There’s something for everyone in Dublin this Christmas

Christmas in Dublin is a magical experience, where the charm of Ireland’s capital is amplified by festive lights, rich cultural traditions, and a welcoming atmosphere that embodies the true spirit of Christmas. From the cobbled streets of Temple Bar to the elegant Georgian squares, Dublin transforms into a winter wonderland, offering a unique mix of modern celebrations and old-world charm.

From markets to theatre, visits to Santa, carol singing, Winter Lights walking trails and more…there’s something for everyone in Dublin this Christmas.

Event Highlights

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Dundrum On Ice

Dundrum Town Centre

Dundrum on Ice was and remains the first Blue Martini Group Ice Rink. Opened in 2013 in the infamous town centre of Dundrum, it sets a standard that is carried throughout all of our rinks to ensure an unforgettable experience. Now in its thirteenth consecutive year, Dundrum on Ice offers a magical experience for all ages. Whether you're looking for the perfect family outing, date night or just a fun night out with friends Dundrum on Ice is the next stop on your list!

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The Nutcracker

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

Accompanied by RTÉ Concert Orchestra, this production brings Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score to life with breathtaking precision, wonder and heartwarming emotion. Audiences will be transported to a dreamlike world of dancing snowflakes, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the brave Nutcracker Prince, with dazzling choreography and stunning costumes. The State Ballet of Georgia’s world-class dancers, combined with the rich, live music of RTÉ Concert Orchestra, create a truly unforgettable experience. From the iconic “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” to the vibrant “Waltz of the Flowers,” e

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TwinkleTown

Smithfield Square

Introducing TwinkleTown, Dublin’s sparkling new Christmas experience Opening 1pm - November 28th, Smithfield Square, Dublin Tickets on sale NOW at twinkletown.ie *Early Bird Tickets for Ice Rink are available now for a limited period* TwinkleTown in partnership with Dublin City Council is lighting up Dublin this Christmas, transforming Smithfield Square into a magical, festive wonderland for all ages to enjoy. A one stop Christmas experience and a brand new tradition in the making, blending entertainment, culture, and festive magic for all to enjoy. The fantastic Santo Panto and the Ma

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Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo

Dublin Zoo

Wild Lights returns to Dublin Zoo with its most dazzling theme yet. Step into The Wild Kaleidoscope at Dublin Zoo this winter to explore 13 kaleidoscopic zones bursting with vibrant colour. Join us in celebrating the power of colour in the wild – survival, communication, attraction, and defence. Admire elegant flamingos and shimmering peacocks and spot the playful penguins and enchanting red pandas. Marvel at radiant lanterns, including the largest EVER lantern featured at Wild Lights (and one of the biggest in Europe). Whether it’s your first time or a family tradition, experience a

Gifted - The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair: Craft, design, independent brands & artisan food @ the RDS, Dublin. December 4th-8th, 2019.

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Gifted - The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair

RDS

Gifted is the country’s largest celebration of craft, design, and artisan food, showcasing over 400 talented makers and producers. With thousands of original gift ideas, it’s the ultimate destination for anyone seeking handmade, heartfelt presents this festive season. If you are looking for thousands of unique gift ideas for your loved one then come along to Gifted and you’ll get all of your Christmas shopping done in one day, under one roof!

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Elf Town Dublin

RDS

Forget pop-up grottos and tinsel-draped sheds, Elf Town is Ireland’s only Christmas experience built with the ambition, scale, and incredible level of detail to match any world-class Christmas production. Every set within the enormous Dublin and Galway locations is hand-crafted, every character fully realised, and every child’s journey designed to feel truly magical from start to finish. With over €3.7 million invested this year, the most to date, Elf Town 2025 is set to be the best yet. Following a sell-out season in 2024 that welcomed more than 113,000 visitors, Elf Town returns in

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Christmas by Candlelight

St Patrick's Cathedral

The ultimate Christmas concert is here! Join a spectacular cast of West End singers and incredible live band, as they perform your favourite Christmas Hits, as you have never heard them before! It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, just in time for a magical evening of best loved festive music, performed live at the beautiful St Patrick's Cathedral, by candlelight. Featuring sing-along classics White Christmas, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, Santa Baby, O Holy Night, Winter Wonderland and many more, this uplifting concert is the perfect way to celebrate a Holly Jolly Ch

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Wonderlights - Malahide Castle & Gardens

