37 Things To Do In Dublin In Christmas[2023!]

Looking for all the best things to do in Dublin in Christmas?

I will share various events, attractions, and holiday celebrations for visitors of all ages. This includes family-friendly, nighttime, and even, free activities! (yep – we get it, heating bills aren’t going away!)

Celebrating Christmas events in Dublin is a fantastic way to understand the culture, traditions, and vibe of the city and its people. 

I have lived in Ireland most of my life and recently my fiance has joined me as well. She asked me “Ger, what are some of the best things to do in Dublin in Christmas?” 

Well, here you go, babe!  Dublin is a place I frequent a fair bit especially right before Christmas week. 

The effort Dubliners invest in decorating their homes and shops is simply mind-blowing!

What to do in Dublin in Christmas, you ask? 

Here is a list of Christmas things to do in Dublin that will give you all sorts of North Pole vibes and you might as well, enjoy the mighty craic!

37 Things To Do In Dublin In Christmas

1. Take A Christmas Tour

2. Go Ice Skating At Dundrum On Ice

3. Ice Skating at South Dublin

4. Ice Skating in North Dublin

5. Eating Hot Roasted Chestnuts

6. Visit The Christmas Markets In Dublin

7. Go To A Concert

8. See The Holiday Lights

9. Hear Christmas Carols At Christ Church Cathedral

10. Attend A Sporting Event

11. Take The Kids To Dublin Zoo

12. See The Beauty And The Beast Musical

13. Save Money With A Tourist Pass

14. Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour

15. Attend Carols By Candlelight At National Concert Hall

16. Marvel At Illuminated Story Characters At Wild Lights At Dublin Zoo

17. Grafton Street Xmas Decorations

18. Henry’s Street Xmas Decorations

19. Private Castle Tour

20. Dublin Castle Choir

21. Hot Choccie at Butlers Chocolate Cafe

22. Temple Bar Xmas Decorations

23. Phoenix Park Xmas Markets

24. Custom House Xmas Lights 

25. Trinity College Xmas Lights

26. Pub crawl!

27. Music on Grafton Street

28. Christmas Wreath Class

29. Guinness Storehouse Winter Village

30. Xmas Dublin Food Market At The Royal Dublin Society 

31. Xmas Tree In Spire

32. Xmas Lights At Samuel Beckett Bridge

33. St Patrick’s Cathedral Concert

34. Civic Theatre Concert – Updated for 2022

35. Xmas Lights At The General Post Office  

36. Xmas lights At Dublin City Council 

37. Christmas Afternoon Tea

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1. Take A Christmas Tour

What is Christmas without a tour? Take two days off to explore Northern Ireland from Belfast to Giants Causeway.

This is a famous tour, I cannot recommend it enough. It is about a 2-hour bus ride each way from Dublin city center, and it seems to always get sold out. You can book here 

2. Go Ice Skating At Dundrum On Ice

Take a trip down to Dublin’s premium venue for ice skating beginners and veterans. 

Veterans make you sound like you have been to war. But you know what I mean. You can book here. 

3. Ice Skating At South Dublin

One of the things to do at Dublin around Christmas most definitely is an ice skating session! 

Located at Tallaght stadium, the tickets are priced at €15 for adults and €13 for children or students. Unfortunately, after much research, the booking link for South Dublin on Ice is broken. I would suggest giving them a call directly. 

This ice skating rink is on a whole other level – some nights it caters to “Sensory Night” or “Accessible For All” customers.

4. Ice Skating In North Dublin

Many ice skating ideas are included in this list – I’d say it’s one of the best things to do in Dublin at Christmas.

Located in Swords, the massive ice skating rink is priced at €15 at any time, but if you are like me and love discounts – you can save a total of €5/person! Don’t tell me I didn’t give you this juicy promo code! Lol! You can book here.

5. Eating Hot Roasted Chestnuts

Christmas and chestnuts – has there ever been a lovelier love story? 

You can find them at a few places but the popular sites are usually around Spire and Henry Street. 

6. Visit The Christmas Markets Of Dublin

There are almost 280 stalls at the Dublin Christmas markets – there is no way you can finish all of them in one visit. I suggest planning a few evenings for it. Admission is free and they are only over a few days, look out for the dates!

