14 Things to Do in Dublin at Christmas

While there is always plenty to see and do in Dublin, at Christmas time the attractions are multiplied. It's true that you won't find the best possible weather, but I assure you that you'll forget about the temperatures during your visit.

During the Christmas season, northern European cities have a special charm. In Dublin, the December festivities are especially intense and the streets are filled with lights. The Christmas spirit is also alive in the pubs, which are transformed into movie locations.

If you visit Dublin in November you will witness the Christmas lights switch on. Until the beginning of January, the city is dressed in light and its monuments and buildings are transformed into a palette of colours.

The city council organises city tours to enjoy the spectacle. The Dublin Winter Lights are environmentally friendly: they use more than 150,000 energy-saving LEDs and no diesel generators.

The routes touch bridges (Millennium Bridge and Beckett Bridge), the harbour (Capital Dock), government buildings (Mansion House, City Hall and Custom House), squares (Barnardo Square and Merrion Square), the famous Trinity College and other Dublin buildings. For more information, I recommend you take a look at the official Dublin City Council website.

Can you imagine getting to know the city in comfort and escaping the Christmas chill while enjoying a tea and snack tasting? I'll tell you what: it's possible, as you can book a classic bus tour of Dublin with tea.

Lasting approximately 1.5 hours, this experience includes commentary so you won't miss any of the city's sights, monuments and history: Guinness Brewery, St Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College, O'Connell Street, Phoenix Park, Merrion Square or St Stephens Green. You will also be amazed by all the lights and decorations typical of this time of the year.

An original way to tour the city and immerse yourself in one of its traditions: tea time.

Do you want to enjoy an Irish night out? If so, I recommend that you book a traditional dance show, and Christmas is an ideal time to do so because of the festive atmosphere that characterises this time of year. You will discover the traditional Irish dances, as well as the indigenous instruments (Bodhran, Uilleann pipes, Harp...). And if you're up for it, you can join in the dancing.

But I must admit that I love this plan because you also have the option of enjoying a traditional Irish dinner, with typical dishes such as Guinness stew or chocolate cake with Baileys.

The show, which lasts about 3 hours, takes place in a typical 18th century Georgian-style house, so you'll also be immersed in the local architecture.

Another great way to celebrate Christmas is with a food tour of Dublin, an experience that will turn you into an Irish food connoisseur.

For no more and no less than 3 hours, you'll visit typical food shops and restaurants with a professional local guide and taste the most typical products and dishes of the country.

What's more, this activity has an added bonus: it's designed for small groups, so you can get the most out of it. So if you're looking for a personalised plan, here it is!

Christmas is also a great time to take a trip to Belfast and the Giant's Causeway. Together with a tour guide, you will explore two of Ireland's most popular destinations.

The 12-hour tour will take you to one of the most beautiful coastal landscapes in the world, one of the world's most beautiful natural parks, made up of 40,000 basalt columns. And, of course, on your tour of Belfast you will discover its most important monuments such as the Peace Wall, which separated the Catholic and Protestant quarters, and the Titanic Museum, where you will learn about the history of the legendary ship.

And, as you can imagine, the transport is in an air-conditioned bus so you can escape the cold that characterises Ireland at Christmas time.

The Hot Toddy is a winter drink and a home remedy for flu. If you travel in winter, you'll see thousands of Irish people flocking to pubs to enjoy the concoction of whiskey, honey, cinnamon, star anise and lemon zest.

You can find a Hot Toddy almost anywhere in Dublin, yet some pubs make it to perfection:

• The Stag's Head. A narrow passageway hides a classic of the Irish capital. Its wooden interiors create a cosy atmosphere embellished with stained glass windows, crystal chandeliers and wooden barrels (Dame Court 1).
• Kehoes, the pub where time seems to have stood still. It retains the mahogany furniture and advertising signs of yesteryear (9 South Ann Street).
• The Bank Bar and Restaurant, one of the city's quirkiest pubs. The building was designed by William Henry Lynn - a renowned Victorian architect - and once housed a bank. It is within walking distance of the Molly Malone statue (College Green 20/22).
• L. Mulligan Grocer. It is off the beaten track in an area that will be much talked about in the future. In addition to a Hot Toddy, here you can enjoy a good local beer. Try a pint of Bay Ale (a Galway red ale) or Boom, an IPA with notes of lychee, kiwi, mango and caramel (Stoneybatter 18).
• Mary's Bar & Hardware, a pub linked to the independence struggles. At the turn of the last century, revolutionary leader Michael Collins used to hold meetings at the Wicklow Hotel at this very address (8 Wicklow Street).

Dublin is the home of pubs. The wet and windy weather is a great excuse for a pint of Guinness, but there are even more reasons to enjoy the famous stout. Undoubtedly one of the best things to see and do in Dublin

During the last month of the year, many pubs change their skin and dress up in typical Christmas decorations.

