It’s only 128 days ’til Christmas.

And if you’re already planning all the magic for the little ones in your life, a brand-new immersive Christmas experience is coming to Elizabeth Fort, transforming the historic city landmark into a festive world for families.

Called Nollaig – A Journey to Believe, the experience is being created by the award-winning team behind The Nightmare Realm in partnership with Cork City Council.

Once Upon a Nollaig: Pictured with Father Christmas (centre) are Residents of Jingle Town (l to r); Éala, The Lantern Keeper, Nollaig, The Gentle Guide and Fiadh, The Woodland Watcher. Photo: Karl O’Connor, Nollaig.

And if the description is anything to go by, this is set to be a Christmas experience unlike anything else in the city.

Step inside Jingle Town

Rather than simply queueing up for a photo with Santa, families will be taken on a 75-minute story-led journey through Elizabeth Fort.

The adventure begins in a woodland, where families follow a path once walked by a young Irish boy called Nollaig, guided by mysterious Woodland Guardians. From there, you’ll enter Jingle Town, where the residents are busy getting ready for Christmas Eve.

Expect a festive workshop, a gingerbread-scented bakery and plenty of colourful characters – with the organisers promising unscripted conversations and genuine interactions.

So, basically, it’s less Santa’s grotto and more step into an actual Christmas movie. And yes, you’ll meet the big man himself. The journey ends with a personal visit to Father Christmas, with the organisers promising no rushing, crowds or conveyor-belt experience.

Each family will be welcomed individually, and every child will leave with their own Woodland Guardian to take home.

There’s also a dedicated Sensory ASD Morning on Sunday, November 29th at 9am, with a lower-sensory version of the experience.

“We wanted to create a Christmas experience where families didn’t feel rushed from one attraction to the next.” said event creator, Karl O’Connor

“We wanted them to slow down, reconnect, and become part of a world that felt as though it had always existed. Nollaig is everything we believe Christmas should feel like, and we couldn’t imagine a more perfect home for it than Elizabeth Fort.”

When is Nollaig happening?

The experience opens on Friday, November 27th and will run across 18 selected nights, right through to Tuesday, December 22nd. Tickets start at €19.50, with free dedicated on-site parking.