Malahide Castle

Following on from the huge successes of previous years, we return to our North Dublin location of Malahide Castle & Gardens for our 5th year. This year’s theme is “Once Upon a Glow” Once Upon a Glow will bring a mesmerising display of over one million lights to the historic estate of Malahide Castle & Gardens. This year’s theme will be brought to life with the return of fan favourites, including the Portal of Light Tunnel, standing 5 meters high and 10 meters wide, the stunning Symphony of Light pond show, and the immersive projection mapping onto the castle itself. Th

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Step Into Christmas

The Helix

Get ready to Step into Christmas once again for the most magical, feel-good show of the year! After a sensational run, we’re back—bigger, brighter, and more festive than ever before. This spectacular Christmas concert is the ultimate way to kickstart your festive celebrations, guaranteed to fill your heart with holiday cheer and have you singing along from start to finish. Packed with all your favourite Christmas classics, the show brings the spirit of the season to life with dazzling performances, stunning festive visuals, and a sensational live band. From heart warming ballads to upbeat

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Alpine Skate Trail Dún Laoghaire

Harbour Road

Dublin’s first ice skating trail, Alpine Skate Trail, comes to Dún Laoghaire in 2025! An ice skating trail and a separate practice ice rink! It will be located at the harbour in Dún Laoghaire and can be easily accessed by the DART.

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The Convention Before Christmas

National Show Centre

Step into a Magical Christmas Village Where Holiday Dreams Come to Life! This December, The Convention Before Christmas brings together the wonder of a traditional Christmas market and the thrill of Ireland’s biggest pop culture celebration all under one roof. Expect: Beloved movie cars and iconic set pieces for photo ops Celebrity guests & actors from hit shows and films (including Wednesday and Star Wars) Cosplay competitions and dazzling fan showcases Raffles, giveaways, and Christmas shopping with artisan gifts & fandom collectibles Santa’s Grotto, live elf

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Swords on Ice

Pavilions Shopping Centre

Step into the festive magic at Swords On Ice ! Our rink at the Pavilions Shopping Centre is the perfect place to celebrate the season, whether you're a first-time skater or gliding like a pro. With twinkling lights, cosy vibes, and plenty of space for family and friends, it's a winter experience everyone will love. This Christmas, enjoy the magic of Swords On Ice at Pavilions Shopping Centre. Located in the heart of North Dublin, our rink offers festive fun for all ages, from family days out to seasonal date nights. Skate across the ice, soak up the Christmas atmosphere, and then expl

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Wonderlights - Marlay Park

Marlay Park

Ireland's largest light show is back at Marlay Park with a new show for 2025 'The Magic of Winter'. This theme will transform Marlay Park into a mesmerising winter wonderland, filled with large illuminated sculptures of arctic animals, meadows of glowing winter flowers, and an enchanting frozen forest. Highlights of this experience include, a winter ocean scene projected onto a 30-metre hydro screen over the lake, offering an awe-inspiring display of arctic animals and nocturnal wildlife under a starlit sky. Along with our Cathedral Tunnel, standing 5 metres tall and stretching 30 metres

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This Way To Christmas! Featuring The Snowman

National Concert Hall

Festive favourite This Way to Christmas! Featuring The Snowman returns to the National Concert Hall this December with the NCH Christmas Orchestra and conductor Fergus Sheil. Host Louis Lovett oversees this ever-popular seasonal show with its parading nutcrackers, classic Christmas songs and festive dance. As always, the heart-warming spectacle is followed by a screening of timeless family classic The Snowman with Howard Blake’s score performed live by our Christmas Orchestra. Plus… ho ho ho…. special guests and lots of festive giggles for all the family. Sign Language int

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Christmas at Christ Church Cathedral

Christ Church Cathedral

Join us for a memorable occasion with our renowned Cathedral choir performing an array of festive pieces in the beautiful surroundings of Christ Church Cathedral. Tickets for these one-hour performances are highly sought after as there is no better way to get in the mood for Christmas. The concerts will take place on Tuesday 9th December at 8.30pm and on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th December at 6pm and 8.30pm. Book now to avoid disappointment!

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Ice Skating Blanchardstown

Blanchardstown Centre

Ice Skating Blanchardstown returns in 2025 to Millenium Park, with access to the park behind the McDonalds Drive-Thru. We can’t wait to welcome the same fantastic skaters who join us year after year with a completely new theming and world-class decoration!

