With the holiday’s quickly approaching , that Christmas fever is hard to shake, and I for one and more than happy with it, whether it’s events, cool shops, family activities or nice new restaurants you’re looking for, this list has all the helpful info to make this Christmas season your best one yet.
Must-See Christmas Events and Performances
A Christmas Carol:
- The Gate Theatre will be putting on the Charles Dickens classic this Christmas season, from the 21st of November all the way to the 11th of January.
- Prices range anywhere form €38 to €58 during the months of December and January, with cheaper prices during November, but it’s not a play you’d be paying for, it’s an experience and an opportunity to have a lovely night with the family.
- The Gate Theatre is also only a stones throw away from O’Connell Street, so if you want to go for a bite afterwards, the options are endless.
A Fairytale for Christmas:
- A Fairytale for Christmas is a Christmas centric concert/sing along (if you want to) with some of Dublin’s top performers.
- Be serenaded by beautiful renditions of Chrimbo classics in the beautiful hall of the Gaiety Theatre.
- Tickets can sell from €26 to €44 depending on how close you want to be to the action.
Beauty And The Beast Pantomime:
- The Gaiety Panto is one of Dublin’s best and most known Christmas pastimes, and this year they are putting on their (what I’m sure will be) hilarious and heart-warming rendition of Beauty and The Beast.
- The panto will run the 23rd of November to the 4th of January.
- Tickets will set you back anywhere from €38 or more, depending on the seat you choose to sit in.
Christmas Events for the Whole Family:
Dublin’s Winter Lights:
- One of the most captivating things to kids these are bright lights, and there are no better bright lights than those during the Dublin’s Winter Lights festival.
- Many of Dublin’s most well known attractions will be lit up with gorgeous patterns and artworks when the sun goes down.
- It is a perfect chance to get out of the house and experience something breath-taking, for both adult and little ones.
- The lights will be on display starting the 1st of December to the 31st of December.
Ring Making @ Silver Works:
- Silver Works has a plethora of different courses/workshops available during the Christmas season.
- Whether you are making a gift for some one else, treating yourself to a new experience or making an ornament for the family, Silver works has everything you could need.
- They have course on making Claddagh rings, engraved jewellery, bangles and, of course, Christmas decorations.
- This is perfect for a Christmas gift as it’s significantly more personal than regular jewellery.
Winterfest @ The Guinness Storehouse:
- For all the parents/ adults out there, don’t worry, we didn’t forget about you, the Guinness Storehouse is having a Winterfest this November to January, This event will be a hot ticket item as the Guinness Storehouse will be celebrating it’s 25th year of service, so the event will almost surely be done up big.
- There will be various different bars you can enjoy, whether that be their famous gravity bar or their Snug Nollaig bar.
Dining Christmas Style in Dublin:
SOLE Seafood & Grill:
- SOLE is a fine dining seafood restaurant on South Williams Street, and they have an annual Christmas menu.
- The only thing better than fresh Irish fish is fresh Irish fish cooked by some of the best chefs in Dublin, and their Christmas menu is somehow even better(my theory is they use Christmas magic to enhance the meals).
- SOLE would be a perfect place to visit for a romantic dinner or special occasion.
Milano Dawson Street:
- Milano Dawson Street is a no-brainer for this holiday season, great pizza, great doughballs and a fantastic Christmas atmosphere.
- The food selection is so easy, if you’re with kids, no problem, pizza and doughballs, and for you, the parents/ adults, a selection of salads, pastas, and, of course, pizzas and doughballs.
- There are also plenty of gluten free pizzas and doughballs to choose from, for all the Celiacs out there.
- I would recommend Milano’s for a family outing or a relaxing casual date.
Peploes Wine Bistro:
- Peploes Wine Bistro can be found across from Stephen’s Green.
- They are a Mediterranean and European fine dining restaurant, and come Christmas time, they have special Christmassy menus.
- Seeing as Peploes is a more classy restaurant, we suggest you go here for a nice date or celebration as opposed to a family outing.
