Ireland’s nights will glow brighter than ever as Wonderlights, brought to life by Follow Fox Events, unveils three breathtaking new trails of light and imagination. More than three million light bulbs will transform parklands from Cork to Dublin, as Winter’s Brightest Tradition returns with tickets from €15 and savings of up to 40% during off-peak times, inviting everyone to share in the magic.
Now in its sixth year, Wonderlights has evolved into a world-class spectacle of light and creativity. Each show blends storytelling, music and artistry to create a multi-sensory journey through Ireland’s most beloved parklands, including Marlay Park, Malahide Castle and Fota House & Gardens.
In Marlay Park, The Magic of Winter unfolds across frozen forests and mirrored lakes. A new 30-metre hydro screen shows ripples with projection across the lake, surrounded by illuminated trees and glowing arctic creatures. The Cathedral Tunnel, rising 20 feet high and stretching almost 100 feet, draws visitors into a cascade of light and sound, while a 25-foot whale appears to swim through the water below. With every turn, The Magic of Winter reveals a different moment of wonder.
At Malahide Castle, Once Upon a Glow brings fairytales to life across sweeping lawns and historic towers. Visitors enter through the vast Portal of Light Tunnel, a 70-foot walkway of shifting colour that leads into A Taste of Holland, where glowing windmills and hot air balloons light up the night. New scenes inspired by enchanted forests capture the spirit of imagination, while the Castle projection shows transforms the façade into a moving story of colour and sound.
At Fota House and Gardens, Fota by Night celebrates the beauty of nature after dark. The trail features over one million lights and breathtaking sculptures, from a 13-foot hummingbird to a towering 20-foot storybook that turns its glowing pages in the night. A new projection show on Fota House brings the transition from winter to spring to life in vivid colour, while a glowing Love Area invites visitors to connect beneath an arch that lights up when hands intertwine, closing the journey on a note of warmth and wonder.
Across all three venues, Wonderlights showcases exceptional artistry with 18,000 glowing flowers, 200 fibreoptic jellyfish, and interactive wristbands that light up in sync with the show. The creative work is supported by an international team of designers and producers, delivering an experience of global standard while creating employment for over 400 people each winter.
Following two consecutive wins at the global Eventex Awards in the Outdoor Event category, Wonderlights continues to raise the bar for immersive family entertainment, drawing audiences from across Ireland and beyond.
Jessica Fagan, Sales and Marketing Director at Follow Fox Events, said, "As a new mother, I see Wonderlights through fresh eyes. These shows are about connection, between families, friends and the world around us. Watching children’s faces light up as they walk through these scenes is the real magic. I’m so proud of how far we’ve come, and how Wonderlights continues to capture hearts year after year."
Tickets are on sale now from €15. Fota House opens on Thursday, 6 November, Malahide Castle on Friday, 14 November, and Marlay Park on Thursday, 20th November. Bookings are available at www.wonderlights.ie.
