Dublin is fantastic at any time of the year but in December it’s unlike anywhere else in the world: Christmas carols, twinkly lights, amazing shop windows, happy smiling faces buried in huge scarves and bobble hats, kids barely controlling their anticipation, great blasts of music and singing from the pubs, impossibly delicious aromas drifting out from the restaurants, cafes and bakeries, bright colours in the dark night, laughter in a city brimming with good cheer.
If you’re planning a visit to our city, you’ll love it. Here are some of the events, shows, markets and other things to do in Dublin in December – put them on your must-see list:
1. I Believe Christmas Village
This is a new concept – a winter food, drink, craft and horticulture village located by the river on Custom House Quay. The I Believe Christmas Village will have a focus on supporting Irish businesses, traders, craftspeople, producers and charities and will run until Wednesday, 23rd December.
2. Leopardstown Christmas Festival
The Leopardstown Christmas Festival runs from the 26-29th December each year and is one of the highlights of the Irish racing and social calendar. It features seven Grade 1 races over four days and is an Irish Christmas tradition in itself.
3. Carols at Christmas with Chamber Choir Ireland
On December 5th Chamber Choir Ireland will hold an evening of Carols At Christmas in the nearby, beautiful and acoustically perfect Christchurch Cathedral.
4. Boomtown Rats
Dublin’s first big rock band is back after an exceptional performance at this years Electric Picnic. The Boomtown Rats will play an intimate performance at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre on 6th December and if you like music this will be one you can’t miss.
5. The Importance of Being Earnest
The famous Gate Theatre will stage a new production of probably Oscar Wilde’s best-loved play The Importance of Being Earnest from December 1st. Even if you’ve seen it before, you should try to catch this one – it’s just brilliant.
6. New Year’s Eve
Always a big night in Dublin, this year the focus will be on the Three Countdown Concert where thousands of Dubliners, visitors and performers will ring in the New Year with the biggest Hogmanay celebration the city streets have ever seen.
7. Gaiety Panto
Another Dublin tradition, the pantomime in the Gaiety theatre (which is just around the corner from the hotel) this year is Little Red Riding Hood. Always packed with laughter, song and dance, if you have the kids with you, then make sure the Gaiety panto is on your list.
8. National Concert Hall
Ireland’s National Concert Hall is just across St Stephen’s Green from the hotel and has a music-filled December planned. You’re bound to find something you’ll love, from The Nutcracker and Beethoven with the National Symphony Orchestra to Handel’s Messiah and the big Christmas concert: The Snowman.
How’s that for choice? If you’re looking for more things to do in Dublin in December check out our online calendar of events.
