What's on this Christmas

Discover unmissable festive events in Mid Ulster this Christmas. From Santa experiences to festive workshops, Christmas concerts, craft fairs and cookery demonstrations. You'll find lot's of festive family fun in Mid Ulster!

Christmas Lights Switch On's

You can meet Santa and his helpers as he works his way around Mid Ulster and join in the fun at one of our festive lights switch-ons.

Cookstown

Cookstown Town Centre is the first to light up this year, on Friday 24 November, from 6.30pm to 8pm. William Street will come alive with entertainment from Stewartstown Panto, Tullylagan Pipe Band and Double Whiskeys, finishing with a fantastic Showstoppers Parade to count down to the Lights Switch On by Santa, who'll arrive in style. On Street Entertainment includes face painting, The Gaming Bus, and Character Walkabouts for those Christmas selfies!

Magherafelt

Market Square, Magherafelt also lights up on Saturday 25 November from 2pm to 8pm with festivities featuring for the first time a new Children’s Christmas Village, with a variety of children’s shows, musical entertainment, crafts and activities taking place. There’ll be a Christmas Street Party on Broad Street from 6.30pm to 8pm, before Santa arrives at 7.30pm to switch on the Christmas Lights. A fireworks display will take place from 7.35pm.

Dungannon

Market Square, Dungannon is also a hub of festive fun on Saturday 25 November from 6pm to 8pm. Family focussed festive fun will take place in Market Square from 6pm including music to get you in the festive mood from an on-stage DJ, a performance from Bardic Theatre’s ‘Cinderella’ and a sing-a-long with The Snow Sisters. You will be able to meet Spiderman and other festive walkabout characters throughout the evening.

Maghera

Maghera Walled Garden and Town Centre has its turn on Saturday 2 December from 3pm to 6pm. In The Walled Garden, from 3pm to 5pm, you can meet Santa in the Potting Shed (pre-booking essential, opens Monday 13 November), be entertained as you stroll around the garden, or get crafty for Christmas in the Lurach Centre, where all the family can make a Christmas Badge, write their letter to Santa and post it in The Walled Garden post box, make a Christmas Decoration or special reindeer food, or get your face painted.

Coalisland

Finally, Coalisland lights up on Sunday 3 December from 5pm to 7pm. From 5pm to 6.30pm in the main public space, there'll be free face painting, the opportunity to take a selfie with festive characters, or to meet Santa in his grotto. There’ll be music and entertainment aplenty as an on-stage DJ, live band and Craic Theatre will knock your Christmas socks off on stage from 5pm to 7pm.

Magical Santa Experiences

There will be plenty of opportunities to meet Santa and his elves as he makes his way around Mid Ulster. Santa, Mrs Claus and the Elves will be taking over Todd's Leap for a Magical Winter Wonderland.

Join us for a jolly festive experience at Santa's Grotto at the Bridewell in the heart of Magherafelt. Step into Santa's whimsical world, where you'll find a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, a cheerful elf, and of course, the man in red himself.

A Magical Christmas Shop and Experience awaits in Coalisland, full of fantastic props, sets and special effects, including a wonderful simulated train journey with audio, visual and motion effects, three theatre shows including a 3D animatronic elf show, all before meeting with Santa in his courtyard.

Get Crafty this Christmas

The Burnavon Winter Craft & Food Fair is back for 2023, and it is better than ever! Showcasing some of the most talented crafters and food producers from across the country. There will be a range of artisan food makers, handmade jewellery, art, textiles, homeware, candles, and toiletries all available to buy on Saturday 25 November. This is an ideal opportunity to get in the Christmas spirit, shop for the perfect custom-made presents and festive foods.