Are you looking for the best things to do in Ireland for Christmas?
Since Ireland goes a little extra during the Christmas season, spending the holidays here will surely be an experience you won’t forget. How about browsing the stalls in Galway Market, pub-hopping in a spectacularly hideous Christmas sweater, and taking in the merry sights and sounds of Dublin’s Grafton Street? Here are some festive and colorful activities you may enjoy throughout the Christmas season in Ireland.
READ ALSO: Things To Do In Ireland for New Year.
Things you'll find in this article
- 9 Things To Do In Ireland For Christmas
- 1. Admire the lights on Grafton Street
- 2. Go to the Holiday Markets (and not just in Dublin)
- 3. Visit Christmas-themed parks
- 4. Watch for the Northern Lights in Donegal
- 5. Experience Waterford Winterval
- 6. Enjoy a Hot Toddy
- 7. Make Sure You Watch the Christmas Pantomime
- 8. Plan a ‘Crawl’ Along the Route of the Twelve Pubs of Christmas
- 9. Spend Christmas in an Irish Castle
- Where to stay in Ireland
9 Things To Do In Ireland For Christmas
1. Admire the lights on Grafton Street
As one of the most famous avenues in Ireland, Grafton Street is an absolute must-see for any tourist. You can spend an entire afternoon just listening to the great musicians who perform on Grafton for the shoppers who pass by.
When the Christmas lights that run the whole length of Grafton Street are turned on, the area is transformed into a holiday wonderland. Set aside an evening of your Dublin visit to explore the area and watch it light up at sundown. But since it’s Ireland, read up on the month’s weather.
2. Go to the Holiday Markets (and not just in Dublin)
Gift-buying ranks high on lists of popular Christmas activities around the world. When in Ireland, discover other popular shopping areas outside of Dublin.
In the west, there’s the Galway Christmas Markets, which stretches from Eyre square to Spanish Arch. This is one of the longest-running Christmas markets and a great destination to spend Christmas in Ireland.
It has been one of the most visited holiday shopping spots for the previous six years. Big 7, a well-known travel magazine, ranked the Christmas Market in Galway as the seventh best in the world. It even tanked ahead of other world-class holiday markets, including Singapore, Helsinki, and New York.
The Belfast Christmas Market is also an absolute must for any Christmas enthusiast in Northern Ireland. It has served as one of the most convenient crossroads for Christmas shoppers in Ireland for over a decade. The City Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland, transforms into a typical German-style Christmas market, complete with ninety beautifully constructed wooden chalets.
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3. Visit Christmas-themed parks
A trip to see Santa has to be one of the most special Christmas activities in Ireland, and the country provides a wide range of options for families with children and those who are just young at heart.
If you find yourself in Dublin, you can walk through an enchanted woodland while being led by various Christmas characters. In the meantime, the old city of Cobh in County Cork provides a mystical experience reminiscent of the north pole. Tullow, located in the county of Carlow, is where you may board the Rathwood Express for a once-in-a-lifetime journey through the merry forest of Rathwood.
Elf Town is located in Ballybrit, County Galway, and is rumored to be the most realistic Santa adventure. Santa’s House Express in Johnstown, County Kildare, meanwhile provides a magical drive-thru experience.
4. Watch for the Northern Lights in Donegal
Want to add more magic to your Christmas while in Ireland?
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a spectacular natural light show that may frequently be seen in the night sky in the Northern Hemisphere. Even though they are seen in many regions, such as Alaska, Canada, and Scandinavia, they are notoriously elusive. You might, however, be able to get a glimpse of them if you happen to be in the right place at the right moment.
Ireland is a prime example of one of these locations. There is a chance of seeing them here, even though they are not quite as numerous as in other areas of Europe. The county of Donegal is where you will have the best opportunity to see them.
However, for them to be seen, the conditions have to be correct. Since it is imperative to have unobstructed views of the sky and a night, the best time to go stargazing is during the winter months. A once-in-a-lifetime Christmas adventure may be yours if you keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best.
5. Experience Waterford Winterval
When it comes to authentic Irish celebrations, Waterford Winterval is a must-experience. The city becomes a winter wonderland with events perfect for celebrating the holidays with your family every November.
Ice skating, sledding, and other winter activities await you here. You may also take a spin on the Christmas carousel and enjoy some seasonal treats while you ride the merry-go-round. The bright lights and festive crowds of this well-known Irish destination at Christmastime draw many visitors to this Waterford street every year.
From October 6th to December 23rd, you may visit Winterval for €45 to €60 per person.
6. Enjoy a Hot Toddy
On chilly winter nights, nothing beats a hot whisky or hot toddy, as it’s known in Ireland. The Irish people have faith in the decongestant and immune-boosting qualities of this beverage.
Whiskey, hot water, sugar, and a lemon wedge with three or four cloves make up the essential ingredients for a hot toddy. The cloves add a pleasant spiciness, but don’t worry about ingesting them because they’re sure to get lodged in the lemon as you take a sip!
You can get creative and use ingredients like tea, honey, cinnamon, and anise.
When visiting Dublin, you can buy a hot toddy just about anywhere, and different establishments may serve somewhat different versions of the beverage.
7. Make Sure You Watch the Christmas Pantomime
Every Irish citizen who is worth their salt goes to the Christmas “Panto,” as it is more often known because it is an event that cannot be missed. It is over-the-top and jam-packed with magnificent displays of theatrics, light, color, and humor, much like anything associated with the Christmas season.
Putting on and seeing comedic theatrical productions is a time-honored custom in Ireland and England, respectively. It typically centers on a well-known fairytale, which children will like for the costumes, drama, and music.
Meanwhile, adults will be interested in it due to the politically satirical humor that is included in it. Pay a visit to two of the most well-known theaters in Dublin, the Gaiety and the Olympia, both of which play host to this yearly event.
8. Plan a ‘Crawl’ Along the Route of the Twelve Pubs of Christmas
The 12 Pubs of Christmas is an annual event that has become a Christmas tradition in Ireland, during which groups of friends travel throughout the nation to visit various pubs and drink.
The 12 Pubs of Christmas Crawl comes with its own set of rules, and one of those rules requires you to be wearing your ugliest Christmas jumpers. You should also, of course, plan to engage in some drinking during the crawl. There may also be regulations regarding ludicrous behaviors, such as hugging complete strangers or calling the bartender “Guinness.”
Whether you obey the regulations, enjoy visiting Irish pubs for a drink, a warm welcome, and some great festive spirit.
9. Spend Christmas in an Irish Castle
An Irish castle would make for a magical Christmas getaway. On Christmas day, you will dine like a king or queen on a delicious spread. The castle will look stunningly festive, and Santa Claus may even pay a visit to deliver gifts to the children.
Clontarf Castle is regarded as one of the finest castle hotels in Ireland. Two-, three-, and four-night Christmas packages are available at this enchanting hotel. Spend the day doing whatever you like, then return for a sumptuous four-course dinner in the Great Hall.
Meanwhile, Ballygally Castle in County Antrim provides a variety of holiday packages to meet your needs. It’s your call whether you’d want to stay for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, two nights, or three nights.
The castle hotels in Ireland are plentiful and varied, with options for every traveler’s taste and budget. Click here for a comprehensive look at Ireland’s affordable castle hotel options!
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Where to stay in Ireland
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Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 60 countries for the past 12 years. I also lived in 4 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia, Africa and now in Europe. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.