• Hole in the wall, "The Most Christmassy Pub In Dublin". You'll recognise it by the famous Father Christmas exclamation - "Ho, ho, ho" - on its façade. Located near Phoenix Park (345/347 Blackhorse Avenue).
• The Ginger Man, Dublin's most curious Christmas lights. Quite popular with students due to its proximity to Trinity College and some halls of residence. Warm up with a Guinness pie (39/40 Fenian Street).
• Sinnotts. It houses a collection of original pictures and prints by artists such as James Joyce, Yeats and Oscar Wilde. During the Christmas season, trees, stars and other decorations brighten up the place (South King Street).
• The Dawson Lounge, the tiniest bar in town. Don't be fooled by its sober façade, the interior hides an undeniable Christmas fantasy (Dawson Street 25).
• Strawberry Hall, another Dublin classic. Just opposite the pub you'll find a food truck serving wood-fired pizza (Lower Road, Astagob).

Traditionally, in the days leading up to Christmas, a living nativity scene is staged at Christ Church Cathedral. Actors re-enact the nativity scene with the help of a couple of donkeys.

This activity takes place in the afternoon -from17:30 to 19:30- and if you want to participate you will have to book in advance. To do so, I recommend you consult the church's website.

Do you know the Christmas Pantomimes? If you don't know, it's a typical Irish custom that consists of an adaptation of classic tales or stories. Unlike traditional shows, it involves audience participation and includes songs, dances and jokes. In short, a pantomime or panto is a musical comedy designed for family entertainment.

In Dublin, you can see them at The Gaiety, a Victorian-style theatre opened in 1871 (South King Street). You can also enjoy the show at The Olympia Theatre (72 Dame Street), Liberty Hall Theatre (1 Eden Quay) or The National Concert Hall (Earlsfort Terrace).

Pantomimes are very popular during the Christmas season and I recommend booking tickets in advance.

Despite its northern European location, Dublin and ice skating have never had a close relationship. Fortunately, in recent years the discipline has been gaining popularity and frozen rinks have started to appear in the Irish capital.

Here is a list of the ice rinks operating from late November to early January:

• Blanchardstown Centre, a shopping centre with over 150 shops and a host of bars and restaurants. It is located on the outskirts of Dublin and can be easily reached by bus (lines 17A, 37, 39, 39A, 76A, 220, 236, 238, 239 and 270). It has a large main rink and a smaller, separate rink with fun penguin-shaped skating aids- perfect for the little ones to learn on!
• Swords on Ice, the winter circuit in the north of the city. Again, it's close to a shopping centre: Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre (Malahide Rd, Swords Demesne). Children under 12 pay around €14 while adult admission costs around €17. Special family rates are also available.
• South Dublin On Ice, the ring at the foot of Tallagh Stadium. The rink measures around 600 m2 and is open to everyone from novices to experts. It is a bit far from the centre, but the Dublin tram network "Luas" (the Irish word for "speed") stops close to the football area. Just take the red line and get off at Tallaght - The Square (Whitestown Way, Oldbawn).
• Dundrum on Ice, 500 square metres of ice with handrails on the sides for novice skaters (Dundrum Town Centre, Sandyford Road).

St Stephen's Day is the patron saint of horses and a number of races are held on the same day. It's a Christmas classic and well worth seeing to experience something typical.

The closest races to Dublin take place in Leopardstown, a riding centre about 15 kilometres from the city centre. Races usually run for four days from 26 December.

If you don't have a car, you don't have to worry about anything. The local light rail network (LUAS) connects Dublin's Old Town with Leopardstown. To get there, simply take the LUAS to Central Park and then walk for about 15 minutes. On race days, the Racecourse provides a free shuttle service from the LUAS stop to the entrance gate.

If you are travelling to Dublin with children you can treat them to a special experience: a meeting with Father Christmas. Vintage Tea Trips organises activities for the little ones that conclude with a Christmas gift.

Afterwards you can enjoy a cup of tea on their double-decker bus. The hot drink is complemented by scones, sandwiches, cakes and savoury snacks.

Every country has its own typical recipe for the festive season and Ireland is no different. On the island, Christmas pudding, a sponge cake with dried and candied fruit and citrus zest, is eaten every 25th December.

It is usually flavoured with cinnamon, brandy or other liqueurs to achieve the right moistness. Unlike the American pudding, its Irish counterpart is a cake and not a custard.

The first mention of this dessert dates back to the 14th century and at that time it consisted of a kind of porridge-like porridge - nothing like today's recipe! According to folklore, some of the ingredients are linked to Christian tradition: the brandy is a symbol of the Passion of Christ, while the sprig of holly used in the decoration is a nod to Jesus' crown of thorns.

In the Irish capital you will find Christmas pudding in various restaurants and bakeries. However, if you want to hit the spot, try the creations of Scéal Bakery, a bakery within walking distance of St Patrick's Cathedral and the Teeling whiskey distillery (Fumbally Lane, Merchants Quay).

Ireland's main shopping artery and a must for any fashion victim. You can pop into River Island (women's, men's and children's clothing), Disney, Life Style Sports (sportswear), Brown Thomas (cosmetics, shoes, clothing and bedding), Weir & Son's (historic Dublin jewellery) and Kilkenny Shop (arts and crafts).

Other shopping options include George's Street Arcade (South Great George's Street), Dundrum Shopping Centre (Sandyford Road) and Hodges Figgis (56/58 Dawson Street).