Guides

The ultimate event guide for winter in Dublin

Catherine McComishCatherine McComish is a content writer and editor based in Louth. With a master's degree in creative writing, she has collaborated with writing organisations like Fighting Words, and has created content for brands such as Meta.

There’s something on virtually every night throughout winter in Dublin.

From lively pantos and intimate gigs to literary festivals and laugh-out-loud comedy shows, winter is when Dublin really comes alive. Whether you’re travelling as part of a family, a couple, a group of friends or solo, you’re sure to end your year on a high note.

Here are some must-see events and moments to check out in Dublin this winter.

November

Book a date with your favourite writers  

The month kicks off with the annual celebration of the Dublin Book Festival on November 4. Across five days of venue-hopping around the city, you can join in on fascinating conversations with the likes of Louise O'Neill, Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor as they discuss their most recent works. Bring the kids along for the fun and get them involved in creative workshops. Or follow well-known Dublin guide Pat Liddy on a literary walking tour of landmarks in Irish literature, old and new.

Best for: adults and families with children of all ages.

Various venues across Dublin, November 4-8; both free and ticketed events.

Media captionHear from some of Dublin's best writers at the Dublin Book Festival.

Be as Swift as the wind

Continue on your literary kick with the annual Jonathan Swift Festival. This year marks the 300th anniversary of Swift's most famous works, Gulliver's Travels, so unlock your inner explorer on the Swift Walking Tour through the city, or browse the shelves of the Marsh's Library, admire St Patrick's Cathedral and chat with Swift himself during Jonathan and the Jest. If the way to your heart is through your stomach, save your appetite for the Gulliver's Gala Dinner – an evening of food, entertainment and storytelling inspired by the beloved novel.

Best for: adults and families.

Various venues across Dublin, November 18-28; both free and ticketed events.

The big gigs times three

When it comes to indoor concerts in Ireland it doesn’t get much bigger than the 3Arena, the 13,000-seater venue whose listings read like a who’s who of the biggest stars in the world. November alone will feature Niall Horan (November 9, 10, 12, 13), Jungle (November 18), Interpol and Bloc Party (November 30), and a whole lot more, with the big names set to keep on coming all through the winter.

Best for: adults.

3Arena, running throughout winter; prices and availability vary.

Media captionCatch a concert at the 3Arena.

Media credit@3arenadublin

See the stars before they shine brightest

From the outside, Whelan’s on Wexford Street looks like any other pub, but behind the green front door is one of the most important venues for musicians looking to make a name for themselves. Some big names who have graced the stage in the past include the Arctic Monkeys, Hozier and Nick Cave. Reinvigorate your musical repertoire by checking out some new artists who are making strides, like Sons of Legion (November 3-4), Hey, Nothing (November 10) and Essy Sparrow (November 18).

Best for: adults who love to give new music recommendations.

Whelan’s, running all through winter; prices and availability vary.

Media captionGo to one of many gigs at Whelan's.

Media credit@whelanslive

Top of the pop-ups

The Workman's Club is working overtime to curate a colourful calendar of musical acts all month long. On November 11, enjoy the relaxed folk tunes of Montana-born group, TopHouse, or relive the noughties with WesGhost as he performs his blend of alternative pop-punk and hip-hop on November 17. If you're a die hard fan of Twenty One Pilots, keep November 20 free for a night dedicated to the musical duo. Bop to their most popular hits, and don't forget to come dressed as your favourite era of the band.

Best for: adults who love to dance the night away.

The Workman's Club, November 11-20; ticket prices vary.

December

Let there be light

You can't have Christmas without Christmas lights. Running throughout December, the Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights will see 25 locations across the city centre doused in dazzling colour, including the GPO, Dublin Castle, the Spire and Samuel Beckett Bridge. This year's light installations and projections were designed by world-class artists from Ireland and beyond.

Best for: adults and families.

Various locations around Dublin city, December to the first weekend in February; free, with one ticketed event at Merrion Square Park.

Media captionAdmire creative light projections across the city.

