A Magical Month of Festive Fun from 29th November – 24th December 2025
Carlow County Council is delighted to announce the launch of Féile Lonrach – Festival of Glow, Carlow’s brand-new Christmas Festival for 2025. Running from 29th November to 24th December 2025, Féile Lonrach promises a sparkling programme of family entertainment, festive markets, live performances, comedy, creative experiences, and community celebrations across the county.
This Christmas, Carlow will come alive with light, laughter, and community spirit through the launch of Féile Lonrach – Festival of Glow, a month-long celebration running from 29th November to 24th December 2025. Designed to bring together families, businesses, and communities across the county, Féile Lonrach combines tradition with creativity, offering something special for everyone during the festive season.
The festival begins with Lightfest, a spectacular launch event that transforms Carlow Town into a winter wonderland of music, markets, and magic. Families will gather to enjoy live performances from ABBAesque, festive food and craft stalls, and the much-anticipated arrival of Santa Claus, who will join the Mayor of Carlow for the official Christmas lights switch-on and fireworks display.
Adding to the sense of wonder, Santa’s Big Red Bus will tour the county, bringing festive joy to children in Tullow and Bagenalstown. This unique mobile experience invites families to step into Santa’s grotto, meet the man himself, and take home an “I am a Carlow Elf” medal and festive gift. Meanwhile, The Santa Room at Carlow Library will offer a free, drop-in attraction where children can write letters to Santa and capture a magical Christmas photo.
For adults, the Carlow Comedy Festival promises four nights of laughter with some of Ireland’s best-known comedians performing across local venues. Community spirit will also take centre stage through the Jingle Bell Jog, festive Shop Local, Shop Carlow Days, and a series of creative competitions celebrating local talent and enterprise.
The festival continues indoors with The Student Enterprise Exchange and the return of Christmas Bounceland at The Exchange, alongside a full programme of events at Carlow Library and VISUAL Carlow, featuring workshops, exhibitions, and seasonal showcases.
Launching the programme, Cllr. Ken Murnane, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, said: “Féile Lonrach – Festival of Glow marks a new chapter in Carlow’s festive celebrations. It’s a programme that celebrates local creativity, strengthens community connections, and supports our local businesses. From the sparkle of the lights to the laughter shared across our towns and villages, Féile Lonrach captures the true spirit of Christmas in Carlow — a time to come together, to celebrate, and to share in the joy of the season.”
The programme is rolled out by Carlow County Council with the support of An Garda Síochána, County Carlow Chamber, and Carlow Regional Youth Services, working together to deliver a safe, inclusive, and vibrant festive experience for all.
Speaking about the programme, Chief Executive of Carlow County Council, Coilín O’Reilly, said:
“Féile Lonrach – Festival of Glow is about more than celebration; it’s about connection. This festival reflects the warmth, creativity, and community spirit that define County Carlow. It brings people together families, businesses, and neighbours to share in the joy of the season and to showcase our county as a wonderful place to live, visit, and invest. Féile Lonrach is an invitation to celebrate everything that makes Carlow shine. It also encourages the people of Carlow to use their local businesses. If you love your town and village, please use the shops for your Christmas gifts and keep our town centres vibrant all through the year.”
O’Reilly added that the programme was designed to ensure accessibility and inclusivity across the county, featuring events that appeal to all ages and interests from the dazzling spectacle of Lightfest and the laughter-filled Carlow Comedy Festival to community-driven initiatives like The Santa Bus, the Jingle Bell Jog, and the Shop Local, Shop Carlow campaign. Together, these events create a calendar that celebrates both Carlow’s people and its places, fostering pride, participation, and festive joy throughout the county.
Shopping and experience local is a critical part of the programme for 2025 , Norah Ryan , President of County Carlow Chamber said “Supporting local is at the heart of this year’s festival. Féile Lonrach provides an ideal platform to showcase the quality, creativity, and community spirit of Carlow’s businesses. By shopping locally and experiencing what our county has to offer — from artisan markets to local cafés and festive events — we’re not just celebrating Christmas, we’re investing in the people and enterprises that make Carlow thrive all year round.”
Further detail go to Facebook or visit www.carlow.ie or by calling , 059-9129783 or e-mail enterprise@carlowcoco.ie
Event Details
Festival Launch: Lightfest 2025 – Féile Lonrach, Festival of Glow
Date: Saturday, 29th November 2025
Venue: Carlow Town Hall Car Park
Gates Open: 3:30 p.m.
Tickets: FREE (Pre-booking required via Eventbrite)
Carlow will sparkle as Lightfest returns with a spectacular evening of live music, family fun, festive markets, and Santa’s grand arrival to switch on the Christmas lights — followed by a breathtaking fireworks finale.
Pre-book free tickets via Eventbrite. Road closures and access information available at www.carlow.ie. Tickets available from 10th November 2025.
