Christmas is an extra special time in Dublin. Aside from the obvious (shopping until we drop and eating until we’re far too full) Dubliners celebrate the festive season with some very special traditions. Some of our traditions are not unique-caroling on Christmas eve –but others are only for the brave, like jumping in the Irish Sea in December! Book your stay in PREMIER SUITES serviced apartments Dublin to experience Christmas in Dublin like a local.
Christmas Lights
Every city has Christmas lights, but Dublin’s are the most impressive of all. With huge, decorated trees dotted around the city and thousands of twinkling lights illuminating every street, laneway and window, our lights are worth travelling for. Stroll down Grafton Street soaking in the festive atmosphere with a tasty hot chocolate in hand and admire the iconic Brown Thomas windows which get better every year!
Wild Lights in Dublin Zoo
Something which has become a new tradition in Dublin is a visit to Wild Lights. Head to the already magical Dublin Zoo in the Phoenix Park where this year’s display will take you places you’ve never been. This year’s theme is ‘Around the World’ and the hundreds of lights and illuminated lanterns take you on a trip around the world. Enjoy iconic scenes and famous landmarks as you’ve never seen them before. It’s a feast for the eyes for young and old. Wild Lights opens on Thursday 28th of October 2021 and runs until Sunday, 9th January 2022. Tickets are limited so book soon if you’re planning to go.
Visit the ‘Reindeer’
While you’re already in the park, why don’t you treat the little ones to a visit to Santa’s Reindeer? The Park is home to a large and impressive herd of wild deer and many families like to visit around Christmas to get the festive mood going. Remember, the deer are wild animals ,and your visit will be unsupervised. You shouldn’t feed the deer by hand, but you can leave a pile of carrots nearby and watch them feast.
Christmas Markets
Dublin doesn’t have a dedicated Christmas market, but this year we’re delighted to see the return of the Christmas Market in Dublin Castle. You can enjoy 30+ stalls with local traders and independent retailers selling some gorgeous bits –from toys and gifts to food and drink. It’s a lovely evening out for friends and couples and you’ll see some unique gifts that you won’t find on the high street. Keep your eyes peeled for community centres, cafes, and public spaces with pop-up markets too! Christmas Eve in Dublin Have you ever been on Grafton Street for the biggest busking event of the year? Every year top Irish musicians take to the streets for an organised carol singing session to raise much-needed funds for local charities. We’ve seen famous faces like Glen Hansard, Imelda May, Hozier and even Bono.
Panto in Dublin
Panto has been a tradition for as long as we can remember. This year we’re spoiled for choice with a great variety of shows from school and community groups to professional theatre style performances. This year you can see The Little Mermaid in The Gaiety Theatre, Olly Polly and The Beanstalk in the 3Olympia Theatre, Red Riding Hood in The Helix or Aladdin in the National Stadium. We’re promised excellent costumes, lots of laughs and plenty of ‘He’s Behind You! ’
Christmas Morning Swim
It might sound crazy but a tradition for many is to take a dip in the freezing Irish Sea on Christmas morning! Christmas morning dips have been happening for over 40 years. Hundreds of brave sea swimmers take to the water early in the morning of 25th from the 40-foot in Dun Laoghaire, where you can jump straight off into deep water. Warning, jumping into the Irish Sea in the middle of Winter is not for the faint of heart! Make sure to have a flask of tea and a warm way to get home if you’re planning a dip. If you don’t fancy a swim, you can still go down and enjoy the festive excitement.
Christmas Accommodation in Dublin
We’ve missed out on a lot this past year. This year make new memories with our Christmas hotel offers in PREMIER SUITES serviced apartments Leeson St. Our ‘Christmas is better when families are together’ package was built with families in mind, bringing mams and dads, granny and grandad and children together for an extra special celebration. Our Making Memories package allows you to enjoy the best of our beautiful city enjoying our central location close to Stephens Green and Grafton Street. Enjoy a late check-out and some festive goodies on us with both packages. Our packages and special offers are only available when you use our official website to book. We’re looking forward to welcoming you for a Christmas break in Dublin that you won’t forget.
