Christmas magic is set to sparkle brighter than ever this year as Elf Town returns to both Galway Racecourse and Dublin’s RDS from November 15th, promising its most spectacular season yet.
Following a sell-out 2024 that welcomed more than 113,000 visitors, Elf Town is back with bigger sets, longer opening hours, and a host of enchanting new details. With more than €3.7 million invested this year, organisers say the 2025 edition will be their most ambitious production to date.
A Magical Journey for Children
From the moment families book their visit, the experience begins. Children receive a shimmering Golden Ticket in the post, and parents can choose to add extras like a personalised invitation letter or a postcard from Santa to keep the excitement alive at home.
On arrival, little ones are welcomed at the Elf-ification Station, where they don an elf hat, receive a name badge, and collect their official passport for stamping along the way. From there, the journey unfolds through a series of immersive worlds:
- Santa’s Reindeer – Comet and Cupid will appear in Dublin, while Dasher and Dancer make Galway their festive home.
- The Elf Post Office – where children can write and send their letters to Santa.
- Mrs Claus’ Kitchen – a cosy spot where youngsters decorate cookies with elves Sugar and Spice.
- The Toy Shop – towering shelves of toys await, and every child leaves with the gift of their choice.
- Jack Frost’s Ice House – a breathtaking walk-through world built from real ice, filled with frozen furniture, sparkling sculptures, and frosty surprises.
The experience ends with the highlight of the day — a private audience with Santa Claus himself.
Each child’s name, wishes, and even a few personal details are known to him in advance, adding to the magic of the moment.
Children then exchange a golden coin from Santa for their chosen toy, rounding off a memorable journey.
From Galway Dream to National Attraction
Elf Town was first created in Galway by business partners Barry Battle and Anthony Hourigan, who wanted to bring Ireland a Christmas attraction to rival the best international productions.
“As a dad of five, I know how quickly the Santa years pass,” says Barry. “Every detail is designed with children in mind. If it doesn’t feel magical to them, it doesn’t go in.”
Anthony adds, “We wanted to raise the bar in Ireland. It was a huge risk, but seeing Elf Town grow into the country’s largest immersive Christmas event has made it worthwhile. Last year sold out, so this year we’ve extended the hours in Dublin to open seven days a week.”
Key Details for 2025
- Opening dates: Dublin RDS from November 15th; Galway Racecourse from November 21st. Both run until Christmas Eve.
- Expected visitors: 170,000 across both locations.
- Duration: 90 minutes in Dublin; close to two hours in Galway.
- Tickets: From €19.95 (adults) and €29.95 (children), with new payment plans available.
- Jobs: More than 800 seasonal staff will be employed across both sites.
Elf Town is now in its tenth year in Galway and its second in Dublin. With real reindeer, hand-built sets, and a focus on detail, it has become a must-do festive outing for families across Ireland.
For tickets and updates, follow @elftowndublin on Instagram.
