December is fast approaching and Christmas is already on the minds of many people around the country.
Some are getting an early start on their Christmas shopping while others have been eager to get the decorations up for weeks.
Not everyone gets into the festive spirit this early, but one thing is always guaranteed to light up the long nights.
Christmas is right around the corner. Pic: Getty Images
That is the introduction of Christmas FM, which is a staple piece of many Irish families’ build-up to the holiday season.
The radio station plays classic Christmas songs all day long throughout the month of December, and plays on FM radios across Ireland.
Christmas FM kicks off once again on Friday, November 28.
The festive season is fast approaching. Pic: Shutterstock
The live presenter programmes will run until December 27. From then live programming will continue only online until 1am on January 1.
According to Christmas FM, there will be ‘Pre-Launch Mayhem’ from 11am to 12pm on Friday, presented by ‘a cast of elves’.
There are also special events in place for its launch, including a ‘Christmas Sleigh Ride’ live from Tesco in Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin at 1pm.
The rest of the launch day will be made up of ‘Driving Home for Christmas’, ‘Jingle Bell Rock’, and ‘Winter Wonderland’.
Many people are already in the Christmas spirit. Pic: Shutterstock
This year, Christmas FM is continuing its ‘The Magic of Christmas’ fundraising initiative, supporting Barnardos, Barretstown, Make-A-Wish Ireland and other children’s charities across the country through Community Foundation Ireland.
Between 2022 and 2024, the initiative reached its €1million fundraising target. It is now aiming to raise another €1million over the next three years.
The station’s co-founder Garvan Rigby said: ‘We’re absolutely thrilled to share that Christmas FM is back to Switch Christmas On across Ireland for 2025, with the wonderful first class of St. Peter’s National School in Dunboyne, Co. Meath, offering a helping hand.
‘We can’t wait to spread Christmas cheer and joy around the nation throughout the Christmas period.
‘We’re delighted to once again have An Post, Cadbury, and Coca-Cola as our premier FM sponsors for 2025, and we’re also grateful to The Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley for kindly donating our studio space again this year.
‘We could not have reached 18 years on air without the continued support of Coimisiún na Meán, along with our amazing listeners and volunteers who have been with us every step of the way, supporting us and our charity partners.
‘Once again, we are proud to be raising funds for the Magic of Christmas Appeal.’
