Welcome one, welcome all to the magic realm of the Festive Hall. We are delighted to announce that our Festive Hall will open this Christmas season. You are invited to enjoy a different kind of festive experience, one that doesn’t include the stress of expensive tickets, booking times and queues. All you and your family need do is step over the magic threshold to a ‘once upon a time’ and wander at your own pace through the enchanted world you’ll find there. You may bump into Santa Claus on your stroll, and no doubt he’ll greet you with a cheery wave and a ho, ho, ho, but he won’t have time to sit and chat because he’ll be very busy preparing for the big day. So, rather than standing in line for ages, you spend your time exploring all the enchantment that the Festive Hall has to offer while creating family memories to treasure. Timeless features such as the fairy-tale village of Ballysanty, complete with its half-timbered houses, the Snow Queen’s woodland under starlight, Brigid Bear’s cosy Den, the Blennerville Belle steam express, and many more delights. No matter what age you are, Christmas has the power to cut right through the noise of everyday life and find the child within you, encouraging you to once again believe in magic. We invite you to explore that sense of possibility and experience the wonder of the Festive Hall.

Dates & Times
Saturday and Sunday 30 Nov/1 Dec, 7/ 8, 14/15, 21/ 22 December 2024
10.00am – 6.00pm, last admission at 5.00pm

Closed for lunch 12.45pm – 1.30pm

Sensory friendly times: 10.00am – 11.00am, Saturdays and Sundays

From 3 December the Festive Hall is open Tuesday – Friday, 2.00pm – 5.00pm, with last admission 4.00pm.
Please note that Santa and Mrs Claus will not be in attendance during those times.

Cost
Adult: €10.00
Child: €8.00
Infant aged 2 and under: €2.00

Tickets can be paid at the door by means of a debit or credit card or by cash. There is no advance booking. Children must be always accompanied by a responsible adult.

Itinerary
Entrance to the Festive Hall will be from the left-hand side of the Ashe Memorial Hall in Tralee as you face the building – opposite the playground in the Town Park. There will be signage to direct you. Once inside, you set out on the path through the Snow Queen’s woodland realm, where you have a choice to go right at the moon rising over the castle battlements or left towards the giant-size fairy tale book. As you travel through the woodland under starlight you can whisper a wish to the Sídhe Óir; pay a visit to Brigid Bear’s Den; take a train journey of the imagination with the Blennerville Belle steam express; have a peek at the Woodcutter’s feast. You then arrive at Ballysanty Village, a flurry of activity, light and noise. It is Santa Claus’s Kerry headquarters, and here you’ll find his workshop, map-room, and dispatch centre, as well as Mrs Claus, singing away while she’s hard at work around the house. Right beside her house you’ll meet magical creatures such as Úna the Unicorn and Cathal the Calf. At any point on your journey you might catch a glimpse of the man himself, Santa Claus, as he dashes about getting everything ready. You should allow half an hour for the visit in total, but you are more than welcome to take as long as you like.

Will we get to meet Santa Claus?

Please note that this is not a Santa Grotto-type experience and there is no formal individual family sit-down session with Santa Claus. The big man is on the move and may not have time for more than a friendly wave and a hello. He’ll try to stop for a quick photo whenever he can, but please bear in mind that this might not always be possible at very busy times. You are welcome to take pictures on your own phones/cameras and there are a number of specially designed photo opportunities available throughout the Festive Hall for you and your family.

Will children receive a gift?

The ticket price includes the entire experience, and each child will receive a small token of their visit. We are keenly conscious of the fact that Christmas is an expensive time for everyone, and our aim is to provide a quality yet affordable Christmas experience for all. The Festive Hall is non-profit, and all proceeds go back into improving the experience every year.

Is the Festive Hall only for children?

Christmas is for everyone, and we welcome people of all ages.

Is the Festive Hall accessible for wheelchair users and for buggies?

Yes, it is located on the ground floor of the Ashe Memorial Hall and can accommodate both.