Christmas Family Fun in Dublin and Leinster

DROP-IN FAMILY WORKSHOP at National Gallery | Every Sunday, 11.30am
At their weekly drop-in workshops, children and their parents/guardians/carers are encouraged to work together on creative projects. Drop-in and stay for as long (or as little!) as you wish.

Ages: All
Price: Free
Web: www.nationalgallery.ie

SANTA AT POWERSCOURT HOUSE | Powerscourt Estate
16th November - 23rd December, 9.30am - 5pm
The Big Guy is back! Yes, that’s right, it’s that time of year again. Santa Claus himself will be making his way to Avoca Powerscourt very soon! Tickets are on sale now. Visit this page to book tickets.

Ages: All
Price: €15 per child
Web: www.powerscourt.com

SANTAS HOUSE EXPRESS AT PALMERSTOWN HOUSE ESTATE
22nd November-23rd December
Santa’s House Express 2019, Ireland’s Best Santa Experience, is back at the 5* Palmerstown House Estate this Christmas for its 6th year! We are so excited to have Santa Claus back residing in his beautiful Manor home for the weeks coming up to Christmas! Along with Mrs Claus, the Elves and Archie. Book tickets at www.santashouseexpress.ie

ELF TRAINING CAMP | GAA Museum
23rd November - 23rd December
Santa and his elite team of elves from the North Pole are using GAA HQ as their base ahead of the busy Christmas season before starting preparations for the big ‘Final’ on Christmas Eve.  Every helper at this Camp is a member of the North Pole GAA Club, which is the most Northerly and magical GAA club in the world.

Upon arrival at the GAA Museum, you’ll meet your Christmas Guide before you jingle on your merry way to the Elf Dressing Room where you can see the Elf stars tog out in their Christmas training gear.  You will then sneak pitch side to the sound of cheering crowds for a Croke Park ‘Elfie’ opportunity. Finally, all successful trainees will be rewarded with a visit to Santa, in his Grotto, where all children will receive an age-appropriate gift.

Ages: All
Price: €10 for adults, €16 for children aged 2-12 years and €8 for toddlers aged 13-23 months
Web: www.crokepark.ie

THE SANTA EXPRESS | Wicklow Christmas Market
23rd November - 15th December
The Santa Express at Wicklow Christmas Market will transport you on a magical journey, driven by one of Santa’s favourite elves, Oribel, who is mischievous and fun. Of course, Santa will also be waiting to meet all the boys and girls so they can tell him about their wishes for Christmas. Each family will meet Santa individually, and each child will get a special gift. 

Ages: All
Price: Child €16 (including gift)/Adults €8/ Infant (0-12 months) €8
Web: www.wicklowchristmasmarket.com

CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE | Airfield Estate
23rd November - 23rd December
This year Dublin’s Airfield Estate presents The True Spirit of Christmas Past, a seasonal experience that reflects the original values of Christmas - family, charity, goodwill and happiness - and embraces and encourages an environmentally friendly festive celebration.

Ages: All
Price: Child (0-1 years) €5.00 (including gift)/Child (1-12 years) €22.50 (including gift)/Adults €12.50. Discounts for Annual Pass Holders.
Web: www.airfield.ie

CHRISTMAS LANTERN WORKSHOPS Cool Planet Experience | Powerscourt Estate
23rd November - 22nd December, 11am & 2pm
Crafty kids who enjoy ‘making and creating’ will love our Christmas Lantern Workshops! Children will spend an hour in the festive workshop, cutting, pasting and creating their very own Christmas lantern. Decorating with Christmas themes of candy-canes and gingerbread-men and using a simple LED circuit, kids will light up their creation to light up your home.

Ages: 6-12
Price: €20
Web:www.coolplanetexperience.org

ANIMALS AT POWERSCOURT STABLES | Powerscourt Estate
23rd November - 23rd December, 10am - 5pm
Nothing says ‘Christmas’ like a visit to the atmospheric Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow with its tree-lined avenue, fir trees and majestic stately home! Make the most of your family time and bring the children along to see Santa’s animals at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion. Kids will love the chance to meet some farm animals’ right up close including Santa’s deer, pygmy goats, miniature donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Ages: All
Price: Free
Web: www.powerscourt.com

KIDSYARD FAMILY RAVE | WigWam
23rd November, 3pm-4.30pm
Dublin City Mum, Bodytonic and Frolo the app connecting single parents have teamed up to bring you another Family Rave at Wigwam! This Family Rave is an ALL inclusive event where friends and families are welcome and encouraged to have just as much fun as the little ones.

