Uncover the must-see holiday events in Swords! Explore our guide for all the top festive highlights. From Swords regulars to holiday explorers, our guide showcases the best events and activities.
One highlight this season is the Dublin Castle Christmas Market, where visitors can wander through charming stalls offering artisan goods and delectable treats. With its beautiful backdrop, the market provides a festive atmosphere perfect for holiday shopping. Another notable event, the New Year's Festival Dublin, features vibrant celebrations and an array of family-friendly activities that welcome the New Year in style. And the Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival is something you definitely don't want to miss, with stunning lights and seasonal entertainment throughout the town. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Swords
- New Year's Festival Dublin (Dublin)
- Dublin Castle Christmas Market (Dublin)
- Dublin Zoo's Wild Lights (Dublin)
- Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival (Dun Laoghaire)
- Leopardstown Christmas Festival (Leopardstown)
- Christmas Lights on O’Connell Street (Dublin)
- Wonderlights at Marlay Park (Rathfarnham)
- Wonderlights at Malahide Castle (Malahide)
- Swords Castle Christmas Market
- Moving Crib at Parnell Square West (Dublin)
See these and even more events listed below!
Swords Holiday Light Displays
Wonderlights at Malahide Castle
What to Expect:
Immersive light and sound show with accessible trails.
Description:
Wonderlights at Malahide Castle features immersive light displays, interactive projections, and specially composed music, creating a captivating and inclusive experience for all ages.
Where: Malahide | More Info: Wonderlights at Malahide Castle
Wonderlights at Marlay Park
What to Expect:
Spectacular immersive light show with accessible trails.
Description:
An immersive light show experience featuring captivating projections and immersive displays, suitable for all ages and accessible for wheelchair users and buggies. The event includes a multi-sensory trail with specially composed music and sounds, set amidst beautiful lights and nature.
Where: Rathfarnham | More Info: Wonderlights at Marlay Park
Dublin Zoo's Wild Lights
What to Expect:
Immersive light and sound show with hand-crafted traditional Chinese lanterns.
Description:
Dublin Zoo's Wild Lights is an immersive night-time experience featuring over a thousand hand-crafted traditional Chinese lanterns. Visitors embark on a journey through time, witnessing Earth's creation, the dawn of dinosaurs, and the rise of civilizations and empires. The event is perfect for families, couples, and groups, offering a unique and memorable experience.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Dublin Zoo's Wild Lights
Christmas Lights on O’Connell Street
What to Expect:
Dynamic light projections on historic landmarks.
Description:
The Christmas Lights on O’Connell Street feature dynamic, colourful light projections by leading artists, transforming iconic landmarks and trees into a vibrant display.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Christmas Lights on O’Connell Street
Swords Holiday Markets and Shopping
Dublin Castle Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional alpine market stalls with live music and artisan food.
Description:
The Dublin Castle Christmas Market transforms the historic courtyard into a vibrant holiday destination with over 30 traditional alpine market stalls offering decorative crafts and inspiring gift ideas. Visitors can indulge in traditional fare sold by artisan producers, explore the festively decorated State Apartments, and soak in the atmosphere with live music. The event features a vintage carousel and offers a variety of festive food and drinks.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Dublin Castle Christmas Market
Swords Castle Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Charming holiday market with twinkling lights and artisan goods.
Description:
Swords Castle Christmas Market features charming stalls adorned with twinkling lights, offering mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. Explore a variety of artisan goods and festive treats in a picturesque castle setting.
Where: Swords | More Info: Swords Castle Christmas Market
Gifted at the RDS
What to Expect:
Showcase of unique handmade and artisanal products.
Description:
Gifted at the RDS is Ireland's iconic Christmas craft fair, featuring hundreds of makers and thousands of unique gift ideas, including handmade products, artisan food, and sustainable designs.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Gifted at the RDS
Swords Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Elf Town at RDS
What to Expect:
Private visits with Santa knowing each child's secret.
Description:
Elf Town at RDS offers a 75-minute interactive Christmas experience where families explore the world of Elf Town with wondrous elves, meet Santa and his reindeer, and enjoy personalized visits with Santa.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Elf Town at RDS
Fairytale of New York at The Gaiety
What to Expect:
World-class Irish-inspired Christmas show with international cast and special effects.
Description:
Fairytale of New York at The Gaiety Theatre features an international cast performing favorite Christmas songs and Irish sing-alongs, including Driving Home for Christmas, White Christmas, and The Galway Girl.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Fairytale of New York at The Gaiety
Christmas at the Movies at National Concert Hall
What to Expect:
Live orchestral performance of iconic Christmas film scores.
Description:
Join the Dublin Concert Orchestra for a concert featuring timeless classics from beloved Christmas films like "The Polar Express," "Elf," "Home Alone," and more. The event promises a delightful evening of great music performed live on stage.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Christmas at the Movies at National Concert Hall
This Way to Christmas at National Concert Hall
What to Expect:
Live orchestral performance of "The Snowman" score.
Description:
This Way to Christmas at the National Concert Hall features Louis Lovett hosting a seasonal show with parading nutcrackers, classic Christmas songs, and festive dance. The event includes live music by the NCH Christmas Orchestra and is followed by a screening of the timeless family classic "The Snowman" with Howard Blake's score performed live.
Where: Dublin | More Info: This Way to Christmas at National Concert Hall
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
New Year's Festival Dublin
What to Expect:
Spectacular live music and fireworks displays.
Description:
New Year's Festival Dublin is a vibrant celebration featuring Echoes of Ireland Concerts, Countdown Concerts, family-friendly events, and the NYF Dublin Fireworks Spectacular. Enjoy live performances by renowned Irish artists across iconic venues in Dublin.
Where: Dublin | More Info: New Year's Festival Dublin
Swords Other Holiday Activities
Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Sustainable Santa Experience with model railway and antique fairground organ.
Description:
The Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival offers a variety of festive activities for all ages, including Ireland's largest ice-skating rink, a Sustainable Santa Experience at the National Maritime Museum, and a Traditional Christmas Family Funfair at Harbour Plaza. The event also features charity carol singing, decorated shop windows, and a Santa Postbox at LexIcon.
Where: Dun Laoghaire | More Info: Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival
Moving Crib at Parnell Square West
What to Expect:
Historical and interactive Nativity scenes with animatronic characters.
Description:
The Moving Crib at Parnell Square West is a historical and entertaining Christmas attraction featuring over 100 figures in 14 tableaux, depicting various episodes of the Old and New Testament. It offers a delightful experience filled with historical significance and whimsical fun, including scenes like Noah's Ark and the Wise Men.
Where: Dublin | More Info: Moving Crib at Parnell Square West
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Dublin (9 miles)
- Balbriggan (10 miles)
- Dun Laoghaire (12 miles)
- South Dublin (13 miles)
- Sandyford (13 miles)
- Tallaght (14 miles)
- Celbridge (16 miles)
- Bray (18 miles)
- Drogheda (19 miles)
- Navan (23 miles)
- Naas (25 miles)
- Droichead Nua (31 miles)
- Dundalk (38 miles)