Cork is becoming a Christmas destination for tourists.

New attractions such as WinterLee and the Alpine Skate Trail’s new Páirc Uí Chaoimh location, alongside the traditional Christmas vibe on Leeside, have pushed the city into the top three trending Christmas market cities for 2025.

According to InsureandGo’s research, which looks at which cities are seeing the biggest spikes in online interest for Christmas markets compared to the same period in 2023, Australia’s Sydney leads the way as the top festive destination of 2024, with a 233% increase in searches.

Following closely behind are Tokyo, Japan (116%), and Cork (108%).

“For those visiting Ireland this Christmas season, Cork offers a magical festive experience with its traditional Corkmas, featuring a beloved parade and switching on of the Christmas lights, as well as its local famous Ferris wheel and vintage carousel making a return appearance too.” the authors of the research noted in their findings.

“Winterlee, brand new for 2024, is an immersive winter wonderland also opening in early November, where visitors can explore the usual wooden chalets, synonymous with Christmas markets, seasonal food and drink, a funfair, and even an Alpine Skate Trail.”

With cities not usually associated with traditional European Christmas markets dominating the top three, and Seattle coming in fourth, it’s clear to see a growing global appeal for festive markets, even in places where they aren’t historically rooted.

Meanwhile, in the remainder top 10, the global enthusiasm for the holiday spans across Northern Europe – the Scandinavian-style markets in cities like Helsinki (5th), Malmö (7th), and Oslo (9th), have been growing in popularity, offering a cosy experience amid the cold with local crafts and foods.