Isabel and Lucy Potter from Fairhill getting ready for the switching on of the Christmas lights in Cork which marks the start of the festive season in the city. Photo: Darragh Kane

Cork city is set to sparkle

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Cork city will be sparkling and twinkling with lights this festive season with the big switch on happening later this week.

Although there will not be a public event to mark the switch on, Cork City Council staff have been busy preparing to illuminate the city for the festival season.

In total 7.4 km of lights will glisten throughout the city this Christmas. Cork City Council continues its commitment to decorating in an energy efficient manner and all Christmas lighting in Cork is now low wattage energy efficient LED Lighting.

The lighting of the city’s Christmas Lights will kick start the city’s seasonal celebrations.

To coincide with the switching on of Cork City’s Christmas Lights, a new video showcasing the illumination of Cork city centre in all its sparkling Christmas glory, has been produced by Cork City Council.

The video will launch across Cork City Council’s and Glow’s website and social media channels at 6pm on Friday 19 November.

It is sure to get you in the spirit as we see the magical Christmas atmosphere come to life.

The Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Colm Kelleher said: “The switching on of the Christmas City Lights officially marks the start of the countdown to Christmas in Cork. I am delighted to see Cork look so festive this year in what has been a very challenging 12 months as Covid-19 continues to impact on all our lives. I would like everyone to stay safe, to support Cork businesses and to shop locally this Christmas.”

Since early November, eight staff members and a crew of 10 electricians have been placing lighting around the city and suburbs, along with erecting and decorating up to 50 trees Christmas trees, using 117,320 low watt energy efficient LED Lightning units.

The much-loved festival GLOW, A Cork Christmas Celebration returns to Cork and will take place on the following weekends:

• 26-28 November

• 3-5 December

• 10-12 December

• 17-19 December

See glowcork.ie for more information and details.