Dublin can be amazing around the Christmas period. Whether you’re on the North Side or the South, you’ll find the Christmas spirit in one place or another. The city can be a magical place, and here are some of the most festive areas in Dublin.
One of the most festive parts of town is the Grafton Quarter. Coloured lights and music will greet you on the bottom of the street and follow you all the way up. The rush of busy shoppers will add to the experience, while others stand around to take pictures of the fabulous features the street offers.
Located on the street itself, Brown Thomas is renowned for its cheerful and creative window display. Every year, we get so excited for its reveal to see the display for the Christmas season. Inside the shop on the top floor, you’ll find a winter wonderland. Anything you need to buy for the holidays will be there.
Just off Grafton Street, Johnsons Court may be a festive area that falls under the radar. This street isn’t long, but it’s not short of cheer either. A wave of stunning white lights decorate the street. It makes for the perfect photoshoot backdrop, especially because there will be fewer people on it than on Grafton Street.
At the top of the festive quarter, Stephens Green Shopping Centre stands bright and tall. The outside has a beautiful glow that stands out from the dark winter sky, but the inside is where the magic really happens. Every year, the centre is decorated with large gold and red baubles hanging from the roof and fairy lights shining brightly. Beautifully decorated Christmas trees are spread around the centre too.
Across the way from the centre is the Gaiety Theatre. Every year, the theatre puts on incredible pantomimes around the Christmas period. Most of us will probably have fond memories of being brought to the panto for an evening of laughs.
A street over from the Gaiety on Dawson Street, the Mansion House is an incredibly festive feature to the Christmas scene in Dublin. Outside the Mansion House, the residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin, you’ll find a crib that features live animals. The crib has been welcoming guests for 26 years – 27 in 2021.
Over on the North Side of the Liffey, Henry Street is vibrant with colour from the lights above. The decorations combined with the eager shoppers will have your Christmas mood heightened. Street vendors set up stalls on the sides of the street and you’ll find anything from toys to socks to novelty gifts. The street performers will only add to the ambience.
Jervis Street Shopping Centre is definitely one for your list of festive areas in Dublin. The decorations have been the same for years. The animatronics climbing up and down ropes is one that amazed us as kids. There’s a large grotto to visit Santa before you continue your Christmas shopping while festive tunes play in the background.
Across from the Spire on O’Connell Street, a crib stands for people to pay respects to. Although there are no live animals in it, the crib has stunning figures in it. Wreaths and fairy lights decorate the crib’s exterior.
Phoenix Park is an amazing place to visit any time of the year, but it becomes magical during the holidays. If you visit during the day, you may get to see deer frolicking around in the crisp air. At night, you can visit the Wild Lights in Dublin Zoo which is a beautiful light display with different themes every year. It is a must-see!
There are many other areas of Dublin that are festive and many of which are part of the Winter Lights project. Check out our article here to find out more!
What are your favourite festive areas of Dublin City? Let us know down in the comments!
