Dublin Christmas Market 2024: At The Castle & Moore Street

Dublin city centre is busy with several Christmas markets this year, each one unique and festive in its own way. There are plenty of places to explore, and this guide will help you choose the best spots by laying out everything you need to know, including the 2024 dates.

Dublin Christmas Market 2024

Dates – Unconfirmed

Christmas at the Castle: 4th to 17th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Moore Street Market: 27th November to 23rd December 2024 (unconfimed).
Sustainable Craft Market: 7th and 8th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Stillgarden: 7th and 8th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Gifted: 4th to 8th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Wicklow: Friday to Sunday: 23rd November to 22nd December 2024 (confirmed).

Expected Update: Last year’s dates were announced in September. Want to know when dates are confirmed? Sign up for our newsletter to get notified as soon as they become available.

Source: Dates are obtained directly from the event organiser’s website, available here.

Plan Your Visit

Click on any of the links below to find detailed information for each event:

1. Christmas at the Castle – The winter market at Dublin Castle.
2. Moore Street Market – Stalls from Wednesday to Saturday.
3. Sustainable Craft Market – At the National Botanic Gardens.
4. Stillgarden Christmas Market – A 2-day market at Liberties.
5. Gifted Design Fair – The contemporary craft and design fair.
6. Wicklow Christmas Market – 45 minutes from Dublin.

1. Christmas at the Castle

Christmas at the Castle showcases the season’s best at Dublin Castle, featuring over 30 alpine-style stalls with everything from handcrafted decorations to gourmet treats.

Location and Times

Christmas at the Castle
Dates: 4th to 17th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: Dublin Castle courtyard.
Opening times:
Monday to Friday: 12pm to 9pm.
Friday and Saturday: 10am to 9pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.

Travel and Accommodation

Recommended tour: The Highlights and Hidden Gems walking tour is a great introduction to the city.
Public transport: Widely available and accessible.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Travel tips: Kids will love the carousel and vintage helter skelter, while adults might enjoy a hot toddy.
Where to stay: Zanzibar Locke for its location near O’Connell Street.

Amenities and Attractions

Admission: Free.
Tickets: No.
Christmas lights: No switch on ceremony.
Santa: Yes.
Ice skating: Yes, in Dublin city centre.
Reason to visit: Family friendly, themed woolly hats, fun Christmas jumpers.

Dietary Options

Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten free: Yes, some options.
Food specialities: Mince pies, potato cakes, hot toddy, craft beer.

Accessibility

Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: No.

Convenient Hotels

When in Dublin, I recommend staying at Zanzibar Locke. It’s on the riverfront, near O’Connell Street in the city centre. In this area, you’re near cafes, bars, shopping and sights while having easy access to festive events.

For additional options, read my guide to hotels in Dublin.

Interesting Tours

I recommend taking the Highlights and Hidden Gems walking tour in Dublin. You’ll discover interesting highlights about Dublin’s history as you stroll past significant like Dublin Castle, Christchurch Cathedral, and Trinity College.

Alternatively, you might like the Walking Street Food Tour. It’s a fantastic way to get acquainted with Dublin’s culinary scene. You’ll visit five local spots renowned for their traditional food, finishing with a stop at a favourite dessert spot.

Explore more winter festivals with my Irish Christmas Markets List, covering where to go and things to do.

2. Moore Street Markets

Independent Irish creators and producers promote their work.

Christmas at Moore Street
Dates: 27th November to 23rd December 2024 (unconfimed).
Location: Moore Street.
Opening times: Wednesday to Saturday.

3. Sustainable Craft Market

Hosted by the National Botanic Gardens, 85 stalls will be operating both indoors and outdoors.

Sustainable Craft Market
Dates: 7th and 8th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: National Botanic Gardens
Opening times: 10am to 4:30pm.

4. Stillgarden

Find natural skincare, homewares and arts and crafts.

Stillgarden Christmas Market
Dates: 7th and 8th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: Liberties.
Opening times: 11am to 5pm.

5. Gifted

Hundreds of designers, artisans, makers and gourmet food producers.

Gifted Contemporary Craft and Design Fair
Dates: 4th to 8th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: RDS in Ballsbridge
Tickets: €12 online or at the door.
Opening times: TBA.

6. Wicklow – Near Dublin

Just a 45-minute drive from Dublin, Wicklow offers a beautiful setting, blending coastal charm with the stunning backdrop of the Wicklow Mountains.