Mani Pizza:
- Mani Pizza is a Roman style pizza joint on Drury Street.
- Every year they have a special Christmas slice that is to die for, it has sausage, roasted sprouts, cheese bechamel, Christmas stuffing and is topped with Ballymaloe relish, my mouth is watering just writing about what is on it.
- Mani is the perfect spot to hit up if you are having a family outing in town.
Dublin Town’s 12 Pubs of Christmas:
If you and your friends (or family) are looking for a 12 pubs of Christmas in Dublin but aren’t sure which pubs to visit, look no further, as my Christmas gift to you is a list of our top picks!
NOTE: Please always drink responsibly, stay hydrated throughout your pub crawl, and if you feel as though you have had too much, please refrain from drinking further, or at least order a non alcoholic beverage instead and make sure to get food into your system.
Briody’s:
- Stop no.1 on this Christmas pub crawl is Briody’s on Marlborough Street.
- Briody’s is a classic old-timey pub located in the heart of town, very close to the River Liffey.
- Briody’s is a perfect spot for the start point, as you won’t want to forget the incredible atmosphere and lovely patrons.
- Our drink recommendation for Briody’s would have to be a classic Guinness, not only because it’s the first stop of the night, but because Briody’s perfectly embodies the the aura of Guinness.
The Flowing Tide:
- The next stop on your trip is The Flowing Tide on Lower Abbey Street.
- The Flowing Tide is a traditional Irish pub, with an exposed wood interior and a choice of classic wooden stools (cushioned, of course) and chairs if you would prefer sit at a table.
- But it isn’t only pints and beers here, they also have a wide selection of whiskeys to choose from, if you want a boost to your crawl.
- Drink recommendation: Moretti Lager.
River Bar:
- Next up is the River Bar on Burgh Quay.
- They are primarily a sports bar, with around 22 TV’s to watch the games on.
- Drink Recommendation: Mateus Rosé.
Cassidy’s:
- No. 4 on this list is Cassidy’s on Westmoreland Street.
- Cassidy’s is another authentic Irish pub, with a classic Bohemian atmosphere.
- There are three floors to choose from at Cassidy’s, with jazz being played in the basement, a piano bar and a mezzanine area along with live traditional Irish music being played throughout the week.
- Drink Recommendation: Bulmers.
Doyle’s:
- Doyle’s is a beautiful Dublin Pub on College Street.
- Doyle’s was established in 1770 and has a brilliant kitchen where they serve traditional dishes like Beef & Guinness Stew.
- the atmosphere is consistently warm and welcoming, making it the perfect place for your 12 pubs experience.
- Drink Recommendation: Smithwick’s.
The Palace Bar:
- The Palace Bar is a Victorian era pub on Fleet Street.
- Originally a drapery shop, The Palace Bar has remained untouched by time since its establishment as a public house in 1823.
- The Palace has so many stories to its name that their website has entire list of wicked tales of the olden days. So needless to say this pub is overflowing with history.
- Drink Recommendation: Seeing as The palace Bar’s full name has “Whiskey Merchants” in it, it only makes sense that we recommend a classic whiskey.
Gogarty’s:
- Gogarty’s is a traditional Irish bar located in the heart of Temple bar.
- They frequently host live music, have delicious food options, a number of brilliant beverage options and much more.
- Drink Recommendation: Corona.
Bankers Bar:
- The Bankers Bar is the next stop on our list, you can find this traditional Irish pub on Trinity Street.
- Th Bankers Bar is dedicated to bringing you the most warm and welcoming atmosphere as they can.
- Drink Recommendation: The Bankers Bar is apart of the Changing Times Brewery, so we suggest their Daydreamer Snappy Lager.
4 Dame Lane:
- You’ll never guess where 4 Dame Lane is located… Just kidding, it’s course. located on Dame Lane.
- 4 Dame Lane prides themselves on their brilliant cocktails, so if you think you have the stomach for it still, we recommend you order one of their delicious cocktails, but in the event that you simply couldn’t stomach the alcohol content, we suggest you go with a classic Hop House Lager.
