Christmas Markets and Events in Ireland 2024 – Beragampengetahuan

There are so many Christmas markets and events in Ireland that it’s hard not to feel festive when you venture out. From bright lights in Dublin Zoo, to German sausages in Eyre Square, there are plenty of fun events around the country for Christmas 2024, and we’ve rounded up some of the best winter markets and festivals in one handy list. So bang on some Mariah Carey, and get browsing your next outing.

Christmas Markets and Events in Dublin 2024

Christmas at the Castle

What’s on: Dublin Castle’s historic grounds are transformed into a winter wonderland filled with a boutique open-air Christmas market, a festively decorated Spiegel style marquee, mand a beautiful Neapolitan crib on display in the Chapel Royal There’s also an indoor craft market running from 6th – 8th December and 13th – 15th December.

When: November 28 – December 18 | Dublin Castle | Free, ticketed | dublincastle.ie

Christmas at Guinnes Storehouse

What’s on: The home of the black stuff is once again turning white. A Christmas festive spectacle will feature eye-catching installations, festive treats and drinks, plus a celebration of the Dublin 8 neighbourhood with a spectacular, hand-crafted Christmas experience designed locally, showcasing the extraordinary talent of Dublin’s vibrant creative community.

When: November 25 to January 5, 2025 | The Guinness Storehouse | Ticketed event, part of the Guinness Storehouse Experience | guinness-storehouse.com

Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Christmas Concert Series

What’s on: Lots of different events from Christmas by Candlelight, Handel’s Messiah, Christmas Movies by Candlelight and a special performance featuring readings by RTÉ  presenter Bryan Dobson – A Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Christmas.

When: Throughout December, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral | Ticketed | stpatrickscathedral.ie/events

Botanic Gardens Sustainable Christmas Craft Market

What’s on: An atmospheric craft market in the stunning setting of the National Botanic Gardens. There will be 70 stalls both indoors and outdoors against the backdrop of the historic glasshouses, featuring an array of sustainable gift ideas, decorative craft and tasty seasonal treats.

When: December 14th and 15th, Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin | Free, unticketed | visitdublin.com

Christmas Film Screenings

What’s on: Festive family favourites, classics and even some you’ve never seen before from It’s a Wonderful Life and Gremlins to A Christmas Carol and Tokyo Godfathers.

When: Throughout December at cinemas around Dublin | Ticketed | stellatheatre.ie | lighthousecinema.ie | ifi.ie

Winter in Dublin Teelings Tour

What’s on: This tour includes a tasting of three unique styles of Irish whiskeys, a fully personalised premium Irish Coffee made the Dublin way, and a guided tour of the award-winning distillery.

When: December 15 and 26 January | Teeling Whiskey Distillery, Dublin 8 | Free, unticketed | Teeling’s Facebook page

Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo

What’s on: The spectacular night-time experience at Dublin Zoo is back and this year’s display theme is callled ‘A Journey Through Time’. From Earth’s creation and the dawn of dinosaurs to the rise of civilisations and empires as well as first inventions, discover the history of the planet through the ages. 

When: Until January 5 | Dublin Zoo | Ticketed | dublinzoo.ie

Wonderlights at Malahide Castle & Marlay Park

What’s on: Host venues are transformed into dazzling landscapes with spectacular lighting displays and immersive projections that tell a magical story through the use of beautiful lights, colours, nature, and specially composed music and sounds.

When: Until January 4 at Malahide Castle and Marlay Park | Ticketed | wonderlights.ie

Gifted Contemporary Craft and Design Fair

What’s on: This is Ireland’s biggest craft and design fair with 400 designers, makers and artisan food producers showcasing thousands of unique gift ideas all under one roof.

When: December 4 to 8th, RDS | Ticketed | giftedfair.ie

Iceskating.ie

What’s on: Ireland’s Largest Ice Rink returns to Millenium Park in Blanchardstown and there’s also an ice skating rink in Dun Laoghaire.

When: Until January 12 in Dun Laoghaire and 26 January in Blanchardstown | Ticketed | iceskating.ie

NYF Dublin

What’s on: Dublin is set to come alive in spectacular style for New Year’s Festival Dublin. The three-day prgramme of events will feature a Countdown Concert with Cian Ducrot headlining, a family-friendly Countdown Concert Matinee, New Year’s Day Concerts and the NYF Dublin Fireworks Spectacular.

