Winterval Waterford has opened with a rescheduled the drone show from 22 November to 23 November because of rain and high winds.
150 illuminated drones formed snowflakes and stars above the River Suir for 10 minutes after 7pm. Crowds watched the free display from the quayside and steps along Lombard Street and Custom House.
The performance accompanied a soundtrack of seasonal music played through waterfront speakers. Safety protocols kept the airspace clear over the water during the flight.
Waterford’s quayside along the River Suir played host to Ireland’s largest drone show on the evening of 23 November 2025, capping the opening weekend of the Winterval festival with a display of 150 illuminated drones that formed patterns in the sky. The event, rescheduled from the previous day due to rain and high winds, drew crowds to the city centre after 7pm, where the drones traced outlines of snowflakes and stars against the dark, accompanied by a soundtrack of seasonal tunes broadcast from speakers along the waterfront. Festival director Trevor Darmody described the show as a blend of technology and holiday themes, free for all attendees and visible from spots like the Lombard Street steps or the Custom House steps for those with a clear line of sight.
Winterval, now in its 13th year, runs Thursdays through Sundays until 23 December, featuring more than 50 attractions across the city, from the Port of Waterford Eye observation wheel with tickets at €12 for adults and €8 for children under 12, to Santa’s Grotto in the underground caverns of the Medieval Museum for €15 a family slot including a gift. The Christmas markets in John Roberts Square offer stalls with crafts and hot drinks, a mug of mulled wine going for €4, while the Winterval Circus presents shows at €10 per seat in a heated big top. Evening illuminations in Cathedral Square light up the facade of the Irish Silver Museum nightly without charge, and river cruises depart from the quay for €20, passing under the drone flight path on later sailings.
The drone performance lasted 10 minutes and marked a first for the festival, with organisers noting that safety protocols kept the airspace clear over the water. Local buses from the station to the quays run every 15 minutes for €2 a ride, and parking fills up by 6pm, so walkers from nearby hotels like the Tower Hotel at €120 a night for doubles with river views find the approach straightforward. Families reported the show as a highlight amid the festival’s mix of markets and performances, with gingerbread workshops at €5 a session and snowball play areas indoors for €3 entry keeping younger visitors occupied beforehand. As the drones dispersed, cheers rose from the crowd, blending with the hum of the city as Winterval settled into its rhythm for the weeks ahead.
Festival director Trevor Darmody shared “The show is a blend of technology and holiday themes.”
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