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A Christmas market in an Irish city square with wooden chalets, fairy lights, a big wheel and a Christmas tree in light snow
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Christmas markets · Dublin · Galway · Cork · all of Ireland

Christmas markets in Ireland 2026: 28 markets in 18 towns

From the RDS and TwinkleTown in Dublin to Eyre Square in Galway, Cork, Kilkenny's Yulefest and Waterford's Winterval: 28 Christmas markets in 18 towns, with 2026 dates as they're announced — and which ones aren't running this year. Belfast, Edinburgh and the big German markets are at the bottom of the page.

📍 Find a market near me

until Christmas

Find a Christmas market near you

For each town we list the Christmas markets announced by the council, Fáilte Ireland or the organisers — not one-day school or parish fairs. 2026 dates appear as soon as they're official; until then we show last season's, marked as such.

28 markets in 13 regions

Christmas markets by town and city

🧒 With kids

✨ Date night

🎉 With friends

Christmas markets in other towns

Lucan

  • Lucan House Christmas Market, LucanIllustration

    Weekend Christmas market · Lucan

    Lucan House Christmas Market

    South Dublin County Council's one-day market of 35+ stalls of crafts and food in the grounds of Lucan House.

    🧒 With kids

    What's there

    • 35+ stalls of crafts and food
    • Grounds of Lucan House

    A pleasant one-day local market.

    Last season
    Sun 7 Dec 2025
    Cost
    Free entry.

    Getting there and parking

    • No parking at Lucan House; limited parking in Lucan Village — public transport recommended.
    Lucan House, Lucan Village, Co. DublinOfficial site

Slane

  • Slane Castle Christmas Craft Market, SlaneIllustration

    Weekend Christmas market · Slane

    Slane Castle Christmas Craft Market

    60+ craft stalls on the castle's ground floor and food, festive drinks and carols in the courtyard, above the River Boyne.

    ✨ Date night🎉 With friends

    What's there

    • Craft stalls inside Slane Castle
    • Food and carols in the courtyard
    • River Boyne setting

    A lovely castle market — book a parking slot in advance.

    2026
    19–20 Dec 2026, 10am–4pm
    Last season
    13–14 Dec 2025
    Cost
    €4 per person or €6 per car (2025); under-12s free.

    Getting there and parking

    • By car: parking slots are limited to 90 minutes and should be booked in advance.
    Slane Castle, Slane, Co. MeathOfficial site

Sligo

  • Sligo Christmas Market, SligoIllustration

    Christmas market · Sligo

    Sligo Christmas Market

    An indoor Christmas market in the Quayside Shopping Centre, open seven days a week.

    🎉 With friends

    What's there

    • Indoor market in the Quayside Shopping Centre
    • Open daily

    Warm and dry — a convenient stop while shopping in Sligo.

    2026
    27 Nov – 23 Dec 2026
    Cost
    Free entry.

    Getting there and parking

    • Sligo station is about 10 minutes' walk.
    Quayside Shopping Centre, SligoOfficial site

Christmas markets a short trip away

Belfast, Edinburgh, Manchester and the great German markets — the ones Irish visitors search for most, with the distance from the nearest Irish town.

Christmas markets abroad →

Christmas markets in Ireland

Irish Christmas markets are mostly seasonal festivals rather than centuries-old traditions: Dublin Loves Christmas at the RDS and TwinkleTown in Smithfield are the big Dublin ones, Galway's market fills Eyre Square from early November, Kilkenny runs Yulefest below the castle and Waterford's Winterval spreads across the city on weekends. The Dublin Castle market is not taking place in 2025 or 2026.

What to eat, drink and buy

Mulled wine and hot whiskey, German bratwurst and pretzels, crêpes, churros and Irish craft beer, plus mince pies and Christmas pudding. To take home: Irish crafts, knitwear, pottery, local food and Christmas decorations.

Tips for a good visit

Weekday afternoons are quietest; Friday and Saturday evenings in December are packed in Dublin and Galway. Take the Luas, DART, bus or train — Galway's market is right next to Ceannt Station. Several markets are weekends-only, so check the dates before travelling.

Questions

When do the Christmas markets open in 2026?
Galway usually opens in early November; Kilkenny's Yulefest runs 28 November – 23 December 2026 and Waterford's Winterval on weekends from 13 November to 23 December 2026. Each card says whether the 2026 dates are confirmed.
Is the Dublin Castle Christmas market on in 2026?
No. The Office of Public Works has confirmed it won't run in 2025 or 2026, as the castle is the main State venue for Ireland's EU Presidency. The RDS and TwinkleTown in Smithfield are the big alternatives.
Which is the biggest Christmas market in Ireland?
Dublin Loves Christmas at the RDS calls itself Dublin's largest, Galway's Eyre Square market is one of the best-known, and Waterford's Winterval bills itself as Ireland's largest Christmas festival.
Are Belfast and Edinburgh worth the trip?
Belfast's market at City Hall is about two hours from Dublin by train or bus; Edinburgh is a short flight. You'll find them at the bottom of the page.