7. Go To A Concert

What else to do in Dublin on Christmas Day?

 If you aren’t spending it with family, there are sometimes mini-concerts scheduled on Christmas Day itself. When was the last time you heard the tunes from the ol’ classic movie? You can book here.  

8. See The Holiday Lights

To be honest – this is one of my favorite and best things to do in Dublin and there are multiple Christmas events right here in Dublin. 

Brace yourself as you work through this exciting list of things to do in Dublin in Christmas – all of your evenings are booked!

You can even drive down the streets to look at decorated houses – there are a few who take Christmas decorations very, very seriously!

9. Hear Christmas Carols At Christ Church Cathedral

Located at the end of Dame Street, is the most beautiful Cathedral in Dublin.

Carols are usually at the start of the second week of December, and prices are usually €25/per person, and general admission to the Church is €10/per person.

You can book here.

10. Attend A Sporting Event

Take the family to watch a GAA football game at the GAA Museum. 

What makes this even more exciting is you can even test your GAA football skills in the Interactive Games Zone! You can book here. 

11. Take The Kids To Dublin Zoo

Dublin Zoo is deadly! 

There is so much the kids can see (just remember NO sugary snacks – the idea is for them to appreciate and doze off in the car on the way back LOL!). Look at this absolute beast – about to head into battle!

You can book here. 

12. See The Beauty And The Beast Musical

Tale as old as time, true as it can be… There is so much magic in The Beauty and the Beast, especially in a musical. Finally, they are continuing their tour in 2022, just in time for Christmas. You can book here.

13. Save Money With A Tourist Pass

As a tourist, there are options to save money during your trip to Ireland. You can book here. You can save between €23.50 to €62.50 on these passes. 

14. Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour

What are the other Christmas things to do in Dublin?  Here you can choose between a 1 or 2-day bus tour around Dublin. You can book here.

15. Attend Carols By Candlelight At National Concert Hall

To attend a candle-lit concert where you hear Christmas classics, all showcasing on the 19th of December this year – I would highly suggest buying the tickets early before it gets sold out. You can book here

16. Marvel At Illuminated Story Characters At Wild Lights At Dublin Zoo

This year in the Wild Life Showcase, Dublin Zoo will be highlighting the importance of biodiversity through colorful lanterns and how we as humans fall into play in this large ecosystem. You can book here.

This would be counted as one of my main go-to things to do in Dublin at Christmas time.

17. Grafton Street Xmas Decorations

Grafton Street turns into a magical Christmas land in December. It almost looks like you have stepped into another portal and the lights just glow up the entire street. Look out for Brown Thomas and Marks and Spencer stores!

18. Henry’s Street Xmas Decorations

The second biggest shopping street, is Henry’s street, especially the Arnotts store where the Christmas lights and big nutcrackers are quite magical. 

19. Private Castle Tour

What to do in Dublin in December even if you aren’t in the Christmas mood? Enjoy a private tour of Dublin Castle which is located right off Dame Street, it will take a total of two hours. You can book here. 

20. Dublin Castle Choir

While at Dublin Castle, there is the annual Choir Christmas concert at the Chapel. Every night is a different choir, you are definitely in for a real treat! 

You can get a discounted ticket priced at €20/person if you buy it in person at Dublin Castle. 

21. Hot Choccie at Butlers Chocolate Cafe

Founded in 1932, Butlers Chocolate Cafe is located in the heart of Dublin City and it feels very nostalgic to have hot chocolate in this cafe. Be warned, there is always a queue but everything good is definitely worth the wait!

22. Temple Bar Xmas Decorations

One of the best things to do in Dublin. The decorations never stop! Have a pint of your favorite lager or a sweet Shirley Temple at the ever-famous Temple Bar, and take in the intricate decorations spawned across the interior and exterior of the bar. 

23. Phoenix Park Xmas Markets

Every December, Farmleigh House, and Estate in Phoenix Park has a few Christmas events, from Christmas carols to horse & carriage rides to shows. This park is bigger than Central Park in New York – and we all know how MASSIVE that is!

24. Custom House Xmas Lights 

With a backdrop of an 18th-century building, there are light projectors in front of Customs House and a genuine and joyous ambiance of the Christmas spirit floating about. I recommend a visit here!

