Dublin Christmas Markets 2026: 9 Worth A Visit

There is no standalone Dublin Christmas Market – instead, the city’s festive spirit comes from a collection of markets dotted across castle courtyards, city squares, and neighbourhood venues.

It’s worth noting from the beginning that the capital is still severely lacking when it comes to decent festive markets, although there’s reason to be a little more optimistic in 2026, with a brand-new market from the team behind Taste of Dublin and the Dublin Castle Christmas Market among the new additions.

While the last few years have been inconsistent, there are set to be several Christmas Markets in Dublin in 2026!

What to know about the Dublin Christmas markets 2026

If you’re looking to visit Christmas Markets in Dublin in 2026, take 10 seconds to read the points below, first:

1. Don’t believe what 90% of websites are saying

So, if you Google ‘Dublin Christmas Market 2026’ you’ll find a load of websites listing markets that no longer take place, e.g. the Dublin Flea Christmas Market or the market at the IFSC – they’re using very outdated information.

2. There’s no real Bavarian-style markets

There’s hundreds of Christmas fairs taking place across Dublin in halls and car parks. Unfortunately, there’s only one (maybe two) Christmas markets in Dublin in 2026 that are even remotely Bavarian-style.

3. The reality

Dublin Castle has been the main Dublin Christmas market in recent years, but it’s been postponed until 2027. The good news is that 2026 is looking considerably more promising, with TwinkleTown expanding to two locations and the brand-new Everwinter coming to the RDS.

Christmas markets in Dublin returning in 2026

Dates are now confirmed for many of the main Dublin Christmas markets in 2026, although several smaller events have yet to announce their plans (there are plenty of Christmas markets in Ireland, too!).

Below, you’ll find the markets that are definitely going ahead along with ones that are very likely to go ahead!

1. TwinkleTown in Smithfield and St. Patrick’s Park

The Smithfield Christmas Market is confirmed to return as TwinkleTown in 2026 and, with the Dublin Castle market postponed until 2027, it’ll likely attract more attention this year.

There’s a big expansion for 2026, too, with TwinkleTown taking place across two locations for the first time – Smithfield Square and St Patrick’s Park.

Smithfield will have the livelier attractions, including ice skating, the Santo Panto, Big Wheel, festive market and family entertainment, while St Patrick’s Park will feature Christmas lights, choir performances, festive rides, food and craft stalls.

TwinkleTown Smithfield runs from November 20th to December 31st, while St Patrick’s Park runs from November 27th to December 23rd.

2. The Swords Castle Christmas Market

If there’s one Dublin Christmas market that’s stood strong in recent years it’s the market in Swords Castle.

It’s home to over 50 stalls buckling with gifts, art, crafts, and food all sold by local traders. There’s also a Santa’s Grotto.

Santa’s Grotto will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 5pm, priced at €5 per child, including a small gift and emailed photo (no booking required).

The Swords Castle Christmas Market is confirmed to run across two weekends in 2026: November 27th – 29th and December 5th – 6th.

3. Everwinter at the RDS

There’s a new Christmas market in Dublin in 2026 – Everwinter! And there’s reason to be cautiously optimistic about this one. It’s from the team behind Taste of Dublin and the Dublin Castle Christmas Market, and Irish makers are being put at the heart of the event.

Running at the RDS from November 25th to December 23rd, it’ll combine a Christmas market with a 600m² covered ice rink, Robert Fossett’s Circus, a vintage fairground, live entertainment and plenty of festive food and drink.

Last year’s Dublin Loves Christmas at the RDS felt more like a festive funfair with a handful of market stalls tacked on, so hopefully Everwinter represents a proper change-up rather than simply a new name.

4. Dún Laoghaire Christmas festival

The Dún Laoghaire Christmas Market has had a fairly stop-start existence in recent years, although it returned as part of the wider Dún Laoghaire Christmas Festival last year.

The market has yet to be confirmed for 2026, and there’ll be at least one major change to the wider festival this year, with the ice skating moving from Dún Laoghaire to Blanchardstown.

Last year’s market was organised by the Dún Laoghaire Business Association and ran from late November through the Christmas period. It formed part of a wider programme of festivities around the town, with Santa visits, a traditional funfair, Christmas lights and New Year’s Eve fireworks at the harbour.

5. Botanic Gardens Eco Christmas Craft Market

The Botanic Gardens will bring back what will be one of several eco-style Christmas markets in Dublin in 2026.

The ever-popular Sustainable Christmas Craft Market will take place on December 12th and 13th, from 10am to 4pm.

You’ll find over 50 stalls offering a range of sustainable gifts, as well as seasonal treats and decorative crafts.

It’s worth noting that the 2026 market will be smaller than in previous years due to site restrictions, although organisers are still expecting it to be a busy one.

6. The Fumbally Market

The Fumbally Market is confirmed to return in 2026, taking place across December 4th, 5th and 6th. Expect around 30 rotating stalls showcasing independent food producers, crafters, artists and creatives, all indoors inside the 18th-century Fumbally Stables.

It’s one of only a handful of indoor Dublin Christmas markets, which is handy if the weather isn’t playing ball!

The market runs from 12pm – 7pm on Friday and 10am – 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, with the Fumbally café and shop open throughout.

