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The city of Cork is set to come alive with festive cheer as the inaugural Corkmas Christmas Parade lights up the streets, marking the beginning of the holiday season. This first-ever parade will blend music, dance, and magical performances to usher in the Christmas spirit, accompanied by Santa Claus himself, who will be taking a special detour from his busy schedule to join the festivities.

The Corkmas Parade will kick off on Friday, 15th November, at 6:30 pm, starting from North Main Street and travelling along Washington Street, Grand Parade, and Patrick’s Street, with selected elements proceeding to McCurtain Street and culminating at The Everyman theatre.

Attendees can expect a dazzling 20–30 minute spectacle with stiltwalkers, large-scale performances, and handcrafted lanterns made by local schools in collaboration with Cork Community Art Link. Featured participants include the Barrack Street Band, dancers from The Montfort School of Dance and the Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance, and the renowned LUXe, known for their visually stunning street theatre.

This year’s parade tells a “Winter Fairy Tale Procession,” bringing a festive story of warmth and joy as exotic seasonal characters from the frozen east parade through the streets. Highlights include a fire-spinning Nutcracker Prince, a flying Fairground Horse, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and a giant Rudolph puppet that dances along the route. From illuminated baubles to the Snow Queen’s crystal entourage, the streets of Cork will transform into a winter wonderland.

Parade-goers are encouraged to gather at North Main Street or Patrick’s Street for the best views, as North Main Street will be fully closed to traffic, while all other areas will experience rolling closures, allowing traffic to resume once the parade passes.

For patrons with accessibility needs or further information on road closures, please contact: [email protected]. Full details on diversions will also be posted as confirmed.