You may not know that Dublin Christmas Market is one of the newest festive phenomenons in this charming city. As the festival season approaches, many people are searching for the latest information and preparing to embrace the warmth and happiness Dublin Christmas Market brings to them. Whether you just want to enjoy the festive atmosphere or experience the food and drinks at the Christmas fair in Dublin, you will not regret reading this blog.
Dublin Markets Christmas in 2024
The Dublin Castle Christmas Market
Opening in 2019, the Dublin Castle Christmas Market is one of the most popular markets in Dublin. It is held in the courtyards of Dublin Castle, which is located on Castle Street in Dublin City Centre. And it will take you at least 20 minutes to walk around. The Market will run from November 28th to December 18th in 2024. To be noted, people who want to enjoy themselves in Dublin Castle Market don not need any tickets since 2023.
The Swords Castle Christmas Market
The Swords Castle Christmas Market is considered one of the best Christmas markets in Dublin. Located in the Swords Castle, visitors coming to this market can not only transact in front of over 50 stalls but also wander through the castle grounds and feel the charm of the old buildings. Last year, the Swords Castle Christmas Market was held indoors and outdoors. This year, it is worth seeing Santa’s Grotto with families. Below are the running time of the market in 2024.
Nov 29th: 9 am – 8 pm
Nov 30th & Dec 1st: 11 am – 6 pm
Dec 7th & 8th: 11 am – 6 pm
Botanical Gardens: Sustainable Christmas Craft Market
If you are going to spend Christmas in Dublin, Botanical Gardens Christmas Market in Glasnevin is recommended for you among several Dublin city Christmas markets. It is an eco-style Christmas market opening on December 14th and 15th, in 2024. Similar to the Swords Castle Christmas Market, it is also an indoor and outdoor market, where you will find more than 70 stalls with many sustainable gifts and delicate crafts.
Bremore Castle Christmas Market
With the arrival of Christmas, Bremore Castle in Balbriggan will become a festive market. If you want to get into the festive spirit in Dublin at Christmas market, take Bremore Castle Christmas Market into your consideration. The market offers stalls with many kinds of attractive crafts and delicious food and drinks. However, this year’s opening time has not be confirmed.
Rathfarnham Castle Christmas Market
The Rathfarnham Castle Christmas Market is held outdoors in the grounds of Rathfarnham Castle, a unique medieval fortified building. The opening time has not been confirmed, but this Dublin flea market will definitely not disappoint you. You can see many stalls with artisan goods and local arts and crafts during the operating period. Besides, children can enjoy themselves with all-day entertainment here and get the opportunity to write letters to Santa Claus.
The Fumbally Market
The running time of the Fumbally Market is from 6th December to 8th December this year. There are many rotating stalls presenting fancy crafts, arts and gifts like hand-made knitwear and local food. The Market will be held indoors. If you are tired of stroll around outside or the weather is not good for you, the Fumbally Market will be a better choice to get into the Dublin Christmas markets.
Wonderlights
In Wonderlights, you can experience Ireland’s largest and most mesmerising light show. The spectacular displays and lightning projects will give you a different visual feast, which is perfect for people to immerse themselves in Christmas in Dublin. There are three locations for you to choose to enjoy the magic shows in 2024:
- Marlay Park (running from Nov 14th)
- Malahide Castle & Gardens (running from Nov 7th)
- Fota House(running from Nov 16th )
Ardgillan Castle Christmas Gift Fair
Ardgillan Castle is one of the most popular places to be visited in Dublin, Ireland, in December. The Christmas Gift Fair will be held in the Castle on the 7th and 8th of December from 11 am to 4 pm in 2024. At this Christmas fair in Dublin, you can choose some unique gifts, such as wood carvings and artworks made by local craftspeople. It is also one of the flea markets in Dublin, Ireland. You can also visit the Artist Studios and the Winter Exhibition in Ardgillan Gallery while enjoying some Christmas snacks and mulled wine from Brambles Cafe.
