We confirmed 10 Christmas events for kids in Galway for 2026. The first is Elf Town Galway on 20 November, and the season runs until 6 January with Goldilocks & The 3 Bears. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in Ireland.
The short version
- 10 kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Galway, Loughrea and Roscahill
- First: Elf Town Galway, Galway, 20 November
- Free events: None confirmed yet
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by area, with the date, time, price and the small things parents ask about (booking, ages, what is included).
Galway Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 10 confirmed for 2026
- Areas
- Galway, Loughrea and Roscahill
- Season
- 20 November to 6 January
- Free events
- None confirmed yet
- Last checked
Christmas events for kids in Galway
8 confirmed events in Galway, soonest first.
Elf Town Galway
Santa experienceElf Town Galway · Galway
- Host
- Elf Town Galway (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Galway Racecourse, Ballybrit, Galway H91 V654
- When
- 20 November to 23 December
- Price
- Full Experience from €30 per child; Express from €20 per child
- Ages
- Families
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Elf Town returns to Galway Racecourse in Ballybrit from 20 November to 23 December, turning the venue into a magical Christmas world where families discover how Santa's elves get ready for the big night. Along the way children meet festive characters, explore themed areas and end with a private family visit with Santa Claus.
There are two ways to visit. The Full Experience takes about two hours and starts from €30 per child, while the shorter Express Experience starts from €20 per child, which can suit toddlers or families short on time. The racecourse is in Ballybrit on the east side of the city, and tickets are for a set time.
Parent tip: Choose the Express option for very young children; the Full Experience lasts about two hours.
See dates and details from Elf Town Galway (opens in a new tab)Santa Afternoon Tea at The Connacht Hotel
Santa experienceThe Connacht Hotel · Galway
- Host
- The Connacht Hotel (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Aviary, The Connacht Hotel, Old Dublin Road, Galway
- When
- 22 and 29 November; 6, 13, 20 and 21 December
- Price
- Adults €32, children €16.50, family (2 adults, 2 children) €89
- Ages
- Families
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Connacht Hotel on the Old Dublin Road hosts Santa Afternoon Tea in its beautifully decorated Aviary on six dates this season: 22 and 29 November and 6, 13, 20 and 21 December. Families sit down to festive flavours and sweet treats, and Santa himself drops by to visit the children.
Prices are €32 for adults, €16.50 for children and €89 for a family of two adults and two children. Places are booked through the links on the hotel's festive afternoon tea page. It is a relaxed, sit-down way to see Santa, which suits families who would rather avoid a queue for a grotto, and the hotel is on the Old Dublin Road on the east side of the city.
Parent tip: Book the family ticket for the best value, and choose an earlier date as the December weekends fill quickly.
See dates and details from The Connacht Hotel (opens in a new tab)WhistleBlast's Night Before Christmas
Panto or Christmas showTown Hall Theatre Galway · Galway
- Host
- Town Hall Theatre Galway (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Town Hall Theatre, Courthouse Square, Galway
- When
- Saturday 5 December, 12 noon
- Price
- €15 / €10; family ticket (4) €40
- Ages
- Up to 10 years and families
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
WhistleBlast's Night Before Christmas is a new Christmas show for young families with children up to 10. The musicians take the audience on a sparkling, snowy Christmas adventure to all corners of the world, with music including The Snowman, Vivaldi's Winter and A Nightmare Before Christmas, and a festive tale that children can listen to and sing along with.
Children get involved too, with bell ringing and percussion playing for all. The show lasts 55 minutes with no interval, which suits small attention spans, and takes place at the Town Hall Theatre at 12 noon on Saturday 5 December. Tickets are €15 or €10, and a family ticket for four is €40.
Parent tip: The 55-minute running time with no interval works well for toddlers; the family ticket for four is the best value.
See dates and details from Town Hall Theatre Galway (opens in a new tab)Santa Lunch at Bay Brasserie
Santa experienceGalway Bay Hotel · Galway
- Host
- Galway Bay Hotel (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Galway Bay Hotel, The Promenade, Salthill
- When
- Sundays 6 and 13 December
- Price
- Adults €42; children (3 to 12) €32 including Santa visit and gift
- Ages
- Children aged 3 to 12
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Galway Bay Hotel in Salthill is hosting two Santa Lunches in its Bay Brasserie on Sunday 6 and Sunday 13 December. Adults enjoy a choice of main course, festive dessert, tea or coffee and a glass of mulled wine, while children have their own lunch with hot chocolate.
