6 Things To Do Before And After The Christmas Lights Are Switched On Today

The Christmas Lights Switch On Show on Grafton Street is an institution in itself.

This Sunday at 6pm the 2016 lighting display shall be unveiled. But there's more to see than just the lights being switched on.

Here's how to make an evening out of this Sunday which marks the beginning of the festive season in Dublin.

Grafton Street Christmas Lights are switched on (2015)

Things to do before:

1. Grab a hot chocolate in Accents

Accents Coffee and Tea Lounge is located not far from St Stephen's Green where all of the action takes place this Sunday.

To warm your fingers and toes from the chilly air, grab yourself a hot chocolate in this snug and friendly coffee shop on Stephen Street Lower.

They give you a mug of foamy warm milk and then a side dish of chocolate buttons of your choice to mix in yourself. Chocolatey heaven.

Or try one of these: The Top 10 Places To Drink Hot Chocolate This Winter...

2. Have a toasted cheese sandwich in Grogan's

This classic old pub on South William Street is famous for it's toasted cheese sandwiches.

The decor of the bar is like something out of a 1970's Midlands soap opera but somewhat welcoming and cosy.

Perfect for a bite to eat on a Sunday evening and sure it's an excuse for a pint of Guinness while you're at it.

3. Take a look at Brown Thomas' Christmas window display

What better way to get into the Christmas mood than to gawk at BTs Christmas display (which they've had up since mid-October)?

It's a great means of reminding yourself that you can't afford most of what Brown Thomas sells. But maybe Santa will be extra generous this Christmas?

Things to do after:

4. Watch the various acts perform on the main stage

Hermitage Green, a 5-strong band from Limerick, shall be headlining the Grafton Street Light ceremony. Other performances include the Hallelujah Gospel Choir, Jack Wise, the Swing Cats and Glenn & Ronan.

There's something there for all music tastes!

5. Walk under the 4 kilometres of lights

Yep, four whole kilometres of lights. That is how many lights the city council are putting up this year. 

They will stretch all across the city centre and will be most dense in the Grafton Street area, surrounding streets and then in the Henry Street/O' Connell Street area.

A deserted Grafton Street on Xmas day...a thing of beauty! @philipmulhall #Dublin #Christmas #GraftonStreet pic.twitter.com/ibWGk1VnxA

— Hilton Kilmainham (@HiltonDublinKil) December 26, 2015

6. Warm yourself up with a hot whiskey from Kehoe's

This traditional Irish pub does the best hot whiskey in Dublin.

Soak up a hot toddy while being surrounded by their dark wood plush interiors. The perfect end to the perfect evening and get you in the mood for Christmas.

And if you can't make it to Sunday evening's events then don't fret. The Riptide Movement shall be switching the Henry Street lighting display on Thursday evening at 5pm.

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