DUBLIN CHRISTMAS MARKETS 2022

DUBLIN CHRISTMAS MARKETS 2022

Christmas in Dublin is the most magical time of year. From the moment the Christmas lights are switched on Grafton Street in mid-November to the live busking by some of Ireland’s best musicians on Christmas Eve, Dublin turns into a bustling, atmospheric city full of colour, laughter, and sing-songs. One of the best ways to get into the festive spirit is to check out the best Christmas markets in Dublin, of which the best ones are listed below.

Whether you’re in Dublin for a day or a week this festive season, be sure to put some time aside to visit some of these beautiful Christmas markets and craft fairs.

Illustrated map of Dublin Christmas Markets

Festive accommodation in Dublin fills up faster than the Christmas markets! So don’t miss out — book your stay with us today!  

HA’PENNY CHRISTMAS MARKET AT GRAND SOCIAL

This market takes place every Saturday of the year in the Grand Social, a large and lively bar and social space just over the famous Ha’Penny bridge in the Dublin city centre. The weekly market gets a Christmas makeover towards the end of November and continues every Saturday until Christmas Eve.

This is a fun place to come if you’re looking for quirky Christmas gifts such as vinyl records, vintage clothing and handmade arts and crafts that make great stocking-fillers! It’s right across the river from Temple Bar in Dublin 1.

When: From November 26th

Where: Grand Social, 35 Liffey Street Lower

What time: Saturdays from 12 pm – 6 pm

Official Website:: www.visitdublin.com

DUN LAOGHAIRE CHRISTMAS MARKET – DUN LAOGHAIRE

If you want to escape the city for an afternoon and breathe the fresh sea air, hop on the DART (the Dublin commuter train line) and check out the Dun Laoghaire Christmas Market in South County Dublin. Dun Laoghaire is a beautiful seaside town with a well-known yacht club and a fascinating history, making it perfect for a day trip any time of the year. The market is only open on weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) for most of November and December and will be open every day of the week in the final lead-up to Christmas Day. Here you’ll find carefully selected seasonal arts and crafts and plenty of delicious food vendors to keep your belly happy.

This is one of the prettiest Christmas Markets in Dublin and is especially magical in the late afternoon when all the lights on the small huts are turned on, and it looks like a winter wonderland – minus the snow!

When: 18th November until December 23rd

Where: The Metals, Dun Laoghaire

What time: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 12.30 pm – pm

Official Website: www. dublin.ie

CHRISTMAS AT SMITHFIELD – SMITHFIELD SQUARE

If you’re staying in Dublin City Centre and don’t want to venture too far from town, Christmas at Smithfield is a fun place to go. Smithfield is a hub of activity any time of year, being home to the Jameson Distillery, the lively Cobblestone Pub, The underground Lighthouse Cinema and just a stone’s throw from Temple Bar, Phoenix Park and Dublin Zoo. It’s here on Smithfield Square that you can set your eyes on one of the giant Christmas trees in Dublin, and in the past, they’ve been known to erect ice rinks!

They often throw a free concert when the Christmas lights get turned on, with famous Irish musicians in attendance. The market here isn’t a permanent fixture, but you can expect arts and crafts stalls and some delicious local and traditional food options on the days it is open.

When: 24th November

Where: Smithfield Square

What time: 4 pm-9 pm

Official Website: www.dublintown.ie

MART MARKET – RATHMINES OLD FIRE STATION

The MART Market in Rathmines, just south of Dublin city centre, is a unique market that’s a lot of fun to check out. It takes place in an old fire station. Alongside the usual festive arts and crafts, you’ll also see lots of beautiful paintings by local artists and local fashion and jewellery displayed around the gallery.

When: 8th-9th, 13th-16th, 20th-23rd December

Where: MART Market Rathmines

What time: 12pm-7pm

Official Website: www. mart.ie

Festive accommodation in Dublin fills up faster than the Christmas markets! So don’t miss out — book your stay with us today!  

 

Christmas at the Castle – 8 – 21 December

In the cobblestone courtyard of Dublin Castle, a cornucopia of festivities is planned for Christmas at the Castle. You can get into the spirit of things as you stroll around the traditional alpine market stalls and artisan producers. There’s also a vintage carousel for the little ones. Enchanting and endearing, Christmas at the Castle is sure to warm the cockles of your heart this winter.

FYI: This market is free, but you must book tickets online.

OTHER CHRISTMAS HIGHLIGHTS IN DUBLIN

Besides the main Dublin Christmas Markets listed above, there are also some key festive events in the city that visitors might not know about. Below we’ve tried to share all our local Dublin secrets so visitors to Dublin’s fair city in December can hopefully have as much fun as we do.

THE BERNARD SHAW FLEA MARKET AND EAT YARD SPECIAL

Besides organising fun party nights, The Bernard Shaw, one of Dublin’s most famous and most loved pubs, also hosts a weekly flea market on their premises on Richmond Street South (Dublin 8) for December. In addition to the Saturday market, they also sometimes have a pop-up night market on Thursdays to satisfy all those late-night shoppers or party-goers who go over to shop after a hot whiskey or two!

When: Every Sunday and Thursday from December 1st

Where: The Bernard Shaw, 11-12 Richmond St South.

What time: 1pm-6pm Saturdays, 5pm-10pm Thursdays

Official Website: https://the-eatyard.com/

CRAFT & DESIGN FAIR – RDS MAIN HALL

If you’re interested in getting your hand on some of Ireland’s best-made arts and crafts or just fancy a fun day out, head to the Craft & Design Fair in the RDS this December. Don’t worry; it’s not just arts and crafts you’ll find here, as the fair also attracts some of Ireland’s top jewellery makers and artisans! This year’s fair takes place from the 5th to the 9th of December, with tickets available at the door or online.

When: 5th-9th December

Where: RDS Main Hall,

What time: Thursday and Friday 10 am-10 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-7 pm

Official Website: http://www.giftedfair.ie/

WINTER FUNDERLAND – RDS

Bringing children to Dublin for Christmas or believing you’re just a big kid? The annual Funderland Funfair takes place at the RDS each Christmas and is home to some top thrill rides, including roller coasters, Dodgems, a haunted house, and even a log splash. Wrap up warm, though, as standing in queues and hanging outside for hours on end can be very cold!

When: 14th December – 14th January

Where: RDS

What time: Daily 12pm-10pm

Official Website: https://www.funderland.com/

THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON

If you’re in Dublin in November, you can’t miss the much-anticipated turning on the Christmas lights. It’s one of the best days of the calendar year for kids, and the atmosphere on Grafton Street, where the biggest crowds turn up, is always electric. There are also separate events in Smithfield and Dundrum to turn the lights on, so if you miss one event, you can try to make one of the other two!

There’s no denying Dublin at Christmas is the most magical time of year. Sure, you’ll laugh at the locals walking around in their ugly Christmas jumpers, and you’ll stand in awe at the never-ending queues of groups trying to get into pubs to complete the 12 Pubs of Christmas tradition, but most of all, you’ll feel welcomed into our beautiful city and hopefully be able to head home with a suitcase full of treats from all the fabulous Dublin Christmas markets,

When: To be announced.

Where: Grafton Street

What time: 5.30 pm

Official Website: https://dublinatchristmas.ie/

Festive accommodation in Dublin fills up faster than the Christmas markets! So don’t miss out on your stay with us today