Dublin events & things to do in December 2026
Start with Kilmainham Gaol, National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology, plus Christ Church Cathedral. December in Dublin averages 9°C / 47°F highs, 3°C / 37°F nights, and about 13 rainy days.
Expect 9°C/47°F days and about 13 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- Kilmainham Gaol★ 4.7 · 2.8k reviewsThe jail opened in 1796 and is tied to Irish nationalist prisoners, the 1916 Rising executions, and penal history.
- National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology★ 4.6 · 14.9k reviewsThe Kildare Street museum displays the Ardagh Chalice, Tara Brooch, bog bodies, Viking finds, goldwork, and medieval objects.
- Bryson Tiller Presents: The Neo Trapsoul TourDec 13Arena · Source: Ticketmaster
30% off a Going membership when you plan your trip.
By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Dublin in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
47°F / 37°F
8.5°C / 2.6°C
RainPrecipitation
13d
3in · 75mm
LightDaylight
7.3h
Sea
49.1°F
9.5°C
December is wet and festive, with Grafton Street lights, pub sessions, and short daylight shaping plans.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Dec 1 – Dec 31
Dublin Christmas Festival
A month-long celebration featuring Christmas markets, festive lights, street performances, and seasonal activities across Dublin city center.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 1 – Jan 1
- Dec 2
Show all 39 events for December
- Dec 2 – Dec 31
- Dec 2
- Dec 3
- Dec 3
- Dec 3 – Dec 4
- Dec 4
- Dec 4
- Dec 5 – Dec 15
Dublin Winter Lights Festival
An outdoor festival featuring spectacular light installations and projections illuminating key landmarks around Dublin.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 5
- Dec 6
- Dec 7 – Dec 8
- Dec 7
- Dec 8
- Dec 9
- Dec 9
- Dec 10 – Dec 24
Christmas at the National Concert Hall
A series of festive concerts including classical, choral, and traditional Irish music performances celebrating the Christmas season.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 10
- Dec 11
- Dec 11
- Dec 12 – Dec 23
Christmas at Dublin Castle
Seasonal events and exhibitions held within Dublin Castle, including historical tours with a festive theme and special family activities.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 12
- Dec 13
- Dec 13
- Dec 14
- Dec 15
- Dec 15
- Dec 16
- Dec 17
- Dec 17
- Dec 18
- Dec 18
- Dec 19
- Dec 19 – Jan 1
- Dec 20
- Dec 28
- Dec 28
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Dec 25Christmas DayPublic holiday
- Dec 26St. Stephen's DayBank holiday
- Dec 28St. Stephen's Day (substitute day)Bank holiday
- Dec 25-Dec 27Long weekend
- Dec 26-Dec 28Long weekend
About Dublin
City overview
Dublin sits on the River Liffey where Georgian squares, Viking-medieval lanes, literary pubs, Trinity College, the Liberties, Temple Bar, Smithfield, and St Stephen's Green make a compact city-center route. The city works best on foot, with DART coastal trains and Luas trams extending the map to Howth, Dun Laoghaire, and the docklands.
Food & drink
Dublin food is pub, market, and coast-fed: a full Irish breakfast plates sausage, bacon, eggs, pudding, beans, and tomato, Irish stew slow-cooks lamb or mutton with potatoes, seafood chowder uses Atlantic shellfish, and boxty turns potato into pancakes. The Brazen Head, Moore Street, George's Street Arcade, Temple Bar Food Market, Capel Street, and Howth seafood stops add soda bread, fish and chips, oysters, and Guinness pours.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Christ Church Cathedral
- 2St Patrick's Cathedral
- 3EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
- 4Temple Bar
- 5Phoenix Park
- 6Trinity College and Book of Kells
- 7Guinness Storehouse
- 8Dublin Castle
1Christ Church Cathedral
4.5★ · 11,634indoorOpen dailyThe cathedral was founded around 1030 and rebuilt in stone under the Anglo-Normans, with a crypt, tiles, and medieval city history. It stands near Dublinia and Wood Quay.
2St Patrick's Cathedral
4.5★ · 27,601indoorOpen dailyThe Gothic cathedral is associated with a 5th-century baptism site and Jonathan Swift, who served as dean. It sits south of the Liberties beside its park.
3EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
4.6★ · 11,135mixedOpen dailyThe interactive museum in the CHQ building covers Irish migration, diaspora, music, sport, politics, and family history. It sits in the Docklands near the Custom House.
Wikipedia
Show 3 more sights
- 4Temple Bar
- 5Phoenix Park
- 6Trinity College and Book of Kells
Neighborhoods
1Temple Bar and College Green
Temple Bar and College Green are central and busy, with pubs, Trinity College, the Irish Whiskey Museum, cobbles, buskers, and river crossings.
2St Stephen's Green and Grafton Street
The southside shopping-and-park district has Grafton Street, Georgian doors, Iveagh Gardens, Little Museum of Dublin, and Merrion Square nearby.
3The Liberties
The Liberties is old and working-class, with Guinness, whiskey distilleries, St Patrick's Cathedral, Francis Street antiques, Thomas Street, and market streets.
Day trips
15km / 30-45min by DART from Tara Street or Connolly
Howth
The fishing village has cliff walks, seafood, harbor seals, Howth Castle grounds, and views back to Dublin Bay.
60km / 1.5h by bus tour or car from Dublin
Glendalough and Wicklow Mountains
The monastic valley has round towers, lakes, trails, and mountain scenery; public transport is limited, so tours are common.
15km / 25-30min by DART from Connolly
Malahide Castle
The castle, gardens, village streets, marina, and coastal walks make a light northside day.
Getting around
Dublin Bus, Luas trams, DART coastal rail, commuter rail, and Leap cards cover the useful visitor network. Walk the center, use Luas for Heuston-Smithfield-Docklands, and use DART for Howth, Malahide, and Dun Laoghaire.
Planning a Dublin trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about Dublin in December
- Best rainy-day things to do in Dublin in December
December averages 13 rainy days in Dublin, so keep these indoor stops as realistic backups.
- Kilmainham Gaol — The jail opened in 1796 and is tied to Irish nationalist prisoners, the 1916 Rising executions, and penal history. It is west of the center near the Irish Museum of Modern Art.
- National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology — The Kildare Street museum displays the Ardagh Chalice, Tara Brooch, bog bodies, Viking finds, goldwork, and medieval objects. It is beside Leinster House and Merrion Square.
- Christ Church Cathedral — The cathedral was founded around 1030 and rebuilt in stone under the Anglo-Normans, with a crypt, tiles, and medieval city history. It stands near Dublinia and Wood Quay.
- St Patrick's Cathedral — The Gothic cathedral is associated with a 5th-century baptism site and Jonathan Swift, who served as dean. It sits south of the Liberties beside its park.
- What to pack for Dublin in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic Dublin checklist.
- A warm coat and insulating layers for average highs around 9°C / 47°F.
- A heavier evening layer because nights average 3°C / 37°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 13 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in Dublin
- 4 days covers the main Dublin highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
Ready to plan Dublin?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Dublin plan for December 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.