Hop Aboard Santa’s Big Red Bus
A Magical Family Christmas Experience
Santa’s Big Red Bus tours Carlow this December as part of Féile Lonrach, bringing festive fun and cheer to every stop. Each 45-minute family experience includes festive activities, face painting, elf-led fun, and a private visit with Santa — complete with an official “I’m a Carlow Elf” medal and festive gift.
Tullow – Saturday, 6th December 2025
The Square, Tullow | 10:00 a.m. – 4.00pm
Bagenalstown – Saturday, 13th December 2025
Outside the Old Post Office | 10:00 a.m. – 4.00pm
Tickets: €7.50 per child (Adults Free) | Pre-book via Eventbrite
Tickets available from 10th November 2025.
Carlow Comedy Festival – Something for the Adults!
Get ready for four nights of laughter with some of Ireland’s top comedians performing across Carlow venues.
- Thursday 11th Dec – Teach Dolman: Shite Talk
- Friday 12th Dec – Seven Oaks Hotel: Neil Delamare, Martin Angolo, Aoife Dunne & Kevin McGahern
- Saturday 13th Dec – Scraggs Alley: Fred Cooke, Jason Brennan, Edwin Sammon & Kev Larney
- Sunday 14th Dec – Barracks: Emma Doran, Aideen McQueen & Emman Idama
- Sunday 14th Dec – Tully’s: The Last Christmas Laugh – Aideen McQueen & Guests
Tickets available from 7th November 2025
The Santa Room at Carlow Library
Opens 29th November 2025
Step into Santa’s magical library room, take a festive family photo, write your letter to Santa, and post it in the magical postbox — open during regular library hours.
Jingle Bell Jog
7th December 2025 – Carlow Regional Youth Services
Join in the festive fun and get moving for a great cause at this community charity event. Book at Pop Up Races
Shop Local, Shop Carlow
Celebrate the season and support your local businesses with Beat FM’s Shop Local, Shop Carlow Days:
- Friday, 15th November 2025 – Tullow 10am-3pm
- Friday, 22nd November 2025 – Bagenalstown 10am-3pm
Plus, take part in the Shop Local Competitions:
- My Festive Family Experience Art Competition – €50 prizes | Entries open 15th Nov, winners 18th December
- Letters to Santa Competition – 20 x €50 vouchers | Entries via Santa postboxes by 22nd Dec
- Back to the Future Online Challenge – Guess Doctor O’Sullivan’s Carlow locations and be in a chance for a Supervalu Voucher for €500 from Supervalu Tullow & Supervalu Bagenalstown
Festive Fun at The Exchange
- Student Enterprise Exchange: 11th – 12th December 2025
- Christmas Bounceland: 21st – 22nd December 2025 | Tickets on sale early December. Tickets available from 5th December 2025
Plus, enjoy a variety of festive workshops, exhibitions, and performances in Carlow Library and VISUAL Carlow throughout the season.
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Full Programme of Events – Féile Lonrach: Festival of Glow 2025
Date |
Event |
Venue |
Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15/11/25 | Shop Local, Shop Carlow Day | Tullow | Hosted by Beat FM |
| 22/11/25 | Shop Local, Shop Carlow Day | Bagenalstown | Hosted by Beat FM |
| 29/11/25 | Lightfest – Festival Launch & Fireworks | Carlow Town Hall Car Park | Free - Pre-book via Eventbrite |
| 29/11/25 | The Santa Room | Carlow Library | Open Library Hours |
| 06/12/25 | Santa’s Big Red Bus | The Square, Tullow | €7.50 per child |
| 07/12/25 | Jingle Bell Jog | Carlow Regional Youth Services | Pop Up Races |
| 11/12/25 | Carlow Comedy Festival – Shite Talk | Teach Dolman | €14 – Pre-book via Eventbrite |
| 12/12/25 | Carlow Comedy Festival with Neil Delamare & Guests | Seven Oaks Hotel | €15 – Pre-book via Eventbrite |
| 13/12/25 | Carlow Comedy Festival with Fred Cooke & Guests | Scraggs Alley | €14 – Pre-book via Eventbrite |
| 13/12/25 | Santa’s Big Red Bus | Old Post Office, Bagenalstown | €7.50 per child |
| 14/12/25 | Carlow Comedy Festival with Emma Doran & Guests | Barracks | €14 – Pre-book via Eventbrite |
| 14/12/25 | The Last Christmas Laugh – Aideen McQueen & Guests | Tullys | €10 - Pre-book via Eventbrite |
| 11/12/25 | Student Enterprise Exchange | The Exchange | |
| 12/12/25 | Student Enterprise Exchange | The Exchange | Free - Pre-book via Eventbrite |
| 21/12/25 | Christmas Bounceland | The Exchange | Free - Pre-book via Eventbrite |
More events will be announced during November 2025
