Going out: Something for the weekend

Christmas jumpers An attempt to break the world record for the most festive jumpers in one place will take place tomorrow afternoon in Dublin when O’Connell Street’s Christmas lights are turned on.

Last year’s grand total of Christmas jumper wearers was an impressive 857, but it is hoped this number will be more than 1,000 this time around. The inaugural Geansaí Nollaig Day was set up to raise funds for charity and this year’s beneficiary is the Make a Wish Foundation. The lights will be switched on by Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke at 3.30pm.

Dublin’s Christmas market on St Stephen’s Green continues despite some grumbling from local traders. The 68-stall market has been a success to date, with footfall in the area up by more than a quarter, according to DublinTown, the business initiative behind it.

Winterval

Waterford Winterval, Ireland’s Christmas Festival, continues with more than 25 events and activities, 17 of them free of charge.

Free events at Winterval include a 3D sound and light show that will illuminate the Old Deanery in Cathedral Square every evening.

Waterford Homecrafts will stage its 31st Annual Christmas Craft Fair in Garter Lane Arts Centre, featuring the work of 40 local craftspeople.

Time to glow

Glow: A Cork Christmas Celebration was opened by Lord Mayor of Cork Mary Shields on Friday. Bishop Lucey Park has gone through a transformation and has been decked out with seasonal decorations and lights showcasing scenes and live characters from the story.

Glow: A Cork Christmas Celebration is presented by Cork City Council. About 150,000 people are expected to flock into the city centre between now and Christmas Day.

Festival of light

Dundalk Festival of Light and Culture is an event involving schools, community groups and businesses, with street theatre, entertainment and plenty of other cultural activity.

Throughout the town, there will be a focus on cultural activity featuring the use of light, including lanterns, pyramids, laser activity, street performers, live music and a colourful procession from cross-Border and other cultural groups. It finishes today.

Flamenco fever

Dublin Flamenco Festival takes place this weekend at various locations. Now in its fourth year, the festival has a reputation for attracting some of today’s most influential and celebrated flamenco artists, from avant-garde to traditional.

Its mission is to represent authentic flamenco and break away from some of the cliches and stereotypes so often associated with this form of dance.