There’s nothing quite like Christmas in Dublin.
Whether you’re born, bred and buttered here, or have just arrived for a change of scene – the mixture of cold nights, hot toddys and stellar craic will only ever leave you wanting more.
We’re spoiled rotten in Dublin when it comes to Christmas treats and incredible traditions. Here are some of the best we could think of to get you ready for some seasonal festivities. Get your Filofax out!
1. Stars busking on Grafton Street on Christmas Eve
Anyone from Bono and Glen Hansard to Danny O’Donoghue and The Script can be seen singing their hearts out to the masses in the heart of the city on Christmas Eve each year.
The money goes to Dublin Simon – spreading Christmas cheer to those who are in their presence and to those who are not.
2. The Grafton Street lights
The iconic, unforgettable Nollaig Shona Duit overhead would even make the Grinchiest of Scrooges beam with Christmas cheer.
Love walking around town this time of the year ???????????? #Dublin #Christmas pic.twitter.com/5437iQDisg
— Walter Burke (@walterburkeiv) December 4, 2016
3. Leopardstown races
The Leopardstown Christmas Festival is a not-to-be-missed traditional highlight of the season, spaced over four fantastic days full of everyone’s best coats.
4. The 40ft on Christmas Day
Well obviously.
The Christmas Day Swim at the 40ft is something of ritual amongst Dubliners each year. Whether you’re partaking in the swim, or simply watching the nutters plunge starkers into the water, it’s a great way to work up an appetite before the best dinner of the year.
5. Switching on the Christmas Tree and crib lights on O’Connell Street
Positive signs for Christmas shopping footfall growth in Dublin City Centre https://t.co/HJZ2Z5tCAN pic.twitter.com/OybeWxKzc3
— weareDublinTown (@weareDublinTown) December 6, 2016
6. The Christmas House on Bath Avenue
In all its brightly coloured glory.
7. Generation Emigration returning home
8. Another inevitable Dustin the Turkey banger
How he didn’t win Eurovision that time was a mystery to us all.
9. Carols by Candlelight in Christchurch
Carols by candlelight is an annual Christmas concert which showcases the incredible acoustics of Christchurch cathedral and the spectacular force of its resident choir.
An absolutely whopper night promised, with an insanely talented array of musicians performing everything Christmassy from Jingle Bells to O Holy Night – and mulled wine and mince pies served during the interval.
All for charity too. How could you not?
10. The Live Crib at The Mansion House
The Mansion House on Dawson Street hosts each year a traditional nativity scene set complete with baby Jesus and live animals in a specially constructed life size stable.
The animals are brought to the crib every morning and are returned to a farm on the south of the city in the evening.
11. Seasonal draaaanks
12. Brown Thomas shop fronts
Window decorations New York City would be proud of.
13. And of course, The Gaiety
As they say themselves, it’s ‘no ordinary panto’.
The Gaiety Panto is a Christmas tradition amongst Dubliners, promising a mesmerising experience to all those who enjoy a good story and a laugh. We loved it, and you probably will too.
A tradition not worth missing.
Header image: Logan Hassig
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