December 14, 2023

So, there isn’t one main Dublin Christmas Market – there are several!

The capital has been severely lacking when it comes to festive markets, but a few recent additions have given the city Christmassy boost.

And, while the last few years have been a bit of a mess, we can expect several Christmas Markets in Dublin in 2023!

If you’re looking to visit Christmas Markets in Dublin in 2023, take 10 seconds to read the points below, first:

1. Don’t believe what 90% of websites are saying

So, if you Google ‘Dublin Christmas Market 2023’ you’ll find a load of websites listing off markets that no longer take place, e.g. the Dublin Flea Christmas Market or the market at the IFSC – they’re using very dated info.

2. There’s very few Bavarian-style markets

There’s hundreds of Christmas fairs taking place across Dublin in halls and car parks. Unfortunately, there’s only one (maybe two) Christmas markets in Dublin in 2023 that are even remotely Bavarian-style (e.g. the one in Dublin Castle).

3. The reality

There’s only one ‘main’ Dublin Christmas market and that’s the one in Dublin Castle. The likes of Mistletown (not running), the old Dun Laoghaire Christmas Market (hasn’t run in several years) and the Guinness Storehouse Christmas Market (it wasn’t a market last year) are all unlikely to go ahead.

7 Christmas markets in Dublin returning in 2023

Although the dates for some of the Dublin Christmas markets are still TBC, a number now have confirmed dates (there are plenty of Christmas markets in Ireland going ahead, too!).

Below, you’ll find the markets that are definitely going ahead along with ones that are very likely to go ahead!

1. The Dublin Castle Christmas Market: Dec 6th – 19th

A couple of years back, the Dublin Castle Christmas market arrived out of nowhere and it went down reasonably well.

It was one of the only Christmas markets in Dublin that went ahead over the last two years and, although small, it’s set in the impressive grounds of Dublin Castle.

In previous years, the castle was finely decked out in fairy lights and the entrance to the castle grounds was lined with 100+ Christmas trees.

The main market is held within the courtyard where there is all of the usual stalls selling festive bits and bobs, a carousel and an open-air bar (more info here).

It has been confirmed that the Dublin Castle Christmas Market will run from 6th December to 19th December from 12:00 to 21:00 daily.

Read about the rest here.