Christmas Markets in Dublin

Dublin Christmas Markets

There's nothing more festive - and Dublin has some corkers.
By Dom Bewley

Sipping on a mulled wine (or Guinness) while strolling through a winter wonderland, thinking about what lovely gifts to buy your family and friends... Christmas markets are the place to be if you want to feel festive in Dublin. Here's our guide to the best of the best.

​Christmas; some say it's the most wonderful time of the year; others are wrong. And one such event that makes the season so magical is the Christmas markets. With the perfect blend of things to do, stalls selling all manner of festive offerings, and a great big dollop of community spirit, nothing quite beats a good Christmas market. You can sort out gifts for your whole family and feel all warm and fuzzy at the same time.

So, if you're visiting Dublin in the run-up to the big day, why not check out our picks of the best Christmas markets in the city and see what all the fuss is about?

Including:

  • Does Dublin have good Christmas markets?
  • How is Dublin in December?
  • Is Dublin fun at Christmas?
  • The best Christmas Markets in Dublin

Does Dublin have good Christmas markets?

happy-women-friends-shopping-presents-christmas

Indeed it does, fellow traveler! As you'll see below, there are a ton of festive offerings all over Dublin that'll have you feeling Christmassy in no time. Take a look at our suggestions below and find the perfect Christmas Market for you.

How is Dublin in December?

You'll need to wrap up warm because December in Dublin can certainly be chilly. Average highs hit around 7°C/46°F, and average lows tend to be around 5°C/41°F. So, no matter the weather, you'll need to wear plenty of layers - pack accordingly! It's also worth mentioning that it rains for an average of 23 days in December, so a warm waterproof or a decent umbrella should be the first items in your luggage.

Is Dublin fun at Christmas?

Dublin at Christmas

Of course it is, you silly goose! Dubliners know how to have a good time, and with a mix of Christmas markets, winter events, and more, it would be hard not to enjoy yourself!

Dublin Castle Christmas Market

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Dublin Castle Christmas Market is one of the youngest markets on this list, which opened its doors in 2019. Step inside its welcoming walls, and you'll find more than thirty stalls selling all manner of artisanal goods, warm Christmas drinks, and plenty of good food to warm your belly. All of your adventuring is accompanied by live music, entertainment for the kids, and plenty of Christmas cheer!

Typically, the market opens in the first two weeks of December and then shuts the weekend before Christmas itself, but it's worth keeping an eye on their website so you know when to go. And, while entry is free, you do need to book a 1.5-hour timeslot to get in. The slots ensure the market doesn't burst at the seams, and you'll have plenty of time to see it all.

Swords Castle Christmas Market

While many Dublin Christmas Markets have risen and fallen in recent years, it seems the castle-based ones are doing pretty well for themselves. It must be those castle walls and ramparts coming in clutch. Another is Swords Castle Christmas Market, which doesn't boast the turnout our choice available at Dublin Castle Christmas Market, is a great local event where you can pick up some goodies, sample local food, and children even get a picture taken with the big man.

Typically, the market opens its doors over two weekends between the end of November and the beginning of December. As above, keep an eye on official opening times when they're released.

Guinness Storehouse Winterfest

guinness-storehouse-dublin-brewery

You could hardly expect Guinness not to be part of the proceedings. It's Dublin, after all. Calling it Christmas Market might be somewhat disingenuous, but they have stalls selling Guinness-themed goodies, and plenty of photo ops both within the storehouse and without, thanks to those iconic Guinness doors.

Artist collaborations have become quite common over the years, and this year, Irish visual artist GRIF is joining the fray. Expect to see a digital Christmas Tree installation because, of course, grab a mulled Guinness, which could either be terrible or amazing and take a wander!

Gifted – The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair

The market formally known as the Contemporary Craft & Design Fair, Gifted - The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair is a fantastic place to pick up some artisanal wares in the run-up to Christmas. And yes, while it might not be a Christmas-themed market, you'll fill plenty of stockings with the items on offer!

Inside, you'll find endless stalls selling all manner of handcrafted delights, from clothes to jewelry and even ceramics and metalwork. If you need to pick up something unique in a pinch, you won't find many better places in Dublin. But when we said "endless stalls", we meant it. There must be hundreds! As such, you're best off putting a few hours aside to see it all.

Gifted tends to run for a week between the end of November and early December, but it is best to check ahead online for official dates and times. You can also buy your tickets online, so it's worth keeping an eye on their site.

