Where to spend a Christmas day out in Dublin

Christmas time would look a lot different without those classic movies that define our favourite festive season. Often it’s that first Christmas movie we watch every year that gets us into the holiday spirit. This year why not ditch the couch, step into the Winter Wonderland outside, pack the car full of treats and cosy blankets and spend the day at Leopardstown’s Retro Drive-In Movies? From 1st December and through to Christmas week, Leopardstown will be dedicating their world-class LED screen to the showing of all your festive favourites, including Elf, Love Actually, The Santa Clause, Home Alone, and The Polar Express. Also returning to the venue this year is Ireland’s highest attended Christmas event in 2020 – The North Pole Santa Drive-In Experience. This event takes place on 18th and 19th December, and includes a COVID-safe Santa visit, a special Christmas movie screening, and… a Christmas sing-along Caraoke! A perfect Christmas day out for family, friends, work colleagues, or even a date.

Located in the city centre just north of the River Liffey is Dublin’s Phoenix Park. With free-roaming deer, a live crib, playgrounds, Dublin Zoo, and one of the city’s most festive pubs all located on this 707 hectares of public land, the Phoenix Park is the perfect place to visit for the ultimate Christmas day out. First, take a walk or a drive through the park and see the 600 deer roam their natural Winter Wonderland. Continue onto the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre where you can see the live crib, with animals supplied and cared for by local farmers and carol singing taking place nearby. Grab some Christmas lunch in The Hole In The Wall and experience the magic of Dublin’s most festive pub. Located just on the outskirts of the park, this pub is renowned for their stunning Christmas decor, their Christmas-themed menu, and their jolly festive atmosphere. Finish your Christmas day out at Dublin Zoo, which comes alive when the sun goes down for their annual Christmas event – Wild Lights. This breathtaking light installation will take you on a trip around the world, exploring all of the famous world landmarks in the form of bright twinkling lights. All this packed into one park? It’s nothing short of a Christmas miracle!

EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum located in Dublin Docklands, won the title of Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction in 2019, 2020, and 2021. They are committed to delivering a memorable day out to locals and tourists alike, and this year they are carrying that commitment into the festive season. EPIC is hosting a Santa experience like no other, offering a generous package that includes everything you and your family need for the perfect Christmas day out. First, step foot into the magical CHQ building, which will be decked out in twinkling lights and Christmas decor. There you’ll be welcomed by Santa’s elves who will help you soak up all the festive atmosphere before it’s your turn to visit the man himself. As well as an individual family visit to Santa your package will also include a professional family photo, museum trail pack, entry to the museum, an age-appropriate gift, hot chocolate and a sweet treat at The Bakehouse cafe, and a ticket to visit EPIC again in 2022. Tip: If you have a Christmas-inspired name like Holly or Nick be sure to let the staff at EPIC know, because entry for you is FREE!

The annual Christmas Pantomime in the stunning Gaiety Theatre is one of Dublin’s longest standing Christmas traditions. This year it’s an old family favourite – The Little Mermaid! Kicking off on 28th November and running right through to 9th January, this family-friendly production makes for a magical Christmas day out. After almost two years without the laughter and joy that only a theatre can provide, this year’s pantomime promises to make up for lost time and deliver a show to remember. The Gaiety is celebrating its 150 year anniversary this year too, which is sure to add more magic to the experience. So, choose from one of the many show dates on offer including daily matinees, gather the whole family, take a walk through the decorated streets of Dublin to the Gaiety Theatre, and get lost in a theatre show that promises singing, dancing, and laugh-out-loud oceanic adventures.