Ages: All
Price: Child €5/Adults €10
Tickets on Eventbrite

COUNTRY MARKET & CRAFT FAIR | Castletown House & Parklands
24th November, 10am
Our ever-popular Country Market & Craft Fairs continues with music from Cairdeas from 2pm

THE MOVING CRIB | 42 Parnell Square
28th November - 5th January, 9.30am - 6pm
Bring the Magic and Wonder of the Greatest Story Ever Told to Your Class! Visitors are met with a montage of many historical/ fun stories, scenes, competitions, an illusion wall which all give a little touch of magic to help convey the real meaning of Christmas in an unforgettable and fascinating manner.

Book your class in today so that they can experience the beauty and wonder of “The Greatest Story Ever Told”.

For more information or to book your class, visit www.stmartin.ie/crib or call 01 8745465 or email crib@stmartin.ie

EN GARDE LIVING HISTORY RE-ENACTMENT GROUP | Collins Barracks
30th November, 10.30am - 4.30pm
'En Garde Living History' Re-enactment Group aims to bring history to life for people of all ages to learn in an interactive and friendly environment, promoting a greater understanding of the Irish soldier's role in the wider European context. Drop in to the Museum to see En Garde display the various uniforms and accoutrements relating to the Napoleonic Wars in the early 1800s. Drop in, no booking required.

Ages: All
Price: Free
Web: www.museum.ie

KIDS’ ECO CHRISTMAS CRAFTS | Botanic Gardens 
30th November & 7th December, 11am & 2pm
Especially for kids this Christmas. Help spread beauty and prevent waste this Christmas by making your own plantable eco-friendly cards with recycled and natural materials. Using biodegradable seed infused paper, these cards will keep giving long after Christmas, as they can then be planted in your garden, in pots on your balcony or windowsill. Booking essential. 6-8 years 11.00am – 12.00pm, 8 years & over 2.00pm – 3.00pm

Ages: 6+ Price: €5
Web: www.botanicgardens.ie

ST KILIAN’S CHRISTMAS BAZAAR | St Kilian’s German School & St Finian’s Lutheran Church
30th November, 12pm - 4.00pm
The St Kilian's Christmas Bazaar will be on Saturday, 30th November from 12.00 to 4,00pm. Tickets at the door of €5.00 per family. All welcome. Great raffle and tombola prizes.

Ages: All 
Web: www.kilians.com

Bring the Magic and Wonder of the Greatest Story Ever Told to Your Class!
Celebrating its 63rd birthday this year, The Moving Crib will be opening its doors from the 28th November 2019 – 5th January.

Its old world charm has remained unchanged and it has been described as “A tradition that has fascinated generations of children from all over Ireland for more than half a century…”

Visitors are met with a montage of many historical/ fun stories, scenes, competitions, an illusion wall which all give a little touch of magic to help convey the real meaning of Christmas in an unforgettable and fascinating manner. Capturing the joy and spirit of the season with a truly engaging atmosphere, it is sure to offer a Christmas school trip your class are guaranteed to remember!

Draw and colour Leaves and bring them with you so they can be placed in the Garden of Eden forever and be entered into a competition.

For more information or to book your class, visit www.stmartin.ie/crib or call 01 8745465 or email crib@stmartin.ie

Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park | 30th November –  23rd December
Santa arrives in Lullymore on Saturday 30th of November and departs for the North Pole on Monday 23rd of December 2019. A magical experience for both young and old is guaranteed as the park is transformed into a Winter Wonderland of family fun with some very special guests to entertain you along the way!

Price: €20 per child (Includes gift)/€10 per adult 
Web: www.lullymoreheritagepark.com

CHRISTMAS AT LUGGWOODS ENCHANTED FOREST | 30th November –  23rd December
Visit Santa this year at the amazing Luggwoods Santa’s Enchanted Forest experience. Our Luggwoods Santa experience really is a magical moment that will get you and your family into the real Christmas spirit. This truly is Christmas as it should be!

