Things to do in Dublin, Belfast and Galway
Here’s a selection of what’s coming up:
Dundrum Town Center
To celebrate our 10th year in Dundrum Town Centre, the ice rink moves to a great new location in Building 5, Dundrum South. Less than 5 minutes walk from our old home in the Pembroke District, this year’s rink is our biggest and brightest yet. From inside the centre just take the Balally Luas exit between Starbucks and Boots on Level 2 or, from outside the centre take the steps down from the Tesco Car Park beside Intersport Elverys or walk up Sandyford Road from the Mill Pond and turn right just before Asfield College. Monday-Friday : 15:00 – 21:00 (Last Session 20:00 HRS) Saturday & Sunday : 10:00am – 19:00 (Last Session 18:00 HRS) Off-Peak = First three sessions daily* (excluding Dec 22nd to Jan 6th) Adult – €14 Child (Under-12) – €13 Family of three – €36 Family of four – €44 Peak Adult – €16 Child (Under-12) – €16 Family of three – €44 Family of four – €55
Dublin Zoo
Wild Lights, the spectacular night-time experience at Dublin Zoo, is back and it’s like nothing you’ve seen before! Showcasing a brand new theme – Stories, Myths and Legends. With magical scenes from well-known stories like the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Peter Pan and the Jungle Book…to best-loved nursery rhymes and characters from Irish Mythology – all brought to life by dazzling, giant colourful silk lanterns! See over a thousand breath-taking, illuminated lanterns transform Dublin Zoo into an enchanted wonderland as darkness falls. Along the way enjoy the live Chinese performers before visiting the food and drink stalls for some tasty and warming treats! Tickets for Wild Lights are on sale from September 18th for annual pass holders and September 20th, at dublinzoo.ie/wildlights Note: Children and visitors under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all times and teenagers may be required to show ID.
Gate Theatre
In Jack Thorne’s superb retelling of this timeless Christmas fable, Dickens’s dream-like story is transformed into a theatrical experience in which inclusivity and community are centre stage, and the barriers between stage and audience are re-imagined for the 21st Century in a re-configured Gate auditorium. Previews from: Friday 15 November 2019 Opening Night: Thursday 21 November 2019 Matinees: Selected Saturdays and Wednesdays – 2.30pm Evenings: Mondays to Saturdays – 7.30pm Age Guidance: A Christmas Carol is recommended for audiences aged 8+.
The Abbey Theatre
Inish is a small seaside town in Ireland. It has never been on the map, but it has been making headlines lately, for all the wrong reasons. Could the performances of the newly arrived De la Mare Repertory Theatre Company really be the cause of the town’s strange behaviour? Drama at Inish is a much-loved favourite from the Irish canon and was first performed at the Abbey Theatre in 1933. This new production takes this brilliant farce by renowned Cork playwright, Lennox Robinson, into 1960s Ireland, and features a superb cast of Ireland’s best-loved actors. Director Cal McCrystal, the acclaimed Comedy Director of One Man, Two Guvnors brings his unique style to the Abbey Stage for the first time, where he is joined by some of Ireland’s leading theatre designers. Dates: 21 November – 25 January 2020 On the Abbey Stage Free First Preview: 21 November Times: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Sat Matinees 2pm Tickets: €13 – €45 / Conc. €13 – €30 Early Bird tickets available until 17 October Sign language interpreted performance: Thursday 9 January, 7:30pm
The Helix
TheatreworX is back with this year’s Helix Panto ‘The Three Musketeers’. With all the wit, magic and fun that our audiences have come to expect from our hilarious panto! TheatreworX is renowned for it’s hilarious scripts with the perfect cast resulting in the best family Christmas outing. With audience favourites Aidan Mannion and Colin Hughes returning along with Chris Corroon’s Lola amongst others, this year’s production is set to tickle the funny bone yet again. Come along to The Helix this Christmas to see yet another fresh, fun and exciting panto that will leave your face and sides sore from laughing. Sensory Friendly Show: Wednesday December 18th at 7:00pm The changes incorporated into the sensory friendly show include softer and brighter lighting, no sudden noises or bangs, music at a suitable level and a particular allowance is made for children who may need to move around more and may react in different ways to a performance. In addition to these changes, no flashing merchandise will be available in The Helix during the sensory -friendly performance.
