The ultimate guide to New Year's Eve & New Year's Day in Dublin

Get your party shoes on, because Dublin’s New Year’s Festival is the biggest one yet, with three locations across the city centre and a mixture of free and ticketed events. 

December 30

A mood-setting procession of lights and music through the city centre between 4 and 4.30pm will kick off the festivities. Meanwhile, Dublin Castle joins in the celebrations from 4pm with a family-friendly folk concert featuring renowned artist Cormac Begley, accompanied by the West Kerry Dancers and special guest Stephanie Keane. Joining them on the bill will be the Stomptown Brass Band, Niamh Regan, Róisín O and Ispíní na hÉireann [the last two TBC]. Tickets are TBC.

Media captionHead to the Festival Quarter for live music and DJs.

December 31

If you have kids (or you can’t stay awake past 10pm) then the family-friendly celebration on December 31 at Dublin Castle is just the ticket – it has all the fun of the New Year's Eve midnight countdown, but with an earlier finishing time. Midnight Moment – Matinee kicks off at 4pm with music from Aby Coulibaly, Kabin Crew and Saibh Skelly, before a spectacular visual and musical display leads into the countdown to “midnight.” It’s the ideal compromise – you get to ring in the New Year but leave soon after the event wraps up at 7pm, ready for an early bedtime. Tickets start at €12.90 (€7.90 for kids).

Media captionBring the kids to the Midnight Moment Matinee.

When it’s time to see in the New Year for real, your masters of ceremony will be Cork-born singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot, who'll be making the crowd feel good from 8pm alongside afternoon performers Aby Coulibaly, Kabin Crew and Saibh Skelly. As midnight strikes, the skies above will light up with a pyrotechnics show. Tickets for the gig are €49.90, but early birds can get them for €39.90.

Meanwhile, Dún Laoghaire and Howth are joining in the fun with a series of family-oriented events including fireworks, live music, face painting and street performers, as well as lots of food. Festivities in both coastal villages run from 5 to 9pm and tickets cost €12.90 for adults, €7.90 for children.

Media captionCountdown to midnight at Dublin's New Year's Festival.

January 1

All won't be quiet on New Year's Day. The Hothouse Flowers, The Bonnymen, Attention Bébé and Shiv take to the stage at Dublin Castle for a free concert between 1-5pm. Meanwhile, over in Temple Bar, Meeting House Square will host a celebration of traditional and folk music with a free afternoon gig starring John Francis Flynn, Maria Kelly, Róis and Eithne. Both are unticketed events; all you need to do is show up. 

An exciting new addition to the lineup in 2024 is a dedicated music trail. TBD

Media captionHave a dance and a bite to eat at Rascals Brewing on New Year's Eve.

If you’re dealing with a slightly fuzzy head or simply want to kick off 2023 with virtue, a big long walk is always a good idea on New Year’s Day. You’ll see loads of Dubliners out for a bracing stroll along the cliffs at Howth Head, following the narrow path along the headland as the waves crash below. The trails at Ticknock are a popular choice too, the tracks weaving through the trees leading to epic views of the city and coastline.

Media captionHead out on a walk to clear your head on New Year's Day.

If you really want to blow off the cobwebs, join the people who mark the start of the year with a swim (or a lightning fast dip) at the Forty Foot. There's also the option of a swim at the Dún Laoghaire Baths; while the pool itself is yet to be complete, you can swim from the jetty that juts into the sea towards Sandycove.

Though New Year’s Day is a bank holiday, there are plenty of museums and galleries open around the city. The National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks are offering multiple free museum tours, including Not Just Shamrocks: Irish Symbolism in the NMI's Collections, Recovered Voices: Stories and Experiences of the Irish during WWI and Food & Drink in the NMI's Collections. The other two branches - Archaeology and Natural History – are open from 1-6pm on January 1, with free admission to all. You can also head over to the National Gallery of Ireland to check out the Lavery. On Location. exhibition as well as the rest of the permanent collection. 

For a quirky look back at the capital over the past century, from James Joyce to a whole room dedicated to U2, the  Little Museum of Dublin will be welcoming visitors on New Year's Day. Tours are also running at Kilmainham Gaol, and you can wander around IMMA afterwards to catch the free Self Determination: A Global Perspective exhibition, one of four running in the gallery through January. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is open and running a special temporary exhibition dedicated to The Pogues and Shane MacGowan. Or pay a visit to the Jeanie Johnston just a few minutes’ walk away.

Media captionVisit the Little Museum of Dublin on New Year's Day.

If you’re looking for a laidback bar to celebrate the New Year or a peaceful pint on January 1, check out our guide to Dublin’s cosiest pubs.