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 5. Across five days of venue-hopping around the city, you can join in on fascinating conversations with the likes of Sheena Wilkenson, Gethan Dick and Tom O'Connell 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 5-9; 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 JLS (November 11), The Last Dinner Party (November 14), Bad Omens (November 21) and a whole lot more, with the big names set to keep on coming all through the winter. 

Best for: adults.

3Arena, 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 Johnluke (November 1), Macdara Yeates (November 9) and Harrison Storm (November 16).

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

The Workman's Club is working overtime to curate the best DJ sets for your night out all month long. On November 14, reignite your boyband obsession at their One Direction Party. Or belt out tunes from classics like Grease, High School Musical and The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the club's Musicals Party on November 28.

Awaken your inner dancing queen at ABBA Sensations in Lost Lane on November 15. Sing along to the iconic group's greatest hits like 'Super Trouper', 'Mamma Mia' and 'Waterloo' while dancing to choreographed routines in your finest threads.

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

Lost Lane, The Workman's Club, November 15-28; ticket prices vary.

Hollywood meets Dublin

What's Christmas without a bit of dazzle? Don a feather boa and explore turn-of-the-century Paris with the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre's production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Running from November 20 to January 11, escape the cold outside and sing along to the show's award-winning tunes. 

Best for: adults.

The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, November 20 to January 11; tickets starting from €29.80.

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 on December 9, 10 or 11 for their choir's annual Christmas performance of festive favourites. St Patrick's Cathedral hosts intimate candlelight concerts throughout the year, but between December 3 and 20, they'll deck the aisles out in festive splendour to host Christmas by Candlelight. St Patrick's will host other Christmas events throughout the season, including Lunchtime Carols between December 15 and 18 and A Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Christmas on December 19.

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 23, enjoy a tale as old as time and follow the love story of Beauty and the Beast. 

Best for: families.

The Gaiety Theatre, November 23 – January 4; tickets starting from €22.50.

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 Countdown Concert Matinee featuring acts like BIIRD, Florence Road and DJ Shelly Gray, while those who plan to stick around for the Countdown Concert will also get to see Inhaler take the stage. Say goodbye to 2025 and welcome 2026 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? 

It's easy to get lost in the post-Christmas haze, between being full of leftovers and forgetting what day it is, but adding a few exciting things to your calendar should help you emerge from the fog. The National Concert Hall are putting on their own rendition of the stomping classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which should help ward off the January blues. If you're a fan of Sinatra, keep January 17 free for The Definitive Rat Pack. Starring Stephen Triffitt, Mark Adams and George Daniel Long as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior, the trio will perform hits like 'Fly Me to the Moon' and 'Ain’t That a Kick in the Head'. 

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. While most shows are sold out, there are still a few tickets available for Joanne McNally lovers to enjoy her cheeky wit on January 8. From January 16, Irish-born comedian Jarlath Regan takes over with his razor-sharp observations, while Josh Widdicombe brings his new show Not My Cup of Tea to the stage on January 30. 

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 21, trad musicians take over the National Stadium, 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 21), Dublin Pride Trad Géilí (January 22) and Niall Breslin (January 25).

Best for: all trad music lovers.

Various venues, January 21-25; 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.