Palmerstown House Estate
Ireland’s most amazing Santa Train Experience. Located at the 5* luxurious Palmerstown House Estate & with 30,000 visitors annually Santas House Express has become one of Ireland’s best-loved Santa Experiences. Join Mrs Claus, the Elves, and a group of other fantastic characters and attractions, performers and entertainment. Enjoy a host of fun and games before your journey starts. Ride aboard the Santa Train Express through the beautiful grounds of Palmerstown House Estate to Santa’s Magical Kingdom. Explore Santa’s Manor Home, meet and have fun with all Santa’s super amazing characters. Listen to Mrs Claus story and then finally meet the big man himself. View more photos on our Gallery Page
Gaiety Theatre
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to the Gaiety Panto! The Gaiety Theatre has hosted the annual Christmas Panto each year since 1873. Today, families come from far and wide to experience the Gaiety Christmas Panto and for many it has become as much a family Christmas tradition as Santa himself! The 2019 – 2020 fabulous Gaiety Theatre pantomime is Aladdin
St Martin Apostolate’s
You know it’s really Christmas when you hear mention of The Moving Crib at 42 Parnell Square West, Dublin 1 and this year is no different. This wonderful gem will be opened again this year to celebrate it’s 63rd birthday, after welcoming 23,000 visitors last year. Doors open from the 28th November and best of all, it’s still FREE! The timeless charm of the Moving Crib lives on and has become a nostalgic centrepiece of the Christmas season for many. Enjoy a medley of Biblical, historical and fun stories, competitions, an illusion wall all wrapped up in a blanket of Christmas magic. It is guaranteed festive fun for all ages, families and individuals alike, no matter the age. Children can draw and colour a Leaf, cut out the shape and bring it with them so that they can be placed in the Garden of Eden forever and everyone is encouraged to take part in our competitions to be in with a chance to win some fantastic prizes! The Crib is a monument of Dublin’s “rare auld times” but one that carries a message for today, helping to banish the winter blues and warm its visitors with excitement and real Christmas […]
Dun laoighaire
Dún Laoghaire is all set to be ‘electrifying’ again this Christmas as the iconic Ferris Wheel takes centre stage at the annual Christmas Festival presented by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. A 55 ft retro Ferris Wheel built in 1958 and reported to have featured in the original ‘Grease’ movie is a highlight. In keeping with the Hollywood theme, the festival also features vintage Chair-O-Planes that were used by AMC in the making of TV series ‘Into the Badlands’ starring Daniel Wu. The iconic Ferris Wheel and chair-o-planes will provide spectacular views of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour this Christmas with a touch of nostalgia, a sense of adventure and a whole lot of ‘Greased Lightning!’ The vintage carnival will be placed at Moran Park beside dlr LexIcon to compliment the traditional Dún Laoghaire Christmas Market which runs from Saturday November 30th to Sunday December 23rd It will include classic family attractions full of nostalgic charm such as colourful retro Hobby Horses, candyfloss, a rollercoaster, Santa’s Post Box and a charming Christmas market with a traditional and nostalgic theme bringing the magic of Christmas and a winter wonderland for the festive season. Santa arrives to open the festival and switch on […]
The Sugar Club
