1 Dublin: Dublin Winter
Lights festival
The Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights festival transforms the city centre with epic light features on iconic landmarks, buildings, bridges, trees, statues and Merrion Square Park. It is a festive experience like no other where people of all generations can experience specially commissioned dynamic, colourful and imaginative light projections by leading artists throughout the city centre.
This huge 30ft wide snow globe is a magical hologram for all to enjoy. Lights will shine bright through the trees and across the grass in the park. Have fun playing a giant game of Tic-Tac-Toe and dancing on the interactive, light-fantastic dance floor.
Tickets for Merrion Square Park are just €2 for one adult and up to two children.
See dublinwinterlights.ie
2 Derry: The Tower Museum, Derry Girls Experience
Enjoy the Derry Girls Experience over the Christmas holidays.
The Christmas holidays are the perfect time to visit the Derry Girls Experience and the wonderful walled city that inspired the hit Channel 4 show. Based in the Tower Museum, it allows you to see plenty of original memorabilia from the iconic 90s-inspired comedy, like Erin’s diary, Aunt Sarah’s famous pyjamas, and Ma Mary’s Woolworths sweater, not to mention the infamous Spice Girls costumes.
You’ll even get the chance to step into the set of the Quinn household and feel like one of the family, or get a photo on the family couch.
Afterwards, you can also visit the multi-award-winning museum’s other permanent exhibitions, The Story of Derry and An Armada Shipwreck ~ La Trinidad Valencera and the much-photographed Derry Girls mural.
The museum is open up to 23 December, from 27 to 31 December and from 2 January onwards. Check exact times.
See towermuseumcollections.com
3 Sligo: New Year hiking up the iconic Ben Bulben
Enjoy a guided hike of Ben Bulben on 4 January in Sligo with High Hopes Hiking.
Kickstart the New Year the healthy way by enjoying a guided hike up Sligo’s iconic mountain, Ben Bulben, on 4 January.
Sometimes known as Ireland’s Table Mountain, Ben Bulben overlooks Sligo Bay with commanding views across the water to Donegal’s famous sea cliffs, Slieve Liag. Fingers crossed for a clear day, and if visibility is good, you might even see Mayo’s Croagh Patrick in the distance.
There will also be an opportunity to learn about the unique flora of the area, according to organisers High Hopes Hiking, with plants like tea-leafed willow and fringed sandwort proven to have predated the Ice Age.
Classed at a moderate difficulty level, the 12km hike will take four to five hours to complete, which is well within the reach of regular walkers or outdoor enthusiasts.
See highhopesmountaintreks.com
4 Wicklow: Ice skating
in Avondale
Get your skates on in the beautiful and historic surrounds of Avondale in Wicklow right before Christmas, or right up to the middle of January.
Wicklow on Ice is coming to the popular visitor attraction Beyond the Trees, in front of the historic Avondale House in Rathdrum, which was once home to 19th-century nationalist leader Charles Stewart Parnell. It is open daily until 23 December and after Christmas, from 26 December to 19 January.
Whether you’re an experienced skater or trying it for the first time, the ice rink provides the perfect backdrop for festive fun with family and friends in one of Ireland’s most picturesque locations.
See wicklowonice.ie
5 Nationwide: The Fureys – hear all the folk hits
The Fureys kick off a 23-date nationwide tour on 27 December.
Twixmas is that time between Christmas and New Year when you can lose track of the days, but it is the perfect time to enjoy live music. What better band to catch in the flesh than The Fureys, whose enduring popularity live is a bit of a musical phenomenon.
Hear all the hits like Sweet 16, Red Rose Café and Leaving Nancy, to name just a few, on their nationwide tour, kicking off on 27 December in The Helix, before travelling to The Crescent Concert Hall in Drogheda on 28 December, the Arklow Bay Hotel in Wicklow on 29 December, and Newry on 30 December.
The band starts 2025 in the Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe, on 2 January, with concerts throughout January and February in all four corners of Ireland, before concluding with a big gig in Vicar Street, Dublin, on 22 March.
See ticketmaster.ie
6 Westmeath: Feel Mnásome at Moate festival
At the heart of Festival Mná is the largest women’s circle in Ireland. Pictured is the circle from last year's event in Dún na Sí, Moate Co Westmeath.