When: December 30 and January 1, Dublin City Centre, Dun Laoghaire & Howth | Ticketed | nyfdublin.com

Airfield Christmas Experience

What’s on: The beautiful estate transformed into a winter wonderland to host one of the most magical Santa experiences in Dublin, there are three Santa packages to choose from including a cosy lodge visit and a woodland experience.

When: Until Dec 23, Airfield Estate, Dundrum | airfield.ie

Christmas Markets and Events in Belfast 2024

Belfast Christmas Market

What’s on: This year’s market will transport you to the Victorian era with a Dickensian-themed Christmas market experience that extols the charm of Charles Dickens’ world and iconic characters from his stories.

When: Until 22 December, Belfast City Hall | Free, unticketed | belfastcity.gov.uk

Christmas at the Hillsborough Castle

What’s on: During the day, explore gardens transformed with beautiful decorations inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas with a few surprises along the way, including a polar bear swimming in the pond. Santa will be there on certain days and there are also Christmas family-friendly workshops.

When: Until December 23, Hillsborough Castle | Ticketed | hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle

Winter Circus

What’s on: An annual extravaganza of Winter Circus mayhem on Writers Square in Belfast previously described by Bono himself as “the Irish Cirque de Soleil if Cirque de Soleil was hit by a bus.”

When: December 13 to January 1st, Big Top, Writer’s Square, Belfast | Ticketed | tumblecircus.com

Christmas Markets and Events in Cork 2024

Corkmas 

What’s on: Festive markets, the huge ferris wheel and of course, the Corkmas Christmas parade.

When: Until December 30, Bishop Lucey Park, Cork | Free, ticketed | corkchristmascelebration.ie

Cork Opera House Christmas Concert

What’s on: The annual Cork Opera House Christmas Concert returns features the season’s most beloved classics accompanied by the Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra!

When: December 16 and 17th, Cork Opera House | Ticketed | corkoperahouse.ie

Christmas Craft Markets

What’s on: Buy the best of Irish made, locally crafted gifts with an array of gifts made by local artists and designers. Visitors can enjoy holiday shopping, seasonal treats, and the vibrant atmosphere in the heart of this historic site.

When: December 14, 15, 21 & 22, Nano Nagle Place | nanonagleplace.ie

Alpine Skate Trail

What’s on: Fun on the ice for 50 minute sessions!

When: Until January 19 | Super Valu Pairc Ui Chaoimh | Ticketed | iceskating.ie

Believe Clonakilty Model Village

What’s on: An all-new experience for 2024, there’ll be trip on the Elf Express, a story with Mother Christmas, a chat with Father Christmas, as well as games, crafting and gingerbread decorating.

When: Until December 23, West Cork Model Railway Village, Clonakilty | Ticketed | modelvillage.ie

Christmas Markets and Events in Galway 2024

Christmas Market Galway

What’s on: With over 50 wooden chalets lining the square offering scrumptious seasonal treats and a large variety of crafts. All of your favourites will be there, hot gogs, crêpes, gluhwein and more, so prepare for a romantic stroll under the lights.

When: Until December 31st | Eyre Square, Galway | Free, unticketed aside from the The Big Wheel and The Carousel | christmasmarketgalway.com

Light Up Galway Festival 

What’s on: Throughout the Christmas period light and colour come to the streets of Galway. The light installations provide interactive photo opportunities in some of the most photographed city centre landmark locations.

When: Until January 6th, Galway City | Free, unticketed | galwaytourism.ie

Christmas Markets and Events around the rest of Ireland 2024

Winterval in Waterford

What’s on: This is Ireland’s largest Christmas festival, and now the European City of Christmas! There is so much on you simply have to check out the packed calendar of events.

When: Until December 23, Waterford City | Free, ticketed | winterval.ie

Enchanted Garden Winter Light Festival

What’s on: The unique Japanese Gardens are lit at night by a sea of twinkling lights, animal sculptures, dramatic tree and foliage lighting all creating a magical winter wonderland.

When: December 31, Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, Co. Waterford | Ticketed | lafcadiohearngardens.com

Ballet Ireland’s Nutcracker Sweeties

What’s on: Choreographed by Morgann Runacre-Temple, this exciting production of the festive classic performed by a cast of world-class dancers will appeal to audiences of all ages with its fairy-tale magic, beautiful costumes and a re-imagined Tchaikovsky score. 

When: Until December 14th, national tour | Ticketed | balletireland.ie

Christmas at Milk Market

What’s on: Everything from a festive food and craft market and vinyl fair to a special Santa Postbox day. The Christmas antique and vintage fair is definitely worth checking out.

