Like so many European cities, Dublin truly comes alive at Christmas; nowhere can this be seen better than when visiting the highly acclaimed Dublin Christmas market at Dublin Castle.
The Irish capital of Dublin is always a great place to visit any time of the year, but there is something extra special about seeing it at Christmas time.
The delightful decorations, cosy pubs, friendly people, and brilliant shops make Dublin come alive during the holiday season.
Nowhere can this spirit be seen better than at the Dublin Christmas Market! This article will explain everything you need to know about the Dublin Christmas market.
Overview – what is the Dublin Castle Christmas market?
The Dublin Christmas Market takes place on the beautiful grounds of Dublin Castle, located in the city’s heart.
As Christmas Markets go, the Dublin Christmas Market is relatively new as it launched in 2019, and since then, it has proven to be quite popular.
The market is contained mainly in the courtyard on the castle grounds and takes about 20 minutes or so to walk around.
At the Dublin Christmas market, you will find over 30 vendors in wooden chalets which sell everything from burgers and tacos to jewellery and delightful wooden crafts.
When to visit – crowds and the best time to go
While Dublin and Ireland are great to visit at any time of the year, those wishing to visit the Dublin Christmas market should arrive in December, as it takes place between the 8 and 21 of December.
To avoid crowds, we advise that you avoid visiting in the first few days as these are always the busiest.
Evening and weekends tend to be the busiest time for the Dublin Christmas Market. So, if you can, we advise visiting during a weekday afternoon. This way, you can enjoy a delicious family lunch without having to dodge the crowds or wait ages in a queue.
Address: Dame St, Dublin 2, Ireland
What to see – food, drinks, and more
There are lots of festive food and drinks stalls to enjoy, with 30 traditional alpine market stalls featuring an array of decorative Irish crafts and festive gift ideas.
The Christmas Market at Dublin Castle isn’t the only Christmas market on in Dublin. There include Farmleigh Christmas Markets at Phoenix Park, the Dandelion Markets at St Stephen’s Green, and many more.
Mistletown Christmas Market in Dublin, which usually consists of an artisan food village, a craft market, and a fruit and veg market, was cancelled for 2022.
Besides the markets, there are many other incredible sights to see and activities and things to do in Dublin.
From visiting the many excellent Christmas markets throughout the city to listening to beautifully sung Christmas carols in any of the city’s stunning cathedrals, there is so much to do in Dublin at Christmas.
You can dine out in brilliant restaurants and admire the beautiful Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo, there is so much to do in the Irish capital during the festive season to keep you entertained.
Things to know − useful info
There is no parking at Dublin Castle, but there are plenty of car parks nearby, the closest being Parkrite facility Christchurch Carpark.
The quickest way to get to the market is by taxi, or there’s a bus that brings you straight to the castle from the city centre. You can get on the bus at Holles Street, stop 493, and get off at S Great George’s St, stop 1283.
You also need tickets to visit the market. Tickets are free, and you can get them here.
Before visiting Dublin, there are some things you should be aware of to ensure your experience there is a good one and one to remember for all the right reasons.
While Dublin is undoubtedly a very safe city to visit, like any big European city, some petty crimes occur. Hence, the advice is to avoid wandering around empty streets late at night and use common sense as much as possible.
In terms of the public transport system that Dublin has, while there is no metro in Dublin, there is a great bus system, a regional train service, a light rail system, and plenty of taxis to use in Dublin City.
For getting around the city, your best bet would be to take advantage of the Luas and the bus system; seeing what lies outside Dublin using the DART (regional train service) would be the best course of action.
In terms of what Dublin’s weather is like, in wintertime, if you’re visiting the city for Christmas, you will find that the city’s winter weather is relatively mild by northern European standards.
December has an average temperature of 5 C (41 F). Snow is relatively rare but not entirely uncommon.
That concludes our article explaining everything you need to know about the Dublin Christmas market. Have you been to the Dublin Christmas market before, or do you plan on visiting it this year for the first time?
Other notable mentions
Galway Christmas Market: Galway Christmas Market is widely regarded as being one of the best Christmas markets Ireland has to offer.
Running from 12 November to 22 December, the Galway Christmas Markets, in their 13th year running, are officially the longest-running Christmas markets in Ireland.
This year the Galway Christmas Markets will be contained to Eyre Square and will be adorned with many food stalls, beer tents, and even a giant Ferris wheel.
Belfast Christmas Market: Belfast Christmas Market is another one of Ireland’s most famous Christmas markets.
Every year Belfast’s City Hall experiences a beautiful transformation into a German-themed Christmas Market, which contains almost 100 brilliantly handcrafted wooden chalets.
This year the Belfast Christmas Markets will run from 19 November to 22 December in the city centre.
Waterford Winterval: Known as Ireland’s largest Christmas festival, Waterford Winterval is undoubtedly one of the most popular Christmas markets in Ireland.
Now entering its tenth year, Winterval has thrived and promises that this year will be ‘its biggest and most festive programme yet.
At Winterval, visitors can expect many great things, such as big and spacious markets, the Winterval Train, a great ice skating rink, and the awe-inspiring 32-meter-high Waterford Eye. Winterval will take place between 19 November and 23 December.
FAQs about the Dublin Christmas Market
Are Dublin Christmas markets good?
Yes, they are easily amongst some of the best Christmas markets Ireland has to offer.
Where should I go for Christmas in Ireland?
There are many great places to visit in Ireland at Christmas that will give you a great experience to remember. In particular, we recommend visiting Dublin, Cork or Belfast over the festive season.
Does it snow in Dublin at Christmas?
According to Met Éireann, the likelihood of snow falling in Dublin on Christmas Day is around once every six years, so chances are it may not be snowing when you visit Dublin at Christmas. Despite this, Dublin still succeeds at offering a great Christmas experience.
Are there other Christmas Markets in Ireland?
Yes, there are the Galway Christmas Market, the Belfast Christmas Market, and the Cork Christmas Market. All markets go head to head with the best Christmas markets in Rome.