25. Trinity College Xmas Lights

After visiting Temple Bar, I would recommend taking a walk to Grafton Street to the infamous Irish university! With light projectors on this beautiful architecture, worth a short walk over!

26. Pub crawl!

Without a doubt, one of the things to do in Dublin, Ireland.

We have seen countless pub crawl movies, and what a hoot everyone had (not including the massive hangover the next morning!). Start on the tradition of 12 pubs over 1 night. A different rule to abide by at every pub – you know it is going to be good!

27. Music on Grafton Street

Christmas in Dublin isn’t Christmas without the buskers!

We have had some pretty amazing and talented buskers who have now become celebrities from Glen Hansard who acted in the indie movie called “Once” to Allie Sherlock. Buskers travel from as far as Cork to come to play here over December.

28. Christmas Wreath Class

Imagine having your very OWN wreath hung at your front door, or you can even make one and gift it as a present to a loved one for Christmas. The perfect Christmas event in Dublin! You can book here.

29. Guinness Storehouse Winter Village

Winter Village is open from the first week of December up to the 23rd of December, with local craft vendors, food vendors, and artists. Here in Ireland, we are all about supporting local vendors and businesses. You can book here.

30. Xmas Dublin Food Market At The Royal Dublin Society 

Located in Pembroke, here is the perfect place to work through your Christmas presents list and buy locally produced and crafted products. Can you imagine welcoming 35,000 in 5 days?!

31. Xmas Tree In Spire

Located at the very middle of O’Connell street, lies the Spire lights which you can immediately spot no matter where in the city you are is considered one of the Christmas things to do in Dublin. 

32. Xmas Lights At Samuel Beckett Bridge

Located in the IFSC right beside the Convention Center, is the massive white bridge that is Samuel Beckett Bridge. Watch the Christmas lights brighten up the sky by the Jeanie Johnston boat. 

33. St Patrick’s Cathedral Concert

The Christmas carols performed by the Guinness Choir right here at St Patrick’s Cathedral are outstanding! Tickets are usually priced at €25/person and as it’s insanely popular, I suggest booking in advance. You can book here.

34. Civic Theatre Concert

Scheduled for 17th December, Saturday is the Dublin Gospel Choir which will bring through the Christmas favorites!  Tickets are usually priced between €17 – €22/per person. You can book here.

35. Xmas Lights At The General Post Office  

Located by Spire and Henry Street, you will find projector lights brightening up the sky from the General Post Office. The cutest part is the Christmas-themed windows.

36. Xmas Lights At Dublin City Council c

Much quieter areas for Christmas lights spotting! The perfect part here is the ginormous well-decorated Christmas tree.

37. Christmas Afternoon Tea

How about meeting our best mate, Santa, and enjoying some raspberry scones and soothing tea…all on a bus? That’s right! Tickets are priced at €42 and it starts on the first week of December and ends on the 23rd of December. You can book here.

FAQs On Things To Do In Dublin In Christmas

Is Dublin a good place to spend Christmas?

Yes, Dublin is a good place to spend Christmas! Ireland’s capital is a gorgeous place to visit during Christmas, especially with almost most streets glowing with Christmas lights. 

Is Dublin worth visiting in December?

Yes, Dublin is worth visiting in December. Especially with the extensive list of Christmas and non-Christmas activities to try.

Where should I go for Christmas Day in Ireland?

On Christmas Day in Ireland, you should attend Christmas caroling, experience an ice skating session, and take a stroll down the various buildings and homes decked out with beautiful Christmas lights. 

What is on in Dublin in December 2022?

In December 2022, Dublin is most famous for walking down the main streets and establishments which are decked out with beautiful Christmas lights. Especially, Grafton Street, Temple Bar, and Henry’s Street amongst others. 

One of my beautiful memories here in Dublin is pretty much just walking around Dublin during Christmas. Just being in awe of the sights.  

I labeled my adventures during this time as the “12 days of Christmas” whereby the 12 days leading to Christmas were spent marking things off from this list.

Cozy pubs to live music at every corner and hearing everyone in a cheery mood, it is almost like the angels descended from heaven to give people hope and joy. 

I truly cannot recommend the different things to do in Dublin at Christmas enough. 

It truly is a place where magic comes alive. 

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