Alpacas are a favourite at Wicklow Christmas Market, adored by young and old alike. Alpacas are a softer, somewhat sassier version of the traditional reindeer and they’re sure the put a smile on your face with their antics as they strut and pose like rock stars!

You can visit our furry friends every Saturday & Sunday.

Santa and his merry band of elves are looking forward to returning to Galway and meeting all the wonderful boy and girls at Elf Town.

Your journey into Elf Town begins through the Grand Entrance at the Castle gates, where you will meet Glitterpants – Santa’s head Elf – who will get you started on your journey and show you Elf Town’s very own “Elf Town Shuffle”.

During your visit you will also meet Santa’s Reindeer, see Jack Frost’s ice house, the elf postal portal, the LED dance floor with Boogie the Elf, throw snowballs on the Elf Terrace, have a cookie with Mrs Claus, and enjoy a private visit with Santa. Finally, bring the gold coin you receive from Santa to Santa’s Toy Shop and trade it in for the toy of your choice!

Be sure to book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

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As well as being the largest urban park in Europe, home to Dublin Zoo, Áras an Uachtaráin (President’s residence), Farmleigh House, visitor centre, picnic spots and plenty of playgrounds, Phoenix Park is also home to a large herd of deer.

Head out for a walk or bring the bikes/scooters and while you enjoy the park see if you can spot some of them.

At Coole Park in County Galway, next to the Visitor Centre you’ll find an enclosed space that hosts a herd of deer. It’s also a wonderful place to enjoy the nature walks, explore the forest, spot the swans on the lake or head into the visitor centre and play Hunt The Thimble like Lady Gregory’s grandchildren used to.

It’s free to visit both the park and the Visitor Centre, and there’s a café in the old stables courtyard.

Doneraile Wildlife Park, located 11kms north-east from Mallow, is free to enter and is a lovely place for a walk with the family. There are marked walking trails and there are herds of deer to spot as you go. Next to the house, there is a low level garden maze to enjoy.

You can find reindeer on the woodland walk at Newbridge House and, according to one elf we spoke to, Santa might even be seen coming to feed his reindeer on Christmas Eve before they head off for their epic round the world journey.

Ireland’s Lapland takes place every year at Glendeer Pet Farm with Santa and you will also get to see and feed his real live deer Dancer & Prancer, along with a crib with a live cow and donkey, the Elves’ workshop & lots more Christmas scenes as part of the Christmas experience.

Share in the magic of Christmas and take the Rathwood Santa Train Adventure through the Enchanted Forest to visit Santa as he prepares for the most wonderful time of the year.

The Train Adventure takes you on a ride through the Enchanted Forest where you can meet Rudolph and the other Reindeer along the way before arriving at Santa’s woodland home, where each family meets Santa.