The best Irish cities to spread some festive cheer this Christmas have been revealed, with Donegal coming out on top.

Christmas is the time to celebrate with a trip to the Christmas markets or a look at the best lights in town, but where to go is often one of the hardest decisions. To help you decide Betway has found the best places to celebrate the festive season in Ireland. 

Measuring popularity by a unique index score - generated by the number of hashtags each location has racked up on Instagram, as well Google and Tripadvisor reviews, with the lower the overall index score the higher the ranking - festive events across Dublin, Galway, Donegal and Killarney all placed within the top 10. 

Taking the top spot is Wonderlights in Donegal, which takes visitors through a light trail in some of the city's most famous spots, with an index score of 13.

The Wild Arctic Experience at Donegal's popular Wild Ireland followed closely behind. Taking place throughout December, the Christmas event features a light display and real life animals, including arctic foxes, reindeers and snowy owls - with an index score of 14. 

With a score of 16, Christmas in Killarney, one of one of Ireland’s largest Christmas celebrations, comes in third. The celebration includes parades, concerts, dining events and a Santas Grotto.

In fourth is Dublin’s popular Christmas Market based in Dublin Castle. The open-air market in the castle's courtyard features over 25 traditional alpine market stalls with an array of crafts and gifts.

Rounding up the top five with an index score of 20 is both Cork Christmas Market, featuring a ferris wheel and carousel, and Winterval in Waterford, which sees the city transformed into a winter wonderland. 

Top 10 most festive places to celebrate Christmas in Ireland:

  1. Wonderlights, Donegal
  2. Wild Arctic Experience, Donegal
  3. Christmas in Killarney, Killarney
  4. Dublin Christmas Market, Dublin
  5. Cork Christmas Market, Cork and Winterval, Waterford
  6. Alpine Skate Trail, Cork
  7. Yulefest, Kilkenny and Winter Wonderland, Westport
  8. Wexford Wonderland, Wexford
  9. Wicklow Christmas Market, Wicklow
  10. Limerick Christmas Market

Related: Christmas, Cork City, Dublin