In the charming west-coast city of Galway, you can find one of the best Christmas Markets in Ireland. This lively Christmas Market receives hundreds of thousands of visitors each year! This is the thirteenth year Galway welcomes the long-loved Christmas Market 2022.
Each year, the Galway Christmas Market takes place in the city center-Eyre Square. It runs from the 11th of November up until the 22nd of December (some years, dates may differ slightly). The market is open 7 days a week, with no entrance fees.
OPENING HOURS:
12 P.M. – 8 P.M. Monday to Wednesday
10 A.M. – 10 P.M. Thursday to Sunday
There are around 50 different stalls scattered across the market. While the Galway Christmas Market may not be the biggest one out there, I can confirm it’s still a very enchanting one, and worthy of visiting.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO FIND
The market is full of surprises! You can find anything from Asian street food, hand-knit clothing, organic skin products, and fun Christmas gifts to many delicious desserts. You will find traders from various countries, offering unique seasonal products. That’s the beauty of the Christmas Market, you can expect to find something new and different! Here are some of the stalls you can find.
RI NA MARA IRISH SEAWEED COSMETICS
This successful family-run business specializes in 100% natural Irish skincare products, sourced locally from organic seaweed. Rí Na Mara brand stands for sustainable and healthy beauty.
I have personally bought their seaweed face mask a few years ago and I loved it! The great thing about their products, you don’t need to use a lot of it to see the results. It is also great knowing the products are locally sourced, from our very own Atlantic Ocean in Spiddal, Connemara.
If you want to know more about their products, visit: Ri Na Mara
PAPAS MINERAL COMPANY
Another one of my favorites! If you are looking to take that Christmas feeling home with you, then make sure to grab one of these. These sweet cordials come in different flavors, from Spiced Winterberry to Classic Peppermint. However, their best seller is the Original Ginger Wine! – which is also my favorite one. These drinks are extremely versatile, you can make mulled wine, add some to your favorite spirit, use it in cocktails or have it with hot water!
TIP: Use Spiced Winterberry Cordial with some warm red wine to make an amazing mulled wine! Add some orange slices for the extra flavor.
Find out more about the brand here: Papas Mineral Company – Artisan Drinks & Speciality Cordials
PICK & MIX SWEETS
There is probably not much I can tell you about these sweets, but all I can say is that you can’t leave the market without getting a few! For a sweet lover like me, it’s like a little piece of heaven. You will usually find many people queued up outside this stall…trying to choose but cannot decide. If you’re unsure what to get, try the long snake jellies – that’s one of their best sellers!
Make sure to say hi to Endrit! 🙂
R&G FRAGRANCES
Another small Irish-owned business founded by Gina. You can find natural long-lasting luxury fragrances perfected by Gina! You can shop for sleek flower diffusers, candles, wax melts, and more. Find the best scents such as Amber & Lavender or Citrus Musk & Patchouli.
Shop their products here: R&G Fragrances
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS FROM THE OLIVE TREE
Shop beautifully handcrafted Christmas decorations from the olive tree in Bethlehem. The olive tree is native to the Holy Land and is seen as a symbol of persistence, hope, and peace. You can find some great Christmas gifts here!
Find out more here: From The Olive Tree
THE BEST HOT DOGS
This is probably one of the most loved stalls in the Galway Christmas Market. There is something so good about these simple yet delicious hot dogs! I highly recommend you try one.
And yes, I may or may not have outdone myself with the pickles. Not the best-looking hot dog, I can admit that, but I promise you it tasted amazing.
THE SEAWEED SKIN COMPANY
Another great place to shop for organic seaweed skincare products. If you didn’t know, a seaweed mask can help you exfoliate and deep clean your skin, unclog pores and stimulate blood circulation! It leaves your skin extremely soft and revitalized.
This product come in a powder form. All you have to do is mix it with water – see instruction here. You can purchase different size, starting from €20. If you buy the large one, you get a small one for free!
TIP: If you like to use fake tan, this product is great for removing fake tan of your skin!
Shop their products and learn more about The Seaweed Skin Company here: theseaweedskincompany.com
MULLED WINE AND HOT CHOCOLATE
Warm up with a glass of mulled wine or hot chocolate and enjoy some Christmas treats.
THE BEST ‘CHIMNEY CAKE’
Hungarian dessert traditionally called Kürtöskalács or often referred to as the ‘chimney cake’, is yet another delicious goodie found in the market. You can get these mouth-watering cakes with various fillings such as Nutella, ice cream, coconut, caramel syrup and more. Make sure to try one of these!
HANDCRAFTED WOODEN GIFTS
Another great place to shop for unique handcrafted wooden gifts. These lovely handcrafted items are made from olive trees, all the way in Tanzania. According to the owner, the wood has to dry for three years before they can start working on it!
If you know someone who enjoys a good chess game, this might be the perfect gift for them.
CREPES
I’m sure you saw this one coming. It wouldn’t be a Christmas market if it didn’t have any crêpes! Whether you like sweet or savory, they got both! Choose from many of the filling choices and enjoy a delicious crêpe.
DOLCE SOFIA – HANDCRAFTED CHOCOLATES AND BISCUITS
Find some handcrafted Italian desserts from Naples! Taste true Cannoli and enjoy a little taste of Italy.
CON ARTIST – HANDMADE ITEMS IN GALWAY
Vik makes these amazing handmade items from concrete with natural color pigments. You can find incense holders, soap dishes, beautiful flowerpots, different shaped plates, quirky sculptures and more!
Make sure to check out her Instagram page: @conartistireland and website: Con Artist
PRATAI IRISH FRIES
These have to be one of the best fries I ever tried! If you like nicely flavored fries and a choice of homemade dips, then make sure to try these!
Check them out on Instagram: @pratai_official
If you want to find out more about the businesses at the Galway Christmas Market, you can have a look here: Buy at the Christmas Market Galway from home!
ENTERTAINMENT
THE BEER TENT
One of the biggest attractions in the Galway Christmas Market, no doubt is the famous Beer Tent. Here you can find a lively party atmosphere and enjoy a good pint of beer or mulled wine! The Beer Tent is open daily from 12pm to 10.30pm. There are no entrance fees.
NOTE: The Beer Tent can get extremely busy and most of the time you have to wait in long queues to get in. If you don’t want to wait around and have guaranteed seats, I advise you to purchase a VIP ticket here.
THE FERRIS WHEEL
Enjoy the magical Christmas lights from above, along with panoramic views of Galway city!
Adult – €6, Under 12 – €5, 2 Adults & 2 Under 12 – €20, VIP Experience – €50
VIP Experience Include: 25 minutes in deluxe gondola, bottle of bubbles, box of chocolates and a fluffy blanket. Max 4 people. You can book this through their Facebook page.
TIP: If you are going late in the evening, it can get very cold higher up, make sure to layer up!
VISIT SANTA
If you want to surprise you kids with a Santa visit, then make sure to book your tickets here or give them a call on 091394638. It is €2o per child – a gift is included.
Opening Hours:
Friday: 4pm – 8pm
Saturday 12pm – 7pm
Sunday – 12pm – 7.30pm
SANTA EXPRESS TRAIN
Take a 15-minute ride through the city center in Santa Express! It cost €5 per person.
NORTH POLE HORSE CAROUSEL
TIP: Make sure to take out some cash before you visit the Christmas Market, as many stalls don’t take card!
Follow me on Instagram: @samantaxxk
