Up until last year, it had 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, only returning last year with a new format: a ‘Christmas Festival’.
Some quick need-to-knows about the Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival

Photos via DLR Tourism on FB
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
The festivities will sprawl around Dun Laoghaire Harbour, The National Maritime Museum, the Harbour Plaza and the new Myrtle Square in 2024.
2. Dates + a quick overview
Although the dates for 2024 are TBC, it started last year from November 10th (I’ll update this guide when they have been confirmed). The Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival will feature Ireland’s largest ice-skating rink, a Sustainable Santa Experience, festive decorations, charity carol singing, a funfair, decorated shop windows, and Santa’s Postbox.
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):
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

Photo by Felix Busse on shutterstock.com
The Christmas market in Dun Laoghaire has been on hiatus for the last couple of years, giving everything that’s gone on since 2020.
Last year, the festivities returned, but not in the form of markets. Here’s what took place:
1. Santa
You can visit Santa at the National Maritime Museum from November 24th until December 23rd. Times and days varied.
2. Ireland’s largest ice rink
Experience the magic at Ireland’s largest ice rink at Dún Laoghaire Harbour.
Accessible by DART, there are two rinks – one for practice and a larger main rink for more confident skaters.
3. The family funfair (with famous features!)
The vintage funfair is home to Ireland’s only Santa Magic Sleigh Ride where you can fly with Santa and his reindeer.
There’s also the Dragon Coaster, Cup and Saucers, Kiddies Toy Set plus The Ferris Wheel From the movie Grease, if you’re looking for festive things to do in Dun Laoghaire.
Other Christmas markets in Dublin and beyond
So, there’s a lot of hush-hush around Christmas markets in Dublin this year, with many organisers not confirming whether or not markets will take place.
Two that are likely to return are the Dublin Castle Christmas market and the Mistletown Christmas Market. Some other Irish markets taking place are:
- Belfast Christmas Market
- Kilkenny Christmas Market
- Galway Christmas Market
- Glow Cork
- Wicklow Christmas Market
FAQs about Christmas in Dun Laoghaire

Photos via shutterstock.com
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.
Sean Rafferty
Monday 14th of November 2022
Hi,when you get of the dart in dun laoghaire is it far to walk to the Christmas markets?