Celebrate Nollaig na mBan, or Women’s Christmas, on 4 January by getting friends and family together to enjoy Festival Mná in the centre of Ireland. Now in its third year, this unique holistic festival is an empowering event to connect, rejuvenate, and celebrate the power of women and Celtic traditions in the picturesque surrounds of Dún na Sí, Moate, Co Westmeath.
There is a joyful day of workshops, inspiring speakers, yoga, a wellness area, music, dance, and a bustling market featuring local crafts and delicious food. In addition, there will be reiki, card reading, sound baths and much more.
At the heart of the festival is the largest women’s circle in Ireland. Use code MNASOME for 20% off tickets.
See festivalmna.com
7 Galway: Run the Fields of
Athenry 10K
The annual Fields of Athenry 10K road race takes place every St Stephen’s Day in the historic Galway town.
One of the leading road races in the country, the event hosted by Athenry AC attracts regularly attracts in excess of 1,000 runners and provides quite the post-Christmas spectacle for the large crowds who gather on 26 December.
As well as the 10km main event, there is also a 1km kids race to run some energy out of them that starts and finishes at the medieval arch in the heart of Athenry.
See athenry10k.com
8 Cork: Christmas in Kinsale –
Irish song and dance
The spectacular ‘Christmas in Kinsale’ show returns on 21 December to the picturesque surrounds of St Multose Church in the Cork town for a two-hour extravaganza of Irish song, dance, and culture.
This year in an even grander venue, the show blends traditional Irish songs, toe-tapping music, and barnstorming dance performances from top performers from all over Ireland.
See eventbrite.ie
9 Dublin: Swing into 25’
with the Jive
Swing into 25 with the Jive at the National Concert Hall. Guy Barker, conductor and Giacomo Smith, on clarinet are pictured during a performance.
Swing into the New Year in foot-tapping style at the National Concert Hall this New Year’s Eve, where the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Guy Barker’s Big Band will bring the evocative music of the 1930s and 1940s alive. Featuring music from legends like Billie Holiday and much more.
See nch.ie
1 Dublin: Dublin Winter
Lights festival
The Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights festival transforms the city centre with epic light features on iconic landmarks, buildings, bridges, trees, statues and Merrion Square Park. It is a festive experience like no other where people of all generations can experience specially commissioned dynamic, colourful and imaginative light projections by leading artists throughout the city centre.
This huge 30ft wide snow globe is a magical hologram for all to enjoy. Lights will shine bright through the trees and across the grass in the park. Have fun playing a giant game of Tic-Tac-Toe and dancing on the interactive, light-fantastic dance floor.
Tickets for Merrion Square Park are just €2 for one adult and up to two children.
See dublinwinterlights.ie
2 Derry: The Tower Museum, Derry Girls Experience
Enjoy the Derry Girls Experience over the Christmas holidays.
The Christmas holidays are the perfect time to visit the Derry Girls Experience and the wonderful walled city that inspired the hit Channel 4 show. Based in the Tower Museum, it allows you to see plenty of original memorabilia from the iconic 90s-inspired comedy, like Erin’s diary, Aunt Sarah’s famous pyjamas, and Ma Mary’s Woolworths sweater, not to mention the infamous Spice Girls costumes.
You’ll even get the chance to step into the set of the Quinn household and feel like one of the family, or get a photo on the family couch.
Afterwards, you can also visit the multi-award-winning museum’s other permanent exhibitions, The Story of Derry and An Armada Shipwreck ~ La Trinidad Valencera and the much-photographed Derry Girls mural.
The museum is open up to 23 December, from 27 to 31 December and from 2 January onwards. Check exact times.
See towermuseumcollections.com
3 Sligo: New Year hiking up the iconic Ben Bulben
Enjoy a guided hike of Ben Bulben on 4 January in Sligo with High Hopes Hiking.
Kickstart the New Year the healthy way by enjoying a guided hike up Sligo’s iconic mountain, Ben Bulben, on 4 January.
Sometimes known as Ireland’s Table Mountain, Ben Bulben overlooks Sligo Bay with commanding views across the water to Donegal’s famous sea cliffs, Slieve Liag. Fingers crossed for a clear day, and if visibility is good, you might even see Mayo’s Croagh Patrick in the distance.
