The Ultimate Dreamy Dublin Christmas Bucket 2016 List

Here we have it - the best time of the year is back with us again! And oh, are we glad. 

Everything is sparkly, shiny and the people are happy inside and out. 

Oh, and there are festive drinks aplenty. Which definitely help. 

Try tick all of these dreamy activities off by the big day - they'll definitely help you get into the Christmas Spirit. 

1. Candy Cane Latté, Bewleys

Simply life-changing. 

2. Visiting the live animal crib scene outside The Mansion House

A Dublin essential. 

Also - the animals are brought to the crib every morning and are returned to a farm on the south of the city in the evening. So it's goodness all round. 

3. Carol service, Christchurch Cathedral

There are plenty of carol services to choose from in Dublin as well as Christchurch, such as at St. Teresa’s Carmelite Church, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the National Concert Hall.

But Christchurch is the nicest. 

4. Volunteer

Because, this is exactly what the Christmas Spirit is all about, right? You can volunteer for the Christmas Day Dinner here, and general volunteering here. 

5. Check out the Christmas windows

Brown Thomas and Arnotts - both absolutely incredible windows this year. Arnotts' handprint activated windows especially blew us away. 

6. Ice-skating

Dundrum, Liffey Valley, Smithfield and everywhere in between - there is nothing Christmassier than a good 'ol ice-skating day out. 

7. Christmas Markets

There's a whole list of them right here. Look at that, nice 'n' neat. 

8. The panto

Love them or loathe them, pantomimes are essentially Christmas in thespian form.

Whether you're an Olympia lover or Gaeity die-hard - they're both fantastic and fun for all the family!

9. Winter Funderland

Open for business on December 15. And we're so excited!!!

10. Go to the Powerscourt Centre

One of the most iconic places for shopping in the city - with quirky little boutiques and great food they make extra effort at Christmas with their design and live music.

11. Hot port, Keogh's

One of the city's best pubs, and it also provides the best hot port in town. 

Peerrrrrfect.

12. Listen to Bono et al busk on Grafton Street

The best night of the year. 

13. Leopardstown races

The Leopardstown Christmas festival is a not-to-be-missed traditional highlight of the season, spaced over four deadly days full of everyone's best winter coats.

Plus, ponies. 

14. 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 dip, 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.

15. Switching on the Christmas Tree and crib lights on O'Connell Street

So shiny and sparkly. We wouldn't miss it for the world.

16. And finally, the Christmas House on Bath Avenue

In all its brightly coloured glory.

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