Now it’s officially Christmas.

Cork’s iconic Ferris Wheel will start turning at 12pm today, offering a bird’s eye view of the city lit up in all its festive glory.

It’s all part of GLOW, A Cork Christmas Celebration, which opens in Bishop Lucey Park tonight, Friday November 25^th and runs every weekend with free entry until Sunday, December 18^th.

This year’s magical story will be celebrated over four weekends in the run-up to Christmas and will see the return of drummers, dancers, hoola-hoopers, golden egg-laying geese, splendid swans, and at least one new bird, which definitely won’t fit in that pear tree.

Each of the 12 days of Christmas will be represented by a light installation, which will be brought to life by community groups, professional artists, actors and street entertainers, including performers from Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance and from The Tribe Dance Academy.

The 30m Ferris Wheel will stay in place until early January, as will the classic Carousel. Regular tickets for the Ferris Wheel are €4, with Junior tickets €3.50 and carousel rides €2.50.

Christmas Markets 

Even more joy will ring out on Emmet Place this festive season, as a Christmas Market takes place the weekends of December 10th and 11th and December 17th and 18th.

Stallholders will include some of Ireland’s most talented craftspeople, makers and producers alongside delicious treats at the street food stalls. A host of singers and choirs will also perform at the market.