Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture 2014 – the official start of the town’s Christmas celebrations takes place on Friday and Saturday, November 28th & 29th with a two-day packed programme of events, set against the brightly illuminated buildings of the town centre.
Celebrations on Friday night will include the switching on of the town centre illuminations and Christmas tree along with the official launch of Dundalk on Ice
Titan the Robot, who made a huge impression last year returns to Dundalk and will be meeting his fans both in the Dundalk Town Centre and The Marshes Shopping Centre over the two days of the Festival. Funny, fast paced and full of surprises, Titan is the ultimate family entertainment comedy show where you come to expect the unexpected! Titan’s fame has seen him perform in 25 countries worldwide and in recent years Titan has danced with Rihanna in Hollywood, appeared at Wembley Stadium with Will.i.am, stolen a kiss from Heidi Klum on Germany’s Next Top Model and performed on countless TV shows.
This year’s Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture sees a number of new attractions.
An Animal Farm will be held in the Demesne. Visitors to the Farm will have the chance to see many different animals including chickens, giant rabbits, pygmy goats, pet sheep, llama, alpaca, as well as a small falabella pony and cart. Plus why not take your own pets along for the animal blessing on Saturday. Sponsored by PetSafe, this FREE Animal Farm has the full support of the Louth Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and donations may be made to this very worthwhile local cause.
Those who are busy writing their Letter to Santa will be interested to know that the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture will have a designated Letter to Santa Postbox this year. Young letter writers may be lucky and see an elf or two collecting what is sure to be sackload after sackload of post over the two days. Plus even though he will be getting into the full preparations for Christmas, rumour has it Santa may take time out of his hectic schedule and turn up to collect some of the post in person.
After posting your letter why not head over to Earl Street where there will be plenty to amuse including carousels and a Disco Dome.
Christmas Markets continue to be featured in the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture. A market aimed at featuring the best of local crafts and offering unique gift ideas will be housed in the Clanbrassil Centre while seasonal scents will permeate the air around the Market Square with sweet and savoury tastes catered for at the food market.
Live entertainment is once again playing an integral part in this year’s Festival of Light & Culture with stages to be located at the courthouse side of the Market Square and also on Park Street. Blue Moose will headline the live music on Friday, November 28th. Boasting a fantastic following in Dundalk, there’s sure to be a great turnout for what is Ireland’s most in demand cover band. Blue Moose play all major entertainment venues in the country but festival goers will have the opportunity to see them live and free at the Market Square.
A simple walk up the town will entertain during the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture, Fire eaters, unicyclists and other street performers will keep everyone entertained on the main thoroughfare.
Don’t worry if your feet get a bit weary enjoying all the attractions that Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture has to offer plus visiting the many shops in Dundalk. For the two day Festival there will be a free Festival train running through key points between the town centre and The Marshes Shopping Centre. See Dundalk from a different perspective and soak in the lights, aromas and atmosphere of the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture.
The Festival will close on Saturday evening with a spectacular Fireworks Display at the Marshes Shopping Centre, lighting up the Dundalk skyline
Speaking on the launch of the Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture Programme Dundalk BIDS Manager, Edel O’Mahony said “The Dundalk Festival of Lights & Culture Organising Committee, which features representations from Dundalk BIDS, The Marshes Shopping Centre, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce, Dundalk Tidy Towns and voluntary individuals, has put a lot of effort into bringing together this extensive programme of events and we hope that as many people as possible get to enjoy the two day festival.
“It can be difficult when budgets are tight but I do believe we have been successful in bringing a number of fantastic FREE events such as the Animal Farm, Titan the Robot the Letter to Santa post box and of course our live music, to complement the Dundalk on Ice, markets etc.
“I would encourage everyone to spread the word about the Dundalk Festival of Lights & Culture and get behind, what is, a main community event in Dundalk’s calendar.”
Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture takes place on Friday, November 28th & 29th.
For further details and regular programme updates ‘like’ the Facebook Page ‘Dundalk Festival of Light & Culture’ and follow the Festival of Twitter @dlkfestival