Dec 01 Do Go On Stand Up Show Dec 01 Do Go On Dec 03 Sion Hill Dec 06 Sound of the Sixties – A Tribute to Motown Dec 08 R.E.S.P.E.C.T – A Tribute to The Queen Of Soul Dec 09 Alchemy – Winter Song Dec 10 Presented by Popcorn Die Hard Xmas Screening Dec 11 Bronagh Gallagher Dec 13 Presented by Films of Note Stop Making Sense Late Night Xmas Screening Dec 14 Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde Dec 15 Standback Bring You- Saint Nicks Christmas Show Dec 16 Presented by MCD The Slacker Podcast: Phil Taggart in Conversation with The Coronas Dec 18 David O’Doherty Christmas Show #1 Dec 19 Sing Along Social Christmas Special Dec 21 Presented by ChoiceCuts Scary Éire Live Dec 22 David O’Doherty Christmas Show #2 – ALL AGES MATINEE Dec 22 David O’Doherty Christmas Show #3 Dec 23 David O’Doherty Christmas Show #4
National Concert Hall
Carducci Quartet Sun Dec 1 2019 03:00 p.m. €17.50 Jack Lukeman – Metropolis Blue Album Sun Dec 1 2019 07:30 p.m. €27.50 – €35.00 Rufus and Martha Wainwright’s A Not So Silent Night Mon Dec 2 2019 07:30 p.m. €40.00 – €65.00 Rufus and Martha Wainwright’s A Not So Silent Night Tue Dec 3 2019 07:30 p.m. €40.00 – €65.00 Sunday Miscellany Live at Christmas Wed Dec 4 2019 08:00 p.m. €13.50 – €42.50 Sing Out! Choir Christmas Concert Wed Dec 4 2019 08:30 p.m. €0.00 Katona Twins Thu Dec 5 2019 07:30 p.m. €17.50 A Joyous Culwick Christmas Thu Dec 5 2019 08:00 p.m. €6.00 – €27.00 DIT Chamber Choir Fri Dec 6 2019 01:05 p.m. €5.00 – €10.00 RTE NSO Schnelzer, Tchaikovsky, Berlioz Fri Dec 6 2019 07:30 p.m. €13.50 – €38.50 Family Christmas Concert with the Echo Band Sat Dec 7 2019 11:30 a.m. €0.00 – €12.00 Family Christmas Concert with the Echo Band Sat Dec 7 2019 01:00 p.m. €0.00 – €12.00 Ring Christmas Bells! The Palestrina Choir Sat Dec 7 2019 08:00 p.m. €18.00 – €32.00 Ficino Quartet Sun Dec 8 2019 03:00 p.m. €17.50 Dublin County Choir Christmas Celebration Sun Dec 8 2019 07:00 […]
The New Theatre
In this fast-moving, heartfelt comedy based on true events, young radio superstar Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre gang are presenting “A Christmas Carol” in New York live ON-AIR on Christmas Eve 1938 … having just lost their Scrooge. Can Orson and his overworked cast survive the last minute chaos and pressure to give this Christmas Carol a happy ending? Featuring a 45-minute version of “A Christmas Carol” in the 1930’s radio style with live sound effects and carols, this is a Christmassy treat for the whole family, with a touch of old Hollywood glamour … 3rd December – 14th December @ 7:30pm (+ Sat Matinees @ 2:30pm) Preview Tues 3rd, Opens Wed 4th. Show Length: 75 minutes
National Print Museum
An exciting range of Christmassy craft materials and blank cards will be available at the Education Area for children to hand-make their very own Christmas Cards.
Olympia Theatre
Featuring the unmistakeable rich and plaintive voice of Dennis Locorriere, known for the global hits Sylvia’s Mother, When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman and more, experience how Dr Hook continues to go strong since the 70s and 80s. This spectacular show is presented in an evening of not only great music, but one that also brings to audiences all the fun and humour that was synonymous with the name Dr. Hook. DR HOOK’s 50th Anniversary Tour is a musical event simply not to be missed!
Olympia Theatre
Over the past three and a half decades, Primal Scream have embraced everything from psychedelic pop to degenerate rock’n’roll; euphoric rave to industrial gloom. They have made records with George Clinton and Kate Moss, invited Mani of the Stone Roses and Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine into the fold, survived narcotic oblivion, personal trauma and the death of beloved guitarist Robert “Throb” Young, and captured the mood of the nation several times over. Throughout it all, they have always sounded like Primal Scream. And they have always made great singles.
