Christmas FM start-up competition for a primary school class on the topic “Turn on Christmas”

Christmas FM is launching an exciting competition for one lucky primary school class to officially broadcast Christmas in 2024!

The winning class will be featured in the official Christmas FM 2024 photoshoot, which promises to be a magical experience full of festive joy and cheer. There will also be a live broadcast of the winning class in November to coincide with Christmas FM's return to air.

The competition is open to primary school classes nationwide (terms and conditions apply) and closes at 10am on Monday 23 September.

To take advantage of this incredible opportunity, teachers and schools simply need to apply using the form at christmasfm.com/switchchristmason.

Christmas FM will also be appearing live online on Monday 16 September in a special one-day broadcast to mark the official 100-day countdown to Christmas.

Listeners can enjoy a whole day of Christmas songs and festive cheer by listening online in Ireland and around the world via the Christmas FM app or on the website play.christmasfm.com.

It's the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit early and start the countdown to the most wonderful time of the year!

Christmas FM, which celebrates its 17th anniversary on the air this year, is also delighted to announce that ‘The Magic of Christmas’ fundraiser is also running for the third time to raise money for three of Ireland’s leading children’s charities – Barnardos, Barretstown, Make-A-Wish Ireland and a number of children’s charities across Ireland who are making a difference in local communities through Community Foundation Ireland.

The Magic of Christmas was launched in 2022 with the aim of raising €1,000,000 for charities over a three-year period.

To date, The Magic of Christmas appeal has raised €618,706 for the charities between 2022 and 2023. These funds will be used for a range of services including: providing hot, nutritious meals for children, supporting families facing the cost of living crisis, granting wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses across Ireland and hundreds of hours of therapeutic programs for children.

By donating to the fundraising appeal “The Magic of Christmas”, listeners give the gift of childhood to those who need it most, because every child deserves a magical Christmas season.

Garvan Rigby, co-founder of Christmas FM, said: “For all of us at Christmas FM, it's never too early to talk about Christmas! We can't wait to 'Turn on Christmas' this year with the help of a special class of primary schools. It's a great prize and we're excited to see which school will win.”

We are also delighted to be partnering with Barnardos, Barretstown, Make-A-Wish Ireland and Community Foundation Ireland again this year for our third The Magic of Christmas appeal.

“We know we can count on the support of our wonderful Christmas FM listeners. They will support these charities with their donations and help us reach our fundraising target of €1,000,000 for children in need.”

In their joint comment on The Magic of Christmas appeal, the charity partners said: “Last year the funds raised made a real difference to the lives of thousands of children across Ireland and we are delighted to be part of The Magic of Christmas appeal again this year.”

“Thanks to the help of Christmas FM listeners, such a positive impact is being made on the lives of children and their families. With the funds raised, we can ensure those who need it most can experience the gift of childhood this Christmas, because every child deserves magic at Christmas.”

Christmas FM will launch for the 17th time on FM at the end of November (licence subject).