With the Christmas season coming around the corner, you might be looking for fun ways for you and the family to get out of the house, so here are our suggestions for the best all-ages pastimes, from the best concerts to the best light displays, the choices Dublin has to offer are endless.
Top Family-Friendly Christmas Events in Dublin
The Gaiety Panto:
The Gaiety Panto, in the Gaiety theatre, is a staple of Christmas culture for all Dubliners, with catchy tunes, interactive performances and plenty of funny moments, the Gaiety Panto is fun for all ages. This years Panto is Beauty and the Beast.
Christmas at the Movies:
Christmas at the movies hosts the Dublin Concert Orchestra playing the best hits from all your favourite Christmas films.
Best Places to Meet Santa in Dublin:
Santa has been spotted at a few different places around town, so if you and the kids would like to visit him, check out some of these spots. (booking may be required)
- Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre
- Jervis Shopping Centre
- Powerscourt Townhouse
- EPIC Museum
Dublin’s Must-See Christmas Light Displays:
Last year Dublin City Council hosted their Winter Lights across some of the best landmarks in town, and this year will be no different with some incredible locations being lit up with gorgeous luminescent artworks.
- Trinity College Dublin:
- GPO:
- O’Connell Street & The Spire:
- Mansion House:
- Grafton Street:
- St. Stephen’s Green:
Family Concerts:
A Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Christmas:
- This December, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral will be hosting a choir concert and singalong.
- From carols to classic Christmas hits, you won’t want to miss this concert.
- For more information, check out the St. Patrick’s Cathedral Website.
The Great Christmas Concert 2025:
- The Great Christmas Concert 2025 will be held in the National Concert Hall.
- Come see the voices of Piccolo Lasso and The Lassus Scholars, along with the Orlando Chamber orchestra.
- For more information, visit the National Concert Hall Website.
The Best Family Restaurants in Town:
Krewe:
- Krewe is a New Orleans inspired restaurant and bar on Capel Street.
- They serve a wide selection of chicken tenders, wings, burgers and waffles as well as calamari, tacos, pork chops, jambalaya and more.
- They also serve a selection of vegetarian and vegan options, with a plethora of dessert options.
Wowburger:
- Wowburger is an American-style burger joint on Wicklow Street.
- They have a number of burger options, as well as allowing you to choose your own toppings, they have chicken tenders, chips, ice cream sundaes and Texas toast.
- Wowburger has a dedication to using fresh and in-season ingredients to give you and the kids the best burger you’ve had.
Smokin’ Bones:
- Smokin’ Bones is an American barbecue spot on Dame Street and Castle Market.
- Their menu has a wide array of meal options such as their St. Louis pork belly, baby back ribs, chicken wings / tenders, salads and a selection of chips and other sides.
- They are a 100% Irish-owned business, but they have adapted the American tradition of cooking their meats over wood for a long time, leaving the meats juicy and tender.
Captain Americas:
- Captain Americas is another American eatery located on Grafton Street.
- They have a wide selection of burgers, wings, tenders, starters and sides, as well as hot dogs, chicken nuggets, fish fingers and pizzas.
- Captain Americas has been running since 1971, and in that time they have seen a plethora of celebrities and bands and they have the memorabilia to go along with it, from signed guitars from Guns n’ roses to one of Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves to a motorbike, if those walls could talk they would tell quite a story.
Milano:
- Milano is an Italian restaurant on Dawson Street.
- They have been serving up family classics like pizzas, doughballs, pastas, calamari and more since 1995.
So there you have it, from the best food spots to Santa sightings to the classic Gaiety Panto, we hope that you and your family have an incredible Christmas season in Dublin.
