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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: 27 markets in 15 towns

From the RDS and TwinkleTown in Dublin to Eyre Square in Galway, Cork, Kilkenny's Yulefest and Waterford's Winterval: 27 Christmas markets in 15 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.

27 markets in 13 regions

The most searched Christmas markets in 2026

    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.

      Dates
      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.