The Royal Dublin Society Christmas fair
The Royal Dublin Society hosts an iconic Christmas fair Dublin, featuring a variety of makers, designers and artisan food producers. If you are a lover of crafts, design and delicious food, the RDS Christmas Fair will be the perfect destination for you. Here you can choose eco-friendly gifts for your friends and families. The specific running time of the fair is as follows:
4th -8th December 2024
Wednesday 4th – Friday 6th December: 10 am – 9 pm
Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December: 10 am – 6 pm
Christmas Markets near Dublin
In addition to the Dublin Markets Christmas we mentioned above, there are still other Christmas markets in Ireland. Each of them has unique features and can make you mellow in the Christmas atmosphere. However, if you live in Dublin, you need to take a drive for more than one hour to get to your favourite market fairs.
Wicklow Christmas Market (1-hour drive)
The festive spirit is accessible to everyone at the Wicklow Christmas Market. You don’t have a ticket to enter the market. This market offers over 40 stalls with delectable international cuisine from local food vendors, handcrafted ornaments, paintings, toys, homemade chutneys and jams. Children can play games for prizes at the Fun Fair and visit Santa. What’s more, there are also legendary fire shows and live entertainment preparing for visitors to delight themselves. The running time is from Nov 23rd to Dec 22nd in 2024; do not forget the experience time.
Kilkenny Christmas Market (1.5-hour drive)
The Yulefest Christmas Market is held in Kilkenny Castle, where you can see decorated wooden huts, and enjoy festive treats and creative local crafts at Santa hat marquees. With the live music, meander around in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle will be a relax way and help you to pick up right choice when you shopping on the market. The Yulefest Christmas Market runs every weekend from November 30th to December 22nd.
Winterval Waterford (2-hour drive)
Winterval is the largest Christmas festival in Ireland, and it will be held in Ireland’s oldest city, Waterford. This year, the city of Dublin is celebrating Christmas with festive markets and events. Winterval 2024 will bring back many original attractions, along with exciting new events and enchanting versions of beloved festival favourites. The European City of Christmas will offer a world of celebration, featuring magical experiences, family-friendly attractions, seasonal surprises, and a wide range of both free and ticketed events for people of all ages to enjoy. Here, you will see the parade of Santa Claus with his band of merry elves. Winterval runs on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from November 15th to December 23rd.
What to Know about the Dublin Christmas Market 2024
Keep warm
During the festive season, especially in December, Dublin is cold, rainy and cloudy with the possibility of occasional snow. The average highs hit around 46°F, and average lows tend to be around 41°F. If you are going to the Dublin Christmas market hosted outdoors, please keep an eye on weather forecasts and changes and take appropriate preparations and protective measures.
Make travel strategies
There are several flea markets in Dublin Ireland. If you want to go to more than one of them, remember to check their locations and running time, find appropriate transportation tools and schedule your travel time wisely.
Find a comfortable stay
Usually, it takes a lot of time to stroll around Christmas markets in Dublin, so people can not finish their trips within one day. After a day of shopping, you must be tired; it’s necessary to find a comfortable hotel for travellers to stay. Living in student accommodations is very convenient for students studying in Dublin who want to go for fun in Dublin at Christmas markets.
Conclusion
The Dublin Christmas Market in 2024 is a celebration of classic traditions and innovative ideas. The environmental protection and cultural diversity are underlined in the holding of Christmas markets, some of which are required to use recycled materials. The city centre and every corner will fill a vibrant festive atmosphere. With the above Christmas markets we compile, you can choose some of them to go according to the actual situation. and look forward to a variety of carefully planned events and a warm market experience.
FAQ
What date is the Dublin Christmas Market?
There are several Dublin Christmas markets in 2024, and each of them has a different running time. According to the official sources, the Dublin Castle Christmas Market will run from November 28th to December 18th in 2024.
What is the biggest Christmas Market in Ireland?
Winterval is the largest Christmas festival in Ireland and will be held in Ireland’s oldest city, Waterford. It is also one of the most enjoyable Christmas markets in Ireland, attracting visitors worldwide with its charm and array of activities.
Where is the best place to spend Christmas in Ireland?
During Christmas, many places in Ireland hold Christmas markets. Going to Dublin at Christmas markets is one of the best choices to spend Christmas in Ireland. Below Dublin Christmas Markets are recommended in 2024.
- The Dublin Castle Christmas Market
The Swords Castle Christmas Market
Bremore Castle Christmas Market
Rathfarnham Castle Christmas Market
The Fumbally Market
