Winterval 2018

200motels wrote: »

Was in town today and it was buzzing but buzzing with greed, all for one f****** day, you would swear the shops will be closed for a month but no the greedy bastards are open the day after Xmas to manipulate people into buying **** they can’t afford or need, the big corporates must love how greedy the Irish really are, well I for one won’t buy into this manipulation of the masses.

Considering there's a another 2 weeks of this before the "big day" itself the greed is just about to become greedier. Don't get me wrong I like Christmas but the need to splurge on absolutely everything is pretty insane. Presents, Decorations, Gifts, Huge Amounts of Food/Drink... the list is endless. And as you say the day passes by pretty quickly and then its the NY's Sales! B4 you know it will be Valentines Day! The Paddys Day! Then Easter etc etc.

I think everyone should pause and think about the real message of Christmas for a change: "to give up one's very self — to think only of others — how to bring the greatest happiness to others — that is the true meaning of Christmas.”

Over the past number of years rather than follow the masses in their quest to buy as much as possible I have stepped out of the madness in the run up to Christmas. Yes I buy gifts for those close to me. However, its a refreshing change to take a walk on the beach in Tramore or out on the Greenway whilst many of those around us are dragging bags of stuff here'n'there, ploughing through the masses etc. Its nice to sit back and relax over the "holidays". Who needs the stress of speed shopping? In general the dark days of this time of year leading up to the winter solstice lend themselves to a slow wind down rather than a marathon shopping exhibition.

"I took a trip up to Wyse Park but it was closed and looked abandoned almost. Maybe I went at the wrong time (around 3pm). "



It runs from 5 to 8. Lots of cool lighting features so needs to be dark.

Well worth making the effort to return to see it. My kids spent a good hour there and all for free.

DeanAustin wrote: »

Brought the kids on Sunday for the day. There was some good and some not so good.

The day was a bit slow kicking off which was fair enough. Santa was great although I’m not sure about the location. Last year it was in the same place but seemed there was more space. They’ve also had it in better locations throughout the years. Santa himself was good with the kids and they loved him. I had mixed feelings on the kids choosing their toys. In one sense, I’d rather have Santa give them the presents. In another, there is less chance of them getting something they don’t want. One year, they give Winterval branded teddy bears to everyone which were just utter sh!te. So all in all, the Santa experience was a good one.

The town looked well and the stalls were really well set out and created a good atmosphere. The collection of the letters in the Apple Market was fantastic. The guy doing it was brilliant as were the kids dancing but the whole event was really enjoyable and very well organised. For a free event it was top class.

The Waterford Eye was great as was the horse ride. I took a trip up to Wyse Park but it was closed and looked abandoned almost. Maybe I went at the wrong time (around 3pm).

I do feel though that the event has lost something over the last few years. Down around Reginald’s Tower used to be one of the epicentres of the event, now there is nothing. I don’t know why but it’s a shame. Things like the Toy Museum, Santa and the Storytelling down by the Reg made that a corner of activity. Also, Waterford On Ice has been moved away from the Quay I think which is a shame too. Having it so central meant people would see it even if they didn’t go and added to the event as a whole.

I love Winterval and think it was a stroke of genius from whoever came up with it. It makes me proud of Waterford even though I no longer live there. I fully understand that with a festival as big as this, you will have hits and misses. I just hope that we continue to have more hits with it.

Think that may be because one of the previous main organisers owned the Reg, so maybe that's why be why there's not much activity down that way.

Having been to both Limerick & Galway over the last 3 weekends I really have to say that WINTERVAL is by far the best event & it really is disappointing to see such pointless negativity from a few. but some will be miserable whatever happens.

alta stare wrote: »

Galway is the most over rated place in this country.

The buzz in Waterford over xmas is great. Way better than most places. I have noticed tho and I dont know maybe im out of the loop a bit more lately but to me it doesnt seem as if Winterval is being advertised as much this year. Is it losing its appeal, or is it a budget thing???

Galway is a great place. There's a reason it gets over a million tourists a year. We could learn a thing or two from them.

Deiseen wrote: »

Any tourist that I've known that's ever been to Galway has loved it. It's a great place.

