Dublin Castle Christmas Market 2026 Is Cancelled

The Dublin Castle Christmas Market 2026 is officially not taking place!

Previously one of the only reliable Christmas markets in Dublin, ‘Christmas at The Castle’ was set to enter its 7th year.

Below, you’ll find the full statement from the OPW along with other markets taking place in Dublin this year.

What to know about the Dublin Castle Christmas Market 2026

Although the Christmas market in Dublin Castle was always only announced in November, it has just been confirmed to me via an email from the OPW that it won’t take place this year or next.

The statement from the OPW

“The Christmas season will soon be upon us and some of Ireland’s best known heritage sites such as Farmleigh, the National Botanic Gardens and Sligo Abbey, to name a few, will be celebrating the festive season with a wonderful programme of events to suit all tastes.

From Christmas markets, to sustainable fairs to Christmas decoration workshops there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Due to other Government business requirements, Christmas at the Castle, Dublin Castle, was not scheduled to take place in 2025 or 2026.

Dublin Castle is first and foremost a campus serving Government business. The OPW is engaged in preparations for Ireland’s Presidency of the EU next year. Dublin Castle will be a central location for a large number of events during the Presidency which runs from 01 July-31 Dec 2026.

The New Year’s Eve Festival with Fáilte Ireland will be proceeding at Dublin Castle on 30th, 31st Dec and 1St January.”

What you can look forward to now that the Dublin Castle Christmas Market isn’t running

There’s a lot taking place in Dublin this Christmas. Here’s a taste of what to expect (full guide here):

Christmas Markets

Dublin Loves Christmas takes over the RDS with rides, an ice rink, and Bavarian-style bars while the brand new TwinkleTown launches in Smithfield Square. Smaller markets pop up at Swords Castle, while Farmleigh hosts festive weekends with crafts, carols, and horse rides.

Light Trails and Outdoor Events

Wonderlights returns to Malahide Castle and Marlay Park, lighting up both estates with tunnels, ponds, and glowing displays. Luggwoods Enchanted Forest celebrates 10 years with a new Lapland Village and the Luggwoods Express (more info).

Festive Shows and Music

The Gaiety’s Beauty and the Beast, The Helix’s Snow Queen, and The Gate’s A Christmas Carol headline the panto season. The RTÉ Concert Orchestra performs Love Actually and Christmas at the Movies, while choirs fill Christ Church and St. Patrick’s with carols (more info).

Family Attractions

Elf Town returns to the RDS with a bigger story, new characters, and Santa’s private visits. The Moving Crib on Parnell Square marks its 68th year, and the Convention Before Christmas blends markets and workshops in Swords (more info).

What the Christmas market in Dublin Castle was like during previous years

Photos curtesy Dublin Castle via Fáilte Ireland

When it comes to Christmas markets Dublin is pretty woeful (we’ve been promised the Mistletown Market for 4+ years now…).

So, it was with great excitement when the Dublin Castle Christmas Market announcement came out of nowhere in 2019, a couple of weeks before Christmas.

The market is contained to the courtyard in the castle grounds and you’d walk around it in well under 20 minutes.

What to expect

In previous years, the Christmas market in Dublin Castle has hosted a wide array of events, with everyone from the Dublin Gospel Choir to local acts taking to the stage.

There’s also all of the usual festive food and crafts, with 26+ vendors in wooden chalets selling everything from burgers and tacos to wooden crafts and jewellery.

Mixed reviews during previous years

People, myself included, visited this market in their droves since its launch and the reviews have been mixed. Many have complained about the cost of food and drink, in particular.

Personally, I enjoyed it. The grounds of Dublin Castle are impressive and the market, although small, brought a lovely festive buzz to the place.

My 2 cents

If you’re looking to visit a market and spend several hours looking around, then the Dublin Castle Christmas Market likely isn’t for you.

However, if you’re happy to have a wander around, soak up the Christmassy buzz and then head into one of the many restaurants in Dublin for a bite-to-eat (or into one of the many pubs in Dublin) you’ve a decent evening ahead of you!

There’s also plenty of festive things to do in Dublin at Christmas in 2026.

What used to take place at Christmas at the Castle

Photos by The Irish Road Trip

The schedule for the Dublin Castle Christmas Market followed a very similar format over the last 6 years.

1. The impressive entrance

One of the most notable features of the Christmas market in Dublin Castle during previous years was the entrance.

There were hundreds of Christmas trees lining the path that lead towards the courtyard. Visit after dark if you can.

2. The entertainment

A wide variety of musical acts perform at Christmas at The Castle each year. Last year, for example, the likes of ‘Esker Folk Group’, ‘Meath Childrens Choir’ and ‘The Honeydews’ took to the stage.

As the tunes get played in the historic upper courtyard, you can expect a magical setting to help catapult you into the Christmas spirit.

3. Food and drink

As is the case with every Christmas market in Ireland, food plays a huge part. Many of the wooden chalets at the Christmas market in Dublin Castle sold some form of sweet or savoury treat.

There was also a small enough open-air bar. Here are some of the vendors confirmed from previous years:

Ciao Cannoli (V)
Swing Grill & Smoke House
Sweet Churro (V)
The Crepe Box (V)
Mani Pizza (V)
Beanery 76
Handsome Burger
Charly’s Cheesecakes

4. Cribs and carousels

Aside from the food and drink, those that visit will get complimentary access to the beautifully decorated State Apartments.

Christmas at the Castle also boasts a vintage carousel, a Neapolitan crib and an indoor Irish Designer Market.

5. Wooden chalets

The courtyard of Dublin Castle is usually filled with 25+ traditional alpine market stalls buckling under a mixture of food, crafts and gift ideas. Here are some of the stalls from last year:

Peter Gordon Photography
Glasnevin Glass
Inna Designs
Alphabet Jigsaws
Purple Cloud Natural Lavendar
Oileann Jewellery
Corleggy Cheeses
The Seaweed Skin Company

More Irish markets like the one in Dublin Castle

There’s plenty of other markets if the Christmas market in Dublin Castle doesn’t tickle your fancy.

In Dublin, the other ‘main’ market is the newly announced Smithfield Christmas Market (TwinkleTown). It’s unlikely the Dun Laoghaire Christmas Market or Mistletown will take place.

Some of the markets definitely running in 2026 are:

FAQs about the Dublin Castle Christmas Market

We’ve had a lot of questions over the last couple of hours asking about everything from ‘Do you need a ticket?’ to ‘What’s on?’.

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.

What are the Dublin Castle Christmas Market 2026 dates?

The Dublin Castle Christmas Market 2026 is not taking place. The OPW have confirmed that it won’t take place in 2026.

Is the Christmas market in Dublin Castle any good?

It’s small and you’d get around it in under 20 minutes, but it’s well worth visiting if you’re in the area, as there’s a nice festive buzz to the place.

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.