Christmas Markets To Look Out For in Dublin This Month

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Ondrej Kriz showcases the many festive events and Night Markets unfolding in the capitol in the coming weeks.

Just after Dubliners enlivened the streets with their Halloween costumes, locals and tourists had the chance to experience Dublin's renowned nightlife from an unusual perspective. This year, on November 1st and 2nd, the Dublin By Night Fest took place in the city centre for the second time after the event launched in 2023. The first night of the event took place on Drury Street, South William Street, and Dame Street’s Central Plaza. On the second night, the festivities made their way to Capel Street and Lower Mary Street, enriching the nightlife on both sides of the Irish capital.

During the event, these designated areas hosted musicians, drag performers, street food stalls, and displayed the works of local aspiring artists. Visitors also had the chance to catch a glimpse of Samba and traditional Irish dancing performances. The main names of the two-day festivity were Gavin Fox, Krewe, or Sam Clifford, amongst others.

The festival was created as a celebration of Dublin's success in consolidating nightlife into its economy and culture, which earned the city the Purple Flag Award. This accreditation honours cities around the world with exceptional night-time economies, with Dublin being its continuous holder since 2013. Institutions like Dublin Town, Dublin City Council, and Failte Ireland jointly managed the event.

For those who missed this special occasion, the Dublin Christmas Markets are a pleasant alternative.

In about just one week, on November 28, the city will open its annual Christmas markets in the heart of Dublin Castle.

Visitors can expect to see the products of Irish craftsmanship, traditional Christmas treats, and live music bands. 

Starting this year, people are not required to book tickets, nor pay any entrance fees for the event. During the market's opening hours, from 12:00 to 21:00, the State Apartments of Dublin Castle will also remain open to the public and will not require tickets either.

Further, a smaller, less known conventional Christmas market will be hosted in the arena of the Botanical Gardens, on December 14th and 15th.

The Botanic Gardens Christmas Market, a ticket-free event, will offer over 70 stalls filled with delicacies, gifts, and decorations produced sustainably with reasonable prices. 

Another Christmas market gaining popularity each year is the Swords Castle market, taking place from November 28-30 and once more on December 7-8, offering a fair alternative to its sister market in the city centre.