Illustration of a felt horse pulling a red sleigh with bundled up figures past snowy pines and glowing red cottages (Santa's Magical Sleigh Ride - Virtual Reality)
Other Christmas Activities

Santa's Magical Sleigh Ride - Virtual Reality

Guests step inside Santa's sleigh lodge and take their seats aboard a mechanically controlled sleigh for an intrepid North Pole journey led by Santa's helper Dash. Wearing HD VR headsets, riders experience 360-degree visuals paired with physical motions that tilt forwards, backwards, and side to side. The immersive 4D attraction is brought to life with surround sound and two front-facing wind fans.

Nov 13 – Dec 23, 2026 All ages

Plan Your Visit

Tickets

€6 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the event.

Hours

Fridays and Thursdays: 3pm - 8pm; Saturdays, Sundays, Monday December 21, Tuesday December 22, and Wednesday December 23: 12pm - 8pm.

Location

The Apple Market · 6 John St, Waterford, X91 NT78, Ireland Get Directions

Local Insight & Ratings

Family Friendly

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 (5/5)

Best For

Families and groups seeking a festive virtual ride

Vibe

Festive and immersive

Energy Level

Low

Photo Friendly

Low

Weather Sensitivity

Low

Tips & Advice

  • Tickets are available at the event, so you can buy them there rather than booking online in advance.
  • The ride seats up to eight people; consider riding together if your group fits within that capacity.
  • The sleigh tilts forwards, backwards and side to side, so keep this motion in mind when deciding whether to ride.
  • Check the event’s listed operating days before travelling, as the experience runs on selected dates rather than every Winterval day.

Special Events & Promotions

  • This year features a brand-new virtual experience for 2026.
  • Thursday and Friday sessions start later than weekend sessions.

Links & Contact

Run by Winterval

Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during the virtual-reality sleigh ride?

Santa’s helper Dash guides the ride through the North Pole. Riders wear HD VR headsets and experience 360-degree visuals, sleigh motion, surround sound and two front-facing fans.

How many people can ride together?

The sleigh seats up to eight people.

Can tickets be bought at the attraction?

Yes. Tickets can be purchased at the event.

Is there a new experience this season?

Yes. The 2026 experience is described as a brand-new virtual experience.

What kind of movement does the sleigh have?

The mechanically controlled sleigh tilts forwards, backwards and side to side to mirror the virtual ride.

Browse Christmas in Waterford

Always check the official website for the most current information.

We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.

Contributors & Updates

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