Maybe it’s the mulled wine talkin’, but we reckon this is the most wonderful time of year in our fair city.
Dubliners are in high spirits, the streets are gorgeously decked out and we can eat excessively safe in the knowledge that we can hide our bodies under thick layers of clothing. Ain’t it grand?
Since Christmas comes but once a year, you always want to squeeeeeze as much out of it as you possibly can. Luckily for you, we’re put together a list (wouldn’t be like us) that’s all about helping you attain stratospheric heights of Christmassiness. (Is that a word? Let’s say it’s a word.)
There are certain traditions that must be upheld, but there are also a few new festive additions to the city that should be experienced this year too, such as…
Visiting the Live Crib
Found outside The Mansion House on Dawson Street, this has been a festive tradition in Dublin for the last 23 years.
Look upon the petting zoo animals on show — a sheep, goat and donkey among them — and be transported back to the birth of Mary’s boy child Jesus Christ himself.
Don’t expect to see any babies in there though.
Going to the Naughty Or Nice season at the Light House Cinema
As far as we’re concerned, it ain’t Christmas without Christmas movies.
While nearly every cinema in the capital has festive classics to enjoy this month, this season at the Light House has to be the most comprehensive.
We’re talking the likes of Love Actually, A Muppets Christmas Carol and It’s A Wonderful Life to name but a few.
Strolling past the Christmas House
Every year this home on Bath Avenue is decked out to the max in Christmas decorations, inspiring awe and festive cheer in even the coldest hearts of neighbours and passers-by alike.
Ordering mince pies from The Natural Bakery
No Christmas is complete without proper mince pies and we’ve found just the ones for you.
You can get these crumbly beauts delivered to your door straight from the baker’s oven for just €1.50 a pop, with free delivery throughout central Dublin.
Attending a Christmas carol concert
At this time of year we’re simply drawn the choirs singing angelically in church settings — it’s all just so pure.
You’ll find these shows at venues like the Church of St John the Baptist, the National Concert Hall and RDS Concert Hall. For the full list of Christmas concerts in Dublin, click HERE.
Checking out the Christmas windows
One of the simplest pleasures of Christmas is just wandering the streets and observing all the ways in which the town has transformed for the occasion, with one of the loveliest sights being the elaborate displays in the windows of department stores like Brown Thomas and Arnotts.
Going ice-skating
We may not get snow this Christmas but by God, we will have ice.
Pop on your skates, put your balance to the test and live a fantasy placed in your head by American movies and perpetuated by us right now at an ice rink at Dundrum, Citywest, or Blanchardstown.
Perusing one of many Christmas markets
Christmas is all about being wrapped up snug against the bitter cold, the twinkling of fairy lights, the buying of adorable trinkets and consumption of delicious warm beverages… and a good Christmas market has got all that jazz and more.
You’ll find plenty happening in Dublin this month and we’ve got a big list of ’em right HERE.
Visiting Winter Funderland
Christmas as we know it is predicated on our deep-seated desire to return to an infantile state… so let’s all go to Winter Funderland this December, yaaaaay!
They’ve got bumper cars, rollercoasters, chairoplanes, splitzers and yes we made that last one up.
Having a hot chocolate at The Dylan
When it comes to hot chocolate, we’re longtime advocates of a go hard or go home policy — and it don’t get much harder than The Dylan’s new menu.
These guys have options of such decadence that Roman emperors would probably think they’re a bit much, things like The Long Catch Up (orange infused dark chocolate, burnt passionfruit marshmallow confit orange pieces), A December Date (smoked dark chocolate, Teeling whiskey smoked sea salt, old fashioned bitters & grated orange zest) and Gather Madagascar (dark chocolate from Madagascar, Wild Madagascan sugar, vanilla cream, topped with chocolate shavings).
Seshing at Aprés Dublin on George’s Dock
Live the Alpine lifestyle at this pop-up ski lodge outside the CHQ Building, where you can enjoy all the good bits of skiing (drinking and listening to music in cabins) without any of the boring bits (the actual skiing).
Listening to Bono & co busking on Grafton Street
There’s one very special night of the year when the people of Ireland suspend their hatred of the U2 frontman to come out in feckin’ droves to see him — and that’s when he’s offering his services for free at his Christmas Eve busking gig on Grafton Street.
Funny how it works like that.
Tasting mulled wine at The Bernard Shaw
We’ve always found that there’s nothing like a bit of hot ‘n’ spicy booze to make you feel all Christmassy and stuff.
Taking the plunge at the 40ft on Christmas Day
If you can think of a better way to celebrate the birth of our lord and saviour then jumping into very cold water from a very tall height in Dun Laoghaire, we’d like to hear it.
Sipping a hot whiskey at The Library Bar
Ooooh, cosy!
Make yourself right at home and become a true lord of leisure in this snug environment. Kick back, have yourself a warm drink, whip out a book, maybe take off your trou — nope, at that point you’ve gotten too comfortable.
Stopping by The Hole In The Wall
We’ve called it Dublin’s most Christmassy pub and we’re pretty sure many of you agree with us. It’s probably something to do with the two weeks of Christmas decoration installation, the open fires and general loveliness of the place, although that’s just a guess on our part.
Many suggest that The Strawberry Hall deserves to be named the most festive public house in Dublin but we say, feck it, let’s just call it a tie and have a pub crawl.
The Hole In The Wall
The Strawberry Hall
Have we missed any festive essentials in Dublin? Let us know in the comments.
READ NEXT: 13 Of The Best Independent Stores In Dublin For Thoughtful Christmas Gifts
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