Where To Find Santa

22nd November-31st December

DUN LAOGHAIRE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
Weds 21st Nov -  Sat 24th Dec
This year’s festival is marked by the particularly exciting addition of the historic Maritime Museum as one of the central locations to this year’s festival where the Dun Laoghaire Christmas Market will be held for the first time. There will be 20 seasonal wooden chalets hosting a wonderful range of artisan food & craft offerings. In addition to the Christmas Market at the Maritime, the Museum will also play host to a number of seasonal concerts, events, children’s arts / crafts / play & magic shows to coincide with market hours, full details of which will be available from this site over the coming days.. www.dunlaoghaire.ie/christmas-festival/

THE NORTH POLE EXPERIENCE
Sat 26th Nov – Fri 23rd Dec
Take the Family to visit Santa at the North Pole Experience in the The Royal Liver Retail Park, Naas Road for a truly amazing experience this Christmas.. After your visit to Santa the fun doesn’t stop there. It is off to Bounceland Playzone (30 mins play time per child included in price) Children :€20 / Parents: free. www.northpoleexperience.net

SANTA EXPERIENCE AT CROKE PARK
Sat 26th Nov  - Thurs 22nd Dec
Santa guides his sleigh back to Croke Park this winter and tickets are now on sale for this unique family event at GAA Headquarters. A visit to Santa at Croke Park promises to be a memorable one and children will see the team dressing rooms transformed into the elves’ living quarters!  There’s also a chance to peek inside the toy workshop and see the famous pitch. All children who visit Santa receive a present and access to the GAA Museum and interactive games zone is included in the ticket price. Adults €8 / Children (2 years and over) :  €14 / Children (1 – 2 years) :  €7 / Children (under 1 year):  Free

FATHER CHRISTMAS AT HAMLEYS!
Sat 26th Nov – Sat 24th  Dec
Join Father Christmas and his loveable elves at the finest toy shop in the world for fun, magic and theatre at this very special time of year. Meet Father Christmas at Hamleys is an extra special experience where children will take part in seasonal games and activities, enjoy delicious snacks, spend time with Father Christmas and receive an extra special gift bag to take home. Suitable for ages 2-8 years with sessions available by age groups 2-5 and 6-8 years.

FOREST TRAIN TO SANTA
Sat 26th Nov - Fri 23rd Dec
Experience the winter wonderland at Avondale Forest Park, Rathdrum as The Forest Train rambles through the breath-taking mature forest park. The Forest Train Experience will take approx. 1 hour Tickets: Adult €10 / Child €15 / Babies (0-12 months) €5 www.theforesttrain.ie

VISIT SANTA AT TAYTO PARK
Sat 26th Nov – Fri 23rd Dec
Each family will meet Santa individually and each child will get a special gift. Also included in the price is Tayto Park entry, Christmas Story Telling, a ride on The Grand Carousel, 5D Polar Express movie, a train ride to visit Santa’s Grotto and Christmas themed arts/crafts and face painting. Pre booking essential.
Tickets: Children (Under 3) €14 / Children (over 3) €26 / Adults €12. Discounts available for Tayto Park members

SANTA AT IMAGINOSITY
Sun 27th Nov 10am – 6pm
Come and meet Santa and his magical elves at Imaginosity on Sunday 27th November (10am-6pm). During each session throughout the day, visitors will get the chance to join Santa and his merry elves for interactive festive story time in Imaginosity’s theatre, and then individually meet Santa and receive their very own Christmas gift! Santa experience €4 additional charge on standard museum admission rate. Advance online booking essential at www.imaginosity.ie

STORYTIME WITH SANTA’S ELVES
Daily in December
Join Imaginosity’s in-house Elves this December for a fun, fully interactive festive story telling performance.  The 30 minute interactive workshop (suitable for children up to 9 years of age) led by the Elves, takes place in Imaginosity’s in-house theatre throughout the month of December, and is guaranteed to get the whole family into the festive spirit.  Visitwww.imaginosity.ie for all show dates and times.  Performance is FREE with standard museum admission rates.

ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS AT MALAHIDE
Fri 2nd – Fri 23rd Dec
Your family are welcomed by our Castle hosts and Santa’s elves before being brought  to Mrs Claus as she relaxes by the fire. She likes to meet all the children before they see the main man, Santa! Your Enchanted Christmas includes visit to Santa, Mrs Claus and guests , tour of the castle, age appropriate gift and mulled wine & mince pies for the Mommies & Daddies! Booking necessary at 01 8169538. Child €17 / Adult €6

CHOCOLATE WAREHOUSE SANTA
Sat 3rd -  Sun 18th Dec
When you enter The Chocolate Warehouse, Greenhills Road, Walkinstown,  you will be greeted by Santa’s helpers before entering Chocolate avenue and viewing fabulous Christmas scenes along the way. Then you enter Santa’s house at the end of the avenue where you will meet Santa and receive a Christmas gift. After leaving Santa’s house you proceed to the Post Room to post your letter to the North Pole. In the Cracker Room the children have great fun where they can make their own Christmas cracker to take home. For mid week Santa Claus visits call 01 4500080 for dates and times. Tickets: €9 per child / adults free

SANTA AT AIRFIELD
Sat 3rd – Tues 20th Dec
Experience seasonal activities this December at Airfield. Children can play with Santa’s Elves in the magical teepees, including posting a letter to Santa and making a delicious Christmas treat in the Elves’ kitchen. You can make a magical trip around the Estate and meet Airfield’s newest animal arrivals. Included in your ticket is, a 30 minute group visit with Santa at Airfield House, enjoying story-telling and a Santa gift. Afterwards, enjoy a special photo opportunity in Santa’s sleigh and a complimentary hot chocolate or mulled wine as you browse and shop at Airfield’s Christmas Market. Adults €11 / Child €21

GREEN SANTA AT BELVEDERE
Sat 3rd Dec – Sun 18th Dec
Treat your children to a magical Christmas experience with Green Santa at Belvedere House. Green Santa will arrive by boat across Lough Ennell to Belvedere House at 11am on Saturday 3rd December and will proceed to his magical grotto. Green Santa has a message for Children everywhere; Christmas is not just about toys and there are other gifts that are far more important. Children will visit Green Santa in his magical grotto where he will help the children pot up seasonal holly, which the children can bring home. Tel: (044) 9349060 www.belvedere-house.ie

SANTA’S GROTTO AT DUBLIN ZOO
Sat 26th Nov-  Sat 24th Dec
Santa will be visiting Dublin Zoo every weekend starting in November with additional visits on 22nd, 23rd & 24th December. Bring your family along for some festive fun! Last entry to the grotto is 3pm. www.dublinzoo.ie

ANIMALS AT POWERSCOURT STABLES
Sat 26th Nov – Fri 23rd Dec 10am - 5pm
Nothing says ‘Christmas’ like a visit to the atmospheric Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow with its tree-lined avenue, fir trees and majestic stately home! Kids will love the chance to meet some farm animals’ right up close including Santa’s deer, pygmy goats, miniature donkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs. Everyone will enjoy a visit to the stables, which is free of charge. The Powerscourt Stables are located beside Powerscourt Garden Pavilion. www.powerscourt.com

CHRISTMAS FAIR IN DUNBOYNE PARISH CENTRE
Sat 3rd Dec 10am – 2pm
This annual Christmas Fair has something for everyone! Adults can relax in the Christmas cafe or browse the excellent selection of homemade crafts, baked goods and cosmetics while children are entertained with festive games, crafts and activities. Santa arrives at 12 noon and families are invited to visit him in his grotto.

CHRISTMAS AT BOTANICAL GARDENS
Sun 11th Dec
Santa, Christmas Market, and much more! Savour the festive atmosphere and experience the spirit of Christmas with a free visit to Santa and his helpers in his hideaway in the Gardens. l Ticketed event – Free tickets are available only on Sunday 11th December at the Visitor Centre. Christmas Market is open all day. Visits to Santa run from 1.30pm.

The Santa Experience
Limerick - Cork - Dublin
Nov 25th to Dec 23rd
Book now: www.santaexperience.ie. The award winning and original Santa Experience returns to Limerick, Cork & Dublin City for Christmas.
Over the past 7 years The Santa Experience in association with Dunnes Stores has entertained children and adults alike with a magical journey to Santa’s House.
Travelling through 4 fun filled festive rooms children will meet our many cheerful elves, reindeer, polar bears and maybe even get to ride in Santa’s Sleigh on your way to meet the big man himself.
The Santa Experience has proved to be very popular with thousands of children visiting us in 2015 making us one of Ireland’s most popular Santa’s !
One of the keys attractions besides the post office, sleigh and Santa’s log cabin is the option to book ahead to secure a specific time (within 30 mins) and date. This allows people to plan their day and get the date they want.
A professional photographer is on site to capture that magical moment. All photographs come in a professional 8×10 format with black silver trim card frame and are available immediately afterwards for purchase. A digital option is also in the form of a Santa USB stick where you can have all of your photos in digital format to print as you want. The digital package also includes one printed photo.
The quality is fantastic and it provides families with a timeless memento. You choose and collect your photos immediately after your journey through the Santa Experience.
€10 per child €3 per adult
(€3 booking fee per transaction)
BOOK NOW: www.santaexperience.ie

FROZEN FAMILY SING-A-ALONG
Thurs 14th Dec 4pm  – Pavilion Theatre
Sat 17th Dec 2pm – Mermaid Arts Centre
Thurs 5th Jan 2pm – Mermaid Arts Centre
Walt Disney Animation Studios presents Frozen, a stunning big-screen comedy adventure.

