Emmet Place, home to Cork's beloved Opera House, sees the music come outside to fill the air and ignite the lights . See below the weekend schedule of entertainment on the Solas Stage - and watch out for surprise walkabout characters too!
24-26 November
Friday 24th
18:00 - 20:00 The Songstress Quartet
The Songstress Quartet takes to the stage to perform a selection of well known classic pop, soul and jazz hits across all genres, with a swingy Christmas twist. Regular performers at the Cork Jazz Festival, they're sure to get your toes tapping
Saturday 25th
17:00-19:00 Violini
The show continues on Saturday as Violini, a violin duo from Cork use their considerable talents and ethereal strings to create a symphony of light in the canopy overhead. They will be playing contemporary and vintage pop and rock, jazz, swing, Irish, and Classical favourites everyone will love.
20:00-22:00 DJ Kelsey
The chill vibes continue into the night as globe trotting DJ Kelsey weaves an operatic theme through her unique brand of eclectic electronic music.
Sunday 26th
16:00-17:00 Kids Disco with DJ Will Softly
The day starts with a bang as renowned DJ Will Softly brings joy with his fun and energetic Kids Disco. Playing all the party & Christmas classics and presiding over dance competitions and plenty of family fun, this is one for bringing your best dance moves. Suitable for ages 1 to 101.
17:00 - 19:00 Operatic Showcase
The weekend comes to a close with a spectacular Operatic Showcase concert featuring a medley of operatic classics, including all your Christmas favourites. Jean Elliot, Dan Twomey, Kenneth Speight and Julie O Neill Nicholson will present a 2 hour concert of operatic solos, duets and medleys for the whole family to enjoy and sing along to while the lights of the Solas installation glow and sparkle in time overhead.
1-3 December
Friday 1st
16:00 - 17:00 Music Generation Cork City
Friday’s flavour is all about showcasing emerging talent, kicking off the weekend with a group of rappers and singers from The Hut Youth Project, presented by Music Generation Cork City.
17:15 - 18:00 GMC Beats
GMCBeats’ philosophy is that, no matter what your age is, your experience or ability, you can make music and should never be discouraged from doing so. Check them at the Corkmas stage at Solas this Friday.
18.15 - 19:00 MTU’s Youth Jazz Ensemble
Friday evening is rounded out by the musical strains of MTU’s Youth Jazz Ensemble. This young group of passionate musicians will treat us to some timeless standards that will surprise you with their mature sound and style.
Saturday 2nd
16:00 - 17:00 Kids Disco with DJ Will Softly
Back by popular demand on Saturday, DJ Will Softly brings joy with his fun and energetic Kids Disco. Playing all the party & Christmas classics and presiding over dance competitions and plenty of family fun, this is one for bringing your best dance moves. Suitable for ages 1 to 101.
17:15 - 18:00 The Flames
The tempo goes up a gear when The Flames get the party started with their mix of swing and big band blues. This 6 piece from Cork are sure to transform Emmet place into a dancefloor as they belt through all the Christmas party classics.
18:15 - 19:00 Rebel Brass
Saturday evening sees Rebel Brass bring their high octane 15 piece teenage band to Solas! Full of energy and soul, and only a year into their career, these live-wires are guaranteed to put on a show not to be missed!
Sunday 3rd
16:00 - 17:00 Douglas Comhaltas
A vibrant Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Douglas Comhaltas will get your toes tapping as they perform a range of traditional Irish music.
16:00 - 19:00 Circus at Solas
Steve Stumbles presents his fabulous pop-up circus show. If you’re ready to run away and join the circus, the talented crew from.
Boggle Circus will be there to teach you all their tricks. Learn how to Spin Plates, Balance Flower Sticks, throw a Diabolo, Juggle Snowballs and much more!
