11 Things to Do in Dublin in December

There is much more to Dublin than St Patrick's Day in March. The Irish capital is a hive of events and activities throughout the year. December is no exception with the approach of the Christmas holidays. Christmas markets, illuminations, fun events, sales... There are so many things to make your stay in Dublin in December extra special.

So you can plan ahead, I've brought you the most interesting events. There's a bit of everything: family-friendly activities, music events, craft fairs, literary initiatives... I'll show you and you choose!

Any time of year is a good time to visit one of Dublin's and Ireland's iconic landmarks: the Guinness Storehouse. Especially if you visit Dublin in mid-December, when the Other Voices concert takes place. This is a concert featuring some of the emerging and somewhat alternative musicians associated with Irish music. It is not entirely folk, although the references to traditional music are there. Plus, of course, the visit is accompanied by a good pint.

You can get tickets from €20, although I advise you to book in advance if you want to go - it's a very popular event!

If your visit doesn't coincide with this concert, that's OK! The Guinness Storehouse is still open for tours to learn about the brewing process and the history of the company, all accompanied by a good pint! Here's more information on how to visit the Guinness Storehouse.

Dublin in December is bustling with life, thanks in particular to its many markets. There are so many that it is impossible to talk about them without at least a brief look at what each one has to offer. Let me get to it:

• Dublin Castle Christmas Market is one of the unmissable ones. It starts in the first week of December and ends shortly before Christmas Day. There you can enjoy dozens of stalls selling traditional products, live carol singing and musical workshops and shows for children. And best of all: access is free! And if, after visiting Dublin Castle, you'd like to explore more of this type of building that has such a strong presence in the city, take a look at this article on the best castles in Dublin.
• The Henry Street Christmas Market is another of Dublin's most colourful Christmas markets. It has the added bonus of being located in the city centre, just off O'Connell Street. In this market you can browse (and buy) a wide variety of products: typical sweets, handicrafts, clothes, accessories, perfumes... Everything has its place! What's more, this market starts at the beginning of December and ends at the end, so if you visit Dublin in December you're bound to come across it.
• Dublin Alternative Christmas Market is the option if you are looking for something different. Firstly, because this market is just that, different. You'll find crafts, clothes, gifts, candles... but with a more alternative approach. The second element that makes it special is that it takes place for only one day. Often this day falls in the middle of the month at the Grand Social, a place where there is literally everything: a bar, a concert hall, a sports club?
• Wicklow Christmas Market: You also have the option of Christmas markets in other smaller towns. There you will have the opportunity to experience something more authentic and traditional. In this sense, if you have time, I recommend a trip to this market. Here is the information you will need to get from Dublin to Wicklow.

Luminosity, an initiative based on 3D light projections on the facades of some of Dublin's most elegant buildings, will take place in Dublin from 30 December. This event takes place in the context of the New Year's Eve celebrations, which in Dublin has a very interesting preview full of events. One of them is this one, which you can enjoy from 5pm onwards. The most interesting places to enjoy it are:

• College Green.
• Barnardos Square.
• Wolfe Tone Square.

Naturally, it is totally free to enjoy it. It is a good plan to carry out especially if you are travelling with your family. In fact, one of these sites, Wolfe Tone Square, also hosts events such as a funfair and skating rinks.

Ireland has given the world a handful of great writers such as Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift... and James Joyce. It is the author of Ulysses who has identified himself best with Dublin, largely because his novel has the city as its main protagonist. In fact, Dublin pays homage to this work (and its author), as evidenced by events such as Bloom's Day, devoted to recreating the most famous scenes from the book throughout the city.

If you're interested in literature, you can't miss a visit to the James Joyce Center. Especially because in December you can enjoy readings by this essential author. In fact, the James Joyce Center organises specific readings in the autumn and winter months, which in December take on a Christmas or Christian theme. In short, if you're a fan of Joyce's work and you're fluent in English, it's well worth a visit. What's more, it's also a museum! You can get a ticket from 4 €.

By the way, if you want to give your visit to Dublin a very cultural focus, don't hesitate to find out more about the best monuments in Dublin. In addition, you can visit several of them with the Dublin Pass, a tourist card that could be very convenient for you. Find out more about the Dublin Pass here.

What better time to book a sightseeing bus tour than in December to escape the cold winter weather. A way to get to know the city comfortably and at your own pace, since, on the one hand, you can plan your own itinerary with the 25 stops available and, on the other hand, you can choose between a 24 or 48 hour pass.

In addition, you will have an audio guide so you won't miss any detail of all the places you pass by, such as Trinity College, Chesterfield Avenue, College Green, the Guinness Storehouse, The Oscar Wilde Memorial, the National Museum of Ireland or St. Stephen's Green.

