From a dedicated town for Elves to Elf the Movie, there’s lots of elf fun to be had this Christmas, here’s our pick of elf-themed events for families:

Elf Town is a two hour Christmas experience set over three different buildings with the magical journey itself set over different floors, where at the end, you and your family get a private visit with Santa.

The children will be amazed when he knows a little secret about them. Each child will receive a gold coin from Santa which they can take to his Toy Shop and exchange for a gift of their choice!

This year, every child will receive an Elf Town branded gift pack with an official ‘handwritten’ invite from Santa addressed to your children, a Golden Ticket for each child and a map of Elf Town to share. This will come by reindeer post from Santa himself before your booking date. All included with your ticket purchase

What to Expect on your Santa Visit to Elf Town
Elf Town promises a magical experience for all the family. From arriving at the castle gates to be greeted by Glitterpants, Santa’s Head Elf, to leaving with a present from Santa that you have chosen yourself.

Children and adults alike will be mesmerised by this truly special Santa visit. Each visit lasts up to 2 hours, with plenty of activities to enjoy, along with meeting Santa. These include:

• A visit to Jack Frost’s Ice House (made of real ice!)
• Disco dance floor for a boogie with the Disco Elf
• Postal portal where Postie Elf will help children write their letters to Santa
• Elf Terrace where you can hear stories from the elves and throw a few snowballs
• A visit to Mrs Claus’ kitchen to decorate (and eat) some cookies
• Meet Santa’s Reindeer, who will be visiting from the North Pole
• A visit to Santa’s Toy Shop to exchange your gold coin from Santa for a gift of your choice.
• On arrival children will each be given an Elf Town passport, Elf Hat and a name badge.
• Grown-ups can enjoy a mulled wine/fruit punch and some mince pies – all complimentary.

Tickets can be booked online for the date and time of your choice. Santa will be in residence on select dates from November 25th right up to December 23rd 2022. For more information and to book tickets visit the Elftown Galway website.

Santa’s coming Ho Ho Home to Croke Park! The GAA Museum are delighted to announce the return of Santa to Croke Park, the home of Gaelic Games, this year.

A team from the North Pole are setting up a training camp in Croke Park and they’d love you to visit as they prepare for their special journey around the world on Christmas Eve.

On the Santa Experience, you’ll see the Elf Dressing Rooms, the Igloo Clubhouse and the North Pole Skills Zone. Then it will be time to step inside Santa’s very special Croke Park cabin to meet the man himself. You can take a photo with Santa and tell him about your predictions for the 2023 GAA All-Ireland Championships!

Every child will receive a small GAA-themed gift and photos will also be available to purchase if you wish. After your visit with Santa, don’t forget to collect a Junior Explorer passport and follow the trail around the museum. Then stop off at Cú Chulainn’s Den write your letter to Santa, get it stamped and post it in our museum post box!

For more information and to book tickets, click here. Limited availability left for 20th December.

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Enjoy the Christmas Elf Trail at Birr Castle Demesne daily 9am-5pm between Thursday 8th December and Friday 6th January (except 25th & 26th December and 1st January)

Festive fun searching for our resident Elf & Reindeer’s lost name in the gardens. Pick up your trail & pencil at reception, & head off in search of the letters. Includes a little sweet treat at the end if you complete your North Pole Mission!

The Christmas Elf Trail is included in General Admission price. Tickets are available online or at reception. Pre-booking is not essential.

Please note the ‘Christmas Elf Trail’ does not include access inside the Castle or a meet & greet with any Christmas characters.

On December 10th join Head Chef Natalie Collins and her busy Elves in decorating your very own Gingerbread Man at Irish National Stud and Gardens. From 11am to 12pm children will have an opportunity to decorate their very own Gingerbread man that they can bring home to hang on their Christmas tree.

Cost is €10.00 per child and children must be accompanied by an adult. Located in the visitor centre. Admission is required should you wish to visit the grounds.

Pre-booking essential, book online here.

Christmas is always a special time at Castlecomer Discovery Park, and although Santa isn’t stopping here this year, the park is open for winter walks this holiday season.

The Elf Village becomes Christmas central this year, as fairy houses are lit up making it a wonderful destination for a winter walk and hot chocolate from the Canopy Café.

The ever-popular bouncing nets and Junior adventure course will be open for kids aged 3 – 8 to burn off some pre–Christmas nervous energy. It’s even more exciting as the Junior Woodland Course has been revamped, making it even more enjoyable for your little ones.

There’s also a little “Elf on the Shelf” scavenger hunt for your little ones to enjoy and immerse themselves in a world of elf imagination. Our elves are getting up to mischief all around the village, can you find them all?

Are you ready to spread Christmas cheer? It might be time to attend the National Elf Academy!

Did you know there’s an elf shortage and Santa’s in great need of recruiting new elves to spread Christmas cheer this holiday season?! He looked everywhere and found a nice new hub for some of his trusty friends to help train up some new recruits while he’s busy up at the North Pole sorting out all the gifts for all the wonderful children of the world!

This Christmas, Dunamaise Arts Centre will become home of the official National Elf Academy where your family will get to attend a fun-filled experience, learning all of the top-notch Elf requirements to spread Christmas Cheer!

Elf will be showing at these cinemas and drive in outdoor filmings:

• Sonairte – the National Ecology Centre Saturd 10th December 4pm
• Retro Drive-In Movies at Tayto Park Saturday, 17th December 5pm
• Portlaoise Christmas Drive In Experience Sunday 18th December 3.30pm
• Draiocht Monday 19th December 5pm
• The Pavilion Theatre 22nd December and 23rd December 5.30pm

Watch the Christmas classic movie Elf on the Big Screen. Followed by a live link up with Santa direct from the North Pole. AND THEN by the magic of Christmas watch as Santa appears in the flesh to greet all the boys & girls.

Dates: 11th Dec 2022 3:30pm