Smock Alley Theatre
Jesus, what an absolute cult! Picture it. The near future. The seas have risen, the end times are nigh and you’re stuck…singing…and worshipping…in Athlone. A play with songs (not a musical!), This is NOT a Cult shepherds its flock into the bleak remnants of apocalyptic Ireland where Jesus 2 has gathered a desperate bunch of so-called sinners to his table to worship both his deeds and quite possibly his misdeeds. Formed in 2018, No Desserts is a company devoted to bringing weird, wild, wacky theatre to Irish audiences in a way of digesting our most disturbing delights. 2019 saw company co-founder Gemma Kane’s 48 return to Smock Alley’s Main Space for a hugely acclaimed run and its tour in 2020 signals the company’s ever growing success. Presented by No Desserts Theatre Company Mon 9 – Sat 14 Dec 2019 | 8pm | Boys’ School Preview tickets €10 Written by: Eoghan Collins Directed by: Robbie O’Raw Cast: Gemma Kane, Niall O’Brien, Tiernan Kearns, Eoghan Collins + Aoife Martyn Light / Costume / Sound / Set Design: Aine O’Hara Duration: 90 minutes Strong language, sexual references, nudity. Suitable for ages 16+ Developed at Scene + Heard
Vicar Street
One of the most compelling and inspirational musicians Ireland has ever seen, Christy Moore today announces 10 nights at Vicar Street along with a date at the INEC, Killarney in support of his forthcoming new album Magic Nights, out 22nd November.
The Abbey Theatre
In a kitchen, in a theatre, two storytellers and their audience find something remarkable — a very old man with enormous wings. The wise neighbour woman tells us he’s an angel. The priest says he’s an imposter. Pilgrims flock to see him, hoping to be healed by him, hoping for a gawp. They leave with something different than what they expected. Adapted from Gabriel García Márquez’s Un señor muy viejo con unas alas enormes Collapsing Horse bring this classic piece of magical realism to the stage in search of its beautiful, strange, emotional richness. WINNER – Best Design at Dublin Fringe Festival 2019 For children 8+ and adults of all ages. Developed as part of Theatre Artist in Residency at Riverbank Arts Centre, Kildare. Dates: 10 – 28 December On the Peacock Stage Free First Preview: 10 December Times: Various Tickets: €16 – €18 / Conc. €14 – €16 Child: €10 – €12 Family of 4: €44
Olympia Theatre
It’s been a busy summer for the band, which included two sold-out shows in Croke Park supporting Westlife, performing at the sold-out Longitude Festival and their main stage slot at this year’s Electric Picnic! Continuing on from the massive success of Wild Youth’s EP ‘The Last Goodbye, which debuted at #5 in the Irish Albums Charts, the Dublin pop-rock superstars went on to sell-out their first ever headline show in The Olympia Theatre in March, support The Script in London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall and perform to a packed-out house in London’s OMEARA, run by Mumford & Sons member Ben Lovett. In addition to a string of live shows, their outrageously catchy song ‘Can’t Move On’ has earned them over 2 million streams and was the most played Irish song on Irish radio in 2018! Recently, Wild Youth shared the stage with the likes of Mumford & Sons and Dermot Kennedy at this year’s Malahide Castle, and Clean Bandit and Jax Jones at Sea Sessions. Wild Youth consists of David Whelan, Conor O’ Donohue, Ed Porter and Callum McAdam.
Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
The sensational feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! will return to Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin for a 4 week run from 10th December 2019 – 5th January 2020 as part of a UK and International Tour celebrating 20 years since MAMMA MIA! premiered in London in April 1999. From West End to global phenomenon, MAMMA MIA! is Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with a sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads unfolding on a Greek island idyll. To date, it has been seen by over 60 million people in 50 productions in 16 different languages. In 2011 it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China. MAMMA MIA! became the 8th longest running show in Broadway history where it played a record-breaking run for 14 years. MAMMA MIA! continues to thrill audiences in London’s West End at the Novello Theatre where it will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on 6 April 2019. The hugely successful first International Tour premiered in Dublin in September 2004 and visited 85 cities across 38 countries, selling over 5 million tickets over 9 years. Produced […]
St Patrick’s Cathedral
Sung by the Choir of Christ Church CathedralChrist Church Cathedral is delighted to announce the return of the annual Christmas Concert featuring the resident Cathedral Choir on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 20:00 sharp (with other performances on Wednesday, December 11 and Thursday, December 12). Truly there is no better way to celebrate the season than by enjoying Christmas in the magnificent and beautiful setting of Christ Church Cathedral.Singing a wide variety of classic carols and modern favourites, the renowned choir will inspire and entertain, whilst the rousing audience carols will really get you into the Christmas spirit. Complimentary Festive Refreshments will be served during the interval. Sing along with old favourites such as O Come, All Ye Faithful, be inspired by glorious choral gems such as Good King Wenceslas, all topped off with a magical selection of popular Christmas tunes, sung by the stellar voices of the Cathedral Choir in a beautiful candle-lit setting.
National Concert Hall
Paul Brady, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is one of Ireland’s most enduringly popular artists. In his first concert at the NCH in over three years, an evening with Paul Brady on stage is a captivating experience, as he invites you into his world of songs and music in a way that will surprise in its intimacy, sense of fun and raw power.Born and raised in Strabane, Northern Ireland, on the border with the Irish Republic, he was into a wide variety of music from an early age. A Fifties child, his first sounds the Swing, Jazz, Show tunes of his parents generation. Then 50’s Rock ‘n Roll, 60’s pop and Motown, Blues, R’nB and Country and Western. Through all this ran the potent flavour of Irish traditional music and song.Learning to play the piano pretty much by ear, trial and error, his early heroes were Jerry Lee Lewis, Winifred Atwell and Fats Domino. By the age of eleven he had begun to play guitar, spending hours of his school holidays learning every tune the Shadows and The Ventures recorded, every lick Chuck Berry played. Mid-teens saw him take summer jobs playing piano and guitar in Bundoran, a seaside resort in […]
Olympia Theatre
Now, The Coronas are bringing the Festival home to Dublin this Christmas. As the band themselves explain, “No matter how busy we’ve been or even when we lived abroad, Dublin at Christmas has always been home for us. This year we want to do something slightly different: we want to play the venues where we honed our sound as a young band, together with some great Dublin venues that we’ve never gotten to play before.” The tour of Dublin will cap off a very successful year for the band. The single ‘Find The Water’, taken from their upcoming sixth album, topped the airplay charts throughout the summer. Their ‘Long Way Home’ Festival gigs in Cork, Limerick, Belfast and Galway were sold out and upcoming gigs in Wexford and Kilkenny had second dates added, all of which are now sold out. The band are due to head to New York in November where a fourth date has been added to their The Mercury Lounge residency due to the phenomenal demand.
Smock Alley Theatre
Three Wise Men they are not…but stars from the hit musical Les Misérables they are! Join West-End, Broadway and International performers Earl Carpenter, Paul Wilkins & Chris Holland in an evening fully packed with musical anecdotes, witty banter and an abundance of Christmas merriment! Twas a time before Christmas, three musical singers Joined forces in song to pay for their dinners Their voices were tuneful and the banter was funny Singing all of the show-tunes for not that much money! Running Time : 140 mins incl 20 minute interval Suitable for all ages Thu 12 – Sat 14 Dec | 7:30pm | plus 2:30pm on Sat 14th | Main Space Cast: Earl Carpenter (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, We Will Rock You) Chris Holland (Les Misérables, Grease, We Will Rock You) Paul Wilkins (Les Misérables, Hair, The Dreamers) Accompanied on the piano by Louise Helyer
3 Arena
Award-winning comedian Brendan O’Carroll presents Mrs. Brown’s Boys D’Musical? which will tour UK arenas from March until December 2019. Mrs. Brown’s Boys D’Musical? promises to take audiences on an exhilarating, side-splitting and musical adventure across a string of UK dates, with both matinee and evening shows across the weekend. In March, the show will be at The SSE Arena in Glasgow, followed by Newcastle and Manchester in April, Cardiff, Birmingham and Leeds in June, London in July, Belfast and Liverpool in November, and Sheffield in December 2019. Mrs. Brown’s Boys appeared first on Irish radio station RTÉ 2fm in 1992, followed by a series of books written by star O’Carroll from the mid 1990s onwards. The multiple award-winning television series Mrs. Brown’s Boys launched on the BBC in early 2011, and Mrs. Brown’s Boys D’Movie was released in 2014. In addition to the musical, their BBC One series All Round to Mrs. Brown’s will continue next year, with record-breaking viewing figures since its launch in 2017, and a third series on the way in 2019.
