Where to Find the Best Christmas Markets in Dublin

You might think that a city as rich in history, music and general craic as Dublin would have a long Christmas Market tradition, but you’d be wrong. Christmas Markets are a relatively new festive phenomenon in Dublin’s fair city, but they’ve been embraced with open arms. Twinkling lights, colourful trees and the smell of grilled meats are now an Irish Christmas staple.

From a brand-new wonderland at the RDS to a coastal market by the sea, here are four of the best Christmas markets worth a visit this season. Pick up unique gifts, sip on mulled wine or simply bask in the festive atmosphere. With six super-central locations across the city, Staycity Aparthotels are the ideal choice for those looking for a home from home in the heart of the action. Whether it’s a romantic weekend away, a family treat or a midweek escape with pals, you’ll find an apartment to suit your needs.

RDS Christmas Market

Dublin Loves Christmas at the RDS is the new big hitter on the block! The historic grounds transform into a full-blown winter wonderland. Glide around a full-size undercover ice rink, or brave the thrill rides before warming up at the Bavarian-style bars with a mulled wine in hand. The traditional market is packed with handmade crafts and artisan food stalls, while the glittering Spiegeltent serves up live music all season long. To make a proper afternoon of it, arrive early and start with a wander around the stalls while they're quiet, picking up handmade gifts and a few sweet treats. Warm up with a glühwein at one of the Bavarian-style bars, then take a spin on the Observation Wheel as the light starts to fade and the grounds light up. Lace up for a session on the ice rink and round things off with dinner at one of the many restaurants in nearby Ballsbridge or back in town. Worth noting before you travel! Dublin Loves Christmas is an over-18s event, and anyone under 18 will need to be accompanied by an adult.

Dates shift slightly each year, but the market typically opens in late November and runs through December, 15th November – 23rd December 2026. Tickets are free, though the ice rink, rides and Spiegeltent shows are ticketed. Fridays, Saturdays and the days before Christmas are busiest, so visit on a weekday or earlier in the day if you'd rather dodge the crowds. Opening hours firm up closer to December, so it's worth a quick look at the website before you head out: RDS – Christmas. The RDS sits in Ballsbridge, roughly a 10-minute DART from Tara Street or Pearse Street out to Lansdowne Road, then a short walk to the grounds. So leave the car at home, as there's no on-site parking. Staycity Mark Street and Staycity City Quay are both just a 3 minute walk from the DART.

Smithfield Square Christmas Market

A one-stop Christmas wonderland right in the heart of the city. Smithfield Square comes alive as TwinkleTown, with an extra-large ice rink, a festive Ferris Wheel for those skyline photos and a vintage fairground to potter through as you sip a hot chocolate. There's a twinkling market full of gifts and festive food, the cosy Alpine-style Twinkle Tavern for a winter warmer, and the magical, family-favourite Santo Panto. Give yourself a few hours to do it justice. Kick things off with a loop of the market stalls before the crowds build, hunting down stocking fillers and a sweet treat to nibble on as you go. There's a hot chocolate at the Twinkle Tavern with your name on it, and the Ferris Wheel is best saved for evening, when the whole square lights up beneath you. If heights aren't your thing move onto the ice for a skate! The Santo Panto is there for the kids, and finally stroll into Smithfield or back in the city for a well-earned dinner.

TwinkleTown typically opens in late November and runs through December into early January, 28th November to 4th January. Entry is free, though the ice rink, Santo Panto and rides are ticketed. If you'd rather skip the queues, midweek tends to be the calmer bet. The full line-up goes up on the website nearer the time: Smithfield – TwinkleTown. It couldn't be more central! The Luas Red Line drops you right at the Smithfield stop, just a short stroll from our city centre aparthotels.

Swords Castle Christmas Market

The ultimate family day out! Santa himself is the main man at Swords Castle this Christmas. As well as plenty of traders and artisanal stalls, you’ll find lots of fun attractions to entertain the kids as you sip on a hot toddy. There’s a kid’s pop up cinema, magic shows, live music and of course the all important meet and greet with the big man. There's no need to rush this one: let the kids loose on the attractions first, queue up for Santa, then settle in for a magic show or a few carols while you browse the stalls for a handmade gift or stocking filler. With the cinema and live music running throughout, it's the sort of place you can happily lose a morning or afternoon. It's busiest at weekends, so a quieter visit means going early or on the Friday.

Swords Castle's market is a shorter run, dates usually Friday 27th November to Sunday 6th December 2026, with entry completely free! Check the official website close to your visit for the full schedule: Swords Castle – Fingal County Council. Reaching it is straightforward — Swords Castle sits about a 30-minute drive from the city centre and handily close to Dublin Airport, so it's an easy one to fold into an arrival or departure day.

Dún Laoghaire Christmas Market

Head to Dublin’s coast for a very special Christmas Market. This traditional German-style market is packed with handmade jewellery, ceramics, textiles and food from all over the world. It’s worth a brunch trip for the crepes alone! Kids will enjoy fairground rides including a vintage Ferris Wheel and Chair-O-Planes. There's no rush on this one: roll in for late-morning crepes, take a slow lap of the stalls for handmade gifts and treats, then let the little ones loose on the rides. Once you've had your fill of the market, wrap your hands around a steaming cup of cocoa and head out for a dreamy walk along the pier as the sea air does its thing. Weekends draw the biggest crowds, so an earlier or midweek visit keeps things calmer.

Dates shift slightly each year, but Dún Laoghaire's market typically runs from late November through to just before Christmas — 24th November to 23rd December 2026. Entry is free. The full schedule lands nearer the time, so check before you travel: Dún Laoghaire Town Christmas Festival. Getting there is half the charm, it's just 25 minutes on the DART or a 40-minute drive from the city centre, with the seafront right on the doorstep.