The Best Christmas Light Displays to Visit in Dublin 2025
There’s something truly magical about Dublin at Christmas. The city glows with light and colour, and the sound of carols fills the air. Twinkling lights are decorated across streets and landmarks, creating a sense of warmth.
If you’re staying at The Mercantile Hotel on Dame Street, you’re perfectly placed to explore the city’s most dazzling Christmas light experiences. From glowing castles to lantern-lit parks, here’s your guide to Dublin’s brightest and most beautiful displays this winter.
Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo’s Wild Lights has become one of Ireland’s most beloved Christmas traditions. Each year, the zoo transforms into a glowing wonderland, with hundreds of illuminated sculptures lighting up the paths after dark. For 2025, the theme is “The Wild Kaleidoscope,” featuring 13 spectacular zones filled with giant lanterns, glowing animals, and magical photo opportunities for the whole family.
The event runs from 6 November 2025 to 31 January 2026, from 5 pm to 9 pm (last entry at 8 pm). Tickets: €26 for adults, €21.50 for children, and infants under one go free (booking required).
Wonderlights at Malahide Castle & Gardens
If you’re craving something straight out of a fairy tale, Wonderlights at Malahide Castle is a must-see. This immersive light trail winds through historic woodlands, blending nature, sound, and technology into a spectacular visual experience. The 2025 theme, “Once Upon a Glow,” promises glowing tunnels, colourful projections, and dazzling interactive displays.
Tickets range from €15–€25.50 for adults and €15–€24 for children (under-2s free). To reach Malahide Castle, take the DART from Connolly Station north toward Malahide, followed by a short walk. The entire journey takes about 50 minutes, ideal for escaping the city bustle and stepping into a glowing wonderland.
Dublin Winter Lights & Merrion Square Park
Each December, Dublin City Council turns the city into a canvas of light and colour with its Winter Lights festival. Over 20 buildings (including the Custom House, Trinity College, and the Samuel Beckett Bridge) are transformed into glowing landmarks thanks to beautifully designed light projections. It’s free to enjoy and easy to explore on foot.
DoDublin Christmas Lights Tour
For a cosy way to take in Dublin’s festive glow, hop aboard the DoDublin Christmas Lights Tour. This open-top bus journey takes you through the city’s most beautifully lit streets, complete with music, stories, and sing-alongs. It’s like wrapping yourself in a blanket of light and laughter.
Tours run from 29 November to 20 December 2025, departing between 16:30 and 18:30. Tickets: €20 per person.
Wonderlights at Marlay Park
South of the city, Wonderlights at Marlay Park offers another incredible light trail set against leafy woodlands. Over a million sparkling bulbs combine with music and projections to create an unforgettable evening walk. Tickets start at €15–€25 per person.
Christmas Twinkling Lights Trip (Vintage Tea Bus)
For something truly unique, climb aboard the Vintage Tea Bus for a festive spin through Dublin’s best-lit streets, complete with afternoon tea served as you ride. Sip tea beneath fairy lights while passing shimmering landmarks, it’s warmth and sparkle combined.
Christmas at the Guinness Storehouse
The Guinness Storehouse adds its own glow to the season, blending Irish heritage with festive magic. After exploring, stroll back through Dublin’s glittering streets, where every light feels like a spark of warmth against the winter chill.
Bonus: Strolling the Streets of Dublin
Even without tickets, Dublin’s streets offer plenty of Christmas magic for free. Grafton Street glitters under its famous chandeliers, Henry Street shines with overhead lights, and Temple Bar glows with fairy-lit pubs. Wrap up warm, grab a hot chocolate, and take a slow stroll, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into a Christmas card.
There’s a reason these glowing displays feel so comforting. Just like the flicker of a fire, twinkling lights create a sense of warmth and togetherness. They invite us to pause, share a moment, and feel at home, even on a chilly night.
And when you return home, nothing completes that feeling like a real fire. Make sure to stock up on WillowWarm’s carbon-neutral briquettes in time for Christmas.