Mistletown Dublin 2023: The Market That Never Was

Mistletown Dublin is the Christmas market that never was (and likely never will be).

For the last three years the organisers, like many Dublin Christmas markets, have had to cancel.

However, the big difference with Mistletown is that it was due to be the ‘biggest indoor Christmas experience in Ireland’.

Some quick need-to-knows about Mistletown Dublin

Although a visit to the Mistletown Christmas market will be fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

Mistletown Dublin, if it goes ahead, will take place in the city’s historic fruit and veg market in Dublin 7, less than a 10-minute walk from Smithfield. See it here on Google Maps.

2. Admission

Admission to Mistletown Dublin was due to be free in previous years. If it goes ahead, there’ll be plenty of stalls selling festive treats and gifts inside.

3. Parking

So, although there’s no parking at the Mistletown Christmas market, there’s plenty to be had nearby. There’s the Jervis Car Park (here on Maps), a handy 5-minute walk away and there’s Park Rite in Smithfield (here on Maps), a 10-minute stroll away.

4. Late 2023 update

It’s clear that Mistletown isn’t going to go ahead again this year.

About the Mistletown Christmas market

Although several articles online refer to it as the ‘New Smithfield Christmas Market’, Mistletown was due to be held in Dublin’s woefully neglected Fruit and Veg Market (here on Google Maps).

If it finally runs in 2023, the Mistletown Christmas market is set to be the biggest indoor Christmas experience in Ireland, thanks to the whopping 6,623m sq of floor space the Fruit and Veg Market offers.

The Mistletown Christmas market will have a little bit of something to tickle most fancies, from food stalls and a Christmas Craft Village to a bar and numerous events.

What to expect from the Mistletown Christmas Market

Although still TBC, Mistletown Dublin, if it follows what was promised in previous years, is set to offer everything from artisan food and traditional crafts to live music entertainment, a bar and more.

Below, you’ll find everything that you need to know about this brand new market hopefully coming to the city in December.

1. Craft market and vintage carnival

The traditional craft village is at the heart of the Mistletown Christmas market, and it dates back to the 1890’s.

There will be up to 80 stalls selling everything from wooden toys and jewellery to antiques, handmade chocolates, Christmas jumpers and more.

You can step back into Christmases of the past at the vintage carnival. The real gem here is the full-size Victorian Carousel which dates back to the 1890s.

You can also enjoy the wooden wheel, junior carousel, fairground games and vintage helter skelter.

2. Food, food and more food

Like many of the Christmas markets Ireland, Mistletown is set to boast a solid food offering for those that arrive with an appetite.

In the Artisan Food Village (TBC), you’ll find over 20 vendors and stalls to choose from with crepes, bratwurst, mince pies and hot chocolate all expected to be served up.

3. Festive drinks and entertainment

The ‘live’ element that was proposed for the previous Mistletown Christmas Markets sounded excellent, with different acts set to perform every day on stage.

The scheduled performances included a Santa visit, bands, choirs, solo performances, school performances and dance troops.

There’s also set to be a bar serving up all of the usual winter and festive favourites such as mulled wine, hot buttered rum, gin and tonic, hot port and port and chocolate.

Other Dublin Christmas markets

Dubin is fairly woeful when it comes to festive markets. Over the years, the likes of the Smithfield Christmas Market and the one in the CHQ have disappeared.

However, the Dun Laoghaire Christmas Market and the Dublin Castle Christmas Market have been nice addition to the capital, as have several other smaller events (see our Dublin Christmas Market guide).

Further afield, the Wicklow Christmas Market has been confirmed, as have:

• Galway Christmas Market
• Waterford Christmas Market
• Belfast Christmas Market
• Cork Christmas Market
• Kilkenny Christmas Market

FAQs about the the Mistletown Christmas Market

We’ve had a lot of questions over the last day alone asking about Mistletown Dublin, from when it starts to what to expect.

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.