than ever.

The annual event sees Eyre Square transformed into a winter wonderland and the 2023 edition is due to run for two months straight.

The market will start from Friday, November 10, and run past Christmas day into the first week of the New Year with plans to wrap up on Sunday, January 7.

Annflynn

looking forward to it😃

ben.schlomo

What's there that will make it better I wonder? Going on previous there's not really anything at the Xmas market that is better than what you'd already get in town. Atmosphere and a Square that isn't empty is a plus.

rustyfrog

Phew, I'll hold off on the shower head purchases until then.

cena

Waste of time and space. It never feels like Christmas when you go.

Hopefully, the ice rink comes back.

ben.schlomo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121048914#Comment_121048914

A bit too Eastery is it?

I'm happy to see it extended this year. It never made sense to me that it finished up right as folks started holidays.

Space Dog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121069733#Comment_121069733

Most Christmas markets on the continent finish up in the days before Christmas as well.

Honey50000

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121070658#Comment_121070658

Galway doesent need to do the same although I think extending it too far is not good either it is supposed to be a xmas festival

xtradel

I always work up until xmas eve and assuming it'll be open on 26th/27th I'll look forward to a wander when it should be less hectic. Any idea which brewery is going into the beer tent this year? Really would love them to return to the original idea of German beer and oompa music playing.

the_galway_fry

does anyone now what the charges are to have a small stall there?

pm if you prefer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121181832#Comment_121181832

Depends on what category you fall under, details on the site

https://www.christmasmarketgalway.com/christmas-market-galway2/

the_galway_fry

doesnt actually say on the site , it is just a portal to apply

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121183673#Comment_121183673

Well it says 70 eur a day for artisan stalls, no idea if that's the type you want so you'll have to contact them for details beyond that

Sorry, there's no details other than that

zell12

Christmas trees gone up today. Saw one in Small Crane, another in Woodquay

kippy

Not sure about extending it as they are past Xmas - Galway is usually very quiet over the Xmas break - students gone home, very few tourists and most of the sane people are sick of spending money at that point. Still nice to have for those that can't enjoy it before xmas and probably a good idea to try get more footfall around town but I'd have to wonder myself whether it's just a gimmick to "justify" the charges they are charging stall holders as opossed to anything that's been thought out too much.

Gremlinertia

I feel uncomfortable how it corrals (hope I've got that word right) people into little chutes like rats in a maze or something.

My security head thinks about how vulnerable it makes people.. I suppose I should say bah humbug here

ThePentagon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121389176#Comment_121389176

Much preferred the market when the tents/stalls weren't confined to the path and could be located in the centre of the square. It felt less cramped. Alas, that set-up ruined the grass for months afterwards and, justifiably in my opinion, was abandoned.

Gremlinertia

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121393021#Comment_121393021

I'm with you on both points, the grass areas of the square are not capable of supporting the market, the crowding of the cabins is too dense to be comfortable

rustyfrog

I'd like to see these parts or eyre square resurfaced with something more robust so the space is usable for community events throughout the year.

Mrs OBumble

What sort of community events would you have in mind?

cal naughton

There was a poster on here year's ago obsessed about keeping the grass area's free during when the market was on. Used to get very annoyed.

Gremlinertia

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121393193#Comment_121393193

The sod in those open areas waterlogs so quickly it's unbelievable, a more robust drainage system plus a better sod would make a big difference to the recovery time of the areas marked

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121393465#Comment_121393465

The city has some people who are obsessed with having pretty patches of grass. And in fairness, Eyre Square is the only central green spot at this time.

And others who aren't happy with any commercial activities on the public space. That includes a market where 90+% of the traders are solely businesses, not charities.

Gremlinertia

Watching bricks and mortar charity shops rebrand as vintage does not help the charity element people think of.

However that's a much bigger issue not really relevant, though it's difficult to stay relevant talking about a temporary market in an established city.

