Upcoming events.
Santa’s House Express
🚂 Santa’s House Express
📍 Palmerstown House Estate, Johnstown, Kill, Co. Kildare
📅 Select dates | 28th November – 23rd December 2025 (Check website)
All aboard the Santa’s House Express, one of Ireland’s best-loved Christmas attractions! Begin your journey in the magical Departure Lounge, meet cheerful elves, sing with dancing reindeer, and soak up the festive buzz before boarding the Santa Train.
Your train ride brings you through twinkling woodlands to Santa’s Manor, where families enjoy an immersive, interactive visit with Santa — complete with an eco-friendly cuddly toy for every child. A fully festive adventure from start to finish!
🔗 More info & booking: santashouseexpress.ie
Passport to Christmas at the Irish National Stud
🎄 Passport to Christmas at the Irish National Stud
📍 Brallistown Little, Tully, Co. Kildare, R51 AP20
📅 Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays | 29th November – 23rd December 2025
Step into the festive village at the Irish National Stud & Gardens for an enchanting family adventure! Children receive their very own Christmas Passport and collect stamps as they journey through themed festive zones filled with magic, lights, characters and treats.
Enjoy Christmas scenes, mini fairground rides, storytelling moments and wintry surprises before finishing your journey with a special visit to Santa in his beautifully decorated grotto. A perfect day out to spark wonder and festive excitement!
🔗 More info & booking: irishnationalstud.ie
Santa’s Christmas Adventure – Kildare Farm Foods
🎅 Santa’s Christmas Adventure – Kildare Farm Foods
📍 Kildare Farm Foods, Rathmuck, Co. Kildare
📅 Check website for dates and times
Make magical memories at Santa’s Christmas Adventure at Kildare Farm Foods! Explore the open farm, meet Rudolph and his friends, hop aboard the Farm Shop Express and enjoy a festive virtual rollercoaster trip all the way to the North Pole.
Every child receives a personalised gift from Santa, and the whole family can enjoy a cheerful, relaxed Christmas experience surrounded by friendly animals and seasonal displays.
🔗 More info & booking: kildarefarmfoods.com
🎨 Riverbank Arts Centre - Family Trees hang over Property Lines – An exhibition by Fiyin Oluokun
📍 What: A vibrant September lineup including exhibitions (Family Trees hang over Property Lines & TADA!)
📍 Where: Riverbank Arts Centre, Main Street, Newbridge
📍 When: Friday, 5 September – Friday, 25th October
📍 Cost: Free exhibitions
📍 More Info: Full listings available at Riverbank Arts Centre.
Legends of Kildare
Experience the Legends of Kildare – A Journey Beyond Time
📅 Available: Tuesday – Saturday
🕒 Duration: 30 minutes
👥 Max group size: 8 people
💶 Admission: €10 Adult | €6.50 Child
Step into the magic of ancient Ireland with the Legends of Kildare Virtual Reality Experience — an unmissable adventure that brings Kildare’s legendary past vividly to life.
Guided by a medieval storyteller, you’ll journey through time to meet warriors of the Fianna, soar beside a peregrine falcon, and connect with the spirits of Kildare’s ancient heroes in a breathtaking blend of history and technology.
Available in English, Irish, French, German, and Chinese, this award-winning VR experience is both emotional and immersive — a true highlight for visitors of all ages.
⚠️ Spaces are limited and fill fast during Halloween week — don’t miss out!
👉 Book Your VR Experience Now and step into the story of Kildare like never before.
Legends of Kildare
Experience the Legends of Kildare – A Journey Beyond Time
📅 Available: Tuesday – Saturday
🕒 Duration: 30 minutes
👥 Max group size: 8 people
💶 Admission: €10 Adult | €6.50 Child
Step into the magic of ancient Ireland with the Legends of Kildare Virtual Reality Experience — an unmissable adventure that brings Kildare’s legendary past vividly to life.
Guided by a medieval storyteller, you’ll journey through time to meet warriors of the Fianna, soar beside a peregrine falcon, and connect with the spirits of Kildare’s ancient heroes in a breathtaking blend of history and technology.
Available in English, Irish, French, German, and Chinese, this award-winning VR experience is both emotional and immersive — a true highlight for visitors of all ages.
⚠️ Spaces are limited and fill fast during Halloween week — don’t miss out!
👉 Book Your VR Experience Now and step into the story of Kildare like never before.
