Bishop Lucey Park has been transformed into the National Elf Test (NET) Centre.

As GLOW, A Cork Christmas Celebration on the Grand Parade, prepares to welcome a whopping 160,000 visitors every weekend until Sunday December 22nd, 2019, Dowtcha Puppets have been hard at work perfecting 2019’s theme.

This year, elves will be required to pass a series of tests so they can be part of the Christmas team.

On entering Bishop Lucey Park…

Children and their families will be greeted by the elf puppet receptionist who will show them some of the challenges that elves must pass to make sure they are chosen by Santa for the big jobs, especially on Christmas Eve.

These tests include Tree Decorating techniques, a Christmas cookie bake-off, packing presents with speed, fitness and agility tests and of course, how to tell Naughty from Nice.

Visitors will enjoy music from the Elf Puppet Choir, who will be practising their Christmas Carols, visit the Elf Hall of Fame which includes famous elves, Billy Elfish and Elfvis and cheer on the elves as they are presented with their National Elf Test Certificate.

Children can post their letter to Santa in the park too and the elves will make sure he receives it.

The festival, organised by Cork City Council, will also see the return of the 30m Ferris Wheel, Christmas Markets and the choirs on the Grand Parade.

GLOW at Bishop Lucey Park will open on Friday, November 29th, 2019 from 4.30pm to 8.30pm. The Christmas Food Markets on the Grand Parade will be open from 12noon to 8.30pm and the Ferris Wheel will be open each day from 12 noon to 9pm.