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 detai
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 detai