Fumbally Christmas Market

Dublin at Christmas

If the weather's a worry, and, let's be honest, Dublin's winter can be an unpredictable, wet, ice-cold beast, then you might seek shelter from the elements. Thankfully, the Fumbally Christmas Market lets you get your fix without enduring the wrath of the weather gods, as it's one of the only indoor Christmas markets in the city.

Stall-wise, it's a mix of handcrafted clothes, furniture, jewelry, and beauty products, alongside locally sourced foodstuffs, confectionaries, and other knick-knacks that'll easily fill a stocking. While there aren't any stalls selling cooked meals or drinks, you can grab something at the Fumbally Cafe, which will open throughout the market's run.

And those were our picks of the best Christmas Markets in Dublin. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us here at Go City®!

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Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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If you're heading to Dublin this year and wondering how you'll be getting around the city, wonder no more. In this guide, we'll highlight all of the best ways to get around Dublin so you can make the most of your trip! Including: What is the easiest way to get around Dublin? Is Dublin easy to get around without a car? How many days do you need to see Dublin? Getting around Dublin: Public Transport What is the easiest way to get around Dublin? Walking is arguably the easiest and best way to get around Dublin. It's a relatively small city that is more than traversable by foot. But we'll get into that more down below! Is Dublin easy to get around without a car? Yes! Alongside the aforementioned walking, there are a ton of other ways to get around the city or even out of it. From trams to buses to national trains, you'll never be far from quick and affordable public transport. If you're traveling to Dublin from the States or another part of the world, we recommend you take a break from driving and let public transport do its thing. How many days do you need to see Dublin? It depends on how many things you want to do in the city! If you have a concert or other event to attend, or like the look of a number of Dublin attractions and experiences, you may want to spend 3-4 days in the city to make the most of it. If you want to travel outside of Dublin and see Ireland' natural beauty in all its splendor, maybe add a day or two to that. So, let's talk about getting around Dublin and the different forms of public transport you can take! Getting around Dublin: Buses You'll see Dublin's bright yellow buses all over the city, and they're easily one of the best ways of getting around Dublin. Buses run from the city center to the outer suburbs and vice versa from around 6AM until around 11PM, depending on the route. If you see any large blue or green lollipops sprouting from the ground, you've just seen a bus stop. There, you'll find maps, routes, and any other info you need to know. Cost-wise, journeys are determined by travel distance, so the longer you go, the more you pay. However, if you get a Leap Card, you can travel whenever and wherever you want without worrying about that. But what is a Leap Card? Image courtesy of EternalMoments/Shutterstock Getting around Dublin: Leap Cards Leap Cards allow unlimited travel on all buses or trains for a specific period of time. You buy a card for either 1, 3, or 7 days, depending on the length of your stay, and then tap it whenever you get on a bus or go through train gates to board any vessel. A 1-day ticket costs €8, a 3-day ticket costs €16, and a 7-day ticket costs €32. So, the more days you plan to use it, the less the daily cost. To pick one up, there are a couple of options to consider. Firstly, you can simply order it online. However, it does get delivered to your home address, so you need to book it far enough in advance of your trip to ensure it arrives in time! Alternatively, if you're reading this on the plane ride over, you can pick one up at the airport. Head to the T1 arrivals lounge and go to Wright's Airport Convenience Store. While it works on most forms of travel, it won't work on attractions like Dublin's Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour. But don't worry, we've got you covered! Getting around Dublin: DART DART stands for Dublin Area Rapid Transit, which is very clever when you think about it. While you may not use DART much if you're planning on spending most of your time in the city center, it's still an easy and affordable way to get around if you need to make longer journeys. DART serves over 30 stations, but you'll need to check ahead to see if it reaches a stop near you or your destination. If you're heading to the coast, DART is a quick and easy way to do it! DART trains run every 10 minutes from most stops, from 6AM - 12AM Monday - Saturday, and 9.30AM - 11PM on Sundays. Like buses, DART trains determine their cost by distance, so it's hard to talk about without knowing how far you're traveling. But, with a Leap Card, you needn't worry. Getting around Dublin: LUAS LUAS is Dublin's tram service, which is arguably the best way of getting around Dublin if you want to sightsee as you go! There are two lines, Red Line and Green Line, but since Dublin is so small, it's enough to get most people to where they're going. Trams run from 5:30AM - 12.30AM Monday to Friday, 6.30AM - 12.30AM on Saturdays, and 7AM - 11.30PM on Sundays. And guess what? Yes, repeat after us: your journey time determines the price. Look online if you want to buy single tickets, or pick up a Leap Card and throw caution - and worry - to the wind. Getting around Dublin: Irish Rail You'll only use Irish Rail if you're traveling out of Dublin, so bear that in mind. 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Dom Bewley

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