40 things to do in Ireland at Christmas – a detailed Irish Christmas guide
As soon as the fireworks stop on Halloween night, everyone in Ireland’s attention quickly moves on to Christmas. Most of the major Christmas events around Ireland tend to get started around mid November but you will start to see Winter Lights events popping up in your area over the next week.
This Irish Christmas Guide will provide you with some of the best things to in Ireland at Christmas.
Christmas Markets In Ireland
Everyone loves a good Christmas Market and there are several good options for getting your fill of hot chocolate and mulled wine – here are some of the best Christmas Markets in Ireland happening this year.
1) Winterval Waterford Christmas Market
Winterval is Ireland’s largest Christmas market and was recognised as the European City of Christmas 2024. This year’s event will include lots of new attractions and free and ticketed events suitable for all ages.
Dates: 15th November to 23rd December
Information: https://winterval.ie/
Where to stay: Faithlegg Hotel
2) Galway Christmas Market, Eyre Square
Galway Christmas market returns for its 1th year with over 50 stalls and almost half a million visitors expected this year.
Dates: 8th November to 5th January
Times: 12 noon until 8pm Mon-Wed; 10am-10pm Thurs-Sat; 10am-8pm Sunday
Information: https://www.christmasmarketgalway.com/
Where to stay in Galway:
3) Belfast Christmas Market
Belfast Christmas Market is back again this year at Belfast City Hall, with tons of great suppliers providing specialty cheeses, burgers and artisan products. If you are planning atrip to Belfast throughout the year, make sure to read our guide to Belfast.
Dates: 16th November to 22nd December
Information: https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/christmasmarket
Where to stay in Belfast:
4) Dublin Castle Christmas Market
The Courtyard of Dublin Castle will again feature over 25 stalls with food and crafts from local suppliers – a great option to visit if you are in Dublin City centre. We have also put together this guide to Dublin to help you plan out your trip to the city.
Dates: 6th December to 19th December
Information: https://www.visitdublin.com/christmas-at-the-castle-2023
Where to stay:
5) Christmas at the Milk Market, Limerick
The Milk Market will be running a number of one off events throughout the month of December, from food markets to vintage fairs.
Dates: 1st December to 24th December
Information: https://www.milkmarketlimerick.ie/news/christmas-at-the-milk-market-2024/
Where to stay in Limerick:
6) Wicklow Christmas Market
Dates: 23rd November to 22nd December
Information: https://wicklowchristmasmarket.ie/
Where to stay in Wicklow:
7) Cork Christmas Market
Dates: 15th November to 30th December
Information: https://www.corkcity.ie/en/a-cork-christmas-celebration/
Where to stay in Cork:
Christmas Events in Ireland
8) Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo
Spectacular night time experience suitable for all ages where you will be taken on a journey through time.
Dates: 24th October to 5th January from 5-9pm daily
Entry Fee: Tickets range from 18 to 25 Euro; Under 3 years old and carers can enter for free
Information: https://www.dublinzoo.ie/wildlights/
9) Winter Lights at Merrion Square, Dublin
Dates: 1st to 22nd December from 5pm-9pm
Entry Fee: 2 Euro per adult – each adult ticket admits two children. Tickets are limited to a maximum of 4 adult tickets per person.
Information: https://dublinwinterlights.ie/dublin-winter-lights-merrion-square/
10) Enchanted Garden Winter Lights at Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, Tramore, Waterford
Dates: 29th November to 31st December from 4:30pm to 7:30pm
Entry Fee: 8 Euro for Adult; 4 Euro for Under 15
Information: https://www.lafcadiohearngardens.com/winter-lights/
11) Yulefest, Kilkenny
A series of festive events being held throughout Kilkenny from November to January. Highlights include a Christmas market, tree festival and Santa experience.
Dates: 30th November to Early January
Entry Fee: Varies depending on event
Information: https://yulefestkilkenny.ie/
12) Enchanted Lights at Antrim Castle
This festive family event runs for over three weeks at Antrim Castle. Local residents will receive a discounted rate and there are specific inclusive nights on the 4th and 11th December catering for anyone with additonal needs.
Dates: 29th November to 21st December from 4:30pm to 9:30pm
Entry Fee: £10.50 Adult; £32.00 Family; £7.50 Under 18; Free for Under 3; Discounted rates for local residents
Information: https://enchantedwintergarden.com/
13) Wonder Lights at Malahide Castle, Dublin
Dates: 7th November to 4th January
Entry Fee:
- Adult €15.00 to €25.50
- Child (2-12 yrs) €15.00 to €23.50
- Student (13-18 yrs) €15.00 to €21.50
- OAP €15.00 to €21.50
- Infant (under 2 years) Free
- Carer Free
Information: https://www.wonderlights.ie/
14) Wonder Lights at Fota Island, Cork
Dates: 16th November to 4th January
Entry Fee:
- Adult €15.00 to €25.50
- Child (2-12 yrs) €15.00 to €23.50
- Student (13-18 yrs) €15.00 to €21.50
- OAP €15.00 to €21.50
- Infant (under 2 years) Free
- Carer Free
Information: https://www.wonderlights.ie/
15) Christmas at Hillsborough Castle, Down
Dates: 23rd November to 5th January
Entry Fee:
Information: https://www.hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle/whats-on/christmas-at-hillsborough-castle-and-gardens/
16) Elf Town Galway
Dates: November 22nd to December 23rd
Entry Fee:
- Adult €19.95
- Child €29.95
- Child under 13 months: €9.95
Price Includes:
- Santa Visit
- 4 floors of amazing Christmas Actvities
Information: https://elftowngalway.ie/more-details-galway/#datesgalway
17) Adventure Lights at Sky Park, Louth
Explore 4 exciting zones of light trails split into fun, adventure, mythological and extinction.
