GLOW opens tomorrow Friday (November 29th) as Bishop Lucey Park is transformed into The National Elf Test Centre

Experience the festive season on the Grand Parade as the much-loved festival GLOW, A Cork Christmas Celebration which is organised by Cork City Council opens this Friday November 29th. Attended by over 160,000 people in 2018, GLOW will run every weekend in the build up to Christmas until Sunday December 22nd.

As part of GLOW, enjoy fantastic views of Cork City on the 30m Ferris Wheel, sample delicious food at the Christmas Market and listen to beautiful music by Cork choirs and bands on the Grand Parade.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. John Sheehan said:

“Cork City Council is delighted to present GLOW again this year, a festival that captures the hearts of children and adults alike. The Bishop Lucey Park installation by Dowtcha Puppets will, I’m sure be enjoyed by all, along with the 30 metre Ferris Wheel, market stalls and performances by local groups on the Grand Parade. GLOW, Cork’s Christmas Celebration attracts people into the city centre at this festive time, which helps boost local business at Christmas. It is wonderful to see the city so well decorated and busy every December, and I hope everyone enjoys Cork’s Christmas Celebration this year.”

No trip to GLOW is complete without a visit to Bishop Lucey Park, and this year is no exception as the park is magically transformed by Dowtcha Puppet’s, Cork’s Puppet Specialists into the National Elf Test (NET) Centre where elves have 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, Christmas cookie bake off, packing presents with speed, fitness and agility tests and of course how to tell Naughty from Nice.

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 and the elves will make sure he receives it.

GLOW will take place on the following dates:

  • Friday 29th November to Sunday, 1st December
  • Friday 6th December to Sunday, 8th December
  • Friday 13th December to Sunday, 15th December
  • Friday 20th December to Sunday 22nd December

Bishop Lucey Park will be open on these dates from 4.30pm to 8.30pm. The Christmas Food Markets on the Grand Parade will be open from 12noon to 8.30pm. The Ferris Wheel will be open each day from 12noon to 9pm. See www.glowcork.ie for full details.

The opening of GLOW this Friday, kick starts the city’s seasonal celebrations, and with them a promotional drive by Cork City Council and the Cork Business Association to encourage people to come into the city centre and to shop locally in the lead-up to Christmas.

Cork’s 96FM, C103 and the Echo are the media sponsors of GLOW, a Cork Christmas Celebration on the Grand Parade.


Dates for Glow 2019:

  • Friday 29th November to Sunday 1st December
  • Friday 6th December to Sunday 8th December
  • Friday 13th December to Sunday 15th December
  • Friday 20th December to Sunday, 22nd December

Opening Hours – Park Installation & Market:

  • Opening hours of the Market: 12noon to 8.30pm each day
  • Opening hours of the Park: 4.30 pm to 8.30pm each day

Access to the Market & Park is FREE.

**The Ferris Wheel is Closed on Christmas Day and Closing at 4pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Soar high above Cork on a 30 metre Ferris Wheel and enjoy amazing views of the city.

Ferris Wheel, per person:  €4 adults, €3.50 children age 3 & over, €2 children age 2 and under

Traditional Carousel, per person: Children € 2.50




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