How is Christmas Celebrated in Ireland?

Christmas in Ireland is a cherished time for both young and old, and the festive period is filled with traditions and customs.

While Christmas dinners, cosy pubs and Nollaig na mBan all play their part in the festivities, there is no one version of an Irish Christmas.

Each family, and sometimes each county, have their own customs that are practiced in Ireland during Christmas.

When does Ireland celebrate Christmas?

Christmas in Ireland takes place on December 25th, but the season stretches far wider. Traditionally, December 8th marked the start, when rural families flocked to Dublin for shopping and trees began appearing in windows.

From then, the country leans fully into the festive spirit – Christmas Eve brings busking on Grafton Street, candles in windows, and packed “Midnight” Masses.

The celebrations roll through Christmas Day feasts, St. Stephen’s Day horse races and Wren Day parades, before finally winding down on January 6th, known as Little Christmas or Nollaig na mBan.

What does Ireland call Christmas?

In Ireland, Christmas is called “Nollaig”, the Irish (Gaeilge) word for Christmas. You’ll see and hear it everywhere once December rolls in – from shop signs to cards and carols. Here’s what to know:

• Happy Christmas (to one person): Nollaig shona dhuit (null-ig hun-ah gwit)
• Happy Christmas (to a group): Nollaig shona daoibh (null-ig hun-ah yeev)
• Little Christmas / Women’s Christmas: Nollaig na mBan (null-ig na mon)

How does Ireland celebrate Christmas?

Christmas in Ireland is a blend of religious customs and modern social traditions. The season stretches from early December to January 6th, and you’ll notice the following:

• December 8th: Traditionally seen as the “real” start of Christmas. Families from smaller towns and villages in Ireland would head into Dublin for shopping, and it’s the date many still consider the time to put up the tree
• Christmas Eve: Shops wind down, many finish up work for the holidays, and many attend Mass services. People light candles in the window, while kids wait for Santa
• Christmas Day: Santa arrives overnight, families gather for big dinners and all shops and pubs stay closed
• St Stephen’s Day (Dec 26th): A mix of leftovers, family dinners, plus horse racing and UK sport on the telly. In Clare and Kerry, the Wren Boys parade marches through towns
• Dec 27th – NYE: That fuzzy “what day is it?” stretch – people chill, catch up with friends, and, on NYE, attend parties, pubs or just stay in and toast the New Year
• New Years Day: Some have a big family dinner while others await the start of the new work/school year
• January 6th: Nollaig na mBan (“Little Christmas”) closes the season, with chores handed to men while women meet friends

What are some Irish Christmas traditions?

There are countless Christmas traditions in Ireland, and they range from weird to wonderful.

Some, like Wren Day, are ancient Christmas customs while others, like the watching of the Toy Show, are more recent additions.

The Late Late Toy Show

For many, the start of Christmas in Ireland is with a TV programme on RTE One – ‘The Late Late Toy Show’!

This show started in 1975 and they pull out all the stops for the Christmas edition, highlighting some of the best-selling and most popular toys in the lead-up to Christmas.

Midnight mass

Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve (December 24th) is another of the old Irish Christmas traditions. Back in the day, it was held, as the name suggests, at midnight.

However, it’s now typically held at 10:00 p.m. in most places, partly to avoid people arriving straight from the pub after a few hours of festive cheer.

The Christmas morning swim

Many people take to the sea in Ireland during Christmas, with huge crowds attending swims for both leisure and charity.

Although there are Christmas swims all over Ireland, it has been happening at Forty Foot in Dublin for over 250 years.

A candle in the window

Candles are part of every traditional Christmas, as they’re a sign of welcome and a symbol of warm hospitality.

Window candles are symbolic in Ireland as they show that the family would welcome the Holy Family, unlike the innkeeper in Bethlehem who turned them away from his inn.

Wren Day

On St Stephen’s Day (or Boxing Day in Northern Ireland – see my guide to the difference between Ireland and Northern Ireland), it’s traditional in Ireland, particularly in Dingle, for “Wren Boys” to parade around the streets.

They wear straw suits and make their way through the town dancing, singing and making merry to raise funds for charity.

Christmas markets

Christmas markets are becoming an ever bigger part of Ireland’s festive season. Christmas markets used to be the reserve of Germany and Italy, but they are now several Christmas markets in Ireland.

Some of the main ones are:

• The Dublin Castle Christmas Market
• The Galway Christmas Market
• The Belfast Christmas Market
• Winterval
• Corkmas

What is a traditional Irish Christmas like?

If you read my Irish Christmas foods guide, you’ll know that the traditional Christmas dinner is a key part of Christmas in Ireland.

Christmas Day, December 25th, is when extended families sit down together. The table is laid with crackers at each place setting and once pulled, paper crowns are worn and jokes are shared.

Diners tuck into a tasty cooked meal usually of turkey, roast potatoes, vegetables and all the trimmings. After a brief respite, the Christmas Pudding is then served with custard, brandy butter or white sauce.

Hot Irish coffee and mince pies may follow and the Christmas cake will be cut – if anyone has any room left for more!

Related read: See my guides to the most popular Irish Christmas blessings and Irish Christmas songs

What is the weather during Christmas in Ireland like?

While some countries experience consistent weather during the winter months, December in Ireland can be a mixed bag weather wise.

There are average highs of 10°C/50°F and average lows of 3°C/37°F. Although we haven’t had snow in Ireland for Christmas in several years, it’s common on higher grounds.

Rainfall is frequent and the days are short, with the sun rising at 08:22 and setting at 16:19 at the beginning of the month.

What are some fun facts about Christmas in Ireland?

Fun facts about Christmas in Ireland range from ancient traditions to modern oddities, and they show just how differently we celebrate compared to elsewhere.

• The Irish splurge at Christmas: The average Irish household shells out roughly €1,300 extra each December – one of the highest festive spends in Europe
• A month-long party: Christmas in Ireland isn’t just a day. It kicks off on December 8th and officially winds down on January 6th, giving us nearly a month of excuses for pints, pantos, and merriment
• The one day pubs close: Good Friday used to be dry too, but since 2018 only December 25th is pub-free
• Christmas FM: Ireland has a dedicated radio station that plays nothing but festive tunes from late November. It’s raised millions for charity
• Merry Christmas in Irish: Nollaig shona has been said for over 1,000 years, borrowed from Latin roots. It’s still the warmest of the festive Irish toasts
• From goose to turkey: Up until the 20th century, Christmas dinner in Ireland was goose. Then turkey muscled in and never left the table

Most pubs have decorations. Some go all out!

Decorations at home, in public places, and in offices, shops, and yes, pubs, vary in intensity. Some pubs in Ireland make do with a simple Christmas tree, while others go all out.

Arguably the most impressive pub in Ireland at Christmas time is the Hole in the Wall pub in Dublin.

This is Europe’s longest pub and it reigns supreme as the most Christmassy pub in Ireland!

What are some things to do in Ireland during Christmas?

While Christmas isn’t the best time of year to visit Ireland, there’s still plenty to like about it.

Yes, some of the tourist attractions will close during the off season, but many remain open.

If you need a road trip route to follow, visit my Ireland Itinerary Library – it has the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip guides.