And if you are looking for a more exclusive experience, you can book a classic bus tour of Dublin with tea for an afternoon in true English style, or my favourite option, a ghost bus tour of Dublin, where you will experience a two hour horror adventure where you will learn about the city's most terrifying stories with a professional actor who will guide you through Dublin's most sinister and haunted places.

For an immersion into the colours and flavours of Dublin, there's nothing better than a trip to the Food Village Festival, which takes place in the stunning setting of Dublin Castle. There you can enjoy the traditional food stalls, but also other events such as concerts and spoken word activities completely free of charge.

The Food Village Festival takes place on 30 and 31 December and 1 January. Kick-off is at 12 noon.

You can also take a guided tour of the Book of Kells and Dublin Castle.

The Craft Festival of Ireland takes place in the first week of December and is a great way to get an insight into Irish folk culture. Up to a hundred or so artisans take part and sell their wares, some of which are highly regarded, especially in the following areas:

• Typical products
• Clothing and accessories
• Jewellery
• Organic products
• Ceramics and glass

This festival takes place at the Royal Dublin Society between 10am and 10pm. You can buy your ticket online from autumn or at the entrance. They are available from €10.

St Stephen's Day is celebrated on 26 December in many countries, as the saint was one of the first Christian martyrs. However, it is in the English-speaking world (especially in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom) that this day is also Boxing Day. Or in other words: the start of the sales.

In Dublin there are different areas and shopping centres for wild shopping. Here are some of the most interesting ones:

• O'Connell Street: One of the arteries of the city. Perfect for shopping while enjoying the atmosphere of the city.
• Grafton Street: One of the busiest shopping and pedestrian streets in the city. It is also perfect to relax and have a drink in one of its many cafes.

In these streets you can also have a drink in one of the legendary Irish pubs. If you are interested enough in this aspect to dedicate an experience in itself, here is more information about the best pubs in Dublin.

In countries with a Celtic tradition, such as Ireland and Scotland, it is traditional to hold a torchlight procession at the end of the year. This is to remember the Celtic origins of these two nations, both of which are very proud of their cultural heritage.

On 31 December, this torchlight procession takes place in Dublin. Hundreds of people gather and march from St Stephen's Green, one of the city's most spectacular parks. The destination of the march is Dublin Castle, so you'll also have the opportunity to walk around the city in a most curious context. Just remember the time you have to be at St Stephen's Green: 19:00.

Wolfe Tone Square is a space that, during the month of December, is filled with events for the pre-Christmas and Christmas season. If you visit Dublin during this month you can't miss out on a Game of Thrones tour of Dublin. The following events are taking place here:

• Amusement park
• Food stalls
• Skating rink

It is a public place so you don't have to pay an entrance fee to enter. Of course, you will have to pay to ride one of the rides. By the way, if you have time and want more family plans, it's well worth checking out places in Dublin that appear in Game of Thrones.

If you want to skate during your stay in Dublin, it's totally possible. If you're looking for something more urban, you can always head to Wolfe Tone Square, but if you want bigger rinks and you're travelling with the family, it might be a great idea to visit the Blanchardstown Centre ice rink.

Why? For two main reasons. The first is that it offers a huge 800 square metre rink. Secondly, it offers a rink designed for the little ones. Without a doubt, a great option for a family trip. Its opening hours are from 09:00 to 21:00 and it is open from mid-November to mid-January.

You can get tickets from 9 €. However, you will have to add the price of the bus ticket, as it is not in the centre. I advise you to take bus 37 from Usher's Quay (near Temple Bar). The journey takes less than half an hour and tickets are available from €3.

December is the rainiest and coldest month in Ireland. Therefore, what you need to pack in your suitcase is clothing to help you weather the bad weather. I recommend the following:

• Mackintosh
• Tall shoes
• Coat
• Gloves
• Beanie
• Scarf

All of these items are a must, but I would insist that you bring a mackintosh or something to cover your head with. Remember that many of the December events in Dublin are out doors (e.g. the Countdown Concert, the Wolfe Tone Square events...), so you'll want to be well prepared so that rain doesn't spoil the experience.

The capital of Ireland is generally not a city subject to strong tourist seasonality. The things to see and do in Dublin make it a great place to visit at any time of the year. This is not to say, of course, that there are no peaks, very often dependent on special events (e.g. St. Patrick's Day in March). December is one such time, as Dublin, with the pre-Christmas and Christmas season, is full of events.

Therefore, if you travel to Dublin in December you will find a large number of people on the streets, although you will not encounter the crowds and overcrowding that characterise other mass tourism cities.

The weather in Dublin in December is rainy and cold. The average minimum temperature is 5 degrees Celsius and the average maximum temperature is 10 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that you travel to the Irish capital fully bundled up and well stocked to protect yourself from possible rain showers.