Wicklow Christmas Market
Dates: Friday to Sunday: 23rd November to 22nd December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: The Murrough and Leitrim Place.
Opening times: 
Friday: 2pm to 7:30pm.
Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 7:30pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Admission: Free. Santa Express and Ice skating require tickets.
Payment: Cash is preferred at some stalls.
Santa: The Santa Express is a 30-minute train journey through the Tunnel of Lights towards the North Pole. Santa Express is both indoors and outdoors. Photos with Santa are available. Book here.
Ice skating: Yes, at the Eco Ice Rink at Wicklow on Ice at Leitrim Place. From 23rd November to 2nd January 2025 (unconfirmed). Open to ages 4 and over. 30 minutes per skating session. Book here.
Accessible: Yes, including accessible toilets.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but not on the Santa Express.
Where to stay: If you want to stay overnight, the Bridge Tavern is a popular small hotel near Leitrim Place.

Read my Wicklow Christmas Guide for more information.

From twinkling lights to festive foods, we love seeing your holiday adventures. Use #UltimateChristmasMarkets to share your moments with us!

Christmas in Dublin

Christmas in Dublin blends historic charm with winter warmth. The city glows with festive lights, offering a lovely setting for winter walks and evenings out.

Expect bustling streets like Grafton Street and Henry Street and beautifully decorated shop windows at Brown Thomas and Arnotts.

Local pubs like The Brazen Head and The Temple Bar invite you to enjoy seasonal treats like mince pies and mulled wine, along with traditional hospitality marked by warm welcomes, lively conversations and cosy atmospheres.

Local Specialties

• Mince Pies: A festive staple with a spiced filling of fruits and nuts encased in a buttery pastry.
• Irish Stew: Savour a bowl of Irish stew of tender Irish lamb and vegetables.
• Soda Bread: Stalls bake fresh Irish soda bread to take home.
• Hot Whiskey: Hot toddy combines whiskey, lemon, cloves and hot water, sweetened with a little honey.
• Seafood Chowder: Rich and creamy, filled with fish and shellfish.
• Boxty: Irish griddled potato pancakes served with a savoury filling or apple sauce.

Gifts and Stocking Fillers

• Aran Sweaters: Classic Irish knits, renowned for their intricate patterns and durability.
• Celtic Jewellery: Choose from pieces that hold historical significance and beauty, like the Trinity knot and Claddagh, which represent love, loyalty and friendship.
• Irish Whiskey: Local distilleries have stalls at the market.
• Irish Linen: Everything from delicate handkerchiefs to embroidered tablecloths.
• Book of Kells Reproductions: Copies of the ancient manuscript, known for its decorated gospels.
• Personalised Baubles: Inscribe your decorations with names or messages.
• Connemara Marble: Gifts made of Connemara marble, a unique green stone found only in Ireland.

Things to Do in Winter

• Take a walk through St Stephen’s Green – The beautiful St Stephen’s Green Park is a peaceful escape from the busy city.
• Enjoy a traditional Irish music session in a cosy pub – Dublin is known for its lively pub culture, and there’s nothing quite like cosying up in a traditional pub with a pint of Guinness and live music.
• Ice-skating – An ice-skating rink is set up in Dublin’s city centre during winter.
• National Gallery of Ireland – This gallery houses a vast collection of European and Irish art from the Middle Ages to the present day.
• Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane – Features a contemporary and modern art collection, including works by Francis Bacon and Jack B Yeats.
• EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum – This museum gives insight into the history of Irish emigration and stories of the Irish diaspora.
• The Little Museum of Dublin – This museum provides a quirky look at Dublin’s history, with a particular focus on the 20th century.

The latest information for travellers is published by Visit Dublin, the official tourism office. They can be helpful if you need specific information.

Sustainability Tips

• Shop mindfully – Consider purchasing locally made or sustainably sourced gifts in Dublin.
• Use public transport – The extensive public transport system includes buses, trams and trains.
• Stay in a sustainable hotel – Several hotels in the city centre use renewable energy sources and have implemented energy-saving measures.
• Support local housing – Book a hotel instead of staying in short-stay apartments. This helps free up housing for residents and reduces pressure on affordability.
• Avoid plastic – Try to avoid purchasing items made or packaged with plastic. For example, purchase gifts wrapped in recyclable paper or reusable fabric.
• Eat locally sourced food – Dublin has a fantastic food scene, with many restaurants preparing locally sourced, organic food.
• Support the arts – Attend events and concerts to support local artists and performers.

Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.

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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.