Wonderlights, Malahide Castle
On a winter break in Dublin, you’ll find fabulous festivals, cosy music-filled pubs, culture, craic and a touch of magic in the air.
It may be a little chilly but the warmth of the welcome and the liveliness of Ireland’s capital make winter a great time to discover dynamic Dublin.
With hundreds of live events from big gigs to intimate concerts, stand-up comedy to dramatic theatre as well as the delights of Dublin’s top destinations, fantastic food and drink, and the unique atmosphere of Irish pubs to enjoy, there’s more than enough to keep you entertained.
Book lovers should look out for the Dublin Book Festival (8– 13 November), one of the island’s most successful and vibrant book festivals, which will present over 60 events in this UNESCO City of Literature.
For music fans, Dublin’s top performing arts venue, Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, has an impressive winter programme of world-class musicals, ballet and opera, while Music Trails pop-up musical performances will take place across the city (4 – 6 November).
In December, Dublin dons its Christmas glow and steps up the excitement.
Top attractions such as the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Castle, Dublin Zoo and Malahide Castle will stage special Christmas events and the city will be buzzing with Christmas markets and street performers, and illuminated by dazzling lights.
As the year draws to a close, Dublin’s famous New Year Festival will spring into action with two days of entertainment. There will be dozens of bands on multiple stages, food villages, light shows, fireworks and a spectacular 12-minute midnight moment.
In January, you can banish the winter blues at one of the biggest and best traditional music festivals in Ireland. TradFest Temple Bar (25 – 29 January 2023) is a celebration of Irish music and culture with a stellar line-up including Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Judy Collins.
And alongside the special winter events, Dublin offers a host of top-class attractions to explore.
Visit Trinity College, home of the famous Book of Kells, step into Ireland’s history on a tour of Kilmainham Gaol or discover your Irish roots in the state-of-the-art EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.
Or why not get a behind-the-scenes view of Ireland’s top-selling whiskey on a tour of the Jameson Distillery or taste an innovative new beer at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery.
But however you choose to spend your winter break in Dublin, be sure to set aside time to savour some warming Irish winter food in the city’s great restaurants and to cosy up by an open fire in a pub and enjoy a bit of craic.
