Embark on a holiday adventure in Dublin! Discover all the top festive events with our guide. For those who know Dublin's rhythm and those just learning its beat, our guide orchestrates holiday harmony.
Popular Events: Step into a captivating world of light at Dublin Zoo's Wild Lights, where enchanting displays breathe life into the zoo's nocturnal landscape. Experience the charm of artisan stalls and festive treats at the Dublin Castle Christmas Market, a delightful hub of holiday cheer. And the New Year's Festival Dublin is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring captivating performances and a vibrant atmosphere to ring in the new year. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Dublin
- Dublin Zoo's Wild Lights
- New Year's Festival Dublin
- Dublin Castle Christmas Market
- Dún Laoghaire Christmas Festival (Dún Laoghaire)
- Dublin Christmas Lights
- Ice Skating at Dún Laoghaire Harbour (Dún Laoghaire)
- Wonderlights (Malahide)
- Christmas at the Movies
- Leopardstown Christmas Festival (Leopardstown)
- Guinness Choir Christmas Concert
See these and even more events listed below!
Dublin Holiday Light Displays
Dublin Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Dynamic light projections on iconic landmarks.
Description:
The Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights festival transforms the city centre with epic light features on iconic landmarks, buildings, bridges, trees, and statues. Specially commissioned dynamic, colourful, and imaginative light projections by leading artists illuminate the city, creating a festive experience for all generations.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Dublin Christmas Lights
Wonderlights
What to Expect:
Immersive light show with accessible trails and festive food village.
Description:
Wonderlights is an immersive light show experience featuring spectacular lighting displays, captivating projections, and interactive elements. It is suitable for all ages and includes an accessible trail for wheelchair users and prams. Each location features an Alpine Village with festive food and drinks.
Where: Malahide | More Info: Wonderlights
Dublin Zoo's Wild Lights
What to Expect:
Time-traveling light and sound show with historical themes.
Description:
Dublin Zoo's Wild Lights is an immersive night-time experience featuring over a thousand hand-crafted traditional Chinese lanterns that transport visitors through time, showcasing Earth's creation, the dawn of dinosaurs, and the rise of civilizations.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Dublin Zoo's Wild Lights
Dublin Holiday Markets and Shopping
Dublin Castle Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional alpine market stalls with live music and artisan food.
Description:
Dublin Castle Christmas Market features over 30 traditional alpine market stalls with decorative crafts and inspiring gift ideas. Visitors can indulge in traditional fare sold by artisan producers, explore the festively decorated State Apartments, and enjoy live music. The event includes a vintage carousel and offers a variety of food options like hot dogs, hot chocolate, and mulled wine.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Dublin Castle Christmas Market
RDS Craft and Design Fair
What to Expect:
Showcase of unique handmade products and artisan food.
Description:
The RDS Craft and Design Fair is a premier event showcasing hundreds of makers and designers, featuring unique handmade products, artisan food, and sustainable brands.
Where: Dublin | More Info: RDS Craft and Design Fair
Christmas Market At Smithfield
What to Expect:
Indoor Christmas market with diverse local vendors.
Description:
The Christmas Bazaar at Smithfield features over 120 stall holders offering handmade produce, artisan food, and local boutique items. Enjoy the festive atmosphere with music, mulled wine, and good eats.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Christmas Market At Smithfield
Dublin Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas at the Movies
What to Expect:
Live orchestral performances of iconic Christmas film scores.
Description:
The National Concert Hall presents Christmas at the Movies, featuring the Dublin Chamber Choir and Dublin Concert Orchestra performing timeless classics from beloved festive films like The Polar Express, Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, E.T., Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Narnia.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Christmas at the Movies
A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Heart-warming musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale.
Description:
Oyster Lane Theatre Group presents the Irish premiere of "A Christmas Carol – The Musical," featuring beautiful music by Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens. This heart-warming adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale follows Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve, leading him to recognize his faults and change his ways.
Where: Dublin | More Info: A Christmas Carol
Elf Town
What to Expect:
Private visits with Santa and personalized postcards.
Description:
Elf Town is a 75-minute theatrical journey where families explore different areas, receive an Elf Town passport, hat, and name badge. Grown-ups enjoy a complimentary mince pie, and children receive personalized postcards from Santa.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Elf Town
Moving Crib
What to Expect:
Unique puppet-based Christmas scenes in a historic Dublin setting.
Description:
The Moving Crib is a historical and entertaining display of Bible, Nativity, and Christmas scenes created with puppets, offering a delightful experience filled with historical significance and whimsical fun.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Moving Crib
Guinness Choir Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Classical choral music performance with international soloists.
Description:
The Guinness Choir presents a Christmas concert featuring J.S. Bach's magnificent Christmas Oratorio, performed with a professional orchestra and international soloists.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Guinness Choir Christmas Concert
New Year's Festival Dublin
What to Expect:
World-class live performances and fireworks displays.
Description:
New Year's Festival Dublin is a three-day celebration featuring Echoes of Ireland Concerts, Countdown Concert, family-friendly Countdown Concert Matinee, and New Year’s Day Concerts. The event includes performances by Cian Ducrot, Aby Coulibaly, Kabin Crew, and Lisdoonvarna Crew, among others. The festival also features the NYF Dublin Fireworks Spectacular across Dublin's iconic harbors.
Where: Dublin | More Info: New Year's Festival Dublin
Dublin Other Holiday Activities
Dún Laoghaire Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Ireland's largest ice-skating rink and Sustainable Santa Experience.
Description:
The Dún Laoghaire Christmas Festival features Ireland's largest ice-skating rink, a Sustainable Santa Experience at the National Maritime Museum, charity carol singing, and a traditional Christmas Family Funfair. The event also includes decorated shop windows and a Santa's Postbox at LexIcon.
Where: Dún Laoghaire | More Info: Dún Laoghaire Christmas Festival
Christmassy Afternoon Teas
What to Expect:
Elegant afternoon tea experience with traditional favorites and fine beverages.
Description:
Indulge in traditional favorites from our Festive Afternoon Tea menu, perfectly paired with the finest loose-leaf teas and gourmet coffee. Savor the warmth and elegance of the Atrium Lounge, featuring a magnificent five-storey-high glass ceiling and crackling fire.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Christmassy Afternoon Teas
Ice Skating at Dún Laoghaire Harbour
What to Expect:
Ireland's largest ice-skating rink.
Description:
Ice skating at Dún Laoghaire Harbour offers a large, open rink where visitors can enjoy gliding on the ice, suitable for both beginners and experienced skaters.
Where: Dún Laoghaire | More Info: Ice Skating at Dún Laoghaire Harbour
Leopardstown Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Premier horse racing event with live music and course-wide entertainment.
Description:
The Leopardstown Christmas Festival is a four-day event featuring exciting National Hunt racing, live music, and course-wide entertainment. It includes seven Grade 1 races and offers great value packages for traveling racegoers.
Where: Leopardstown | More Info: Leopardstown Christmas Festival
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Sandyford (4 miles)
- South Dublin (5 miles)
- Dun Laoghaire (5 miles)
- Tallaght (6 miles)
- Swords (9 miles)
- Bray (11 miles)
- Celbridge (12 miles)
- Naas (19 miles)
- Balbriggan (19 miles)
- Droichead Nua (25 miles)
- Drogheda (27 miles)
- Navan (28 miles)
- Carlow (44 miles)