Dublin is famous for poets, museums, and craic agus ceol. You’ll always enjoy a great night out and the good (and often cheeky) humour of our locals. There are always things to do in Dublin, many of which are free for everyone to enjoy. Bank holidays are a great time for free events in Dublin with street parties often announced closer to the dates. There are a few key dates to remember for free events in the city including the biggest celebration of Irish culture and history in March. Book PREMIER SUITES serviced apartments as your accommodation in Dublin and enjoy events from the comfort of a home-from-home.
St Brigid’s Weekend – 3-5th February
Ireland’s newest bank holiday has its second anniversary this year and we’re excited to enjoy the events and activities over this important celebration. Around Ireland, a range of community-based events organised by local authorities and cultural institutions are taking place to mark St Brigid’s Day. We celebrate women, fertility, and the arrival of Spring over the first weekend of February with concerts, dance classes, art exhibitions and workshops, markets and so much more. Museums are facilitating talks and tours on our beloved female saint and the traditions associated with her commemorative day. Dublin.ie has a fantastic festival resource with details on each event happening around the city on St Brigid’s Bank Holiday and local councils will announce more.
St Patricks Festival – 15-18th March 2024
St Patrick’s Day is the biggest and best celebration of all things Irish in Ireland. The celebration has gone from a parade in the city and a day in the pub to an all-singing all-dancing festival celebrating the best things about our culture and history, The world-famous St Patrick’s Day Parade takes place on 17th March and is free for everyone to enjoy. People come from far and wide to celebrate with us and as usual, we expect hundreds of thousands of revellers in the city on the day. The festival is much more than the parade however with themed events happening across the city. Museums will host talks and workshops, venues will have traditional Irish music and dancing and there are sure to be street parties all over the city. Merrion Square Park is usually a centre for family fun.
International Literature Festival – 17 – 26th May 2024
Ireland is a country of literature with many famous authors calling us their literal or spiritual home. For nine days in May, we celebrate the talented Irish authors across many genres and age groups at the International Literature Festival. Authors come from all over the world to Merrion Square Park to talk and teach about their art, giving us a unique insight into the world’s finest writers. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see some of Hollywood’s elite. Stanley Tucci was the guest of honour in 2023 and Tom Hanks in 2022! Although not entirely free, the International Literature Festival is reasonably priced and great value for money. Tickets start at just €3 and there are events for all ages.
Bloomsday – 16th June
Speaking of great Irish writers, we celebrate one of the most prominent James Joyce, on Bloomsday every June. Born near Dublin, many of his books revolve around the city and give readers all over the world a fascinating insight into life here. Possibly his most famous work, Ulysses, is renowned as one of the great pieces of writing of any generation. The whole plot of Ulysses takes place on one day, June 16, and follows the main character Leopold Bloom – which is why the Dubliners now celebrate “Bloomsday” on said date. On Bloomsday, people dress up like they live in 1904, they read from the book or enjoy pub crawls. There are also lots of free activities and celebrations in the James Joyce Centre.
Dublin Pride Parade – 28-30th June 2024
Dublin’s most colourful celebration returns in June 2024 and we’re all hoping for weather as good as previous years. Pride is a celebration of acceptance, difference and belonging, no matter your race, colour, gender, or preference. There are shows, performances, music and theatre events happening across the city on this exciting weekend, but the highlight is usually the Pride Parade. On 29th June at noon, Dublin turns into a rainbow with hundreds and thousands of LGBTQ+ marchers, allies, supporters and visitors enjoying the liberating atmosphere and (hopefully) great weather! The parade is free for everyone to enjoy and welcomes all ages from infants to elderly. It’s also free for community groups to join the parade and enter an exhibition or float. It’s truly a spectacular celebration that does not stop when the parade dies down.
We’ve just tipped the iceberg of free events in Dublin. You can expect a lot more to be announced throughout the year. Whether you’re here for Pride or literature, PREMIER SUITES offers the ideal event accommodation in Dublin. Book our best available rates on our website, guaranteed.