I went September last year and tbh I wouldn't go back

Lovely positive article about Winterval in Today's Irish Independent.







https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/ireland/winterval-in-waterford-our-family-guide-to-irelands-christmas-capital-37633408.html




Snow may have come late to Lapland, but Ireland’s biggest Christmas festival means you don't have to leave the country to bask in merry cheer.
Winterval in Waterford is over two hours from Dublin. The city’s annual transformation into Ireland's Christmas capital gets bigger each year, and the 2019 edition is expected to attract more than 500,000 visitors over December.
We travelled with our 10-year-old for a late break in December and found that, for families especially, it's a city break with a difference before the big day.
Santa’s grotto in the Old Sorting Office on Custom House Quay is a welcome step above the usual offering of a long wait for five minutes with the man himself surrounded by battered crayons.
Here, kids and adults can take part in festive-themed carnival style games, X's and O's and Connect Four, or try to toss hoops onto a reindeer's antlers (much harder than it looks). The elves are on hand to play giant Jenga, and they're cheekily competitive - all a huge hit with the kids before - and after - stopping in to see Santa.
There is something extra magical about visiting Santa when he knows exactly what you’ve asked for and has easy answers to the many questions posed by wondering minds.
6 6 Pictured with Santa in Waterford City were brothers Isaac (9) and Evan (6) Sullivan. Winterval features over 60 free and ticketed events across Waterford city. Picture: Patrick Browne


How does he make it down the chimney? He slims down. How does he get it all done in one night (a gold pocket watch is produced to explain that he can slow down or pause time).
He was, unlike other places, the real deal we decided afterwards - not just a helper dispatched from the North Pole, but the man himself.
Grab a hot chocolate on the way out to keep you warm for wandering through the markets on John Roberts Square but leave room for the fresh donuts or mini cheesecakes to keep you going for a spot of Christmas shopping.
The festival is nicely spread out through Waterford's centre, which makes for a great way to see the city transformed with lights on every corner and amusements aplenty, but nothing is too far for little legs either.

















In addition to the outdoor market, there is also a craft market in Garter’s Lane Arts Centre.
You would be hard pushed not to find yourself humming along to Christmas songs after a whirl on a traditional carousel on John Roberts Square. There is also the Helter Skelter on Constitution Square and the vintage ferris wheel on Arundel Square.
But the Waterford Eye steals the show for wow factor. Located on the Quays, the big wheel offers a bird’s-eye view of the city.
A trip on the Winterval Express Train or the double decker horse-drawn sleigh will help you plot out your course for the day, taking you past some of the highlights.
Winterval on Ice is a chance for you to skate off some of the sugar consumed. There is a smaller rink with penguin shaped aides for little ones finding their “ice legs” - sadly no adult version is available, but you’ll feel all the more accomplished when you eventually master the art of staying upright.
Waterford is dotted with lots of cafes and comfy pubs for daytime dining. No 9 Cafe on Barronstrand Street is a great and welcoming option beside the carousels and Express Train stop. Pop in for big helpings of tasty and hearty food - first-timers to Waterford who have never tasted the famous blaa would be wise to try one of their burgers.
6 6 The launch of Winterval 2018 in Waterford City. Picture: Patrick Browne


The cafe is also where Santa fuels up for the day when he pops in for breakfast on Saturday and Sundays and stops by your table for a chat.
Just down the street, Carter’s Chocolate Cafe has a dizzying array of hot chocolate, milkshakes and sweet treats - for the season that’s in opt for one with all the trimmings including a giant peppermint candy-cane, you won’t regret it.
When the sun goes down the city lights up with Winterval Illuminates at Cathedral Square, running a light show every 30 minutes after 5pm, and Spraoi’s Winter Wonderland at Wyse Park open for visitors from 5pm also.
Before you leave the city, make sure to stop off at the giant postbox at the Applemarket to send a letter to Santa.
How to do it


Winterval in Waterford

Winterval runs to December 23, though some events like Winterval on Ice and the Big Wheel will continue operating to January 6.
It includes a mix of ticketed and free events. Prices range from €6/5 for train rides and €5/4 for the Big Wheel, to €17 per child for Santa's Grotto (with two adults free) and €13/12 for ice-skating. See winterval.ie for more.
For a family-friendly accommodation option, Waterford Castle Golf Resort (waterfordcastleresort.com) has lodges from €129 per night.
The hotel facilities are open to all guests, including the Kings Channel clubhouse serving food and drinks, and the enormous Christmas tree in the lobby is worth visiting in itself. The hotel and lodges are set on an island accessed by ferry which runs every 15 minutes for most of the day - a massive novelty for the kids.
Our top tip? Be flexible.
Our first day was interrupted by Storm Deirdre which closed much of the festival down, but there are indoor events that can help you work around the weather including a cinema club at the Reg showing Home Alone at 2pm and 4pm, and in George’s Court Shopping Centre, the Polish Christmas folks run cookie and card making workshops.
Laura and family were guests of Winterval and Waterford Castle Hotel.