There will also be an opportunity to learn about the unique flora of the area, according to organisers High Hopes Hiking, with plants like tea-leafed willow and fringed sandwort proven to have predated the Ice Age.
Classed at a moderate difficulty level, the 12km hike will take four to five hours to complete, which is well within the reach of regular walkers or outdoor enthusiasts.
See highhopesmountaintreks.com
4 Wicklow: Ice skating
in Avondale
Get your skates on in the beautiful and historic surrounds of Avondale in Wicklow right before Christmas, or right up to the middle of January.
Wicklow on Ice is coming to the popular visitor attraction Beyond the Trees, in front of the historic Avondale House in Rathdrum, which was once home to 19th-century nationalist leader Charles Stewart Parnell. It is open daily until 23 December and after Christmas, from 26 December to 19 January.
Whether you’re an experienced skater or trying it for the first time, the ice rink provides the perfect backdrop for festive fun with family and friends in one of Ireland’s most picturesque locations.
See wicklowonice.ie
5 Nationwide: The Fureys – hear all the folk hits
The Fureys kick off a 23-date nationwide tour on 27 December.
Twixmas is that time between Christmas and New Year when you can lose track of the days, but it is the perfect time to enjoy live music. What better band to catch in the flesh than The Fureys, whose enduring popularity live is a bit of a musical phenomenon.
Hear all the hits like Sweet 16, Red Rose Café and Leaving Nancy, to name just a few, on their nationwide tour, kicking off on 27 December in The Helix, before travelling to The Crescent Concert Hall in Drogheda on 28 December, the Arklow Bay Hotel in Wicklow on 29 December, and Newry on 30 December.
The band starts 2025 in the Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe, on 2 January, with concerts throughout January and February in all four corners of Ireland, before concluding with a big gig in Vicar Street, Dublin, on 22 March.
See ticketmaster.ie
6 Westmeath: Feel Mnásome at Moate festival
At the heart of Festival Mná is the largest women’s circle in Ireland. Pictured is the circle from last year's event in Dún na Sí, Moate Co Westmeath.
Celebrate Nollaig na mBan, or Women’s Christmas, on 4 January by getting friends and family together to enjoy Festival Mná in the centre of Ireland. Now in its third year, this unique holistic festival is an empowering event to connect, rejuvenate, and celebrate the power of women and Celtic traditions in the picturesque surrounds of Dún na Sí, Moate, Co Westmeath.
There is a joyful day of workshops, inspiring speakers, yoga, a wellness area, music, dance, and a bustling market featuring local crafts and delicious food. In addition, there will be reiki, card reading, sound baths and much more.
At the heart of the festival is the largest women’s circle in Ireland. Use code MNASOME for 20% off tickets.
See festivalmna.com
7 Galway: Run the Fields of
Athenry 10K
The annual Fields of Athenry 10K road race takes place every St Stephen’s Day in the historic Galway town.
One of the leading road races in the country, the event hosted by Athenry AC attracts regularly attracts in excess of 1,000 runners and provides quite the post-Christmas spectacle for the large crowds who gather on 26 December.
As well as the 10km main event, there is also a 1km kids race to run some energy out of them that starts and finishes at the medieval arch in the heart of Athenry.
See athenry10k.com
8 Cork: Christmas in Kinsale –
Irish song and dance
The spectacular ‘Christmas in Kinsale’ show returns on 21 December to the picturesque surrounds of St Multose Church in the Cork town for a two-hour extravaganza of Irish song, dance, and culture.
This year in an even grander venue, the show blends traditional Irish songs, toe-tapping music, and barnstorming dance performances from top performers from all over Ireland.
See eventbrite.ie
9 Dublin: Swing into 25’
with the Jive
Swing into 25 with the Jive at the National Concert Hall. Guy Barker, conductor and Giacomo Smith, on clarinet are pictured during a performance.
Swing into the New Year in foot-tapping style at the National Concert Hall this New Year’s Eve, where the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Guy Barker’s Big Band will bring the evocative music of the 1930s and 1940s alive. Featuring music from legends like Billie Holiday and much more.
See nch.ie
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