Pantos

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The Snow Queen

The Helix

Join The Helix this festive season for a sparkling winter adventure like no other. Produced by the sensational TheatreworX Productions, this year’s panto promises a flurry of festive fun, magical mayhem, and all the glittering joy you’ve come to expect from Dublin’s favourite family tradition. Step into a world of snow-kissed magic as Lola, Buddy, Laurel, and a blizzard of new characters set off on a whirlwind journey to Merryville and beyond. Packed with laughter, surprises, and heart-warming moments, THE SNOW QUEEN is the perfect festive treat for all ages. ​ Whether you're a li

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A Christmas Carol

Gate Theatre

For Christmas 2025, the Gate will present a new production of family favourite A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Neil Bartlett, based on Charles Dickens’s beloved classic. The production will be directed by Claire O’Reilly. Over the course of a misty Christmas night, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three haunting visions, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, that urge them to change their skinflint, lonely ways and embrace the magic and possibility of the festive spirit before it’s too late. Featuring Dickens’s beloved characters, this will be an unmissable family festive tre

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Beauty and the Beast

Gaiety Theatre

A tale as old as time, featuring a host of well-loved characters and lovable crockery! Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle and the dreaded Beast in his lonely castle. Belle is beautiful, the Beast is – ahem – beastly, and Gaston is still totally in love, with himself! A story of friendship and love, mixing magic and adventure with spectacular song and dance routines and special effects to entertain all the family! *Family Ticket: €55 | Running time: 1 hour | Suitable for ages 4+

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The Liberty Panto - Jack and The Beanstalk

O'Reilly Theatre

Jake Carter returns to Liberty Panto this Christmas so hold onto your magic beans and get ready for a GIANT-GANTIC Pantomime Adventure from the Liberty Panto! The Liberty Panto gang are back this Christmas with a beanstalk-climbing, sky-high adventure packed with belly laughs, toe-tapping tunes, and more moo-sical mischief than ever before! Join the outrageous Dame Nellie Nu Nu, the loveable Silly Simon, heroic Jack Trott (Jake), Princess Jill, and of course the legendary Pat the Cow (udderly fabulous) as they take on the villainous Fleshcreep and the terrifying Giant Blunderbore. With the

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Hansel and Gretel

dlr Mill Theatre

A Magical Christmas Adventure… When clever Gretel and her caring brother Hansel are left deep in the forest by their not-so-nice new stepmother, things start to get a little spooky . . . and a little sweet. Lost and alone, they come across the most gorgeous gingerbread house, decorated with the tastiest of treats. But, they’ll need their wits – and a sprinkle of bravery – to outsmart a wicked old witch looking for a sweet tooth and her sidekick Squawker, the cowardly crow. Luckily, they meet the cheeky and lovable Fizzle Mc Fluffy, a magical forest critter with a few tricks up i

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Olly Goes To Oz - A Wicked Panto

3Olympia

A Spellbinding Panto where the WIZARD OF OZ meets WICKED in a hilarious adventure! Following last year’s smash hit Freezin! , Olly Goes To Oz is a laugh a minute twister of a tale! This Christmas follow Olly, Polly & Dolly down The Yellow Brick Road on an unforgettable panto journey through Oz! Don’t miss the funniest panto in Ireland where WICKED and THE WIZARD OF OZ will collide in a whirlwind of fun, belly laughs and panto madness in typical 3Olympia style! The most popular panto in town will defy gravity as we go somewhere over the rainbow! We are not in Kansas anymore Toto

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Cinderella

The National Stadium

Cinderella is coming to the Stadium Panto – oh YES she is! Sammy & Buffy are back and your favourite panto will be Bigger, Funnier & more Magical than ever! This Christmas, Cinderella is losing her slipper (and her patience), while Sammy & Buffy cause all kinds of magical mayhem at the Stadium Panto! Expect belly laughs, booing, singing, sparkles, and a whole lotta “OH YES WE DID!” Get booking now for the best seats and the best craic – before they’re all gone!

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Tickles, Beauty & The Beast

Civic Theatre

A Tale as Old as Time Step into a world of enchantment and adventure as Belle, longing for something more, is whisked away to a mysterious castle. But this isn’t just any castle—it’s alive with wonder, laughter, and a touch of chaos, thanks to the Civic Panto’s beloved comedy duo, Tickles & Dottie! Will Belle look beyond the fearsome Beast’s gruff exterior and discover the kindness within? Or will his stubborn ways doom him to a life of loneliness, losing not only his castle but the one girl who just might change his fate forever? Join us for a spellbinding tale filled with

Wild Lights - Dublin Zoo 2025

The Wild Kaleidoscope