Fri 6 Nov 2026 – Sun 31 Jan 2027
After dark the zoo turns into a wonderland, with paths winding through a spectacular route of giant illuminated silk lanterns.
Fri 13 Nov – Wed 23 Dec 2026
The Winterval Festival sees Waterford transformed into a magical Christmas world, with train and sleigh rides, nightly lightshows and a variety of often free on-street entertainment.
Fri 27 Nov – Wed 23 Dec 2026
This is probably the most elaborate Santa experience in Ireland, a completely magical event for children and families and is, deservedly, wildly popular.
Fri 27 Nov – Tue 22 Dec 2026
Ailwee Cave, on the Burren in Co Clare, is a great place to visit any time of year, but Christmas is very special.
Sat 28 Nov – Thu 31 Dec 2026
Mostly taking place at weekends - though some events run through the week - Yulefest combines food and craft events, special Christmas concerts and entertainment and a generally festive atmosphere...
Wed 2 – Sun 6 Dec 2026
This enormous annual fair sees some of the best Irish craftspeople and food producers setting up stall in the RDS in Ballsbridge.
Sat 5 – Sun 20 Dec 2026 (TBC)
Farmleigh, an estate within Dublin's Phoenix Park, is the venue for this annual programme of Christmas events aimed at all ages, but with a specially good range of events for...
Tue 8 – Thu 10 Dec 2026
The choir at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin is among the finest in the country, with a history of more than 5 centuries of singing in the Cathedral.
Sat 26 Dec 2026
The tradition of "hunting the wren" is an ancient one, originating as a pre-Christian Winter Solstice ritual when the tiny wren, symbolising the dark old year, was driven out to...
Wed 30 Dec 2026 – Fri 1 Jan 2027
For many Dubliners greeting the New Year means gathering outside Christchurch Cathedral at mid-night to hear the bells ring. It's a loud and boisterous occasion, with big crowds!
Thu 31 Dec 2026
For almost two hundred years Portmagee in Kerry has held a unique and wonderful New Year's Eve parade, celebrating the death of an old year and the birth of new...
Fri 1 Jan 2027
An annual fixture on the New Year calendar in which the denizens of 'Comer take to streets in outrageous fancy dress, before entering a highly competitive race, shod in wellies.
