Finally; it’s time for some festive fun.

With Santa visits and parties off the menu for this year, however, Cork parents will be thrilled to hear there’s plenty of alfresco Christmas magic planned in the city centre this season.

The 32m Ferris Wheel is now looming large once again on the Grand Parade and GLOW, A Cork Christmas Celebration, organised by Cork City Council, opens this Wednesday, December 2nd.

This year’s re-imagined programme features a magical Windows Pantomime Trail so all the boys and girls (young and old) won’t miss out on this locally loved Christmas tradition.

Created by Sinéad Dunphy from Eventi Management, with set design by Lisa Zagone, and projection mapping and sound designed by Cormac O’Connor, animations by Barry McCarthy and voiceovers by West End Star Michael Sands; each window represents a traditional Pantomime title in the artistic fashion of a theatre model set box.

The stories of Cinderella, Peter Pan, Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Hansel & Gretel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Beauty & the Beast, Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel will be told in every designated window on a magical walking tour of Cork City Centre.

Parking 

During December, North Main Street and Paul Street Car Parks will open early on Sunday mornings and customers can avail of two hours free parking in Paul Street and North Main Street Car Parks, from 7am to midnight, Monday to Sunday.

“Christmas in Cork has always been a coming together of people,” said Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Joe Kavanagh.

“And this year as part of our ‘Thank Cork it’s Christmas’ campaign, we are encouraging the people of Cork to come together like never before to support our local retailers, craftspeople, arts and cultural centres and hospitality sector who have faced challenges that we couldn’t have anticipated this time last year. We all need you to think local first,” he said.

“We must remember that crowds pose serious risks this year. So please take care: observe social distancing, wear a mask, aim to get your shopping done earlier this year and if life allows you to, try to shop at off-peak times. We all share in this city and share in its future: so shop safely and shop locally.”