Dublin in winter is a hub of creative energy and vibrancy with a rich mix of cultural and celebratory events.
Dark days and winter chills do nothing to dampen the buzz in Dublin. The city embraces its winter vibe transforming into a cultural playground filled with outstanding theatrical, literary and arts events and unforgettable celebrations including Dublin’s fabulous New Year’s Festival.
For art lovers, Dublin Gallery Weekend (6–9 November) is a compelling reason to visit the city. Presenting over 60 free events showcasing and exploring Dublin’s bold contemporary art scene, the weekend is a celebration of artists and their creativity. New exhibitions, behind-the-scenes studio tours, meet the artists, industry talks, and hands-on workshops take place in galleries, cultural institutions and creative spaces city-wide.
More ground-breaking art is on display at the National Gallery Ireland, where a major exhibition of Picasso’s work, Picasso: From the Studio (9 October –22 February 2026), explores the key locations that defined the hugely influential artist.
Literature fans also have plenty to dive into with festivals and events celebrating the rich literary legacy that made Dublin a UNESCO City of Literature. The Dublin Book Festival (5–9 November) packs over 100 events into five days. These include Ireland’s most exciting contemporary authors in conversation, stimulating panel discussions, poetry events, showcases of new voices, creative workshops, family events and walking tours in the company of an author.
Bringing the work of James Joyce to life is an immersive theatre production of his acclaimed short story The Dead, which will take place daily in the Museum of Modern Literature (MoLI) from 23 November to 1 February. The ‘up-close’ production allows the audience to move in and around the actors as they move through a number of rooms in the historic 18th-century building creating a unique cultural experience. MoLI celebrates Ireland’s greatest storytellers through interactive exhibitions, priceless literary artefacts and guided tours and is an unmissable museum for literature enthusiasts.
At Dublin’s famous Abbey theatre, established by WB Yeats and Lady Gregory in 1904, audiences can get an insight into the character of Dubliners at Dublin Gothic (21 November –31 January). The tragicomedy tells a loser’s history of the city and its people through a joyous mix of literary styles.
Another eminent Irish writer is celebrated in the Jonathan Swift Festival (22–27 November) which takes place across several locations including Saint Patrick’s Cathedral where Swift was Dean (1713–1745). Blending history, literature, and heritage through live music, tours, and talks, the festival explores the life and legacy of the renowned satirist and author of Gulliver’s Travels.
Dublin also has numerous walking tours that explore differs aspects of the city from heritage pubs (The Perfect Pint Tour) to literary landmarks (Dublin Literary Pub Crawl) and historic sites (Dublin Highlights and Hidden Gems). In the run-up to Christmas, festive tours are added to the mix. Visitors can savour the flavours of the season on food trails or get into the Christmas spirit on the open-top bus DoDublin Christmas Tour, which combines sightseeing with songs, stories and plenty of laughs.
The festive season culminates in the city’s spectacular New Year’s Festival Dublin, when the heart of the capital will light up with concerts, fireworks, and festivities to welcome 2026. The three-day festival (30 December – 1 January) has something for all ages with events taking place in some of the city’s iconic buildings. Dublin Castle will host several outdoor concerts including the Countdown Concert on New Year’s Eve, which this year is headlined by Inhaler. Historic Meeting House Square will have lots of street entertainment and is the location of the New Year’s Day traditional music concert. Fabulous fireworks, music trails and the spectacular Ignite & Excite Procession add to the energy and pageantry of the festival.
The good times continue into January when Ireland’s biggest festival of traditional and folk music, TradFest (21–25 Jan 2026), takes centre stage. Featuring rising stars and Grammy-nominated performers, the festival is the ultimate celebration of Irish music and culture. Top names for 2026 include Sharon Shannon, The Hothouse Flowers, Transatlantic Women and Stockton’s Wing & Ralph McTell. The gigs take place right across in city in theatres, cathedrals, stadiums, historic houses, pubs, clubs and performance spaces. And beyond the ticketed events, there will be planned and impromptu sessions in pubs across Dublin bringing the music and craic to everyone.
