A winter weekend in Waterford gives you time for Christmas shopping, an evening at the theatre and a closer look at the craft behind Waterford crystal. During the festive season, Winterval brings another reason to visit, with events and activities across the city. Stay at the Viking Hotel Waterford and plan a weekend around the experiences that interest you.
For this break, give yourself time to enjoy the city. Book an activity you want to try, choose somewhere for lunch and leave space to browse. You can spend the afternoon indoors before heading out again for an evening event or dinner.
Start Your Winter Weekend at the Viking Hotel Waterford
Check in, unpack and take a moment to relax before your winter weekend begins. From an evening at Winterval to dinner at the hotel, you can settle into your break at your own pace.
Start with a meal at the Wooden Pestle Restaurant and chat through your plans for the days ahead. For inspiration, browse the hotel’s visitor attraction stand, where you will find leaflets and information on nearby attractions and activities.
If you have tickets for a show or a Winterval activity, plan your transport into the city around your booking. Allow time to get there and arrange your return so you can enjoy the evening without rushing.
Make Winterval Part of Your Stay
If Christmas events are the reason for your winter weekend in Waterford, start with the Winterval calendar.
The festival website lists the 2026 festival period from 13 November to 23 December, with activities taking place on selected dates. Check your chosen weekend carefully, as individual events have their own operating days and times.
The Christmas market is one option to build into your visit. Allow time to browse between activities rather than moving straight from one booking to the next. A stop for something to eat can be part of the afternoon too.
For families, choosing a small number of activities can make the day easier to manage. Check ticket requirements and age guidance before booking, then leave gaps for meals and breaks. Couples and groups of friends can combine a festival visit with shopping or dinner in the city.
See the Craft Behind Waterford Crystal
A visit to the House of Waterford gives you an indoor experience to plan around during your stay.
The factory tour introduces you to the work behind the crystal, giving you a chance to see the craftsmanship involved in producing the finished pieces. It adds something different to your weekend, particularly if you usually spend city breaks shopping or visiting museums.
Book a tour time that leaves room for lunch and any afternoon plans. You can also browse the retail store during your visit, perhaps looking for a gift or simply taking time to examine the pieces after seeing the work behind them.
Check the current tour schedule before travelling, especially for a visit close to Christmas.
Give Yourself Time for Christmas Shopping
A night away gives you the chance to spread Christmas shopping across a weekend.
Set aside part of Saturday to browse the city’s shops. Make a short list before you arrive, but leave room to pick up something you had not thought of. If you are visiting during Winterval, you can include time at the market alongside your other shopping.
Plan a lunch stop before you get tired of carrying bags. Taking a proper break makes it easier to enjoy the afternoon, particularly if you have an evening out ahead.
You can also divide the day into two parts. Browse and have lunch first, then return to the hotel before heading into the city again for your evening plans.
Book an Evening of Entertainment
Give your weekend a focus with an evening at the Theatre Royal or Garter Lane.
Check what is on during your stay before booking accommodation, particularly if there is a performance you would like to see. The Theatre Royal offers a city venue to build an evening around, while Garter Lane’s programme spans areas including theatre, music, dance, film and visual arts.
Choosing a show gives you another way to enjoy Waterford during winter, including weekends outside the Christmas festival period.
Once you have your tickets, arrange dinner around the performance time. An earlier meal gives you time to get to the venue and settle in, while lunch at the hotel may suit if you want to keep the evening free.
Make Food Part of the Weekend
A winter break should leave time to sit down and enjoy a meal.
At the Viking Hotel Waterford, the Wooden Pestle Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Start Saturday with breakfast before heading into the city, then return for dinner if you have spent the afternoon shopping or attending festival events.
If you are eating in the city before a show, reserve a table and mention your performance time when booking. This helps you choose a sitting that gives you enough time for your meal.
For a two night stay, you could spend one evening dining at the hotel and the other enjoying entertainment in the city. It gives each evening its own plan without filling every hour.
Enjoy a Slower Sunday Morning
Leave Sunday morning for breakfast and anything you did not get to on Saturday.
You might return to a shop, fit in a booked visitor experience or spend more time at Winterval if activities are running that day. Check opening times before setting off, as Sunday arrangements can differ.
There is no need to add another full itinerary. One final activity and lunch can be enough before travelling home.
Book Your Winter Weekend in Waterford
A winter weekend in Waterford gives you more than one way to enjoy a city break. Combine Winterval with Christmas shopping, see the craft behind Waterford crystal or book an evening performance.
Choose the experiences you most want to enjoy, then build your stay around them. With dinner at the Wooden Pestle and time to relax between outings, the Viking Hotel Waterford gives you a base for making a weekend of it.