Dates: 26th October to 5th February
Entry Fee: Adult 20 Euro; Child Over 3 20 Euro; Child Under 3 Free
Early Bird Offer available where one child ticket includes an accompanying adult
Information: https://skypark.ie/adventure-lights/
18) Bunratty Castle Trail of Lights, Clare
Dates:
Entry Fee:
- Adult: €20 per person
- Child: €39.95 per person
- Baby 0-12 months: €10 per person
Price includes:
- Personal visit with Santa Claus and Gift
- Full access to Bunratty Folk Park Trail of Lights Experience
- Ms Claus in the Golden Vale Farmhouse
- Polar Express Train Ride
- Giant Festive Illuminated Displays
- Tunnel of Lights
- Puppet & Magic Shows (*weekends only)
- Traditional Christmas Tales with our resident Seanchaí
- Meet Christmas Characters on the Village Street
- Toddler Play Area
- Festive Themed Shops
Information: https://www.bunrattycastle.ie/christmas/christmas2024/
19) Enchanted Christmas at Johnstown Castle
Dates: 1st to 23rd December
Entry Fee:
- Adults – starting at €15.00 per adult.
- Children – starting at €25.00 per child.
- Infants under 1 Year – €12.00 per infant
Price includes:
- Guided Theatrical Experience through our beautifully decorated Christmas Castle.
- An Individual family meeting with Santa.
- A chance to hand pick a gift for each child.
- Hot Beverage included (Hot chocolate for kids. Americano or Tea for Adults).
- The opportunity for plenty of photographs.
- Guided Theatrical Experience through our beautifully decorated Christmas Castle.
Information: https://johnstowncastle.rezgo.com/details/323262/an-enchanted-christmas-at-johnstown-castle-2023
20) Elf Town Dublin
Dates: November 22nd to December 23rd
Entry Fee:
- Adult €19.95
- Child €29.95
- Child under 13 months: €9.95
Price Includes:
- Santa Visit
- 4 floors of amazing Christmas Actvities
Information: http://elftowndublin.ie
21) American Folk Park Museum, Tyrone
Dates: 6th December to 3rd January 10am to 4pm
Entry Fee:
- Adult £12.50
- Child £7.65
- Student and Over 60: £9.75
- Carers, Child Under 5, Members and Accessible tickets are free
*Please note that there is a separate pricing model for weekends and for visiting Santa
Information: https://www.ulsteramericanfolkpark.org/whats-on/christmas-ulster-american-folk-park
Christmas Lights Switch on Dates in Ireland
22) Dublin
Date: TBC – Likely Mid November
Time: TBC
Information: https://dublinwinterlights.ie/
23) Cork
Date: 15th November
Time: TBC
Information: https://www.corkcity.ie/en/a-cork-christmas-celebration/corkmas%20christmas%20parade/
24) Galway
Date: 8th November (TBC)
Time: TBC
Information: https://www.galwaytourism.ie/event/light-up-galway/
25) Waterford
Date: 15th November
Time: 6pm
Information: https://winterval.ie/event/winterval-launch-event
26) Belfast
Date: 16th November
Time: 6pm
Tickets: Available from 11am on the 5th November
Information: https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/christmaslights
27) Derry
Date: 22nd November
Time: 4pm-8:15pm
Information: https://www.visitderry.com/whats-on/christmas-light-switch-on-p85229
Ice Skating Rinks in Ireland
27) Sligo
Where: Sligo on Ice
When: 28th November to 5th January
Cost:
- Adult €19
- Child €16
- Family of 4 €59
Information: https://www.sligococo.ie/sligoonnice/
28) Dun Laoghaire
Where: Alpine Skating Trail Dun Laoghaire, Dublin
Cost:
- Adult Ticket €21.00
- U-18 Ticket| €18.00
- Family Of 3 Ticket €53.00
- Family Of 4 Ticket €66.00
- Family Of 5 Ticket €79.00
- Family Of 6 Ticket €92.00
- Student (Weds) €16.00
Information: https://iceskating.ie/
29) Blanchardstown
Where: Alpine Skating Trail Blanchardstown, Dublin
Cost:
- Adult Ticket €21.00
- U-18 Ticket| €18.00
- Family Of 3 Ticket €53.00
- Family Of 4 Ticket €66.00
- Family Of 5 Ticket €79.00
- Family Of 6 Ticket €92.00
- Student (Weds) €16.00
Information: https://iceskating.ie/
30) Dundonald
Where: Dundonald Ice Rink, Antrim
Cost:
Information: https://www.theicebowl.com/activities/ice-skating
31) Cork
Where: Alpine Skating Trail Pairc ui Chaoimh, Cork
Cost:
Adult Ticket €21.00
U-18 Ticket| €18.00
Family Of 3 Ticket €53.00
Family Of 4 Ticket €66.00
Family Of 5 Ticket €79.00
Family Of 6 Ticket €92.00
Student (Weds) €16.00
Information: https://iceskating.ie/
32) Waterford
Where: Waterford on Ice, The Quay, Waterford
When: 15th November to 5th January
Cost:
Adult €19.00
Child €17.00
Family of 4 €58
Information: https://www.onice.ie/locations/waterford
Christmas Themed Bars and Restaurants in Ireland
- 33) The Ginger Man, Dublin
- 34) Hole in the Wall, Dublin
- 35) The Temple Bar, Dublin
- 36) The Harbour Bar, Wicklow
- 37) O’Donoghue’s, Kerry
- 38) O’Connor’s, Galway
- 39) Arthur Mayne’s, Cork
- 40) O’Connell’s, Meath
So there you have 40 great things to do in Ireland, from Christmas markets to ice rinks and everything in between. Whatever you choose to do, we hope you have a great Christmas in Ireland.