8-10 December
Friday 8th
16:00 - 16:45 Maureen O'Flynn - Operatic Soprano
Maureen is one of Mary Hegarty’s first voice students, trained as a soprano. She lives in North Cork and is associated with Mallow Arts Collective. Singing a mixture of Christmas favourites and classical pieces, Maureen invites donations for for Cork Penny Dinners. We hope you will support her effort to help Caitriona Twomey make it a better Christmas for Cork’s more vulnerable citizens.
18:00 - 18:45 Voices of Cork
Bringing us a carefully curated selection of Christmas carols, Voices of Cork is a four part harmony, community choir, formed in 2005 with Cork’s appointment as the ‘European Capital of Culture’. Members of the choir are men and women of all ages from diverse backgrounds and are drawn from all over Cork. A lively choir and repertoire includes popular songs, ballads, jazz.
19:00 - 19:45 Surgeon Noonan Choir
More festive favourites on stage brought to us form the UCC Surgeon Noonan Society - a registered charity (CHY 10103) whose aim is to provide medical aid to Africa, through fundraising and volunteerism. Medical students in UCC fundraise to cover the cost of their annual trip to volunteer in developing countries.
20:00 - 22:00 Ophelia
An independent underground HipHop MC, producer, and the creator of PakAnimal who has opened for artists such as Ice Cube, MaverickSabre, Tony Allen, Sage Francis, Pharaohe Monch, De LaSoul, Pete Rock, Ultramagnetic MC's - and has toured with Damien Dempsey. Ophelia brings her particular brand of underground hip hop to guide us into the night.
Saturday 9th
16:00 - 19:00 Walkabout Performers
Jack Frosty & Tiny the Elf peer down upon shoppers big and small.
16:00 - 16:45 City of Cork Male Voice Choir
On Saturday the Christmas choirs just keep coming, starting with the City of Cork Male Voice Choir. This much-loved group celebrates 55 years this year. They will cheer your afternoon with a wide repertoire including ecclesiastical, opera and modern classics.
18:00 - 18:45 Cork Marina Singers
Marina Singers are an all Ladies singing group based in Blackrock, Cork City, whose music covers all eras and all genres.
19:00 - 19:45 Guys & Dolls Quartet
Established in 2016 this award-winning barbershop quartet are all graduates of the MTU Cork School of Music. Lorna Moore sings tenor, Serena Standley sings lead, Patrick D’Alton sings baritone and Daniel Buster sings bass.
19:40 – 20:10 The Carrigtwohill Gospel Choir
The Carrigtwohill Gospel Choir are a community based choir who perform both secular & religious songs. Formed in 2010, Under the musical direction of Aoibheann Carey-Philpott, members come from East Cork, the city and Ballincollig. Prepare for an uplifting gospel celebration.
20:20 – 21:00 Voices of Cork Choir
Saturday evening closes with another festive feast from the Voices of Cork Choir. See description Friday at 18:00.
Sunday 10th
16:00 - 16:45 Douglas Comhaltas
Douglas is a vibrant branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the organisation for traditional music players in Ireland. Established 21 years ago and with a membership of over 400 ranging in age from five to eighty five years old, the branch hosted Fleadh Cheoil na Mumhan in Cork City in July of 2017.
16:00 - 19:00 Boggle Circus Workshops
Join Boggle this Christmas and clown around on Emmet Place. Learn first-hand Learn how to spin plates, balance Flower Sticks, throw a Diabolo, juggle snowballs and everything it takes to join the Circus.
16:00 - 19:00 Walkabout Performers
The Ironic Elf will tower above the audience, and from a less dizzying height Elfis will be sure to make you giggle with his wacky walk-a-bout performance.
17:00 - 17:45 Cork City Musical Society
Listen out for favourites from the great musicals from this active musical society, who share their love of musical theatre with like-minded enthusiasts. A community of people working on productions - as well as their own development.
18:00 - 18:45 (Cancelled)
15-17 December
Friday 15th December
16:00 - 16:40 Surgeon Noonan Choir
The UCC Surgeon Noonan Society is a registered charity who fundraise for their trips to provide medical aid to Africa.
