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13th November 2018
12:06pm GMT
Ireland's largest Christmas festival is kicking off this weekend.
Waterford's Winterval, now its seventh year, will officially launch after the lights are turned on at 5:00pm on Saturday in John Roberts Square.
The festivities, however, will get underway from 2:30pm with Santa's elves hitting the streets of Waterford for an exclusive “Golden Ticket” giveaway — offering free entry to some of Winterval’s top attractions.
Clues for the giveaway will be promoted on Winterval’s social media channels this week.
Festival Director Tommie Ryan said, “The exclusive Winterval Golden Tickets, not available for purchase, provide access for two adults and two children to some of the top highlights of Winterval including the Enchanted Christmas, a brand-new Santa experience at the Old Postal Sorting Centre; the Winterval Express Train and Sleigh; Winterval on Ice; and rides on the Waterford Eye, Carousel and Helter Skelter.
"We’d encourage everyone to keep an eye out on Winterval’s social media — Facebook, Twitter and Instagram — in the lead up to Saturday for clues on where the elves will be in Waterford that day.”
Among the 60 free and ticketed events running across the Festival is the Winterval Illuminates Christmas Light Show at Cathedral Square, a light show with music which runs every half hour from 5pm on Winterval days.
There is also an opportunity to have breakfast and afternoon tea with Santa at No.9 Café in December, a Christmas Cinema Club at The Reg and Christmas markets at Cathedral, Constitution and Arundel Squares.
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