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Spend Christmas in Portmarnock
Wrap up warm and celebrate Christmas in Portmarnock
Portmarnock is a magical place around Christmastime. With the hotel festooned in decorations and full of cosy places to relax and recharge, and with the gorgeous Velvet Beach on your doorstep to blow away with cobwebs, there’s definitely something in the air!
If you’re planning a winter break at Portmarnock Resort, there’s lots of festive-themed fun to be had in the local area too. Dublin is just a half-hour car journey away, so in easy reach for anyone looking to explore all the capital has to offer at this time of year.
So, here are our must-do festive activities in the area…
The Christmas Experience at Malahide Castle
Just 10 minutes from Portmarnock, Malahide Castle is breathtakingly beautiful – especially at Christmas, when it becomes a winter wonderland, perfect for family adventures. Meet the elves and both Santa and Mrs Claus (if you’re good, you may get a gift!). There’s an Alpine Café, full of festive treats, and this year there’s lots of digital experiences too. You’re sure to get an amazing photo opportunity (or 10!). Runs from 22nd November to 23rd December – make sure you book your tickets.
There’s also the Wonderlights spectacular with over one million lights twinkling away on the estate! You won’t want to miss the enchanting light installations and projections onto the castle, telling a captivating story. Wonderlights runs from 7th November.
Christmas in the Park
If you’re heading into Dublin you really should take a trip to Christmas in the Park, which offers three nights of fantastic live entertainment, local markets, and delicious winter warmers. Taking place in Dún Laoghaire from 5th to 7th December, it’s well worth wrapping up warm and heading along to enjoy live music, twinkling lights, Christmas shopping and some tasty treats. You can always have a dance to warm up! Dún Laoghaire also hosts its first Alpine Skate Trail this year too. Glide along the picturesque trail surrounded by spectacular twinkling lights for the ultimate Christmas vibe.
Christmas in the park
Swords Castle Christmas Market
Everyone loves a Christmas market – the perfect place to grab some great gifts and indulge in some tasty festive treats. But imagine that with the backdrop of a festively adorned castle? Wow. The Christmas market at Swords Castle is well worth a visit and it’s only 15 mins from Portmarnock. The markets take place on 29th, 30th November and 1st, 7th, 8th of December this year. You might even get the chance to see the big man (in red) himself!
Christmas Market at Swords Castle
Smithfield Square Christmas Spectacular
This special event includes loads of fun activities and attractions. There’s an ice rink, an ice museum (with beautifully crafted ice sculptures), European-style Christmas market and a big wheel. A trip to the Smithfield Square Christmas Spectacular, which runs from 22nd November to 2nd January, is sure to get you feeling festive in seconds!
Get your panto on with some traditional family fun
There’s loads of pantomimes and festive shows for every taste in and around Dublin this year. The most famous is probably at the Gaiety theatre which will be showing Peter Pan. At the 3Oympia Theatre, you might recognise some TV stars in Freezin – a funny twist on the family-favourite Frozen.
Liberty Hall Theatre will be showing Cinderella, the National Stadium is running Beauty and the Beast: A Sammy and Buffy Adventure, and Dundrum’s Mill Theatre is performing Jack and the Beanstalk. And that’s not even all of them!
See the wild lights at Dublin Zoo
Experience this special and magical event, where Dublin Zoo takes you on a ‘Journey Through Time’ with the help of an immersive experience. There’s over a thousand stunning lanterns to tell the story of evolution and life on earth. Running on evenings from 24th October to 5th January.
Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo
Watch a Christmas movie – drive-in style!
Across December, Leopardstown Racecourse and Emerald Park will be running retro drive-in events with a festive twist. Enjoy Elf, Home Alone, The Grinch, Love Actually, It’s a Wonderful Life, Polar Express and more from the comfort of your own car – with plenty of tasty treats on hand!
Retro Drive-in Events
Take a visit to Elf Town!
It’s a super-secret place not everyone gets to go – but you can take a trip to Dublin’s Elf Town! Meet Santa, Mrs Claus and the reindeer – and of course an elf or two as well! Watch out – they love a snowball fight! It’s located in the RDS at Ballsbridge, a suburb of Dublin.
Elf Town!And don’t forget, when Christmas is done, and the New Year has begun, enjoy the traditional end to the festive season – the Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Christmas or Little Christmas). Celebrate with friends, family or colleagues at Portmarnock Resort’s special Nollaig na mBan celebration on Saturday 4th January, with the brilliant Abba tribute band and music and laughter aplenty.
A great way to round the festivities off!
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Dublin City Centre
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