Price: €23 per child/€15 per adult/ Family Tickets available  
Web: www.luggwoods.ie

A WILDE CHRISTMAS | Russborough House, Blessington, Co Wicklow
30th November- 22nd December
Russborough presents a spectacular yuletide event inspired by Oscar Wilde's Stories for Children 

Web: www.russborough.ie

SANTA’S AT WELLS HOUSE & GARDENS | Wells House & Gardens
1st - 27th  December
Visit Santa in the beautiful setting of the Great Hall of Wells House this Christmas and be sure to create precious memories for you and your loved ones. You will also meet Mrs Claus and the Wells Elves who are busy making toys in their workshop. Decorate your very own Christmas Bauble to take home and enjoy a yummy hot chocolate!

Price:€9
Web: www.wellshouse.ie

CRAFTING YOU CHRISTMAS - FAMILY DAY | Collins Barracks
1st December, 1.30pm - 4.30pm
At this time of year, why not step back from the hustle and bustle of shopping and drop in to Collins Barracks for a special day of seasonal events. This Christmas our open day is all about making and crafting! Come along to one of our workshops on felt-making or musical instrument making, or take a Christmas Trail around the Museum. 

Ages: All
Price: Free
Web: www.museum.ie

FAMILY WORKSHOP - EXPLORER | IMMA 
1st December, 2pm - 4pm
On Sunday afternoons, get creative together as a family, explore artworks with IMMA staff and enjoy a hands-on workshop. Explorer workshops consist of fun making and drawing projects that respond to IMMA collection pieces and current exhibitions.

Ages: All
Price: Free
Web: www.imma.ie

STORYTIME: SLEEPY STORIES | Cabinteely Library
5th December, 6.30pm - 7pm
Come join us for bedtime stories. Pyjamas and teddies most welcome!
We’ll have special musical sleepy stories on 5 Dec thanks to our friends at Music Generation dlr.

Ages: 3-6
Price: Free
Web: www.events.dlrcoco.ie

THE BUS THAT STOLE CHRISTMAS PANTO TOUR | O’CONNELL STREET
7th - 24th December, 1pm - 6pm
Join us on a storytelling adventure through good deeds and bad and see if you can persuade our elves that your name should be on Santa’s good list this year! Suitable for young and old alike! IRELAND'S ONLY CUSTOM-BUILT CHRISTMAS BUS!

Ages: All
Price: All Seats: €15 / Santa's Den Visit Add On: €5
Web: www.hiddendublintours.com

VISIT GREEN SANTA | Belvedere House Mullingar 
7th- 22nd December-, 11am & 5pm
Visit Green Santa at Belvedere House Gardens and Park. He will be in his Grotto at Belvedere, along with his Elves, on Saturday and Sunday, December  7 & 8, 14 &15, & 21 & 22, 2019 from 11.00 am to 5.30 pm. Online pre-booking essential

Ages: All
Price: Adults/Seniors/Students: €5.00
Children (aged 18 months to 17 years): €9.00
Toddlers (aged under 18 months): Free ....but MUST still be booked
Web: www.belvedere-house.ie

INSPECTORIUM: FESTIVE FOSSILS | Natural History Museum
7th December, 11am - 1pm
See, touch, and learn about fossils from around the world, everything from 500 million year old invertebrates to dinosaur poo and Ice Age mammals. Make your own fossil-themed festive decoration to take home. No booking required but there may be short waiting time. Wheelchair accessible.

Ages: All
Price: Free
Web:www.museum.ie

DROP-IN FAMILY WORKSHOP - FESTIVE SCREEN PRINTING 4 Chester Beatty Library 
8th December, 1pm - 3pm
This Christmas season, design and print your holiday card or New Year greeting for family and friends.
These drop-in workshops are suitable children of all ages and their parents or guardians. Free, no booking required.

Ages: All
Price: Free
Web: www.chesterbeatty.ie

MAGICAL MOONBEAMS: PAPER LANTERN WORKSHOPS | The Ark
14th - 15th December, 11am & 2pm
Be inspired by the twinkling night sky to create your own personalised paper lantern in this creative craft workshop with illustrator Duffy Mooney-Sheppard.

