FREE Family Fun returns for the 4th year with some brand new additions!

Merrion Square Park |July 12th & 13th | 12pm – 6pm

Dublin City Council Funtropolis returns to the city for its fourth year this summer –jam-packed with much loved family favourites, along with some brand new and super exciting additions sure to draw even more crowds than ever before! Set in the iconic surrounds of Georgian Dublin, what better backdrop for two full weekends of family fun thanks to Dublin City Council?

This year, the party kicked off north of the Liffey in Mountjoy Square on the weekend of June 14th & 15th.  The Merrion Square Park festivities take place on July 12th & 13th.

Expect even more exciting circus performances, interactive workshops, super tunes, hilarious comedy, delicious food & drink and brand new for 2025…The Dublin City Council Funtropolis DOG SHOW! Dublin City Council will also be providing free face-painting and fairground rides at both locations. Prepare to belly laugh with some of Ireland’s finest comedic performers including the one and only Curious State with their brand-new musical comedy – Scissors and Comb. Professor Plunger will be on hand with his unique blend of comedy and music and make sure not to miss Ballet Poulet where two world class, Olympian level idiots bring you their latest masterpiece! There’ll be magic a plenty with magician Jack Wise, even more laughter with Guido Fanzini’s Thunderous Entertainment Haberdashery. Add in shows from the amazing Dance Duo Up Close and The Impossible Circus and you might just have the most exciting Dublin City Council Funtropolis to date!

A brand new and highly anticipated addition for 2025 – The Dublin City Council Funtropolis Dog Show which will take place on the Sunday of each event. Families are invited to register their four-legged friends on the day (no pre-registration necessary) for a chance to win some paw-fect prizes. Categories available for entry are: Small Puppy, Large Puppy, Toy Dog, Small / Medium Dog, Large Dog, Rescue Dog, Dog our Judge Would Like to Take Home, Waggiest Tail, Fancy Dress & Best Groomed. Not just for owners, all dog lovers can spectate as the cutest pooches strut their stuff to the music and show off their talents. The Dublin City Council Animal Welfare Unit will also be on hand over both weekends offering advice and support to pet owners so make sure to stop by and say Hello!

There’ll be plenty of music and dance to get the whole family moving, with interactive shows and workshops from Brazilian crew Tic Tac Tum to Bollywood Dance and Indian Drumming and singing. Check out the Bandstand for Mad Dog performing Furs and Feathers, a storytelling collection of songs suitable for all ages.

Join the Craic Mechanics as they get the whole crowd involved to belt out their favourite tunes from movie themes to kids’ favourites and all that’s in-between. Enjoy a delicious mix of pop, jazz, classical, folk and rock tunes from the fantastic Tiny Quartet, let little ones move to the tunes and chase the bubbles on the lawn at DJ Will Softly and the Bubble Guys or sing along As Gaeilge with the wonderful Úlla Búlla.

Over in the Circus Tent, join Wobbly Circus and Doulab Circus and Dance bringing the fun and frolics with their circus skills workshops – why just watch when you can dive right in?! At the Human Sculptures workshop, envisage your sculpture and then bring it to life with the help of some friends or for younger festival goers, why not try the Creative Toddler Dance Class where little ones can lose themselves in their own imaginations. Don’t forget to stop by Captain C Man either – he needs your help to achieve the greatest and most dangerous juggling trick in the universe!

Budding artists can make their very own colourful sun catcher as a memento of the day at the Small World Play Space or just enjoy an artistic sensory experience through messy play. Renowned artist Jane Groves will also be hosting a gorgeous workshop Claystation suitable for children aged 2 to 92 or join artist Ríona Sally Hartman for her gorgeous Sound Sculpting Workshop for kids.

The Story Shed will play host to gorgeous workshops including A Little Birdie Told Me, Little Love Lessons & Bi Ag Spraoi Liom which are all sure to be a huge hit. At Merrion Square, join the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, an interactive storytelling with instruments and songs suitable for children aged 2 – 6 or get involved in creating a collaborative colourful, giant design with artist Mayumi Nakabayashi.

The Dublin City Council Library Bus will be on site to encourage budding readers and future writers while DCC Sports & Wellness will encourage movement throughout each day with fun activities and games. The Dublin City Council outdoor mobile child sensory unit will also be available for use for anyone attending at either location who identifies as neurodivergent.

Guests are encouraged to travel on foot or via public transport where possible. In an effort to ensure that all of their events are carried out as sustainability conscious as possible, Dublin City Council have also implemented a no single-use plastics rule across both events and also utilise HVO generators throughout to further reduce their carbon footprint. With diversity and inclusion at the forefront of all Dublin City Council events, the festival programme has also been thoughtfully curated to ensure that it truly reflects the people and cultures of modern Dublin.

#DCCFuntropolis