Christmas in Dublin 2025: Your Complete Guide to Festive Fun

Dublin transforms into a winter wonderland each December, offering enchanting experiences that capture the true spirit of the festive season. Whether you’re a local looking for holiday inspiration or a visitor planning your Christmas escape, Dublin’s December 2025 calendar is brimming with magical moments. Here’s your complete guide to celebrating the most wonderful time of year in Ireland’s vibrant capital.

TwinkleTown: Dublin’s Newest Christmas Tradition

Dates: Friday 28th November – Sunday 4th January
Location: Smithfield Square, Smithfield, Dublin
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 11am – 9pm | Saturday & Sunday 10am – 9pm

Smithfield Square transforms into TwinkleTown, Dublin’s sparkling new Christmas experience and it’s quickly becoming the city’s must-visit festive destination. This enchanting winter wonderland offers something for every age and creates memories that sparkle for years to come.

What You’ll Experience:

• Santo Panto and the Magic Present Machine taking center stage
• A glistening ice rink perfect for festive skating
• A vintage fairground with classic attractions including a Ferris wheel
• A charming Christmas market filled with artisanal crafts and festive treats
• The cozy Twinkle Tavern for warming up with seasonal beverages

TwinkleTown is free to enter, though individual attractions like the ice rink and rides require tickets. Located in the historic Smithfield Square area, this event perfectly combines Dublin’s rich heritage with contemporary Christmas magic.

Getting There: Smithfield is easily accessible via the Luas Red Line (Smithfield stop) or numerous Dublin Bus routes. The area offers ample dining and entertainment options, making it ideal for a full day out.

Christmas Shopping Under the Iconic Grafton Street Lights

No Dublin Christmas is complete without a stroll down Grafton Street, the city’s premier shopping boulevard, adorned with its world-famous chandelier lights. Dublin Town provides energy-efficient Christmas lights across 24 streets in the city center, with the Grafton Street chandelier display using just one-third of the electricity of a domestic shower.

Why Grafton Street is Unmissable:

The pedestrianized street comes alive during the festive season with over 300,000 individual LED light bulbs creating a canopy of sparkle overhead. The atmosphere is electric with street performers, carolers and the infectious energy of holiday shoppers browsing everything from high-end boutiques to department store giants like Brown Thomas.

Shopping Highlights:

• Brown Thomas: Ireland’s luxury department store, renowned for elaborate window displays
• Arnotts: A Dublin institution offering designer and Irish brands
• Independent boutiques: Discover unique Irish designers along side streets
• Powerscourt Centre: A Georgian mansion housing artisan shops and cafes

Beyond shopping, the street offers countless cafes and restaurants perfect for warming up with hot chocolate or treating yourself to festive afternoon tea. The nearby Creative Quarter (South William Street to George’s Street) provides even more independent shops, art galleries, and craft studios for unique gift discoveries.

Christmas Nights at Gravity: Dublin’s Most Unique Festive Evening

Location: Gravity Bar, Guinness Storehouse, St. James’s Gate
Price: €55 (all-inclusive)

Experience the holidays from Dublin’s highest vantage point at the Gravity Bar atop the Guinness Storehouse. This seasonal evening event pairs panoramic city views with festive entertainment, creating an unforgettable Christmas celebration.

Love Tempo curates the musical atmosphere with DJ performances from Sally Cinnamon, Claire Beck, and Onai, while the bar serves innovative Guinness-inspired cocktails including a festive Old Fashioned and an Apricot Sage Paloma. BIGFAN provides seasonal appetizers throughout the evening.

The €55 ticket is all-inclusive, covering drinks, food, entertainment, and access to Ireland’s most spectacular urban views during the Christmas season.

Getting There: The Guinness Storehouse is located at St. James’s Gate, easily accessible via hop-on-hop-off tour buses or a short taxi ride from the city center.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

Dates: November 20 – January 11
Location: Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Grand Canal Dock

The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre presents Moulin Rouge! The Musical, bringing the magic of turn-of-the-century Paris to Dublin’s Grand Canal Dock. Based on the acclaimed Baz Luhrmann film, this theatrical feast features over 70 songs including beloved classics and contemporary chart-toppers reimagined in spectacular fashion.

What to Expect:

• Award-winning choreography and stunning visuals
• Lavish costumes including the iconic can-can dancers
• A story of love, passion and artistic freedom
• World-class performers bringing Bohemian Paris to life

Perfect For: Adults looking for a sophisticated evening out, couples seeking a romantic date night or theater enthusiasts wanting to experience one of the most celebrated musicals of recent years.

Planning Your Visit: The theatre is located in Dublin’s modern docklands area. Arrive early to enjoy pre-show drinks at the theatre’s bars, and consider making dinner reservations at one of the many excellent restaurants in Grand Canal Dock.

More Festive Experiences to Explore

Dublin Winter Lights Festival

From December 1 to 31, over 25 locations across the city center showcase eye-catching projections and interactive light installations, including spectacular displays at the GPO and Meeting House Square. This free festival transforms Dublin into an illuminated outdoor gallery.

Christmas Markets

Browse artisan stalls at various locations including Temple Bar Square, featuring handcrafted jewelry, art, seasonal treats, and appearances from Santa. Markets operate from late November through December with varying schedules.

Dublin RDS Christmas

From November 15 to December 23, Dublin Loves Christmas at the RDS features a full covered ice rink, sky-scraping observation wheel, and exhilarating fair rides, along with Christmas markets and live performances.

Give the Gift of Luxury: O’Callaghan Collection Gift Vouchers

Looking for the perfect Christmas present? O’Callaghan Collection offers versatile gift vouchers that can be used across their entire hotel portfolio for romantic getaways, culinary experiences or sophisticated city breaks. The collection includes some of Dublin’s most stylish boutique hotels, The Davenport, The Alex, The Green, and The Mont, each offering unique charm and exceptional luxury. Recipients can enjoy everything from stylish accommodations in prime city locations to exceptional dining and craft cocktails in elegant surroundings. Gift vouchers can be purchased online for instant delivery, making them ideal for last-minute shopping. Visit the O’Callaghan Collection website to explore options and give someone special the gift of a memorable Dublin experience this Christmas.