The Academy
Downmarket celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year ahead of The Blades first gig in 27 years which will be held in the Olympia Theatre on Friday 13th of December, this is sure to be as nostalgic to the fans that were there as it will be mesmerizing to the generation of new fans they have gained since. The Blades were formed in 1977 at a time where punk ruled Dublin, with bands like The Radiators from Space being among the talk of the Irish music scene. Originally with Paul Cleary on Bass, his brother Lar on Guitar and drummer Pat Larkin completing the lineup.
St. Andrew’s, Westland Row (RC)
Cuore Chamber Choir proudly present their Christmas concert, Now May We Singen, conducted by Amy Ryan. Come to St Andrew’s Church, Westland Row at 8pm on Saturday 14th December to hear a feast of European Advent music spanning across centuries and borders, featuring polychoral works and contemporary pieces from composers including McDowall, Victoria, Praetorius, Weekles, Howells, Busto, Gjeilo and more. Cuore Chamber Choir is an award-winning ensemble at the heart of choral music making in Dublin. Since its formation in 2014, the choir has won first prizes at most of the major competitions in Ireland, including multiple trophies at Cork International Choral Festival in April 2018. The choir recently made their international debut, performing at Zêzere Arts Festival, Portugal, in July 2019.
National Concert Hall
Join violin sensation Vladimir as he adds a festive glow to some of the most beautiful classical melodies from the Romantic era, together with a flurry of seasonal evergreens to get you set for the most wonderful time of the year. These 2019 Gala concerts will feature Vladimir’s most memorable performances of the past decade, along with many new surprises. Vladimir will be joined by his parents, sister and brothers. The Jablokov’s will be joined on stage by Vladimir’s hand picked orchestra, tenor Sean Costello, star soprano Margaret Keys and amazing Arabella Voices choir. Vladimir grew up on in Bratislava, Slovakia in the family of musicians where both parents and 6 siblings played music together since a young age. 5 out of the 6 children decided to make music their professional career. 15 years ago Vladimir moved to Ireland. Starting from busking on Grafton street, he quickly moved on to performing concerts. Missing the family and their performances together he decided, in 2008, to re-unite them for his Viennese Christmas concert. Since then, the Jablokov’s meet every December in Ireland for the family gathering and have to date, performed for over 50,000 people here. 14th December 3.00pm & 8.00pm – Main Stage15th December 3.00pm […]
St Martin Apostolate’s
Get into the Christmas Spirit with Carols, Gospel and Soul music from the Bray Gospel Choir at the Moving Crib on 15th December. FREE Admission! This year The Moving Crib (42 Parnell Square West, Dublin 1) is welcoming back the wonderfully talented Bray Gospel Choir for the third year running. Beat those winter blues and get excited for the Yuletide season with Carols, Gospel and Soul music from 12 noon – 4pm on Sunday 15th December. Complete your pre-Christmas trip with a visit to famous Moving Crib downstairs. For more information visit our website or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Guaranteed to be an unforgettable Christmas experience for families and individuals alike regardless of age. Free Admission – No Booking Necessary Located opposite the main entrance of the Rotunda Hospital and service by many many bus routes. Jervis Luas Stop approx. 7 mins walk Dominick Street Luas approx 4 mins walk Abbey Street Luas approx. 10 mins walk Note: No booking necessary unless a large group i.e School Groups
The above is a selection of what’s coming up. Use the categories below to narrow your search