On Nov. 29th, Dublin city officials will turn on the holiday lights, launching its annual Winter Lights Festival that promises to transform the city center into a winter wonderland of colorful lights right through the Christmas holiday.
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The spectacle will illuminate the city's iconic landmarks, such as Millennium Bridge, Trinity College Dublin, O'Connell Street and The Spire, the Ha'Penny Bridge, and Merrion Square Park, with some new locations added this year.
They include the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks, Newcomen Bank, the James Joyce Bridge, and the Liffey Boardwalk.
There will be two ticketed events, one at Merrion Square Park, where visitors can see a dazzling mix of interactivity and light projections on buildings in this part of Georgian Dublin, including a huge snow globe with a 30-foot wide hologram.
The other at Collins Barracks includes 360-degree video mapping and soundscapes in the museum's historic Clarke Square, part of a showcase titled “Immerse Yourself.”
Tickets for both are now available, with a €2 charge per adult.
In addition, two children can visit for free on each adult ticket. You can find more details on the festival website.
Christmas Spectacular at Smithfield Square
New this year is the Christmas Spectacular at Smithfield Square, which will include Ireland's first and only Ice Museum housing a stunning collection of beautifully crafted ice sculptures.
The museum opens Nov. 17th and will remain open to visitors through Jan. 7th.
Other must-see attractions at Smithfield Square include an ice rink, a European-style Christmas market, a big ferris wheel, and the Nutcracker Snug.
Wonderlights
Ireland's largest-ever light show can be experienced in the Dublin area again this holiday season, including at Malahide Castle and Gardens, where it will run through Jan. 4th.
The castle, located in one of Dublin's popular seaside towns, is easily accessible on the DART train from Dublin city center.
This year’s Wonderlights theme will be enhanced with two new impressive tunnels of lights, including the Cathedral Tunnel at 5 meters/16 feet tall and stretching 30 meters/ 98 feet long, and the Portal of Light Tunnel, which stands at 5 meters and is 10 meters/ 32 feet wide and 20 meters/65 feet in length.
The attraction also includes the Alpine Food and Drink Village.
Tickets are €15-€25.50 for adults; €15-€21.50 for children ages 13-18 and seniors; and €15-€23.50 for children ages 2-12, Children under 2 are admitted free of charge.
Wonderlights can also be enjoyed at Marlay Park in Rathfarnham and at Fota House in Cork.
Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo
At the Dublin Zoo, Wild Lights, a nighttime spectacular, will take visitors into a land of magical creatures.
This year's theme is called “A Journey Through Time” where visitors will travel billions of years back in time, with displays representing pre-historic megafauna, life-changing first inventions, and even beautiful Renaissance works of art, all in bright, colorful eye-catching lanterns.
Wild Lights is open through Jan. 5th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day/Dec. 26th.
For prices, visit the Dublin Zoo Wild Lights webpage.
Christmas at Farmleigh House
The official Irish state guest house known as Farmleigh House located in the Phoenix Park hosts some holiday fun for all to enjoy, especially younger visitors.
On Dec. 3, enjoy food and crafts at a special farmyard Christmas Market (10 a.m.-5 p.m.), as well as a festive crib, a Christmas puppet show, and more.
Horse and carriage rides will also be available from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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Other Entertainment in Dublin During the Holidays
Dublin is famous for its Christmas pantos (pantomimes), a beloved tradition for many Dubliners. This year, the Gaiety Theatre is putting on Peter Pan, from Nov. 24th through Jan. 5th.
Other pantos playing in the city include Rapunzel at The Helix (on the Dublin City University campus), from Nov. 21st through Jan. 11th; Cinderella at the Liberty Hall Theatre, from Dec. 19th to Dec. 30th; and Olly & Polly Are Freezin' at the Olympia Theatre, from Dec. 20th through Jan. 5th.
Art lovers will enjoy More Power to You: Sarah Purser – A Force for Irish Art at The Hugh Lane Gallery through Jan. 5th featuring the work of a woman who was an influential figure in Irish artistic circles during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
While at the National Gallery of Ireland, the work from Pursar's stained glass studio is highlighted in the exhibition titled An Túr Gloine: Artists and the Collective.
Both are free to visit.
The sensational Vladimir's Viennese Christmas Gala Concert is happening once again at the city's 3Arena on Dec. 15th. At the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, audiences can celebrate the holiday season at the Celine Byrne's Christmas Celebration.
Visitors looking for live music can find it at Whelan’s and Vicar Street.
Other great pubs in Dublin for live trad music include McNeill's on Capel Street (performances are on Wednesdays through Saturdays), The Cobblestone, with music every night, as well as O'Donoghues on Merrion Row from 8pm every night.
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Christmas Markets in Dublin
Visiting Dublin for the holidays can also include a stroll around its many Christmas markets
In addition to the new Christmas Market at Smithfield Square, mentioned above, the other popular one is the annual Christmas at the Castle event at Dublin Castle, which this year runs from Nov. 28th through Dec. 18th.
Dublin Castle’s historic upper courtyard is being transformed into a little village of traditional alpine market stalls selling a variety of decorative crafts and mouth-watering treats, with evening carol singing to add to the holiday atmosphere.
Those visiting Dublin for the holidays can also enjoy a vintage carousel, a number of festive musical acts, see the Neapolitan Crib on display and get complimentary access to the festively decorated State Apartments.
Weekend horse and carriage rides around the Castle grounds and gardens will also be available.
Visitors can also check out Gifted: The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair at the RDS, which showcases Ireland's largest selection of unique gifts under one roof, including the “Spectacular Christmas Food Emporium” as well as the sustainable Christmas Market at the National Botanic Gardens from Dec. 13-14, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with over 70 stalls and their products to choose from.
Dublin’s holiday season also extends to the three-day New Year Festival.
Visitors and residents alike can ring in the New Year at the city's countdown concert, just one of the festival’s many live music concerts taking place in three landmark locations – Dublin Castle, the National Museum of Ireland: Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, and in Meeting House Square.
The celebration will also include street entertainment, pyrotechnics, light displays, parades, and more.