🌿 Great Journeys – Migratory Birds Talk
🌿 Great Journeys – Migratory Birds Talk
📅 Date: Saturday, 4th October 2025
⏰ Time: 14:00 – 15:30
📍 Venue: Kildare Wildlife Rescue, Grey Abbey Road, Kildare Town
🎟️ Cost: Child admission (parents free)
🎤 Description: Discover the fascinating journeys of Ireland’s migratory birds in this fun, family-friendly talk with interactive activities. Perfect for young bird enthusiasts.
🔗 More Info: Kildare Wildlife Rescue
National Play Day 2025
📍 What: A free, inclusive, family-friendly day with 30+ activities including live stage acts, sensory play, wheelchair-accessible fun and more.
📍 Where: Áras Chill Dara, Naas
📍 When: Saturday, 6 September 2025 — 12 PM to 5 PM
📍 Cost: Free
📍 More Info: Hosted by Kildare County Council with support from Creative Ireland. Click here to visit their website for more information.
TADA! An exhibition by Kids’ Own Publishing
🎨 TADA! – An Exhibition by Kids’ Own Publishing
📍 What: TADA! is a curated archival exhibition celebrating 28 years of creative book-making projects with children across Ireland. Visitors can explore original artworks, handmade books, framed and unframed portraits and landscapes, large sculptural cardboard cut-outs, and interactive spaces for printmaking, collage, portraiture, and reading. The exhibition is themed around play, people, place, and pondering, showcasing the creativity and voices of young communities nationwide.
📍 Where: Riverbank Arts Centre, Children’s Gallery, Newbridge
📍 When: Saturday, 6 September – Saturday, 1 November 2025
Monday–Friday: 9:30 AM – 5 PM
Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM
📍 Cost: Free
📍 Special Event: Artist Brenda Kearny will host a workshop for children and accompanying adults on Saturday, 18 October 2025.
Echo Echo Dance Theatre Presents Winter's Dream
Echo Echo Dance Theatre Presents: Winter’s Dream
When: (Date TBC)
Where: Newbridge
Step into a world of wonder with Winter’s Dream, where a little snowman dares to hope and discover the beauty in every season! This gentle, interactive performance invites families to a cozy, magical setting filled with music, lights, and imaginative props that will captivate audiences young and old.
Perfect for children ages 4 and up, Winter’s Dream is a 30-minute journey that celebrates the quiet joy of winter and the promise of spring. Take a break from the festive hustle and join us for a unique, heartwarming theater experience—one that will leave you smiling long after the curtain closes. Tickets start at €10.
Christmas Winter Wonderland at Barretstown 2024
Christmas Winter Wonderland at Barretstown
When:
Saturday, November 30, 2024: 10:30 AM, 12:45 PM, 3:00 PM
Sunday, December 1, 2024: 10:30 AM, 12:45 PM
Where: Barretstown Castle, W91 RDX6, Ballymore Eustace
Step into a winter wonderland at Barretstown Castle! Bring the whole family for a magical Christmas experience featuring festive market stalls, holiday music, family games, and of course, a visit to Santa in his enchanting grotto! Watch your little ones’ eyes light up as Santa’s Elves guide them to meet the man himself. Don’t forget to bring letters for Santa or write them on the day—they’ll be sent directly to the North Pole!
With limited slots for Santa’s Grotto, booking is essential. Enjoy all the winter fun Barretstown has to offer—free to access except for food stalls and the grotto. Come make this Christmas truly unforgettable!
Santa's House Express
Santa's House Express 2024
When: Select dates from Friday, November 22, 2024 - Monday, December 23, 2024
Where: Palmerstown House Estate, Johnstown, Kill, Co Kildare
Get ready for Ireland's favorite Santa experience at Santa's House Express! This magical event returns to Palmerstown House Estate, bringing the joy of Christmas to life. Your adventure begins as you check in and are greeted by Santa’s Merry Elves in the departure lounge, setting the tone for a delightful journey.
Hop on board the magical train ride to Santa’s Manor, where you’ll sing along with the reindeer, meet a mischievous special guest in the Ice Cave, and enjoy stories and festive treats with Mrs. Claus. Each child will receive a cuddly, eco-friendly gift to cherish, along with lots of photo opportunities to capture these precious memories. With winter warmers for the adults and a family funfair with rides included, this experience promises festive fun for everyone! Don't miss out—tickets are on sale now, and prices have been frozen from 2023!