Dublin City Council unveils 'bigger and better' than ever Christmas programme

Dublin City Council has unveiled an expanded Christmas programme for 2026, featuring new light projections, an extended TwinkleTown at Smithfield and the Liberties, and an application to become the European Capital of Christmas

Add to preferred sources Comments News Stephen Holland Local Democracy Reporter 04:00, 25 Sep 2026 View 3 Images Christmas in Dublin

Christmas celebrations in the city will be “bigger and better” than ever before as Dublin City Council invite everyone to ‘feel the twinkle’ this festive season.

Dublin City Council has announced that they will be rolling out and supporting an expanded Christmas programme this winter. The ‘Feel Dublin City Twinkle’ campaign will build upon last year’s campaign with a range of attractions and experiences for people of all ages.

Through the promotion of Christmas markets, shopping and nightlife in the city centre, significant investment will support businesses around Dublin. The council is also preparing an application to become the European Capital of Christmas.

“Dubliners love Christmas, Dublin City Centre is synonymous with Christmas time and Dublin City Council is committed to bring Christmas themed activity throughout the whole festive season,” a council spokesperson said.

Christmas-themed light protections will illuminate the city centre with festival installations and projections throughout the season. The council will light up iconic buildings like the GPO and City Hall, while the month of January will see the expanded lighting programme of Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights Festival continuing right through to the beginnings of spring, concluding at St Brigid's weekend.

The Samuel Beckett Bridge, the Lord Mayor's Christmas Card competition on Palace Street and other well-known Christmas favourites of the Dublin Winter Lights Festival will still take place during December. Imaginative moving light installations will continue to bring the Christmas season to life in radiant colours and dazzling festive-themed displays.

View 3 Images Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights (Image: Conor McCabe Photography.)

Other favourites include the ever-popular rainbow Millennium Bridge lights, as well as a huge new location that will see a full digital Christmas theme projection. The exact location is under wraps, but Dublin City Council are calling it “one of the best projections the city has ever seen”.

TwinkleTown is returning to Smithfield Square with ice skating, Santo Panto, the Big Wheel, vintage funfair, live music, festive food, and an Irish makers’ market.

A second TwinkleTown Christmas event will also take place in the southside at Saint Patrick’s Park in the Liberties. The park will be transformed for the first time with spectacular lighting, Christmas-themed carousels, and choral performances from Sing Ireland.

Both locations will have sensory-friendly experiences as part of the programme. 600,000 people enjoyed TwinkleTown in Smithfield last year, and the city will once again come alive during the 2026 Christmas period with the wide array of Christmas themed activity supported by Dublin City Council.

View 3 Images Dublin City Council's 'Feel Dublin City Twinkle' Christmas campaign (Image: Dublin City Council)

That’s not all, as the TwinkleTrail is also expanding significantly this year with a magical light-filled journey through the city. With new locations and installations, people can expect up to 20 twinkle stars on O’Connell Street, twinkle star and other city centre locations, stunning displays, and inspiring illuminations. Watch out for twinkling reindeers and great Instagram photo opportunities.

The IFA Live Animal Crib returns to the Mansion House. This long-standing tradition brings the magic of the Christmas nativity scene to the heart of Dublin City. The front of the Mansion House will also become a starry wonderland with a captivating canopy of shimmering festival lights. There will be a Sensory Space for those who need a break from the sensory stimulation that Christmas in the city centre brings.

Other highlights include an outdoor gallery projecting children's Christmas drawings in Barnardo Square, the Lord Mayor’s art competition, and Christmas markets all over the city. Over 30 sparking Christmas trees will also be installed around the city, with local lighting ceremonies taking place.

The full programme will be revealed in November. To discover what’s happening in the city visit DublinCity.ie

This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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