CHRISTMAS STORY-TELLING
Sun 18th Dec 2.30
Get along to the National Print Museum on Haddington Road for a jolly storytelling hour followed by some fun and festive craft activities. Suitable for 3-7 year olds. Free admission
on a first come, first served basis.

DECEMBRRRR TOUR!
Weds 28th Dec 2.15 – 3.30
Visit the Natural History Museum on Merrion Street to discover how animals survive the cold winter and who can sleep the longest. Find out more about Ireland’s unique wildlife on display in the Irish Room during this tour. No booking required but places are limited. Suitable ages 8+

1916 RISING EXHIBITION TOUR
Thurs 29th - Fri 30th Dec 3pm
Join a family friendly tour of the new Proclaiming a Republic: The 1916 Rising exhibition at Decorative Arts & History in Collins Barracks. It is an excellent opportunity to view some of the highlights of the Museum’s extensive Easter Week collection. Ages 8+

BRING LIGHT INTO THE NEW YEAR
Fri 30th Dec 12 – 3pm
A free drop-in light inspired workshop with Janine Davidson at the Hugh Lane Gallery. Call 01 2225550 to book a place www.hughlane.ie

LUMINOSITY
Fri 30th Dec – Sun 1st Jan
Luminosity will spectacularly transform the Custom House into a magical story with stunning 3D Light projections. Watch one of Dublin’s historical landmark buildings magically change before your very eyes each evening!  www.nyfdublin.com

NEW YEARS EVE FESTIVAL
Fri 30th Dec – Sun 1st Jan
This years New Years Eve festival will be bigger and better than ever! See www.nyfdublin.com to find out how you can ring in 2017.

SKY DANCE AT THE CUSTOM HOUSE
Sat 31st Dec 5pm &7pm
Watch in wonder as aerialists and abseilers integrate with Luminosity in an amazing 4D performance. Marvel at the performer’s agility, strength and beauty as they sail, swing and fly through the night sky.Prepare to be stunned on New Year’s Eve by this world class performance of beauty, mystery and spectacular aerial charm. www.nyfdublin.com

AWESOME OGHAM!
Fri 30th Dec 2 – 4pm
At the Natural Museum of Ireland, Archaelogy, Kildare Street, discover Ogham, the earliest form of writing in Ireland, which was often carved onto standing stones. Discover more about this ancient writing and make your own Ogham bookmark to take home! No booking required. Located in the Learning Resource Room, first floor. Ages 8+. Free.

INSIDE OUT FILM SCREENING
Sun 1st Jan 4.30pm
Watch INSIDE OUT outside under the spectacular Meeting House Square umbrellas, bring your own blanket and they will provide the snacks! Booking required www.nyfdublin.com

NEW YEAR’S DAY CONCERT
Sun 1st Jan 12pm
Drop into the free family concert at St. Stephen’s Green and enjoy an afternoon of family entertainment with the Dublin Gospel Choir and the Garda Band www.nyfdublin.com

‘CURIOSITY CAMP’ AT IMAGINAOSITY
Mon 2nd – Fri 6th Jan
This Christmas holiday, join the Imaginosity Team for a New Year ‘Curiosity Camp’ and explore the best Imaginosity has to offer, from Monday 2nd-Friday 6th January 2017.  Campers will explore different topics daily, from Science and Engineering to Drama, Art and Movement…alongside daily supervised play on the museum floor. Times 9.00am-1.00pm (4-6 years €120 per week) and 9.00am-2.30pm (7-8 years €135 per week), daily rates are also available.  Tel 2176130.

RESOLUTION DAY
Sun 1st January
Tradition dictates that every 365 days, we should try to kick bad habits and start life anew. What kind of New Year’s Resolutions will you make this year?

REPAK GREEN CHRISTMAS
Thurs 5th Jan
Traditionally the day to take down your Christmas tree (the day after Twelfth Night) and clean up after the festive period. Visit www.recyclemore.ie to find out where you can recycle your Christmas wrapping paper, glass bottles, foil trays and Christmas trees!

NOLLAIG NA MBAN
Fri 6th Jan
Women’s Little Christmas is traditionally celebrated in the Catholic religion as the feast of the Epiphany, and an historic Irish tradition that Christmas came to an end at midnight on Nollaig na mBan. Gather with your friends, family, neighbours, classmates or work colleagues to host an event on January 6 to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Research. www.breastcancerresearch.ie