While events like the popular Winter Lights in Merrion Square and Arnotts Christmas Night In are all sold out, a number of family-friendly events are still available.
If you were too busy to religiously follow the announcements of the Christmas events and found that popular festive must-sees are already sold-out, we have compiled a list of things you can still do for Christmas with your family (or your best friends).
Here are the top 10 family-friendly things to do this Christmas that still have availability.
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See the Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo
While you might have missed out on the Winter Lights at Merrion Square experience, there are still plenty of available tickets for December and early January for the Wild Lights. This year’s theme is The Enchanted Zoo and it’s truly enchanting. Find out the ticket availability at Dublin Zoo’s dedicated page for the event.
Check out the Wonderlights at Malahide Castle
Another light show event not to be missed out, the Wonderlights is back this year with a brand new show The Magic of Winter. Malahide Castle has a fairly good availability but that doesn’t mean it will stay this way for long. Book your tickets on the event's official website.
Take the family for some hot chocolate, crepes and gift-buying at a local Christmas market
Is it really Christmas season if you don’t feel like you’re the main character in a Hallmark movie, sipping hot chocolate or mulled wine and buying sustainable gifts from local traders? There are plenty of Christmas markets in Dublin every year, including the Christmas Craft Market at the National Botanic Gardens, Christmas at the Castle which no longer requires a booking this year, the Sustainable Christmas Market in Bray and the Latin American Christmas.
Go to Dundrum Town Centre for Dundrum on Ice and the Santa Experience
Dundrum Town Centre is a definite must-visit this season, with Dundrum on Ice back and the Santa Experience set to return next Monday, November 27. This year, they are also launching a heartwarming Christmas initiative in support of elderly people experiencing loneliness and isolation.
Try some of the other ice skating rinks in Dublin
Ireland’s largest ice skating rink at the moment is in Dun Laoghaire harbour and will remain open until January 21. Meanwhile, its sister ice rink, Ice Skating Blanchardstown, returned to Millennium Park on November 17. To book tickets for either of these, check out their official website.
Visit the Coca-Cola Real Magic Christmas Experience
One of the best Christmas experiences of the season, the Coca-Cola Christmas truck will be back in the RDS Simmonscourt from Thursday, November 30 until Sunday, December 3. Expect an evening full of live music, good foo and photo opportunities with the Christmas truck (beware the long queues and make sure you're dressed warm however).
Hopefully it will not be as cold this year as it was in 2022. Get the tickets from the Eventbrite page of the event.
Get on the North Pole Express to Santa’s Grotto at the Square
Santa will officially return to The Square Tallaght with a brand new experience for 2023. Bookings are available from this Saturday, November 25 right up to Christmas Eve. Walk-in’s are also available depending on capacity but booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
Children can join Santa and his elves for a magical journey aboard the North Pole Express. A Sensory Friendly Evening will be held on Thursday, December 7 between 4pm to 8pm.
Watch some festive movies at the Stella
You can bring your family or your friends to the Stella cinema and watch beloved Christmas classics like A Christmas Carol, The Nightmare before Christmas, Home Alone and Love Actually. The cinema usually has some truly delicious mulled wine on offer for the adults around this time of the year so that’s another bonus.
Check out the Stella Cinema’s website to see the full list of Christmas movies they have.
Listen to your favourite Christmas tunes at the National Concert Hall
The National Concert Hall has prepared a more audio immersive experience for Christmas lovers. While The Great Christmas Concert 2023 and Christmas at the Movies have low availability and you need to act fast, This Way to Christmas! Featuring the Snowman still has good availability.
Have a stroll around all the magnificently decorated houses in Dublin
This one is completely free. Dublin already has some houses with spectacular decorations this year and we will be publishing an updated list of the best decorated houses in the following weeks to give you some inspo. In the meantime, check out our 2022 list.
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