Christmas in Ennis
The schedule for this year’s Christmas in Ennis programme of events has been announced, and in the very best seasonal tradition of keeping all the family happy, there’s something for everyone!
Ennis Christmas Lights
The programme of events kicks off with the annual ‘Switch-On’ of the Christmas lights, on Friday November 29, in the O’Connell Square area, which proved to be a very successful location last year. To minimise disruption to business in the town centre, festivities will commence at the later time of 5pm, with some disruption to normal traffic flow from approximately 2pm to allow for health and safety checks supports and other preparations to be made.
As well as the much-anticipated arrival of Santa to ‘The Square’, this event will also include the launch of Ennis Lions Club “Remembrance Tree”. The team at Ennis Municipal District have programmed a host of festive entertainment to ensure the festive season in Ennis gets off to a joyous start.
Music in the Market
‘Music in the Market’ will take place in the Market Building on Saturday, November 30, to include seasonal performances from a number of local groups/bands together with a host of children’s entertainment. A ‘Christmas Decoration Upcycling’ workshop will focus on making Christmas decorations from recyclable materials. With gingerbread decorating, a colouring corner and lots more engaging there will be plenty to keep the little ones entertained.
Retro Drive-In Movies
From Friday, December 06 to Sunday, December 08, people will get the chance to enjoy the nostalgia of a Christmas Retro Drive-In Movie Experience, situated in the Clare Co-Operative Marts Car Park, Quin Road. Featuring the ‘world’s biggest LED screen’, with sound via your car stereo, movie goers can relax in the comfort of their own car. There will be food and drink vendors onsite and tickets can be booked through retro movies once the ticket platform is launched for Ennis. Tickets priced at circa €30 per car. This event is fully organised and managed by Retro Movies, with insurance and indemnity requirements provided to Clare Co-operative Marts who very kindly provide the use of its car park for this seasonal event.
Ennis Christmas Market
Earlier this year, Ennis Municipal District sought expressions of interest for the delivery of a Christmas themed event for Ennis, to run over 3-5 days to bring a festive atmosphere and experience to the town centre to encourage footfall. ‘Bespoke Advertising & Event Transformers’ were subsequently appointed to deliver a Christmas Market with a 50m marquee to be located in Abbey Street Car Park, over the weekend of December 14,15 & 16. The package also includes a large carousel, and other Christmas style amusements, plus night time illuminations of chosen buildings.
The displacement of circa 100 car parking spaces is offset in abbey Street car park for the duration of the market is offset by the availability of free parking in the Cloister Car Park (which comes into effect form November 29), with the capacity to accommodate 100 cars.
Christmas Express Train
The family favourite from last year’s Christmas festivities, “Christmas Express Train’ is back by popular demand from Friday December 20 to Sunday December 22. Again, four local charities will benefit from the proceeds. The train is wheelchair accessible which means it can be enjoyed by all. The train is boarded at the front of The Market Building.
In addition to the programme of weekend events scheduled items taking place throughout the festive period to include Christmas Street Radio (Joint EMD/Ennis Chamber Initiative) – 14th December – 24th December. Enquiries re: advertising on Christmas radio can be made through Ennis Chamber on 0656842988.
Christmas Parking Initiative
Ennis Municipal District has confirmed free parking as follows:
Commencing on Friday November 29, there will be free parking from 2pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in all public car parks. The free parking initiative will continue until Sunday January 05, 2020 inclusive.
In addition to the above, the Cloister Car Park will be made available to the public free of charge, commencing Friday, November 29.
