The ultimate event guide for winter in Dublin

Book a date with your favourite writers   

The month kicks off with the annual celebration of the Dublin Book Festival on November 6. Across five days of venue-hopping around the city, you can join in on fascinating conversations with the likes of Aingeala Flannery, Kevin Barry and Jack Fennell as they discuss their most recent works. Bring the kids along for the fun and get them involved in creative workshops. Or follow well-known Dublin guide Pat Liddy on a literary walking tour of landmarks in Irish literature, old and new.

Best for: adults and families with children of all ages.

Various venues across Dublin, November 6-10; both free and ticketed events.

Media captionHear from some of Dublin's best writers at the Dublin Book Festival.

The big gigs times three 

When it comes to indoor concerts in Ireland it doesn’t get much bigger than the 3Arena, the 13,000-seater venue whose listings read like a who’s who of the biggest stars in the world. November alone will feature Interpol (November 10), Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (November 13), Vampire Weekend (November 29) and a whole lot more, with the big names set to keep on coming all through the winter. 

Best for: adults.

3 Arena, running throughout winter; prices and availability vary.

Media captionCatch a concert at the 3Arena.

Media credit@3arenadublin

See the stars before they shine brightest 

From the outside, Whelan’s on Wexford Street looks like any other pub, but behind the green front door is one of the most important venues for musicians looking to make a name for themselves. Some big names who have graced the stage in the past include the Arctic Monkeys, Ed Sheeran and Nick Cave. Reinvigorate your musical repertoire by checking out some new artists who are making strides, like Adore (November 2), Sarah Kinsley (November 8) and Eoin Kenny (November 21).

Best for: adults who love to give new music recommendations. 

Whelan’s, running all through winter; prices and availability vary.

Media captionGo to one of many gigs at Whelan's.

Media credit@whelanslive

Top of the pop-ups 

Looking for a chance to bust out your dance moves to some hits, both old and new? The Workman's Club is working overtime to curate the best DJ sets for your night out. On November 8, put on your best night out look for their Pink Pony Rave and bop along to the latest hits from Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish and Charli XCX. Or show your love for all things ABBA on November 15 and 16 at the club's disco night.

Best for: adults who love to dance the night away. 

The Workman's Club, November 8-16; ticket prices vary.

Hollywood meets Dublin

What's Christmas without a bit of drama? Rather than recreate the snowy landscapes found in classic Christmas tales, the Smock Alley Theatre is bringing the sweltering heat of 1940s New Orleans to Dublin with their production of A Streetcar Named Desire. Running from December 5 to 21 and directed by Cathal Cleary, experience the highs and lows of Tennessee Williams' famous tragedy. Looking for something that will keep the kids entertained? From December 11, follow the adventures of the world's most popular nanny at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre with their production of Mary Poppins.

Best for: adults and families.

The Smock Alley Theatre and the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre; dates and ticket prices vary. 

It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas...

Whether you prefer timeless choral song or classic holiday hits, you'll find a Christmas performance to suit at one of Dublin's iconic churches. Head over to Christ Church Cathedral for their renowned choir's performance of festive favourites on December 11-12. St Patrick's Cathedral hosts intimate candlelight concerts throughout the year, but on December 3-19, they'll deck the aisles out in festive splendour to host Christmas by Candlelight.

Best for: adults and families.

Christ Church Cathedral and St Patrick's Cathedral; dates and prices vary. 

Media captionGet in the spirit with Christmas songs at Christ Church Cathedral.

This is no ordinary panto

The Gaiety Theatre is arguably the city's home of Christmas panto, a Christmas tradition that’s on par with decorating the tree and filling up on turkey stuffing. From November 24, transport the whole family to Neverland and follow the adventures of Peter Pan and his motley crew as they outwit the menacing Captain Hook.

Best for: families.

The Gaiety Theatre, November 24 – January 5; tickets starting from €21.50.

Media captionJoin the Christmas madness inside the Gaiety Theatre.

Not forgetting auld acquaintances  

All won’t be quiet on New Year’s Day – at least not in parts of Dublin. From December 30 to January 1, the annual New Year’s Festival takes over two city centre locations – Dublin Castle and Meeting House Square – for three days of musical performances, food markets and more. Get the kids together for the Midnight Matinee concert featuring acts like Aby Coulibaly, Kabin Crew and Lisdoonvarna Crew, and Saibh Skelly, while those who plan to stick around for the Countdown Concert will also get to see the incredible Cian Ducrot take the stage. Say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025 in style with the Fireworks Spectacular, an outstanding firework display that is set to light up the skies above Dún Laoghaire Harbour and Howth Harbour. 

Best for: adults and families.

Various venues, December 30 – January 1; ticket prices vary.

Media captionCheck out all the fun at the New Year's Festival.

Anyone got a spare tenor? 

The post-Christmas period can be a hard-knock life for everyone, but with music from the Festival Orchestra, the National Concert Hall's rendition of Annie should help ward off the January blues. Throughout the rest of the month, the National Symphony Orchestra will showcase the music of some of the world’s greatest composers like Rachmaninov and Debussy. If you fancy yourself a wildlife expert, keep January 10 free for Life on Our Planet in Concert. Watch the cinematic nature documentary on the big screen whilst the National Symphony Orchestra brings Lorne Balfe's dramatic soundtrack to life.  

Best for: adults and families.

National Concert Hall, running through January; ticket prices vary.

Media captionSavour a night at the National Concert Hall.

Make 'em laugh!                               

Warm your cockles with a bit of comedy at the 3Olympia. From January 8, Irish-born comedian Jarlath Regan kicks the year off strong with his wit, while comedy trio Shane Daniel Byrne, Tony Cantwell and Killian Sundermann take over the venue from January 20 to 21 with their live podcast Young Hot Guys. Rounding out the month of laughter, David McSavage brings his new stand-up show McSavage Rules to the stage on January 24, sharing his unconventional pathway to comedic success the only way he knows how – through jokes. 

Best for: adults who love a laugh.

3Olympia Theatre; dates and ticket prices vary.

Media captionTake in a show at the 3Olympia.

Rocky road to Dublin

What better way to blow of the cobwebs of the Christmas celebrations than with a proper session and where better to go for that session than TradFest. On January 22, trad musicians take over the National Stadium, the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, St Patrick’s Cathedral and plenty more venues for a five-day celebration of Irish music. Catch performances by big names like Aoife Scott (January 22), Dublin Pride Trad Géilí (January 23) and Tom Paxton (January 26).

Best for: all trad music lovers.

Various venues, January 22-26; tickets prices vary.

Media captionExperience trad music throughout Dublin city at TradFest.

Looking for winter ideas in Dublin? Check out our full list of events going on throughout Winter in Dublin.