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Dublin Live

National

Rayana Zapryanova

The best places to see Christmas lights in Dublin

Dublin Dublin Zoo Christmas FM DCC

Dublin has been listed among the top cities around the world to get you in the Christmas mood - and a big part of that is our Christmas lights.

Dublin City Council’s Winter Lights were officially switched on last month. DCC released a map of the locations around the city that received a Christmas makeover and many of them include light installations, projections, and even interactive experiences.

This year, DCC is focusing on sustainability with installations using alternative energy and chargeable battery packs. Many of the installations reportedly use power equivalent to that of a domestic iron or a toaster.

You’ve probably seen many of locations but here’s the full list, in case you’ve missed something:

Windmill Digital Hub and Bridgefoot Street Park in the Liberties
Smithfield Square and Wolfe Tone Square
Millenium Bridge, Samuel Beckett Bridge and Seán O’Casey Bridge
The Liffey Viking Boat with the red sails you might have seen on a night out with friends
Barnardo Square which has projections of Children’s Art Competition winners
The Spire and monuments all over O’Connell Street
Custom House and Georges Dock
Triumphal Arch and Mansion House
Merrion Square park

But what are the best offerings? We did a walkthrough looking at the best of the city centre, and we've picked out a few of our highlights below:

The Millennium Bridge

The rainbow installation over the Millennium Bridge is certainly the most visually stunning that Dublin has to offer. The pedestrian bridge is transformed into a magical rainbow road every night, and is a must see for anyone in the city.

The lights will be on on the bridge until New Year's Day.

Merrion Square Park

Merrion Square Christmas Tree (Rayana Zapryanova)

While Merrion Square’s Christmas Lights are technically a part of Dublin City Council’s Winter Lights, the experience is so unique that it deserves a special mention.

With light installations all over the entire left part of the park, “talking trees”, dancing penguins and Santa Clauses, the park is completely transformed at night. There’s also a Christmas tree installation, many enchanting led lights sprawled throughout the park (even the ground) adding to the Christmas mood, Christmas FM sounding our favourite festive songs.

A richly decorated pancake stall stands near the exit of the park, in case people want their taste buds to also experience the spirit of Christmas and a well-earned sugar rush. They have both sweet and savoury pancakes, mulled wine and hot chocolate with little marshmallows. The smell of Nutella and mulled wine is a nice send-off from the park.

The Merrion Square experience requires bookings in advance, and while tickets are only €2, there are already days where the place is mostly booked out. You can book your tickets here .

The Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo

Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo (Rachel Curran)

You’ve probably seen the ads on TikTok, or your friends have talked about going there.

Wild Lights returned to Dublin Zoo in October with a wonderful new theme – The Magic of Life. Thousands of bright installations highlighted the plant and animal species around the world threatened with extinction.

Huge light-up flowers and enormous owls greet you on arrival. Then you come to an amazing open space with gigantic bees and stunning bee-hives lighting up the zoo.

This is followed up by giant butterflies, huge spiders, tigers, bears, as well as some lesser known plants and animals.

The magical experience at Dublin Zoo each year sells out incredibly fast. Most of the days for December are completely sold out with only one or two tickets remaining available for some dates at the time of writing this.

Admission to Wild Lights is €23 for adults and €19 for children. Annual pass holders can avail of a special rate of €21 for adults and €17 for children. Children under 3 go free but an online booking is required. You can book your tickets here.

Wonderlights at Malahide Castle

Wonderlights at Malahide Castle is Ireland's only multi-sensory 2km outdoor trail. This year's theme is “The Night Sky”.

This year, you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Irish countryside as well as the creativity of the lights, and cross frozen arctic forests, before arriving at the Northern Lights. Don't forget to do some star gazing with the galaxy of light installations.

There’s also a Food Village where you can find many stalls to satisfy various food and sweets cravings. Wonderlights has been open since the 4th of November and remains open until January 3rd. Tickets are available to buy at www.wonderlights.ie

Other than all these wonderful light installations, there are also many other Christmas decorated streets and shops. Brown Thomas and Arnotts are a Christmas experience of their own, even if you can’t afford anything but a pack of napkins from there.

Let us know in the comments below which is your favourite location to see the Christmas lights.

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