Exact date when Christmas officially begins in Mayo is revealed

Castlebar is the place to be on Friday, December 1, as multiple events take place to herald the arrival of the Christmas season.

The Castlebar Municipal District and the Castlebar Chamber of Commerce have announced the much-anticipated arrival of Santa Claus to town to help turn on the Christmas lights and to welcome children and their families to celebrate Christmas in the county town.

Santa, making a special journey all the way from the North Pole to Castlebar, and is expected to land at Market Square around 5 p.m.

Accompanied by his cheerful elves, he will be joined by the elected members of Castlebar Municipal District and the Castlebar Chamber of Commerce to officially switch on the Christmas lights there at 5:30 p.m.

Members of Castlebar Concert Band will be in attendance to play festive carols.

The cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District, Councillor All McDonnell, expressed the community's excitement.

He stated: "We know this is a very important and busy time of year for Santa and his elves, so we're delighted that they can spend some time with us in Castlebar to add to the magic of Christmas.

“It’s also a wonderful opportunity for families to come out to see Castlebar’s beautiful Christmas lights, and experience some of the lovely shopping, dining, and hospitality options available in town again this Christmas."

Anne Conlon, president of the Castlebar Chamber of Commerce added: “We’re crossing our fingers for good weather to make it easy for Santa to fly in, and we encourage everyone to join us in Castlebar for the festivities and to show support to the many local businesses who are busy preparing for the upcoming Christmas season.”

Following the official turning on of the Christmas lights, Santa and his elves will travel to the old Castlebar Military Barracks where they will reside for the weekend.

In collaboration with four local groups and Mayo County Council, Block A of the historic Castlebar Military Barracks has been magically transformed to accommodate our special guests.

Events at the Barracks kick-off on Friday night, December 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m, with a special opening for the Mayo Autism Camp, followed by a full weekend of captivating activities on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm.

This festive extravaganza promises an array of activities leading up to the highlight of meeting Santa himself.

Children of all ages can immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit with the presence of lively elves, melodious carolers, and other captivating characters, including the beloved Mrs. Claus herself!

Tickets for this enchanting experience are still available through Ticketmaster, with the link accessible on the “Christmas At The Barracks” Facebook and Instagram pages.

The proceeds from this magical weekend will go to the Castlebar Celtic Football Club, St Joseph’s Secondary School, Castlebar Foroige, and An Feileacain, a non-profit association that provides crucial support to families affected by the loss of a baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth.

Make sure to mark your calendars and bring the whole family to Market Square this Friday to welcome Santa and share in the celebration that signals the beginning of a magical Christmas in Castlebar.