Dun Laoghaire Christmas Market 2025

It has been a while since the Dun Laoghaire Christmas Market had taken place.

Arguably one of the standout Christmas markets in Dublin for many years, it, like many Christmas markets in Ireland, took what we hoped was a break while the world returned to normal.

However, it went on a longer hiatus, and has now been replaced by a broader Dún Laoghaire Christmas Festival.

About the Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival

Although a visit to the Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

Festivities are spread across several parts of the town and the wider DLR area, including Dun Laoghaire Harbour, the National Maritime Museum, Harbour Plaza, Myrtle Square, Cabinteely Park, Marlay Park, St. Michael’s Pier and the town centre.

2. Dates + a quick overview

The 2025 festival begins on Friday November 21st with the Santa Parade. Across the season, visitors can expect Ireland’s largest outdoor ice-skating trail at St. Michael’s Pier, the illuminated walking trails at Cabinteely Park and Marlay Park, Santa in Dún Laoghaire Shopping Centre, a traditional funfair in Harbour Plaza, giant bauble installations, the Curious Elf Tree, Christmas lighting displays across the town and the traditional crib at St. Michael’s.

3. Parking

Dun Laoghaire can be a nightmare for parking, especially at the weekends when the town is often packed. The two car parks I tend to head to are (make sure to remember to pay):

• The IMC Carpark
• West Pier Parking

4. Public transport

If you don’t have a car/don’t fancy driving, there’s plenty of public transport that’ll take you to the Christmas market in Dun Laoghaire. Here are several options:

• By train: The southbound DART leaves from the city and takes between 15-30 minutes to get to Dun Laoghaire
• By bus: The 7, 7n, 46a, 46n,59, 63, 75 and 111 all service Dun Laoigher

5. A festive spot for a day out

The Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival is a handy little spot for a day out, as you can pair it up with a bite to eat in one of the many restaurants in Dun Laoghaire or with a tipple in one of the old-school pubs in Dun Laoghaire.

What’s taking place during Christmas in Dun Laoghaire

The Christmas market in Dun Laoghaire has been on hiatus for the last couple of years, but there’s plenty to look forward to in 2025.

If  you’re looking for festive things to do in Dun Laoghaire, here are some suggestions!

1. Santa

For 2025, Santa is based in Dún Laoghaire Shopping Centre rather than the National Maritime Museum. Dates haven’t been released yet, but they typically run from late November through to December 23rd.

2. Ireland’s largest ice rink

The Alpine Skate Trail at St. Michael’s Pier is confirmed again for 2025. It’s Ireland’s largest outdoor skating experience, easily reached by DART, with a practice rink and a larger main rink for more confident skaters.

3. The family funfair (with famous features!)

The traditional funfair returns to Harbour Plaza with long-running favourites. Expect Ireland’s only Santa Magic Sleigh Ride, the Dragon Coaster, Cup and Saucers, the Kiddies Toy Set and the Ferris Wheel from the movie Grease. It’s one of the easiest festive activities to combine with food and a stroll along the pier.

4. The illuminated walking trails

Two major walking trails return for 2025. Cabinteely Park offers a free illuminated route with 3D light installations and the Curious Elf Tree, open daily from 4pm to 8pm between November 21st and February 1st.

Marlay Park’s trail (including Wonderlights) also runs from 4pm to 8pm daily until December 28th, though parking is restricted from Thursday to Sunday.

5. Christmas lights and installations

Alongside the trails, the wider area gets several standalone displays, including giant bauble installations for photos, illuminated scenes around the town and the East Pier bandstand lit up for Christmas.

Santa Post Boxes appear across the area, and the accompanying AR app lets kids meet Mrs Claus, Santa, Rudolf and the Talking Tree.

6. New Year’s Eve fireworks

The New Year’s Eve fireworks return to Dún Laoghaire Harbour at 7pm, closing out the festival and drawing large crowds. There’s plenty more on this Christmas in Dublin to look forward to, also!

Other Christmas markets in Dublin and beyond

So, the Dublin Castle Christmas market is not taking place this year, but the Smithfield Christmas market and Dublin Loves Christmas in the RDS are worth checking out!

There are also smaller Christmas markets in Dublin to visit, like the one in Swords Castle. Or, further afield, theres:

• Belfast Christmas Market
• Kilkenny Christmas Market
• Galway Christmas Market
• Glow Cork
• Wicklow Christmas Market

FAQs about Christmas in Dun Laoghaire

We’ve received a lot of questions about the Christmas Market in Dun Laoghaire already, and it’s only early Autumn.

I’ve popped in the most FAQs below, but please do keep in mind that we’re only basing these answers off what the markets were like during previous years.