Enjoy Christmas in Galway for less with this budget-friendly guide of how to celebrate the festive season without breaking the bank. Find affordable ways to set the table for Christmas dinner, get your Christmas list ticked off and experience Christmas carols, festive lights and markets cheaply, or for free! Discover the best ways to keep the festive season in Galway low-cost.
Kitchen Essentials
1. Get your turkey from local butchers, Hickey Meats, who have got all bases covered for the upcoming festive season. Whether you’re feeding a small or large group, Hickey Meats have birds to suit all needs - full or half breast, plain or stuffed - they’re making it so much easier to prepare Christmas dinner and you don’t have to break the bank to do it either. In addition to getting your turkey from them, they’ve got honey baked cooked ham slices, and a fantastic range of lowfuss easy bake 3 for €20 meals that will go a long way in keeping everyone fed and happy over the Christmas holidays.
2. If you prefer fish for the mains, at Galway Bay Seafoods you’re guaranteed bang for your buck. This family-run fish shop has been helping to set the table for families for the last 75 years, and this Christmas is no different. Now taking Christmas orders on 087 920 4747, we adore their fresh prawns (which are perfect for classic prawn cocktails) and premium quality salmon for the Christmas dinner. With decades of expertise and a commitment to sourcing only the best, you can trust this local favourite to bring exceptional flavour to your Christmas celebrations.
above: Sheridan's Cheesemongers
3. It wouldn’t be Christmas without snacking on cheese, so next up on the list is Sheridan’s Cheesemongers who have it in abundance. With cheeses that suit all kinds of budgets, and a whole range of seasonal favourites that also include chutney gift boxes (ideal presents), compotes, chocolates, hazelnuts, cranberry sauce, and so many other festive accompaniments, you can pick up the week’s essentials in one spot while still keeping your Christmas shop affordable.
4. Where there’s a need for cheese there’s a need for wine, and for that The Wine Buff Galway is the place to be. In-store speak with owners Tugba and Alan, who will offer you recommendations on the wines that fit your budget, while taking into account what you want the wine for (for the dinner, for a specific cheese pairing, for drinking on its own or for gifting). They’ve got loads of tasty options to choose from so be sure to call in and get their advice.
5. Combining coffee, baked treats, provisions and homeware, Áitiúil in Barna is a true one-stop shop for Christmas presents, snacks and goodies to fill the pantry, and kitchen Christmas essentials. Stocking a wide assortment of items, in-store you can shop across a mix of candles, biscuits, teas, sweets, prints, jewellery, soaps, spreads, cheeses and cold cuts, wine, jams and well really the list goes on!
6. To cover all bases you’ll want to visit both The Filling Station and Ernies ahead of Christmas Day. With Ernies stocking the very best of fresh local and Irish produce, as well as their incredible Christmas hampers, and The Filling Station offering everything you need to keep things running smoothly over the next two weeks - from everyday essentials to teas and mulled wine and punch sets. These two stores are a must if you want great value for your money.
7. Last but not least of our ‘Kitchen Essentials’ is Micil’s Irish Cream Liqueur. Not only does it taste nicer than Baileys Cream Liqueur (sorry, not sorry) but it’s made by a Galway family-run company and is a delightful alternative to a bottle of wine.
The All-Important Christmas Tree
It’s the focal point of every household over Christmas (and where all the presents are hidden) so picking the right one is a very important task. Over at Dangan Nurseries they’ve got a full selection of Christmas trees, with some potted ones too, and even have a beautiful selection of winter flowering plants, planted up pots, door wreaths and more to choose from. Alternatively, pick your own tree at Galway Christmas Trees where they’ve got a range of trees that suit all budgets, so simply pick the one that works for you!
above: Connemara Blue
Christmas Presents - Cards, Stock Fillers & For Under the Tree
1. Connemara Blue’s new range of stained glass Christmas tree decorations are the perfect stocking filler, secret Santa gift or even just thoughtful presents for a loved one. For less than €20 each and designs that include stars, angels, and Christmas trees, these are a spectacularly colourful and festive gift to give others this Christmas.
2. Check out the Christmas markets in Galway City that offer an amazing variety of locally made gifts; Tiny Traders Village and Market Down the West. Open daily right up until Christmas Eve and December 23rd respectively, at these markets you can shop a range of incredible crafts, cards, clothing, bakes, candles, and loads more. Not only are these markets super budget-friendly, but you’ll be supporting local makers and creators, so really it’s a win-win all round.
3. Kennys Bookshop has thousands of books for less than €5, so if you’re trying to keep costs down this Christmas they are well worth visiting. Shop in-store or online (free delivery in Ireland on all orders), and browse through their diverse collection of genres to find your loved one something they’ll adore.
4. To get that all-important Christmas card, Outset Gallery has a mix of festive greetings perfect for getting your message across. Whether you’re after a witty anecdote, a beautifully illustrated design, or something simple and classic, you’ll find the right card to say “Merry Christmas” in just the way you want.
5. If you’re buying for a few girls, Ah Sure Look It has a gorgeous selection of earrings that are €10 each or €30 for 4 pairs. Out of their large selection you can simply pick the four that you like best, bulk buy and save while giving loved ones a gift they can wear time and again.
6. IT Fix offers huge bargains on top quality phones and laptops and if you’re looking for value for money, they’re hard to beat. When you shop with them, in addition to saving some money you’re also receiving top customer service that will last long after your purchase. If you ever have any issues or questions, simply pop back to them and they’ll be happy to help.
above: Market Down the West
Fun & Festive Free Events
1. If you’re preparing for Christmas and putting everyone else first, pop over into Oranmore’s Sláinte and ask for ‘the gentle brew’. Life can be tough for people especially around the Christmas period so in recognition of this this lovely little coffee shop is going the extra mile to help out the community that welcomed them after they opened their doors earlier this year. If you’re going through a hard moment, order it and the Sláinte team will take care of the rest. No explanations, No stress. Just a warm cup and a little kindness on the house.
2. While out doing your Christmas shopping you’ll want to call into Market Down the West for gifts galore, however did you know that they also have a fantastic entertainment schedule! All events are free and all welcome so be sure to join in the festivities. Programme includes a workshop ‘Make your own paper star decorations for Christmas’ with Claire Guy (17th), live music with Proinsias Hernon (18th), a winter solstice tea ceremony by Mara and Community Christmas song sing-along with Tracy Bruen (21st). For more on their entertainment schedule please see here
3. Take a break from last minute Christmas shopping with a visit to Galway City Museum on December 20th for a free performance by KaRoSal. KaRoSal are a Galway based, three-part harmony trio who sing both acapella and with guitar accompaniment, covering a mix of bluegrass, gospel, contemporary and folk songs. Taking place from 3-4pm, attendance is free but space is limited so be sure to book ahead.
4. If you have family returning to Galway for Christmas Day, or simply want to take a bit of time for yourself amongst the chaos of the Christmas period, on Christmas Eve St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church will be hosting their free annual Carols Around the Christmas Tree from 4-5pm. A perfect start to your Christmas celebrations this event allows you to slow down, reconnect with others and enjoy the sounds of Christmas carols in a cosy candlelit setting.
5. OXO 2025, presented by Outset Gallery, is Ireland’s largest Winter exhibition resulting from an open call, running until January 25th in the heart of Galway City. OXO 2025 is free to visit and offers a unique opportunity for art collectors and visitors to discover and one-of-a-kind works, supporting emerging and established artists alike.
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