Programme of Events in Dun Laoghaire this Christmas
Discover… Free Family Events
Every weekend during the Christmas festival
Santa’s Arrival, Christmas Lights Switch On and Fireworks Display Dún Laoghaire Town Centre – Saturday, November 30th from 5pm
Get the first glimpse of festive magic as Christmas 2013 opens in Dún Laoghaire. Get in some early shopping before the entertainment kicks off with the blessing of the live crib outside St. Michael’s Church at 5pm. Proceed down to the Harbour Plaza to enjoy an unforgettable line-up of entertainment. The Dublin Gospel Choir from 5.15pm will get you into the festive spirit in time for the gala arrival of Santa Claus at 5.45pm followed at 6pm by the switching-on of the Christmas lights and a breathtaking fireworks display over Dún Laoghaire Harbour to officially announce that Christmas in Dún Laoghaire is underway.
Supervalu Santa Dash
SuperValu, Dún Laoghaire Shopping Centre – Saturday December 7th10am – 12pm
Supervalu Dún Laoghaire is inviting shoppers from near and far to enter their speedy Santa Dash competition. There will be one dash per hour for three hours. Ten contestants will be chosen for each hour and one of the ten will get 2 full minutes to race around the store and fill their trolleys with some of their favourite goodies… and keep it all! The nine runners up each hour will each win a SuperValu hamper. The overall winner with the bigger value of goodies in their trolley will win a 41-inch Sony HD TV. To enter register at www.dunlaoghaire.ie.
Christmas Cookery & Craft School
Marine Road – Saturday December 7th & Sunday December 8th 2pm to 4pm
Chefs from local restaurants and our team of Christmas crafters will demonstrate some inspirational ideas for festive food and decorations at our Christmas Cookery and Craft school. The event will not only teach you essential seasonal tips and tricks but also let you sample some of Dun Laoghaire’s best food.
Magical Christmas Lantern Procession
From the People’s Park – Saturday, December 14th at 4pm
This enchanting spectacle will see children of all ages light up the street from the People’s Park to Harbour Plaza. The handmade willow and tissue paper lanterns come in all Christmas shapes and sizes. The procession led by a group fromComhairle na nÓg will finish with a recital of Christmas Carols at Harbour Plaza.
Discover … what breaking a World Record is like!
Harbour Plaza – Saturday, December 21st at 2pm
Don your Santa hat and join at least 872 other Santa impersonators at Dún Laoghaire Harbour Plaza and set a new world record (we need 873 to beat the 2010 Massachusetts record!) All in aid of Barnardos just €2 a head.
Discover … 2014 with our New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Newtownsmith, Dún Laoghaire – Tuesday, December 31st at 12midnight and 6pm
Welcome in the New Year with a spectacular Fireworks display fired from the East and West Piers in Dún Laoghaire at 12midnight. This unique dual fireworks display is the first time ever both piers will be used simultaneously as firing sites. You can see the show from Newtownsmith in Dun Laoghaire and all around Dublin Bay. We a have a special smaller fireworks display for young families at 6pm on the day fired from the Carlisle Pier.
Discover … the Christmas Craft and Food Market
The Pavilion Quarter and Marine Road – Thursday to Sunday 11am to 6pm and Monday and Tuesday of Christmas week
Browse through a wide range of unique arts, crafts and special gifts in the charming chalets in the Pavilion Quarter near the Seafront and on Marine Road. Wander up to the town centre on Marine Road to sample the delicious hot treats in the food market … with plenty to keep you entertained along the way! Retailers throughout the town are putting on special Christmas offers to provide excellent value to shoppers over the festive season. Why not shop at your leisure on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday when the market as well as over 200 shops, cafes and restaurants are open?
Discover … The Traditional Crib
St. Michael’s Church – Open throughout the Christmas festival
Dún Laoghaire’s traditional crib at St. Michael’s Church, Marine Road is a must-visit festival centrepiece. Don’t miss the special ceremony for the blessing of the crib on the 30th November.
Discover … Enchanting Treasure Hunts
From the Pavilion Quarter – Every Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm
Enjoy a magical day out full of sleuthing fun for all the family. A host of exciting clues lead from the Metals up into the Town Centre. All the family can work together deciphering the clues and be in with a chance to win some great festive prizes. Clues change every weekend!
Discover … Santa’s Magical Grotto
Dún Laoghaire Shopping Centre – Every Saturday and Sunday from Nov 30th; Thurs 12th & Fri 13th Dec; Thurs 19th & Fri 20th Dec; Monday 23rd Dec
Santa returns to Dún Laoghaire Shopping Centre from the 30th of November to welcome all the little ones and discuss their Christmas wish lists… The magical trip includes a very special gift for each and every child.
Discover … some culture
See a show at the Pavilion Theatre
Tue 3 – Thu 5 Dec Faulty Towers The Dining Experience
Wed 4 Dec Abba Forever
Thu 5 – Sat 7 Dec The Cavalcaders by Billy Roche
Sun 8 Dec The Keogh Family in Concert
Thu 12 – Sun 15 Dec Nightmare Before Christmas & A Christmas Tale
Mon 16 Dec Twas the Night Before Christmas – Oíche Roimh an Nollag
Thu 19 Dec Eimear Quinn, O Holy Night – Christmas Concert
Fri 20 Dec Sing and Be Merry: Sparkling Seasonal Songs
Sat 21 Dec Hansel, Gretel & Bosco’s Magical Christmas
Sun 22 Dec It’s A Wonderful Life – Classic Film
During your trip to Dún Laoghaire, why not see the actual photos from the greatest survival story of all time? Dún Laoghaire is home to the world-famous Shackleton Exhibition at the Ferry Terminal Buildingwww.shackletonexhibition.com
Open every day, Monday – Sunday 11am-5pm
Or …
Embark on a voyage of discovery at the National Maritime museumwww.mariner.ie
11am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday plus public holidays
December 4, 2013
