Short answer: the best Christmas things to do in Co. Clare for adults in 2026 are the "Christmas at the Castle" dinner and show at Bunratty, the Ennis Christmas lights switch-on on Thursday 26 November, the Ennis Christmas markets on Saturday 12 December, and a wrapped-up walk on the Clare coast near the Cliffs of Moher. Dates below were checked on 7 November 2026 and come from organisers and local event listings, so confirm before you travel.
Christmas markets in Co. Clare 2026: dates
| Event | Date | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Clarecastle Christmas Market | Saturday 21 November, from 4pm | The Abbey Hall, Clarecastle |
| Ennis Christmas lights switch-on | Thursday 26 November | Abbey Street Car Park, Ennis |
| Clare Crafts Christmas craft fair | Sunday 6 December, 11am to 5pm | Templegate Hotel, Ennis |
| Ennis Christmas Markets and Santa's Grotto | Saturday 12 December | Market Building, Ennis |
- Clarecastle Christmas Market: Saturday 21 November from 4pm at The Abbey Hall, Clarecastle.
- Ennis Christmas lights switch-on: Thursday 26 November, Abbey Street Car Park.
- Clare Crafts Christmas craft fair: Sunday 6 December, 11am to 5pm, Templegate Hotel, Ennis.
- Ennis Christmas Markets and Santa's Grotto: Saturday 12 December at the Market Building, as listed on IrelandMe.
Christmas things to do in Clare for adults
- Christmas at the Castle, Bunratty. A four-course banquet and an evening of seasonal music from the Bunratty Castle Singers, in the castle itself. Details and booking are on the Bunratty Castle website, where the wider Christmas experience runs from 27 November to 23 December 2026.
- A Christmas Country with the Stars, glór, Ennis. Wednesday 25 November at glór Irish Music Centre.
- An evening in Ennis. Catch the lights switch-on on 26 November, then have dinner in town and walk the lit-up streets.
- A winter coast walk. The Cliffs of Moher and the coast around Liscannor are at their quietest in winter. Check the weather and the visitor centre's opening hours before you go, and wear proper layers.
Where to stay in Clare for Christmas
Howard's Way in Liscannor is a house on the Wild Atlantic Way, a short drive from the Cliffs of Moher. It has an open fire in the living room and a gas fire in the reading room for when the wind picks up. Book direct on sosstays.com.
Want to give a break in Clare instead? A Sos Stays gift voucher is valid for five years, or build a gift in the gift maker.
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