For obvious reasons, a lot of us are struggling to find our festive feels this year, especially when it comes to Christmas events, many of which have been cancelled due to rising Covid-19 cases. The good news is that many Christmas markets and events in Ireland are going ahead for 2021, so there are some lovely options for those who wish to venture out. From bright lights in Dublin Zoo, to German sausages in Eyre Square, there are plenty of fun events around the country for Christmas 2021, and we've rounded up some of the best Winter markets and festivals in one handy list. So bang on some Mariah Carey, and get browsing!
Note: As Government guidance is subject to change at any time, be sure to check the venue's website and/or social media channels on the day you're planning to attend.
Christmas Markets and Events in Dublin 2021
Christmas at the Castle
December 8th - 21st, Dublin Castle | Free, ticketed | dublincastle.ie
Guinness Winterfest
November 27th - January 2nd 2022, the Guinness Storehouse | Ticketed event, part of the Guinness Storehouse Experience | guinness-storehouse.com
Saint Patrick's Cathedral Christmas Concert Series
Throughout December, Saint Patrick's Cathedral | Ticketed |Â stpatrickscathedral.ie/events
Botanic Gardens Outdoor Christmas Craft Market
December 11th and 12th, Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin | Free, unticketed | botanicgardens.ie
D8 Create Christmas MarketÂ
December 11th and 12th, Richmond Barracks, D8 | Free, unticketed | facebook.com/richmondbarracks
Christmas Film Screenings
Throughout December at cinemas around Dublin | Ticketed | stellatheatre.ie | lighthousecinema.ie | ifi.ie
Newmarket Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 5th, Teeling Whiskey Distillery, Dublin 8 | Free, unticketed | Teeling's Facebook page
Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo
Until January 9th, Dublin Zoo | Ticketed | dublinzoo.ie
Wonderlights at Malahide Castle
Until Dec 23rd, Malahide Castle | Ticketed | malahidecastleandgardens.ie
Gifted Contemporary Craft and Design Fair
December 1st to 5th, RDS | Ticketed | giftedfair.ie
Winter at IMMA
November 2021 until January 2022, details to be confirmed, IMMA, Kilmainham | imma.ie
The Alpine Skate Trail
Until January 30th, Blanchardstown | Ticketed | iceskating.ie
NYE Dublin
December 31st and January 1st 2022, City Centre | Ticketed | nyfdublin.com
Airfield Christmas Experience SOLD OUT
Until Dec 23rd, Airfield Estate, Dundrum |Â airfield.ie
Malahide Castle Christmas Experience SOLD OUT
Until Dec 23rd, Malahide Castle | malahidecastleandgardens.ie
Christmas Markets and Events in Belfast 2021
Belfast Christmas Market
Until December 23rd, Belfast City Hall | Free, unticketed | belfastcity.gov.uk
Musical Events at George's Market
Throughout December, St. George's Market, Belfast | Free, unticketed | belfastcity.gov.uk
Christmas at the Hillsborough Castle
Until January 2nd 2022, Hillsborough Castle | Ticketed | hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle
Winter Circus
December 17th to January 3rd 2022, Big Top, Writer’s Square, Belfast | Ticketed | tumblecircus.com
Christmas Markets and Events in Cork 2021
Glow Cork Christmas CelebrationÂ
Until January 9th 2022, Bishop Lucey Park, Cork | Free, ticketed | corkchristmascelebration.ie
Cork Opera House Christmas Concert
December 19th, Cork Opera House | Ticketed | corkoperahouse.ie
Nano Nagle Christmas Market
December 5th, 12th and 19th, Nano Nagle Place | nanonagleplace.ie
The Alpine Skate Trail
Until January 23rd, Fota Wildlife Park | Ticketed | iceskating.ie
The Polar Express
Until December 23rd, West Cork Model Railway Village, Clonakilty | Ticketed | modelvillage.ie
Christmas Markets and Events in Galway 2021
Galway Continental Christmas Market
Until December 22nd, Eyre Square, Galway | Free, unticketed aside from the The Big Wheel and The Carousel | christmasmarketgalway.com
Light Up Galway FestivalÂ
Until January 7th 2022, Galway City | Free, unticketed | galwaytourism.ie
Christmas Markets and Events around the rest of Ireland 2021
Christmas at Milk Market
Until December 24th, The Milk Market, Limerick | milkmarketlimerick.ie
Winterval in Waterford
Until December 23rd, Waterford City | Free, ticketed | winterval.ie
Killruddery Christmas Farm Market
Weekends throughout December, Killruddery House, Bray, Co. Wicklow | Free, unticketed | killruddery.com
YuleFest Kilkenny
Throughout December, Kilkenny City | Ticketed | yulefestkilkenny.ie
Ballet Ireland’s Nutcracker Sweeties
Throughout December, national tour | Ticketed | balletireland.ie
Wicklow Christmas Market
Until December 21st, Abbey Grounds, Wicklow Town | Some events free and unticketed, some events ticketed | wicklowchristmasmarket.com
Westport House’s Winter Wonderland
Until December 23rd, Westport House, Co. Mayo | Ticketed | westporthouse.ie
Winterfest Mullingar
Until January 7th, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath | Ticketed |Â winterfestmullingar.ie
Santa Train at Rathwood
Until December 23rd, Rathwood, Co. Carlow | Ticketed | santatrain.ie
Christmas at the Farm
Until December 19th, Moher Hill Farm, Co. Clare | Ticketed | moherfarm.com
The Wild Arctic Express
Until December 23rd, Wild Ireland, Co. Donegal | Ticketed | wildireland.org
Winter Walk and Elf Village
From December 3rd, Castlecomer Discovery Village, Co. Kilkenny | discoverypark.ie
Winter Wonderland Westport House
Until December 23rd, Westport House, Co. Mayo | Ticketed | westporthouse.ie
The Christmas Experience at Tayto Park
Until December 23rd, Tayto Park, Co. Meath | Ticketed | taytopark.ie
Enchanted Garden Winter Light Festival
December 3rd to January 9th 2022, Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, Co. Waterford | Ticketed | lafcadiohearngardens.com
Staying at home instead? Why not whip up one of these hot festive tipples?Â
