Galway City Council is delighted to announce a significant increase in investment for the city’s much-loved Christmas lights, ensuring a brighter, more vibrant festive season for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
Mayor of the City of Galway Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard, welcomed the announcement, stating: “Galway’s Christmas lights are a source of joy and pride for our community, and this year we’re going bigger, bolder, and brighter. This investment reflects our commitment to supporting local businesses, celebrating our unique identity, and creating a festive atmosphere that welcomes everyone—from lifelong Galwegians to first-time visitors. I want to thank my fellow councillors for backing this vision and helping light up Galway in a way that truly reflects the spirit of the season.”
This enhanced investment will fund a comprehensive programme of improvements and expansions to the city’s Christmas lighting, including:
- Extension of the Spanish Arch display, building on the success of the 2024 installation and further illuminating the historic core of the city.
- A new signature lighting piece at the Claddagh Basin, celebrating Galway’s maritime heritage with a striking, photogenic centrepiece.
- A contemporary Christmas ‘tree’ installation at the Salthill roundabout, welcoming visitors and locals with festive cheer as they arrive to Salthill
- New lighting at the Small Crane, transforming this beloved neighbourhood square into a warm and inviting winter gathering space.
- Repairs and upgrades across the city, ensuring reliability, sustainability, and an even more magical atmosphere throughout the festive period.
This investment has been made possible through the decision by Galway City Councillors to increase commercial rates — a difficult but necessary step to ensure the city can continue to invest in initiatives that directly support local businesses and enhance the public realm.
Chief Executive of Galway City, Leonard Cleary stated that “Galway’s Christmas lights are more than decoration—they’re a symbol of community, celebration, and economic vitality. This year’s expanded programme is a direct reinvestment in our city centre and neighbourhoods, supporting footfall, local pride, and the magic that makes Galway so special during the festive season.”
A programme of activities and events will be funded over the Christmas holidays and the New Year and will include the family friendly New Years countdown event in the City Centre programmed by our Night-Time Economy Officer, Kate Howard.
To complement the lighting enhancements, Galway City Council will also launch a ‘Shop Local, Shine Bright’ campaign, encouraging residents and visitors to support Galway’s independent retailers, cafés, and service providers throughout the Christmas period. The campaign will include promotional materials, social media spotlights on local businesses, and festive events to drive engagement and community spirit in partnership with business groups in the city.
In addition, Galway City Council is proud to sponsor the ‘Best Dressed Business’ competition in cooperation with Galway Chamber and Gaillimh le Gaeilge. Local businesses across all sectors are invited to decorate their windows and shopfronts with festive, creative displays that capture the magic of Christmas in Galway. Participants are encouraged to include Irish language elements to celebrate our bilingual city. Public voting will take place online, giving the community a chance to choose their favourite display and support local creativity. Winners will receive promotional features, prizes, and recognition for their contribution to Galway’s Christmas charm. This friendly competition is designed to boost footfall, encourage community participation, and showcase the ingenuity of Galway’s business community.
Let’s light up Galway together – bígí linn!
This initiative is part of Galway City Council’s broader commitment to cultural vibrancy, economic resilience, and place-based investment.