17:00 - 17:40 Academy of Popular Music
The Academy of Popular Music is Ireland’s leading pop music school. Based in the CIT Cork School of Music, the finest and best equipped music facility building in Europe. The
Academy offers graded tuition and certification, in electric guitar, voice, bass, drums and keyboards. Principal Dr Trish Rooney and fellow director Karl Rooney have designed a cutting-edge learning environment combined with a nurturing and creative environment.
18:00 - 18:40 Butter Exchange Brass Band
The Band known to the people of Cork as Da Buttera is a community-based wind band with a focus on involvement in local community events and providing the people of Cork with free musical tuition. The Band plays at many events throughout the year such as parades, festivals, and of course Christmas Carols. As part of their new community youth outreach program, in recent years members from the Butter Exchange Band began tutoring children from the Upper Glanmire area, supported by Cork ETB Youth Services and the Upper Glanmire Community Association.
19:00 - 19:40 Scrubs Choir
SCRUBS is a workplace choir made up of staff (current, former and retired) from Cork University Hospital. Formed in 2015, SCRUBS has members from a huge variety of departments within Cork University Hospital, Cork University Maternity Hospital and the University College Cork Dental Hospital and School.
20:00-22:00 DOSE
DOSE is a Cork-based DJ collective founded in 2022 to showcase the wealth of talent throughout the contemporary sonic Irish underground. Members of this five-strong collective have become regular features (individually and as a unit) around the country with a focus on fostering a vibrant and healthy club scene.
Saturday 16th December
16:00-19:00 Walkabout performers
The Ice Queen and the Tiny Elf welcome you to Solas from the towering height of their stilts.
16:00 & 18:00 Mr Gusto’s Magic Show
Monsieur Gusto is an International Escapologist, Random Object Juggler & Balancer of Strange Things, here to dazzle audiences young and old
16:00 Mahon Community Concert Band
Presented by Music Generation & The Academy of Popular Music - showcasing some of the finest young talent in the city.
17:00 -17:40 Cork Singers Collective Family Sing-a-long
The Cork Singers’ Collective will lead you in this fabulously fun family Sing-a-long on Saturday evening. Come down, join in and belt out all your Christmas favourites.
18:00 -18:40 Swing Bandits
Cork's newest band, The Swing Bandits bring a fresh sound, mixing the classic hits with some modern tunes to keep you on your toes.
19:00 -17:40 Naomi & Traolach
Performing a mix of Christmas and jazz songs, with a few well known sing-along tunes in the mix, Naomi’s vocals are unique, powerful and captivating. Originally from Galway but a graduate of the Cork School of Music, she will be accompanied on guitar by her brother Traolach.
Sunday 17th December
16:00-19:00 Walkabout performers
The Ice Queen and the Tiny Elf welcome you to Solas from the towering height of their stilts.
16:00 - 19:00 Boggle Circus Workshops
Join Boggle this Christmas and learn first-hand what it takes to join the Circus. Learn how to Spin Plates, Balance Flower Sticks, throw a Diabolo, Juggle Snowballs and much more. Fun for the whole family.
16:00 -16:40 VoiceWorks studio
Voiceworks Studio is a contemporary singing school offering online & in person singing lessons, workshops and courses. A vital part of the Cork music scene, whether it’s providing beginners with singing lessons, guiding gigging musicians with professional vocal health and technique, or helping school students attain stellar results in their practicals and college auditions.
17:00 -17:40 The Leeside Suzuki Violinists
The Leeside Suzuki Violinists are a group of teenagers who have learned violin via the Suzuki Method. The group meet regularly to work on technique and repertoire, some of which is
arranged specifically for them to play in 2, 3 or 4 parts.
18:00 - 20:00 Eve Clague
Eve has developed a self-taught fingerpicking style of guitar with folk/jazz elements and hints of Joni Mitchell and Nick Cave. A powerful voice that captures the elements of the 60s.
