It's a divisive discussion among households and friend groups across Ireland - when is it acceptable to start listening to Christmas music? Some suggest waiting until December, while say the last week of November, and still others may start playing festive tunes before Halloween.
But for the good folk at Christmas FM, the best day to start playing festive jingles is tomorrow, as the beloved seasonal radio station is back this weekend! Christmas FM returns on November 29, bringing 24/7 festive music while raising funds for children's charities through its Magic of Christmas initiative.
The Christmas cheer starts at midday tomorrow, the Irish Mirror reports, and you can tune in to hear festive music favourites played by a host of familiar voices volunteering their time to spread Christmas cheer and raise money for charity. This year, Christmas FM continues its 'The Magic of Christmas' fundraising initiative, supporting Barnardos, Barretstown, Make-A-Wish Ireland and other children's charities through Community Foundation Ireland.
Christmas FM, which is celebrating its 18th year on air this year, has raised over €4 million for a range of charities since it began broadcasting. The initiative reached its €1 million fundraising target between 2022 and 2024 thanks to generous donations, and now hopes to raise another €1 million over the next three years. Listener donations will go towards helping to "give the Gift of Childhood to those who need it most, because every child deserves Magic at Christmas".
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."