There are only 78 sleeps to go….

An adorable new Christmas parade will kick off this year’s festive celebrations in Cork next month, with Christmas markets on Emmet Place planned for later in the season.

The Corkmas Christmas parade will mark the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year on Leeside and the traditional switching on of the Christmas lights on Friday, November 15th.

According to details released tonight, the inaugural parade will include “music, dance, light and sparkle with a very special visit from Santa Claus”.

The most magical time of the year

A Christmas market and Santa Experience will take place from Thursday to Sunday on Emmett Place from the end of November to December 22nd.

Solas, Corkmas’ ethereal interactive light installation, is back and will be located elsewhere in the city encouraging residents and visitors to wander around and soak up the atmosphere.

The much-loved Ferris wheel and vintage carousel will also be back on the Grand Parade from November 29th to December 30th, with street performances taking place on the weekends running up to Christmas.

“There is nothing quite like Christmas in Cork and it’s great to see details about nearly six weeks of events in Cork City.” said Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle.

“Corkmas is about supporting local and celebrating, discovering, and re-discovering the many experiences, and traditions, new and old, that make Christmas time in Cork so unique.”

Further details on the parade and its route, booking the Santa Experience and the Ferris wheel and carousel will be published on corkmas.ie in the coming weeks.