Families are invited for a season's greetings like no other, as Santa Claus is taking up residence at the heart of Gaelic Games. Fans of the festive season and Gaelic games will be thrilled to hear that Santa Claus is preparing his sleigh and reindeer for his annual trip to Croke Park!
Santa's arrival at Croke Park
Santa will make his grand entrance at the GAA Museum in Croke Park, Dublin, on Saturday, November 18th. He will be available to meet all the girls and boys on selected dates until Friday, December 22nd when he must depart to attend to the pressing matter of checking lists twice and preparing his Christmas deliveries. This unique Santa Experience is one Christmas 'goal' not to be missed!
A magical training camp
Santa's tree-mendous team from the North Pole is setting up their training camp in Croke Park, and they'd love boys and girls and their families to visit as they prepare for their magical journey around the world on Christmas Eve.
Behind the scenes access
While on the Croke Park Santa Experience, all visitors are VIPs, as they get fascinating behind-the-scenes access to a winter wonderland. Guided by the Ice Patrol team, you'll be treated to an exclusive peek inside the North Pole GAA Dressing Rooms, where you can see where all your favourite hurling and football stars gear up for game day. Next, you'll journey to the super Skills Zone, where you can play a 'cool' selection of fun, festive games. Then it's time to write your letter to Santa at Cú Chulainn's Den, where you can get it stamped with the official Sam & Liam stamps and post it in the GAA Museum post-box!
A special meeting with Santa
Just as excitement reaches fever pitch, it will be time to step into the very special Croke Park Cabin to meet the Bainisteoir of Christmas himself. You can take a photo with Santa and tell him about your predictions for the 2024 GAA All-Ireland Championship! Every child will receive a small GAA-themed gift, and photos will also be available to purchase if you wish, or you can capture your own!
Explore the GAA museum
The Croke Park Santa Experience also includes access to the award-winning GAA Museum, which provides a unique insight into the history of the GAA in Ireland, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. In the museum, you can see the original Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy cups. Make sure to collect your GAA Museum Junior Explorer passport and follow the North Pole GAA trail. Find the answers to the clues that the museum mascot Cluasóg has left throughout the museum, and you'll be rewarded with a prize for your excellent efforts!
Stadium tours discount
All Santa visitors will be treated to a 50% discount voucher on Stadium Tours, perfect for exploring Croke Park from a different perspective.
Refreshments and souvenirs
After working up an appetite, finish off the perfect day with light refreshments and a festive snack in the museum's Blackthorn Café. And before you leave, you can even pick up a stocking filler reminder of your big day in the GAA Museum Gift Shop or shop online anytime on crokepark.ie/shop.
Plan your visit
Santa will arrive at Croke Park on Saturday, November 18th, and the Santa Experience will run on selected dates until Friday, December 22nd. The experience is run in groups, lasts 50 minutes, and is wheelchair and buggy accessible. Free parking is available outside the GAA Museum with entry to Croke Park at St Joseph's Avenue (turn at the Daybreak Shop on the Clonliffe Road). All tickets must be pre-booked online in advance at crokepark.ie/santa.
Ticket Prices
- Adults: €13
- Children aged 2 upwards: €20 (including a gift)
- Children aged 13 months – 23 months: €14 (including a gift)
- Children under 1: Free of charge and gift included, but a ticket must be booked
Children must be accompanied by an adult, and if you wish to learn more about sensory visits, please contact santa@crokepark.ie.
If you are booked into the last two slots of each day, access to the GAA Museum is advised before your Santa Experience visit.
For dates, tour times, and booking, visit www.crokepark.ie/santa. Don't miss the chance to join Santa at his Christmas training camp at Croke Park – it's an experience the whole family will treasure!
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