Once lunch is done, the little ones visit Santa in the hotel's cosy library, and rumour has it he is bringing treats for all the good boys and girls, with a gift included in the children's price. Adults are €42 and children aged 3 to 12 are €32. Bookings are made by emailing the hotel. The hotel is on the seafront in Salthill, so a walk along the Prom is easy to add.
Parent tip: Book by emailing info@galwaybayhotel.com; there are only two dates, so reserve early.
See dates and details from Galway Bay Hotel (opens in a new tab)The Celtic Nutcracker
Panto or Christmas showHession School of Dance · Galway
- Host
- Hession School of Dance (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Town Hall Theatre, Courthouse Square, Galway
- When
- 7 to 9 December, 7.30pm
- Price
- €20 / €13
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Hession School of Dance presents The Celtic Nutcracker at the Town Hall Theatre, following Marie on a magical Christmas adventure with favourite characters including the Nutcracker, Godfather Drosselmeyer and the Sugar Plum Fairy as they travel through the land of sweets, all with a uniquely Irish twist.
There are three evening performances at 7.30pm on Monday 7, Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 December. The show runs for about two hours including an interval. Tickets are €20 or €13. The theatre notes the performance may include strobe lighting. The production is staged by a local Galway dance school, so it is a chance for children to watch young local dancers perform a Christmas favourite on the Town Hall Theatre stage.
Parent tip: Evening shows only, so it suits school-age children; note the possible strobe lighting.
See dates and details from Hession School of Dance (opens in a new tab)Nutcracker
Panto or Christmas showYouth Ballet West · Galway
- Host
- Youth Ballet West (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Town Hall Theatre, Courthouse Square, Galway
- When
- Saturday 12 December 7pm; Sunday 13 December 1pm and 5pm
- Price
- €25 / €20
- Ages
- All the family
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Youth Ballet West brings the timeless Christmas ballet to the Town Hall Theatre this December. Clara battles the Mouse King, journeys through the realm of Snow and arrives at the palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy, in a production the company describes as a Christmas treat for all the family.
There are three performances: Saturday 12 December at 7pm and Sunday 13 December at 1pm and 5pm. The show runs for about 110 minutes including an interval. Tickets are €25 or €20, booked through the Town Hall Theatre box office. With a midday Sunday option, it is one of the easier Christmas ballets for families with younger children to fit in, and it gives young dancers in the audience a chance to see local dancers on a big stage.
Parent tip: The Sunday 1pm matinee is the easiest fit for younger children.
See dates and details from Youth Ballet West (opens in a new tab)Fairy Tree
Panto or Christmas showBlue Teapot Theatre Company · Galway
- Host
- Blue Teapot Theatre Company (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Mick Lally Theatre, Druid Lane, Galway
- When
- Friday 18 and Saturday 19 December 7pm; Sunday 20 December 3pm
- Price
- €16 / €12
- Ages
- Created for 6+ and suitable for all ages
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Award-winning Blue Teapot Theatre Company presents a festive treat for all ages. It is mid-winter, the land is covered in snow and ice, and the fairies are so cold they are freezing to the trees. Two young children ask the community to take the fairies into their homes to warm up, as long as they do not overstay their welcome. The show uses puppetry, original music and song, with a cast of eight actors, seven of whom have an intellectual disability.
Fairy Tree runs for 40 minutes with no interval at the Mick Lally Theatre on Druid Lane: Friday 18 and Saturday 19 December at 7pm and Sunday 20 December at 3pm. Tickets are €16 or €12, and latecomers are not admitted.
Parent tip: Arrive in good time as there is no latecomer admission; the Sunday 3pm show suits younger children.
See dates and details from Blue Teapot Theatre Company (opens in a new tab)Goldilocks & The 3 Bears
Panto or Christmas showRenmore Pantomime Society · Galway
- Host
- Renmore Pantomime Society (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Town Hall Theatre, Courthouse Square, Galway
- When
- 29 December to 10 January; matinees 2.30pm, evenings 7.30pm
- Price
- €22 / €20
- Ages
- Families
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Renmore Pantomime Society's 46th production brings a brand new script to the Town Hall Theatre. The kingdom is in trouble, and the fairies foretell that only online influencer Goldilocks can save the day. With her Mammy and manager Dottie DotCom and her best friends Pinocchio and Little Bo Peep, she heads into the enchanted forest to help the three bears outwit the evil Mayor, with laughter, magic and festive cheer promised for all.