Ages: 5-7 (11am) , 8-12 (2pm)
Price: €11.50/€8.50 per child (20% off for members)
Web: www.ark.ie

SANTAS GROTTO AT EPIC | The Irish Emigration Museum
14th - 15th December & 21st - 22nd December
Begin your magical journey in the atmospheric vaults of The CHQ Building in Dublin’s City Centre. Your family will be welcomed by Mrs. Claus and Santa’s elves before meeting Santa in his magical grotto.

Ages: All Price: Under 12 months: FREE Age 1-3: €16.00 Age 4-12: €22.00 Adult (18+): €12 Teenager (13 -17): €8.50
Web: www.epicchq.com

 

ASD FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE | Airfield Estate
15th December, 9.30am - 11.30am
Airfield Estate presents the True Spirit of Christmas Past - Sunday 15th December we will have ASD friendly sessions from 9:30am - 11:30 am in association with AsIam. These sessions will offer a calm and spacious environment for all and will operate at 9.30 am, 10 am, 10.30 am, 11 am and 11:30 am. Tickets for the ASD Friendly experience can be purchased by calling the team on 01 969 6666 (option 1).

Ages: All
Price: Child (0-1 years) €5.00 (including gift)/Child (1-12 years) €22.50 (including gift)/Adults €12.50. Discounts for Annual Pass Holders
Web: www.airfield.ie

DEAF & HARD OF HEARING CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE | Airfield Estate
15th December, 12pm
Airfield Estate presents the True Spirit of Christmas Past - Sunday 15th December we will have a Deaf and Hard of Hearing session at 12 pm with Irish Sign Language Interpreters. Tickets for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing session can be purchased online. Please only book this session if you require the additional service.

Ages: All
Price: Child (0-1 years) €5.00 (including gift)/Child (1-12 years) €22.50 (including gift)/Adults €12.50. Discounts for Annual Pass Holders
Web: www.airfield.ie

SANTA AT THE BOTS | Botanic Gardens | 15th December, 1.15pm - 4.15pm 
Come and experience the magic of Christmas with a free visit to Santa and his helpers.Visits to Santa are ticketed – free tickets are available only on Sunday 15th

Ages: All
Price: Free
Web: www.botanicgardens.ie

FILM - AN AMERICAN TAIL | Chester Beatty Library 
18th December, 2pm
Join us this holiday season for the heartwarming adventure of Fievel Mousekewitz. In Steven Spielberg’s first animated feature film, travel with Fieval as he faces cats and rats on his journey to reunite with his family after they are separated while travelling to America. Free, no booking required.

Ages: All (G Rated)
Price: Free
Web: www.chesterbeatty.ie

WINTER SOLSTICE TOUR | National Archaeology Museum
21st December, 11am - 11.45am
To celebrate the rising sun of the Winter Solstice at Newgrange, join our special tour to discover how ancient monuments and archaeological objects are linked to celestial events. Learn how passage tombs, such as Newgrange, are aligned to the Winter Solstice. Take a look at objects found in Ireland’s tombs and find out how Bronze Age objects, such as lunulae and sun discs, are linked to solar symbols. Booking required, contact educationarch@musem.ie or call 01 6486332. Meet at the Reception. Wheelchair accessible.

Ages: 8+
Price: Free
Web: www.museum.ie

TREASURES OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM | National Archaeology Museum
28th December, 12pm - 12.45pm
Take a tour of the iconic treasures in the National Museum, including the 'Tara' Brooch and the Ardagh Chalice. No booking required, places allocated on a first come first served basis. Wheelchair accessible.

Ages: 7+
Price: Free
Web: www.museum.ie

POP-UP TALK: POLAR BEARS! | Natural History Museum
28th December, 12pm & 2pm
Why does the largest carnivore on land need sea-ice to survive? Discover some surprising facts and tales about polar bears during this 15 min pop-up talk at the Wonder Cabinet. No booking required. Not wheelchair accessible.