When: Until December 24th, The Milk Market, Limerick | milkmarketlimerick.ie

Slane Castle Enchanted Kingdom

What’s on: The Enchanted Kingdom is a breathtaking, 1km-long, light and sound installation on the grounds of Slane Castle. Get ready to witness an ancient castle transformed into a world of pure magic – sculptures of glowing ice, flames in forests, and magical creatures of ice and fire.

When: Every Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun from 14th Nov until 31st Dec (excluding 25th Dec) | Ticketed | enchantedkingdom.ie

Killruddery Christmas Farm Market

What’s on: Buy chemical free seasonal vegetables grown in the Victorian Walled Garden, organic fruit and vegetables from An Tairseach, sweet and savoury crepes from The Crepe Box, and freshly prepared, locally sourced street food from What the Falafel. The market features both local and world arts, crafts, fashion, body care, homeware and vintage items, as well as the Farm Shop whereyou can purchase traditional Christmas cakes and mince pies, order an organic turkey and ham and choose your Christmas Tree!

When: Every Saturday, Sunday and Monday Until December 23, Killruddery House, Bray, Co. Wicklow | Free, unticketed | killruddery.com

Wicklow Christmas Market

What’s on: Explore a world of delicious international cuisine from local food vendors, browse through more than 40 craft stalls to check off your Christmas shopping list, and be captivated by the legendary fireshow and live entertainment.

When: Until December 22, Abbey Grounds, Wicklow Town | Some events free and unticketed, some events ticketed | wicklowchristmasmarket.com

YuleFest Kilkenny

What’s on: Expect festive treats, creative crafts, live music and family entertainment each weekend, along with the Yulefest Christmas trail and special events each week. 

When: Until December 21, Kilkenny City | Ticketed | yulefestkilkenny.ie

Winter Walk and Elf Village

What’s on: The elf village becomes Christmas central this year, as fairy houses are lit up for winter walks and hot chocolate from the Canopy Café.

When: Until January 2, Castlecomer Discovery Village, Co. Kilkenny | discoverypark.ie

Winter Wonderland at Westport House

What’s on: 18th-century coach house, Westport House and grounds are transformed into a festive, magical scene complete with awe-inspiring decorations and real snow. Ride the Wonderland Express Train around the Estate to take in the decorations, hopping off at Westport House where you can meet Mrs Claus and take a picture under the giant Christmas Tree.

When: Until December 23rd, Westport House, Co. Mayo | Ticketed | westporthouse.ie

Winterfest Mullingar

What’s on: Mullingar Skates ice skating rink will be open as well as the enchanting Land of Lights at the beautiful Belvedere House, where visitors can take in the stunning light displays.

When: Until January 5th Mullingar, Co. Westmeath | Ticketed | winterfestmullingar.ie

The Rathwood Santa Train experience

What’s on: A journey aboard the Rathwood Express through the Enchanted Forest to visit Santa and his Elves as they prepare for the most magical time of the year. Created by the same team that create the Late Late Toy Show!

When: Until December 23rd, Rathwood, Co. Carlow | Ticketed | santatrain.ie

Christmas at the Farm

What’s on: At Christmas time the farm turns into a magical Christmas Village where you can feed the llama, alpaca, ostrich, miniature ponies and donkeys, and even Rudolf the reindeer.

When: Until December 19th, Moher Hill Farm, Co. Clare | Ticketed | moherfarm.com

Christmas at Emerald Park

What’s on: A ticket to Jingle Fest includes a walk in the festive Fairy Woods light tunnel, a Christmas singalong on the Candy Lane Train, a fun festive live show in the Big Top Tree Tent, full access to the zoo, playground and over 10 rides and attractions in the Jolly Junior Zone. For big kids there’s also the Retro Drive in Movies where Home Alone, Elf and The Grinch will be screening on December 15.

When: Until December 23rd, Emerald Park, Co. Meath | Ticketed | emeraldpark.ie

The Wild Arctic

What’s on: Encounter reindeer, arctic foxes, and snowy owls up close, travel around the North Pole on Ireland’s first Virtual Reality Sleigh Ride, get creative in a gingerbread making workshop and enjoy the Christmas lights display.

When: Until December 23, Wild Ireland, Co. Donegal | Ticketed | wildireland.org

Staying at home instead? Why not whip up one of these hot festive tipples?