IT’S ALMOST DECEMBER, and you know what that means – Christmas can really begin in earnest.
There’s so much on around Dublin city centre that whether you’re up for the weekend or living there full time, it can be hard to know what to go to and when.
To help you out, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best events and markets on around the city this year as well as where to catch Santa while he’s around town.
The Dublin Christmas Flea Market is moving to the former John Player Factory on the South Circular Road and is looking to be a pretty fantastic place to go and do some Christmas shopping this year. It’s already oversubscribed with traders and last year around 30,000 people paid a visit.
11 December, 12-7pm, 12 and 13 December 2015, 11-6pm, John Player factory building, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
The I Believe Christmas Market has moved to George’s Dock down by the IFSC and has the largest Christmas tree in Ireland as well as a huge range of Irish businesses, traders, craftspeople, producers and charities to check out.
26 November – 23 December 2015, 12pm, IFSC Custom House Quays
Santa has already established himself at Arnotts in Henry Street in his special winter wonderland grotto on the top floor and he and his elves will be there all the way up until the 23 December to greet all the children. Arnotts have a handy new queuing system where they’ll send you a text when it’s your turn to visit Santa.
15 November – 23 December 2015, Arnotts, Henry Street
The annual Smithfield open air concert and tree-lighting ceremony is happening again this week and it looks set to be a good one with Paddy Casey, Dublin band Original Rude Boys, up and coming Irish act The Geddes and more. There might even be a special visitor all the way from the North Pole – yes, Scruffy the Reindeer will be flying in for a visit.
26 November 2015, 5.30pm, Smithfield Square
Santa will be established in Dunnes at the Ilac Centre, Henry Street also this year where he and his elves can show the children around the Elves Post Office, Santa’s Stable, the Sleigh Station and Santa’s own house.
27 November 2015, 3pm, Dunnes Stores, Ilac Centre, Henry Street
The Lord Mayor’s annual Christmas tree lighting will be happening at the end of the week and it’s quite the affair. Boyband Hometown will be headlining with support from The Dublin Gospel Choir and Melanie McCabe.
29 November 2015, 3.30pm, O’Connell Street
Powerscourt Townhouse Centre has a very special guest, his wife and his little helpers as well as the Lazus Children’s Choir to celebrate the start of Christmas and the opening of the Father Christmas workshop and grotto.
5 December 2015, 12pm, South William Street. Entry €12 for a Santa visit, photo with Santa, gift and donation to the Simon Community
The live animal crib will be back outside the Mansion House again this year and has been running since 1996. It’s free to the public but there’s often a queue so try and get there early.
09 – 23 December 2015, 11am, Dawson Street
Santa will have a grotto at The St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre this year and he’ll be there right up until Christmas Eve for all the children to pay him a visit. There’s always a big queue to see the man in red, so make sure to get there nice and early.
15 November – 23 December 2015, St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre
No matter what you’re doing around Dublin from seeing the sights, to squeezing in some Christmas shopping or visiting the big man himself, you’ll have no problem getting in and out of the city centre using the Luas. It’s quick, convenient and frequent – so leave the car at home and enjoy a wonderful winter’s day in Dublin.
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