Ages: all
Price: Free
Web: www.museum.ie

BIG FISH LITTLE X EARLY NEW YEARS ‘CIRCUS’ THEMED FAMILY RAVE | Tramline 
29th December, 2pm - 4pm
Did you think the days of seeing in the new year at a rave were over? Well, this year you can! We're bringing everything forward so you can party at Big Fish Little Fish with your whole family in the afternoon. We'll be doing the whole countdown to New Year at 3pm and see it in, oldskool style.

BFLF Ireland are thrilled to announce they are hosting an early NYE 'Circus' themed Family Rave with two local legends DJs Laynee & Emma Jai. Big Fish Little Fish Ireland are bringing together life-affirming dance music, craft and play activities, the award-winning BFLF crew invite you to dress up, paint your face and go wild with your kids on the dancefloor to banging tunes. Raise a glass at the fully licenced bar and experience the full panoply of dancefloor effects: balloons, club lighting, confetti cannons and a huge parachute dance to round things off in this great rave cave with full club visual lighting effects.

Ages: all
Web: www.bigfishlittlefishevents.co.uk/

FAMILY TOUR - AN INTRODUCTION TO COLLINS BARRACKS | Collins Barracks
29th December, 3pm - 4pm
Join an introductory tour to learn about the history of Collins Barracks, from the 1700s to the present day and its transition from Barracks to Museum, taking in some of the highlights from the Museum's military history or decorative arts exhibitions. Admission free, places allocated on a first-come basis 15 minutes before tour starts.

Ages: all
Price: Free
Web: www.museum.ie

BUDDING SCRIBES FAMILY CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP | National Archaeology Museum
31st December, 11am - 12pm & 2.30pm-3.30pm
Did you know that there is a book in the museum which was preserved in a bog for over 1,000 years? Find out more about this amazing book, learn about the skill of the scribe in medieval Ireland and then create your own example of calligraphy to take home. Booking required, please email educationarch@museum.ie or call 01 6486 334. Not wheelchair accessible.

Ages: Families with children aged 8+ Price: Free
Web: www.museum.ie

INSPECTORIUM: LIFE IN THE FREEZER | Natural History Museum
31st December & 3rd January, 11am - 1pm
How do wolves avoid frostbite in the snow, and what colour is a polar bear’s skin? Discover amazing animal adaptations to life in the extreme cold, and explore real specimens from the Museum collections in our Wonder Cabinet. No booking required but there may be short waiting time. Wheelchair accessible.

Ages: all Price: Free
Web: www.museum.ie

VIKING ARTEFACT DETECTIVE | National Archaeology Museum
3rd January, 1.30pm-3.30pm
Learn how to think like an archaeologist and solve our puzzle! We have some replica Viking artefacts for you to look at and handle. Figure out exactly what they are and how they were used! No booking required, located in the Kildare Room, Ground Floor. Wheelchair accessible.

Ages: Families with children aged 8+ Price: Free
Web: www.museum.ie

Custom House Quay and George’s Quay | 31st December
Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Families and friends of all ages can count down to the New Year together at Liffey Lights Midnight Moment Matinee, a very special earlier countdown event.

Children will be enchanted as the night sky lights up in a magical explosion of colour as laser lights and aqua beams dance in perfect harmony with the music. Entertainment for this FREE event will start at 6pm leading to the earlier countdown spectacle at 7pm.

This is a FREE event but tickets will need to be booked in advance. Booking details will be announced on www.nyfdublin.com at the end of November. 

New Years Day | Temple Bar 
January 1st
Kick-start 2020 at the family–friendly New Year’s Day Concert in Temple Bar with Kila and more to be announced.

New Year’s Festival Dublin continue the celebrations on January 1st with festivities including performances from a host of Ireland’s finest musicians at the New Year’s Day Concert plus pop up street performances to keep little people of all ages entertained! This is a FREE event. For additional information on all other NYF Dublin events please visit www.NYFDublin.com. 

BUDDING SCRIBES FAMILY CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP | National Archaeology Museum
31st December, 11am - 12pm & 2.30pm-3.30pm
Did you know that there is a book in the museum which was preserved in a bog for over 1,000 years? Find out more about this amazing book, learn about the skill of the scribe in medieval Ireland and then create your own example of calligraphy to take home. Booking required, please email educationarch@museum.ie or call 01 6486 334. Not wheelchair accessible.

Ages: Families with children aged 8+
Price: Free
Web: www.museum.ie