The best Christmas markets this week (and where to eat and drink in between)

By Erin Lindsay
07th Dec 2018

NO FEE PICS 30/11/2018. The Dun Laoghaire Christmas Market is open every weekend until December 23rd on the metals and opposite dlr LexIcon from 12.30pm to 7pm on Fridays and 11am to 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Aromas of gourmet sausages, crepes, baked goods, Hungarian Beef Goulash Soup and Lángos, German Gluhwein and steaming hot chocolate will fill the air as you wander through the Christmas Market with hand-crafted gifts and decorations, jewellery, metal art, sculpture, photography and a whole host of very special quality gifts and treats that are not mass-produced but hand crafted with love. The Dún Laoghaire Christmas Festival hosted by Dún Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council features the largest ever display of Christmas lights in Dún Laoghaire, the iconic Ferris Wheel from the movie ‘Grease’, a Vintage Funfair, Santa’s Post Box and the very popular Christmas market with a traditional and nostalgic theme bringing the magic of Christmas and a winter wonderland for the festive season. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

The best Christmas markets this week (and where to eat and drink in between)

It’s beginning to look a lot like…. well, you know the rest. The Christmas spirit truly is settling in around the city this week (despite the temperamental weather), and what better way to celebrate it than with some good old-fashioned Christmas markets? Followed by plenty of good food and drink, of course… happy weekend from IMAGE!

All weekend: The Dún Laoghaire Christmas Market

The Dún Laoghaire Christmas Market is open every weekend until December 23rd, opposite dlr LexIcon until 7 pm on Friday through Sunday. Aromas of gourmet sausages, crepes, German Gluhwein and steaming hot chocolate will fill the air as you wander through the market. Expect hand-crafted gifts and decorations, jewellery and photography, all handcrafted with love. The festival also features the largest ever display of Christmas lights in Dún Laoghaire, the iconic Ferris Wheel from the movie ‘Grease’, a Vintage Funfair, Santa’s Post Box and the very popular Christmas market with a traditional and nostalgic theme bringing the magic of Christmas and a winter wonderland for the festive season.

All weekend: Decemberfest Festive Beer Lodge

If you’re in need of a seasonal tipple after all the shopping, head towards Donnybrook for some great beer and great food. The Festive Beer Lodge is like a Santa’s grotto for grown-ups — think Oktoberfest but for Christmas. German food, beer and prosecco and plenty of warming entertainment. This is a great evening if there’s a bunch of you heading out, but be sure to book ahead of time. Open from 4 pm til late Wednesday to Friday, and 2 pm til late on Saturday and Sunday.

All weekend: Gifted – The Contemporary Craft & Design Fair

If you really want to focus on buying Irish this year (as we are here at IMAGE), then there are a number of brilliant, sustainable-focused gift festivals happening around the city. The Craft & Design Fair at the RDS has become something of an institution in the past few years, always offering some of the most interesting Irish designs all in one place. Great way to browse gifts without the hell of the city centre at this time of year.

All weekend: Yuleyard

Eatyard is always a good shout for a weekend feed, but Yuleyard is a different story entirely, with everything you’re used to from the Bernard Shaw favourite, with a few new additions. The likes of Box Burger & The Big Blue Bus will be there, but with mulled wine, hot whiskeys and wood-burning stoves to complete the atmosphere. Open Friday from 5 pm to 10 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 10 pm.

All weekend: Dublin Flea Christmas Market 2018

Another on the list of brilliant Irish-sourced gift fairs, the Christmas Flea Market in the Point Village is an absolute treasure trove of Irish produce, hand-made gifts, beautiful vintage clothes and jewellery and plenty of not-on-the-high-street beauties. At the time of writing, I’ve already been once and will probably head again before the weekend is out. Takes place this weekend and next weekend from 1-8pm (Thursday and Friday) and 11am to 6pm (Saturday and Sunday). Be sure to take a look at their website to see when your favourite vendors will be appearing.