The panto runs over the Christmas holidays from 29 December into January, with 2.30pm matinees and 7.30pm evening shows, plus a 12 noon show on 10 January. Each performance lasts about two hours including an interval. Tickets are €22 or €20.
Parent tip: Matinees at 2.30pm are best for younger children; many well-known local faces appear, so book early.
See dates and details from Renmore Pantomime Society (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Loughrea
1 confirmed event in Loughrea, soonest first.
Christmas at Turoe Pet Farm (Loughrea)
Santa experienceTuroe Pet Farm & Leisure Park · Loughrea
- Host
- Turoe Pet Farm & Leisure Park (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Turoe Pet Farm & Leisure Park, Turoe, Bullaun, Loughrea
- When
- Weekends from 21 November, Fridays to Sundays in December, plus Tuesday 22 December
- Price
- Adults €12.50; children (2 to 12) €31.50 with full access or €17.50 Santa visit only
- Ages
- Children aged 2 to 12
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Turoe Pet Farm, one of Galway's best-known family attractions, welcomes Santa back from Saturday 21 November. Children visit Santa in his grotto, post their letters in his special post box and take a souvenir photo, and each child receives a token to choose a present of their own in Santa's Shop.
Santa is there every Saturday and Sunday in November, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December, and on Tuesday 22 December. Online booking is essential. Children aged 2 to 12 pay €31.50 for a ticket that includes a wristband for all areas of the park, the Santa visit and a gift token, or €17.50 for the Santa visit and token only. Adults are €12.50. The farm is near Loughrea, east of Galway city.
Parent tip: Book online before you travel; the full wristband ticket is worth it if you want a day at the play areas too.
See dates and details from Turoe Pet Farm & Leisure Park (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Roscahill
1 confirmed event in Roscahill, soonest first.
Santa's Christmas Magic at Brigit's Garden (Roscahill)
Santa experienceBrigit's Garden · Roscahill
- Host
- Brigit's Garden (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Brigit's Garden, Pollagh, Roscahill
- When
- Saturdays and Sundays, 12, 13, 19 and 20 December
- Price
- €25 per child or adult; under 2s free on a lap
- Ages
- All ages
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Brigit's Garden near Moycullen offers a child-centred, non-commercial Christmas experience on two December weekends. Santa, Mrs Claus and Elfeena the musical elf return with an interactive show full of music and magic, with a brand-new story this year, and everyone helps to light the Christmas tree by magic.
Before the show, families explore at their own pace: Mrs Claus tells stories in the thatched Roundhouse, there is an elfish treasure hunt through the Celtic Gardens, games in the marquee and a Christmas Wishing Tree for wishes or memorial cards. Instead of individual presents, each family receives a special Santa candle. Tickets are €25 per child or adult, and under 2s go free if they sit on a lap for the show. The Garden Café and gift shop are open too.
Parent tip: Arrive early to enjoy Mrs Claus's stories and the treasure hunt before your show time, and dress for the outdoor gardens.
See dates and details from Brigit's Garden (opens in a new tab)More Christmas events for kids in Ireland
- Christmas events for kids in Dublin
- Christmas events for kids in Cork
- Christmas events for kids in Limerick
- Christmas events for kids in Ireland
A story for the trip home
Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is hand-painted in watercolour. It is a cosy five-minute read after a big day out.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon.co.uk (opens in a new tab)Galway Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Galway in 2026?
We confirmed 10 Christmas events for kids in Galway for 2026, each on its host’s own page, including Elf Town Galway, Christmas at Turoe Pet Farm (Loughrea), Santa Afternoon Tea at The Connacht Hotel, WhistleBlast's Night Before Christmas, Santa Lunch at Bay Brasserie, The Celtic Nutcracker, Nutcracker, Santa's Christmas Magic at Brigit's Garden (Roscahill), Fairy Tree and Goldilocks & The 3 Bears. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Where can kids see Santa in Galway this year?
Santa appears at Elf Town Galway, Christmas at Turoe Pet Farm (Loughrea), Santa Afternoon Tea at The Connacht Hotel, Santa Lunch at Bay Brasserie and Santa's Christmas Magic at Brigit's Garden (Roscahill). Times and booking rules are in each listing above.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on 2 November 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
