With a great selection of festive Winter Fairs, shimmering Pop Ups and sparkling Christmas Markets, there’s plenty for browsers and shoppers to enjoy and explore at Dublin’s indoor and outdoor Christmas markets this December. So even if you haven’t scored tickets for the sold-out European themed Christmas at the Castle experience at Dublin Castle, there’s still plenty of atmospheric Christmas fun to be had in the city in the lead up to the big day. The city’s artisans, businesses and retailers have outdone themselves this year, in a collective bid to ensure that Dublin’s fair city is abuzz with the spirit of the season. We’ve rounded up our pick of Christmas happenings in the city and its ‘burbs for you to enjoy, so giddy up, get your Jingle Bell on, rock up and savour all the Christmasy fun on offer.
Dublin Alternative Xmas Market
The Dublin Alternative Market is always a great place to enjoy a good old rummage, so you know the Christmas edition is gonna be special. With talented stall holders showcasing an incredible and eclectic selection of art, music, clothes, craft jewellry and much, much, more, the bustling city centre indoor market takes place over two floors in the Grand Social on the first Sunday in December. Swing by, bag yourself some festive spirit, banish the grinch and enjoy! Admission is free.
11am – 5pm Sunday December 4th, Grand Social, Liffey Street, Dublin 1
Ethical Christmas Market at Airfield Estate
Airfield Estate hosts the Ethical Christmas Market during the month of December. The market supports social enterprises and small, local businesses, and features stall holders including We Make Good, eco toy store Jiminy, and Stephen Tierney Ceramics. Entrance to the market is free and opening hours are as follows:
December 2nd – 4th 11am – 7pm
December 8th – 22nd December 11 am – 7 pm
December 22nd 11am – 7pm
December 23rd 11am – 2pm
Christmas Irish Pop-Up Collective
Further afield in Dun Laoghaire, creative retailers Kate Fine and Debbie Millington have put their heads together for a festive collab that brings thirty-five Irish brands and businesses together for the first ever Christmas IRISH POP-UP COLLECTIVE. The event offers a one stop shop for some of the best Irish made gifts this Christmas, with a wide variety of fashion, accessories, homewares and gifts, all under one roof.
Check out food, art and homewares from brands such as Corleggy Cheese, Kopper Kreation, D8 Candles, Two Wooden Horses, Signs of Power, and Queens of Neon. The pop-up also features great fashion from Una Burke leather, Pearl Reddington and Begley and Bowie, as well as beautiful jewellry from Christina Goldston and Capulet & Montague. There’s also a Super Hamper draw with a chance to win a product from each brand, with proceeds going to support Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.
10am – 7pm Sunday December 4th, the Carlissle Suite, Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire
Winter Fair
Honest To Goodness continues to keep trucking in Glasnevin with a plentiful selection of ethical, local artisan foods and wines on offer each weekend. They host their annual H2G Winter Fair at the Honest 2 Goodness Market building between 2-5pm on Sunday December 11th, with advice and food matching suggestions from their friendly and knowledgeable staff and over forty great wines available to taste and enjoy at your leisure. €10 from each €35 ticket sale for this year’s event goes to support the local Crossguns Campaign.
Sunday Dec 11th from 2 – 5pm.
D8 Christmas Market in Stillgarden Village
The garlands are up at Stillgarden Distillery in Dublin 8, ahead of a festive weekend with lots of opportunities to pick up some lovely local goods and enjoy a tipple or two while meandering around the stalls. In addition to a range of art, craft and design goodies, there’s a wealth of yuletide food and drink on offer from a variety of street vendors and vans, with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options also available. Entertainment includes live music and a choir, alongside a fashion show run in conjunction with NCBI, which showcases the options available in charity shops. Visitors are encouraged to support local charities through donation upon entry, as well as through the many raffles for great prizes which will take place over the weekend. Well worth supporting.
Saturday Dec 10th and Sunday Dec 11th from 10am – 6pm.
Fumbally Christmas Market
Artisan stalwarts The Fumbally host a small indoor community-focused market featuring the work of food producers, independent creatives, artists and crafters. Stallholders include Harry’s Nut Butter, All Around the Sun, Dublin Honey Project, White Masau, and artist Ellie Dunne. The market takes place over two floors in the Fumbally Stables between Friday December 9th and Sunday December 11th.
Friday Dec 9th from 12 – 7pm and on Saturday, Dec 10th and Sunday Dec 11th from 10am – 6pm.
thefumbally.ie/christmasmarket
Merchy Christmas
Stall by for two days of the best merch from your favourite bands under one roof in Dublin City as Merchy Christmas returns to The Grand Social over the weekend of December 17th and 18th for the third edition of their Artist Music Market.
Entry is free with a suggested donation of €5 on the door with some incredible raffle prizes up for grabs. Having raised almost €5K in 2021, this year sees them raising the bar even higher, in a bid to raise twice that amount for Dublin Simon Community
Saturday, Dec 17th and Sunday Dec 18th from 11am – 5pm.
Winteryard
Last but not least a shout out about Winteryard, a jam packed seasonal festive celebration brought to you by the food loving team at Eatyard. Winterfest boasts a smorgasbord of craic, with festive games, films, karaoke and Christmas markets to tide you over the winter season. Visitors can look forward to a great selection of festive food and drink from a variety of street food vendors served under the mistletoe. Winteryard takes place every Thursday to Sunday from the end of November to the last weekend in January.
Thursday November 24th – Sunday January 29th, The Bernard Shaw