O’Neills:
- O’Neill’s is another traditional Irish pub on Suffolk Street.
- They have live Irish music seven days a week, and they are very proud of that fact.
- They have been a licensed pub for over 300 years, so they know their way around a carvery and a drink or two.
- Drink Recommendation: Brú Red Ale.
Tapped:
- Tapped is a craft beer bar on Nassau Street.
- They have a whopping 50 taps to choose from! so there will be no problems finding a drink you’ll like, unless you can’t decide which one to pick.
- Tapped also frequently hosts weekly events as well as showing live sports from all around the world.
- Drink Recommendation: Rockshore Apple Cider.
Mary’s Bar & Hardware:
- Mary’s Bar & Hardware is a truly unique Irish pub on Wicklow Street.
- They double as both a regular old pub but also as a hardware store, so if something breaks on your night out, or you happen to be in need of a visibility jacket, you won’t find anywhere better than Mary’s.
- The also have live music every Wednesday to Saturday, as well as hosting a pub quiz on Mondays.
- Mary’s also has a selection of nostalgic Irish sweets from the 90’s, (they’re not gone off, don’t worry) as if they couldn’t make themselves more appealing.
Christmas Gift Shopping:
New Moon Jewellery:
- New Moon is a gorgeous jewellery shop (both their pieces and their shop) that can be found on Drury Street.
- No matter what kind of jewellery you’re looking for, New Moon has it for you, from bangles and bracelets to earrings and rings.
- If you can’t make it to their store in time for Chrimbo, New Moon also has an online store which assures entirely carbon neutral shipping, as well as free shipping on orders over €60.
MusicMaker:
- MusicMaker is one of Dublin’s top instrument/music paraphernalia sellers, and can be found on Exchequer Street.
- With amps, guitars, drum sets, keyboards and so much more for sale, MusicMaker is the best place to get a Christmas gift for whichever music makers you love.
Smyths Toys:
- Smyths is a shop that I’m sure needs no introduction, but just in case, they are a shop for all things toys, and they can be found on Jervis Street.
- If you’re looking for bikes, trikes, toys, trampolines, gaming gear or something entirely different, you can’t go wrong with Smyths.
Lego Store:
- As you probably know, Lego has opened a new shop on Grafton Street.
- Whether you’re buying a gift for a 5 year old, a 15 year old or a 55 year old, there are LEGO sets for anyone and everyone.
L’Occitane:
- L’Occitane is a French retailer of all things body, face, hair and home products that’s located on Liffey Street Upper.
- They sell a wide range of products from anti-ageing creams and skin care serums to top-tier shampoos & conditioners.
- They also have a selection of different bookable gifts such as a hand massage or a skincare consultation.
Chapters:
- Chapters is an independent Irish bookstore located on Parnell Street.
- They have almost every kind of book imaginable, with fiction, non-fiction, drama, children’s books, books by Irish authors, books to help you learn and much more.
- Chapters also has a range of second hand books for you to choose from.
Life Style Sports:
- Life Style Sports is a sports shop located on Mary Street.
- They sell everything from shoes to boots to balls, and they also sell various different sports team kits, regular athletic wear and even various water bottles (including Stanley cups).
Mango:
- Mango is a Spanish fashion retailer found on Henry Street.
- They sell high end fashionable clothes at an affordable price.
- With a plethora of men’s clothes, women’s clothes, kids/teens clothes and also a vast array of home items you can purchase (vases, glasses, rugs, blinds etc.).
Lush:
- Lush is a homemade cosmetics store on Grafton Street.
- They sell all kinds of soaps, bath bombs, fragrances, hair care products, sprays and makeup.
- They also pride themselves on being %100 vegetarian and ethically sourced, as well as using no animals to test their products.
Brown Thomas:
- Brown Thomas can be found on Grafton Street.
- Brown Thomas is a shop for all things luxury, luxury clothes, makeup, fragrances, shoes, electric appliances, kids toys and so much more that it would be difficult to mention it all in one post.
The Perfume Shop:
- The Perfume Shop can be found on Henry Street.