7. Wonderlights

Now, this doesn’t really fit alongside the other Christmas markets Dublin has to offer, but it’s well worth a mention. Wonderlights returns to Malahide Castle & Gardens for its sixth season in 2026, with a brand-new theme set to be revealed closer to the event.

The experience combines an immersive night-time light trail with projections, music and an Alpine-style food and drinks village, where you can grab something before or after the walk.

Last year’s show featured more than one million lights throughout the castle grounds, so it’ll be interesting to see what they come up with this time around. Wonderlights runs on selected dates from November 12th to December 29th, 2026 and it is set to be one of several festive things to do in Dublin at Christmas in 2026.

8. Mini Christmas Markets

There are plenty of smaller Christmas markets in Dublin scheduled for 2026. Here are the highlights:

• Doggy Christmas Market: BrewDog Outpost festivities (TBC)
• Stillgarden Christmas Fair: Handmade gifts, mulled drinks, and festive shopping in Inchicore (TBC)
• Bolands Mills Market: A quirky festive market running Nov 28th and 29th

9. Rathfarnham Castle Christmas Market

Rathfarnham Castle Christmas Market (TBC) is an outdoor market held in, unsurprisingly enough, the grounds of Rathfarnham Castle, an impressive 16th-century fortified house.

Throughout the day, the magical market has a range of stalls selling artisan goods, local art and crafts, plus opportunities for food and festive warm drinks. 

Kids will have the opportunity to post their letters to Santa and there’s also all-day entertainment taking place.

10. Christmas Markets near Dublin

If none of the Dublin Christmas markets above tickle your fancy, don’t fret – there’s a handful of markets nearby and plenty more a 2-hour drive away, depending on how dedicated you are to getting to one.

Here’s a mix of Christmas Markets near Dublin to choose from:

• Wicklow Christmas Market (1-hour drive)
• Kilkenny Christmas Market (1.5-hour drive)
• Winterval Waterford (2-hour drive)
• Glow Cork (3-hour drive)

11. The Dublin Castle Christmas Market (not running in 2026)

A couple of years back, the Dublin Castle Christmas market arrived out of nowhere and it went down reasonably well.

It is one of the only Christmas markets in Dublin that has run consistently for over 4 years and it’s set in the impressive grounds of Dublin Castle.

In previous years, the castle was finely decked out in fairy lights and the entrance to the castle grounds was lined with 100+ Christmas trees.

The main market is held within the courtyard where there is all of the usual stalls selling festive bits and bobs, a carousel and an open-air bar (more info here).

As per this statement, the Dublin Castle Christmas Market won’t be taking place in 2026. It’s likely returning in 2027.

Christmas events in Dublin in 2026

Along with the markets above, there are plenty of other festive things to do at Christmas in Dublin this year.

I’ll add more to the list below when pantos, carols, and other events are announced closer to December (find loads more things to do in the city in our guide on what to do in Dublin).

1. Pantos

If the Christmas Markets in Dublin aren’t you’re cup of tea, you can kick-back with some live entertainment at one of the many pantos taking place.

• The Gaiety Panto: Robin Hood
• The Helix Panto: Neverland
• The National Stadium Panto: Aladdin
• The Civic Theatre Panto: Tickles and Dottie are Freezin’

2. Christmas drive-in movies

Fancy watching the Santa Clause, ELF, Home Alone or Love Actually on a big aul screen from the comfort of your car?

Retro Drive-In is an outdoor cinema that takes place at Leopardstown each year and it usually runs from the start of December.

If it’s lashing rain and you don’t fancy getting drenched while sauntering around a Dublin Christmas market, take refuge in your car and catch a festive flick.

3. Christmas carols

There’s an absolute tonne of different Christmas carol events you can visit in Dublin at Christmas, with a mix of free and ticketed events on offer.

The National Concert Hall has endless festive events scheduled over the coming weeks.

Christ Church also has several events running. You’ll also find hundreds of other musical events listed on EventBrite.

4. The Christmas lights

Like many of Ireland’s towns and cities, Dublin is completely lit up during the festive period. However, the Christmas light switch on in Dublin has gone a*se ways over the years.

For a number of years, there was a big switch on that people travelled in to see. However, those running the event couldn’t control the crowds, and it was cancelled.

Grab a cup of coffee and take a little stroll around O’Connell Street, Henry Street, Grafton Street and just follow the lights. Finish the festive ramble off with a bite to eat in one of the best restaurants in Dublin.

5. Christmassy pubs

There are some very Christmassy pubs in Dublin to work your way through this year.

The Hole in the Wall pub is one of those places that you need to visit at Christmas if you haven’t nipped by already.

The folks here go all out decorating from November, and the result is incredibly special! Find loads more bars to visit in our guide to the best pubs in Dublin.

Christmas markets Dublin 2026: What have we missed?

Although I’ve spent (literally) 7 hours researching what Christmas markets Dublin may have returning to it in 2026, it’s been a pain.

Most websites are outdated and many leave providing further information until the last minute, which doesn’t help visiting tourists. Have a market to recommend? Shout below!

FAQs about Dublin at Christmas

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What’s the most German-like Christmas market in Dublin?’ to ‘Which are free?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

Keith O'Hara

Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.