A Merry Mix Of Christmas Cheer Across the Midlands

Your go to guide for all local things festive and fun this Christmastime.

The number of festive events taking place across the Midlands this Christmas is very promising. From Christmas markets to choir singing, library events for kids and the wonderful outdoors, there is something for all the family this holiday season over Laois, Offaly and Westmeath.

Offaly

8th–11th December & 16th–17th December

• Santa’s Grotto Experience – County Arms Hotel, Birr (4pm–8pm)
  A family-oriented encounter with Santa, combining hospitality traditions with seasonal festivity.

10th December 2025

• LauraLynn Santa Truck – Edenderry (6:30–8pm)
  A philanthropic initiative integrating Christmas spectacle with fundraising.

13th December

• Birr Christmas Market – Green Street (12pm–6pm)
  An artisan market reflecting local craft traditions and seasonal commerce.

• Lough Boora Christmas Market – Free Entry (13–14 December)
  A two-day craft and food fair set within the ecological parklands of Lough Boora.

15th–16th December

• Christmas Unwrapped – Tullamore Stage School (8pm)
  A musical programme featuring popular carols and family-oriented performances.

18th December

• Winter Wonderland – WhistleBlast Quartet, Esker Arts Centre (12pm)
  A festive concert combining classical repertoire (e.g., Tchaikovsky) with interactive seasonal storytelling.
• ABBA by Candlelight – Tullamore Court Hotel (9pm)
  A themed musical evening set within an atmospheric candlelit environment; limited tickets remain.

20th December 2025

• LauraLynn Santa Truck – Tullamore, Bridge Centre (4:30–6:30pm)
  A second opportunity to engage with this charity-driven seasonal event.

Weekends until 21st December

• Meet Santa at Kinnitty Castle (11am–4pm)
  A heritage-setting Christmas experience combining medieval architecture with festive traditions.

Limited December Dates Remaining

• Birr Castle Christmas Express 2025
  A curated family event featuring a visit to Santa and Mrs. Claus within the castle context, accompanied by themed activities.

3rd January (Nollaig na mBan)

• Nollaig na mBan Little Christmas Lunch – Bridge House Hotel
  A culturally significant celebration honouring women’s contributions to family and community life, here connected to philanthropic support for Offaly Hospice.

Laois

11th December

• Portlaoise Library – Christmas Craft Workshop (16:00–17:00)
  A participatory craft session supporting creativity and family-oriented learning.
• Christmas Movie Screening – The Apartment (1960), Portlaoise Library (11:00–13:00)
  A classic-film screening that integrates holiday programming with mid-century cinematic heritage.
• Festive Fun Days, Portlaoise (St. Mary’s Bingo Hall, 11:00–12:00)
  Second instalment of the community musical gathering.
• A Christmas Tale: Stories and Songs – The Malthouse, Stradbally (19:30–22:00)
  An evening of narrative and song featuring recollections of Christmases past, curated by Michael Fortune and performed by local storytellers.

12th–13th December

• R+R Mental Health Recovery Christmas Market (from 11:00; choir at 12:30)
  An event linking seasonal celebration with mental-health advocacy and community support.

12th December

• Laois RISSC Table Quiz & Christmas Party (20:00)
  A fundraising social event with proceeds directed to the Kolbe Special School.

13th December

• Christmas at Emo Court (13–14 December)
  A two-day celebration hosted at the historic Emo Court mansion, incorporating community performances, festive cuisine, and sheltered outdoor conviviality.

• Midlands String Quartet – Christmas Classics by Candlelight, St. Peter’s Church of Ireland (19:30–21:30)
  A candlelit concert featuring canonical seasonal repertoire.

14th December

• Roll ’n Bowl Christmas Market, Portlaoise (11:00–16:00)
  A family-friendly indoor market showcasing handmade goods, seasonal foods, and carol singing.
• Christmas at Mount Briscoe – Festive Food & Wild Wreath Fair
  A celebration featuring artisanal food and craft traditions, accompanied by two dramatic performances (14:00 and 16:00) by Michael James Ford with music by Philip Dodd (€10 per ticket).
• Christmas Market at the Falls, Glenbarrow (10:00–16:00)
  A local outdoor market offering food, crafts, and gifts within a scenic natural setting.

18th December

• Cosy Christmas Tales – Portlaoise Library (18:00–19:00)
  A literary storytelling session aimed at younger audiences and families.

20th December

• Christmas Movie – Portlaoise Library (11:30am–1pm)
  A community-oriented screening contributing to the library’s broader seasonal cultural programme.

Westmeath

11th–14th December

• Athlone Christmas Markets are back this year on the 11th -14th & 18th -21st December and re located in Count John McCormack Civic Square, Athlone.

13th December

• Winterfest Mullingar is a family favourite. Come to Mullingar this winter not just for the shopping and ice skating but for the magical memories with family and friends. December 13th 11am - 6pm and 14th 11 - 4pm.
• St Michael's Christmas Market & Craft Fair at is on at Tullynally Castle & Gardens on December 13th & 14th from 11-4pm. Free Entry.
• The Santa Express Mullingar 13 & 14 December 2025 Mullingar Railway Station, Mullingar Saturday 13th December, 13:15 and 15:15 Sunday 14th December, 11:15 and 1:15 there is also a sensory-friendly carriage.
• Christmas Crafts 13 Dec 2025 - 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Kilbeggan Library.

16th December

• Calm & Creative Christmas Workshop with Lorraine Murphy in Castlepollard Library 16 Dec 2025 - 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Christmas Movie Evening 16 Dec 2025 - 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM Mullingar library.

18th December

• "A Christmas Carol" in Castlepollard Library 18 Dec 2025 - 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM Castlepollard Library.

18th–21st December

• Athlone Christmas Markets are back this year on the 11th -14th & 18th -21st December an re located in Count John McCormack Civic Square, Athlone.

19th–21st December

• Traditional Santa Visit at Belvedere is on from the 6th & 7th, 13th & 14th, 19th – 21st December.

19th December

• Christmas Storytime and Colouring 19 Dec 2025 - 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Mullingar Library.

21st November – 23rd December

• The North Pole Experience is happening from 22 November - 23 December. Abbey Blooms Botanical Gardens. There is also a sensory friendly evening too.
• The Christmas Express at Mount Druid is taking place on 27 November - 23 December. Mount Druid Estate, Castletown Geoghegan, N91 P603 Tickets Limited

21st November – 4th January 2026

• Mullingar Skates 21 November - January 4 2026 21 November - 4 January 2026. Pre booking is essential. Limited days left

Midlands 103 wishes all our listeners a very Happy Christmas!