Markets I've been to internationally were always in some form of historical market place. The northern end of the square was a market of long standing but no longer available, I've no solution or agenda here by the way. Just what I observe, as right or wrong as I may be

HBC08

It's a good idea to extend it past the 22nd/23rd or whatever it used to be.

I remember one year maybe 2016/17 they had the usual stuff in Erye Square but then had pop up shops and a long bar down at the Spanish arch.It really joined up the two areas of the town and I'm sure shop street/Quay Street businesses were happier too.

As far as I remember it was only I

one year,I wonder why they stopped this? Possibly it was bringing too many people (many with drink onboard) down around the water?

Laviski

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121393627#Comment_121393627

the weather..... storm came in one year and put that to bed.

Fitz*

It was 2013 I think. I just checked there and have photos from that year down that side. It was more of an 'alternative' bar than beer tent, so it certainly fitted in with the vibe of that side of town, albeit the wrong side of the river.

I guess the water element was the deciding factor, and while the crowds were not as big/rowdy as the beer tent, it was still too dangerous.

rustyfrog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121393450#Comment_121393450

Big dirty drug fuelled raves and have everyone pissing in the doorways of city residents.

Not really but that's how you'll interpret any community event anyways so let's leap straight to that.

dinneenp

Was in town over the weekend and went for a look. Lovely smell from the food......disappointed that it's €5 for a bag of chips or €8 for a large (which really is just regular) Bratwurst.

Fitz*

€6 for a small portion of mini doughnuts!

I guess there's a reason that there is no really visible price list in some stalls.

Space Dog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121427456#Comment_121427456

I saw Bratwurst and Currywurst for £11 at the Christmas markets in London last week, €8 seems like a steal compared to that!

jonnreeks

Is the Galway Christmas Market promoting 'Rip Off Ireland' in the food area at least, as if it has never really gone away!

Bawnmore

We were in over the weekend. Prices high as expected, but 5 quid per child for 1 go on the slide took me off guard a bit 😂

ben.schlomo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121428025#Comment_121428025

Yep, I wasn't there, but my other half and mil got caught for that, scandalous.

Bawnmore

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121428322#Comment_121428322

The merry go round with the horses too to a lesser extent. I went on it with our youngest girl (she's 3) on 1 horse and it was 5 per person, so 10 for both of us on the same horse. So would have been another 20 quid if our other 2 daughters wanted a go too. The ridiculous pricing of the slide made me forget all about it. Thank the lord they ate before they got there 😂

rustyfrog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121428025#Comment_121428025

Yeah but when you factor in the cost of gravity etc...

Mrs OBumble

I'd guess insurance costs have a lot to do with prices for the attractions.

Bawnmore

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121431349#Comment_121431349

I'd guess so too - I had the brilliant idea to bring the kids ice skating yesterday and after a quick Google it seems insurance has killed that too, which is a pity.

Paddico

Anyone else think this is the height of tat and a Galway tradition whatsoever?

theintern

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121430892#Comment_121430892

Don't know what you're talking about. Gravity prices have fallen to the floor lately.

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121457661#Comment_121457661

If it’s the same as it was or similar to ones over the last 6 years or so then yes definitely - at least they don’t charge admission like some in the UK do.

Prices for food were always on the high side but nothing like what’s been reported in the UK - but as you allude to, just because it’s not as extortionate doesn’t make it good.

Haven’t had a chance to hop down yet but like previous years I’ll probably spend 20 minutes walking from one end to another without putting my hand in my pocket 😀

zell12

Anyone notice the Council-installed tree in Woodquay? It is circa 5m high. The previous one was double that height and wider too. Cutbacks?

rustyfrog

Shrinkflation, it's always scaled relative to the tub of Roses.

what_traffic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122894649#Comment_122894649

I thought it was a Pint of Guinness.

ben.schlomo

They did the same with the tree down at the Crane too, incompetent tight fcukers.

Paddico

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122894649#Comment_122894649

Thats class … Yeah just like the Mars bar