- They, of course, sell all kinds of fragrances, but they also sell plenty of skin care products, deodorants as well as scented candles and even chocolates.
Golden Discs:
- Golden discs is a record shop that can be found in the Jervis Shopping Centre.
- They are the perfect place to go to get gifts for all kinds of music lovers, they have an extensive collection of vinyl’s and CD’s from all kind of artists. Rap, pop, indie or jazz, there is no end when it comes to their selection.
- They also sell a crazy amount of DVD’s, film merchandise, Funko POP!’s and box sets.
Dublin’s Christmassy Tours:
DoDublin Christmas Bus Tours:
- DoDublin has an annual Christmas open-top bus tour that will take you all around Dublin and show you some of the Christmassy lights hung around Dublin’s famous landmarks.
- The tour runs every Saturday & Sunday from November 22nd to December 14th.
- It is the perfect tour to go on with your family or with friends and as you can see in the photo below, it’s perfect to bring the kids too.
Vintage Tea Trips’ Christmas Twinkling Lights Tour:
- Vintage Tea Trips is hosting a Christmas lights tour during December.
- It will take you around Dublin’s lit up landmarks with the added bonus of festive afternoon tea, mince pies and Christmas sandwiches.
Christmas Cheer & Charity
Seeing as Christmas is the season of giving, it only makes sense that we show you some of the fantastic charities that you can find around Dublin.
St. Vincent de Paul:
- You can find St. Vincent de Paul shops all across the country, and one of those shops would bee on South Great George’s Street.
- SVP is one of the more well known charities in Ireland, and rightfully so, if you weren’t aware, SVP is dedicated to helping families and individuals who are experiencing poverty in Ireland.
- You can help SVP by donating clothes, shoes, sheets, curtains towels and much more, and as long as they are clean and in good condition SVP couldn’t be happier.
- They also hold food drives from time to time, and are also always looking for volunteers, so if you want to help SVP, we highly recommend you check out their website at The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Ireland | SVP
Irish Cancer Society Charity Shop:
- You can find the Irish Cancer Society Shop on Capel Street.
- They are dedicated to providing as much help as possible to all Irish people who are unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with cancer.
- Their help includes giving as much information about cancer to people who need it, as well as offering care from healthcare professionals for both the physical aspects of the disease as well as helping people with the mental difficulties of battling cancer.
- Their main goal is to reduce the number of cancer patients in the country until it is a thing of the past.
- There are many ways to help the Irish Cancer Society, including volunteering, donating directly through their website or donating clothes, gifts, or useful household items(No electronic, gas or oil appliances) to their Charity Shops. For more information please visit Homepage | Irish Cancer Society
Enable Ireland:
- You can find Enable Ireland’s shop on Capel Street.
- Their goal is to assist people in Ireland with disabilities in any way possible.
- You can donate to Enable Ireland through clothes banks, donating directly to through their website or purchasing second hand clothes from one of their many shops.
- If Enable Ireland is a a charity you would like to help support, please visit their website at Enable Ireland | Taking Action on Disability
Casa:
- Casa (Caring And Sharing Association)’s Dublin charity shop can be found on Capel Street.
- Casa is a group which helps people with disabilities to make new friends in a safe and enjoyable environment.
- Casa provides a carer for each person with added needs to ensure each event they host is as fun and helpful as can possibly be.
- There are a number of different ways to help Casa with their events, such as fundraising, volunteering, donating or purchasing items from their charity shop.
- If you would more information, please visit their website at Caring & Sharing Association.
If you still aren’t convinced of some of these events, let me assure you, as someone who, as a kid, went to see the turning on of the Christmas lights, went to the Gaiety Panto almost every year and, of course, went to Santa’s Grotto, I can safely say that even now, they are some of my favourite and longest lasting memories of Christmas, and I couldn’t recommend them enough to anyone who may be thinking of going.
So there you have it, from pub crawls, to charities to festive shopping, the Christmas possibilities in Dublin are endless. And from us at Dublin Town to you, We wish you a very Merry Christmas.