Hollywood meets Dublin

Relive a childhood classic this Christmas at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Fresh off of its successful run in London, the West End's hit production of Mrs Doubtfire is coming to say hellooo to Dublin. Running from December 2 to January 3, escape the cold outside and experience the beloved 90s tale with a dash of music, comedy and dance.

Best for: adults and families

The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, December 2 to January 3; tickets starting from €29.80.

It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas...

Whether you prefer timeless choral song or classic holiday hits, you'll find a Christmas performance to suit at one of Dublin's iconic churches. Head over to Christ Church Cathedral on December 8, 9 or 10 for their choir's annual Christmas performance of festive favourites. St Patrick's Cathedral hosts intimate candlelight concerts throughout the year, but on select dates between December 2 and 21, they'll deck the aisles out in festive splendour to host Christmas by Candlelight.

Best for: adults and families.

Christ Church Cathedral and St Patrick's Cathedral; dates and prices vary.

Media captionGet in the spirit with Christmas songs at Christ Church Cathedral.

This is no ordinary panto

The Gaiety Theatre is arguably the city's home of Christmas panto, a Christmas tradition that’s on par with decorating the tree and filling up on turkey stuffing. From November 22, follow the cheeky tomfoolery of loveable rebel Robin Hood and his band of merry men.

Best for: families.

The Gaiety Theatre, November 22 – January 3; tickets starting from €23.

Media captionJoin the Christmas madness inside the Gaiety Theatre.

Not forgetting auld acquaintances 

All won’t be quiet on New Year’s Day – at least not in parts of Dublin. From December 30 to January 1, the annual New Year’s Festival takes over two city centre locations – Dublin Castle and Meeting House Square – for three days of musical performances, food markets and more. Kick off the celebrations with a tour of the city's best musical venues and the musicians that call them home on the NYF Dublin Music Trail. Get the kids together for the Countdown Concert Matinee featuring The Academic, THEATRE, KK Lewis and DJ Shelly Gray, while those who plan to stick around for the Countdown Concert will also get to see Aaron Rowe take the stage. Say goodbye to 2026 and welcome 2027 in style with the 'Ignite and Excite' New Years Procession. Enjoy live music, thunderous marching bands and award-winning street performers as they make the city their own for one day only.

Best for: adults and families.

Various venues, December 30 – January 1; ticket prices vary.

Media captionCheck out all the fun at the New Year's Festival.

January

Anyone got a spare tenor?

It's easy to get lost in the post-Christmas haze, between being full of leftovers and forgetting what day it is, but adding a few exciting things to your calendar should help you emerge from the fog. Ease yourself in with a lunchtime show at the National Concert Hall. On January 8, the famous stage welcomes back singer Stella Bass and pianist Niall Kinsella for another performance of Let's Misbehave, a matinee dedicated to the works and wit of American pop composer Cole Porter. If you're a bonafide Beethoven fan, keep January 15 free for the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland's dedication to the famous composer. Join homegrown pianist John O'Connor as he performs Beethoven's most notable works to mark the 200th anniversary of his death.

Best for: adults and families.

National Concert Hall, running through January; ticket prices vary.

Media captionSavour a night at the National Concert Hall.

Make 'em laugh!                              

Warm your cockles with a bit of comedy at the 3Olympia. End the festive period on a high by catching one of the last performances of Cinderella: Olly and the Glass Slipper panto show before it exits stage left on January 3. On January 29 and 30, Irish-born comedian Jarlath Regan takes over with his brand new stand up show, Craic Pot.

Best for: adults who love a laugh.

3Olympia Theatre; dates and ticket prices vary.

Media captionTake in a show at the 3Olympia.

Rocky road to Dublin

What better way to blow of the cobwebs of the Christmas celebrations than with a proper session and where better to go for that session than TradFest. On January 20, trad musicians take over the National Stadium, St Patrick’s Cathedral and plenty more venues for a five-day celebration of Irish music. Catch performances by big names like Aoife Scott (January 20), Dublin Pride Trad Géilí (January 21), Féile Kíla (January 22) and Judy Collins (January 23).

Best for: all trad music lovers.

Various venues, January 20-24; tickets prices vary.