New Years Eve

So I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas!

New Years Eve is tomorrow and I still can't believe it. More of a grown up festivity than a munchkins one, however, there are a couple of things on this year that might suit young uns.

Tomorrow in Dun Laoghaire, the New Year will be welcomed with a special small fireworks display for young families at 6pm fired from the Carlisle Pier. It will be followed by a fireworks display fired from the East and West Piers in Dún Laoghaire at 12 midnight.



Or there is the Procession of Light which is a free family-friendly event where families, visitors and locals are brought together to experience the magical spirit of Ireland! Kids, grown-ups, families and friends are all welcome to participate in this New Year’s Eve celebration. Help illuminate the streets of Dublin by bringing your own source of light to the procession or register for free lantern-making workshops.

Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas to you and all your munchkins!

Moon Man

A lovely looking film called Moon Man opens at the IFI on the 27th December.  It is the latest animated feature from the Oscar nominated producers of The Secret of Kells, Kilkenny based Cartoon Saloon.  

Since I put up this post first, Moon Man is making an appearance in a couple of more venues.

The Ark, Sat 18 Jan 2014 @ 3.00pm

Mermaid Arts Theatre, Sun 9th Feb 2014 @ 2pm

Hansel & Gretel

The famous story of Hansel & Gretel will be told through the use of puppets by the No Strings Attached Theatre Company in Powerscourt Townhouse Centre on the 30 November 2013 & 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 December 2013.

All performances take 50 minutes and are at 2:00pm except for the 21st & 22nd at 1:00pm. Tickets a steal at €5.

The Moving Crib

The Moving Crib in St. Martin Apostolate (Parnell Square) began 50 years ago.  It is like an expanded Nativity Play going back to Adam and Eve and finishing after the crib scene with  young Jesus teaching the Doctors in the Temple. There are over 100 figures in the Crib arranged in 14 different tableaux. They cover various episodes of the Old and New Testament. The figures themselves are about a metre high, moulded in papier-mache and dressed in miniature clothes. Concealed motors control the movements of the arms, head and legs.  

If you fancy a visit you can see the Moving Crib for free from the last week in November until the first week in January.

Gymoree's Christmas Party at Spawell

Gymoree's Christmas Party at Spawell is suitable for children up to age 7. All the family welcome.

There's lots of Christmas games and songs as well as a visit from the man in the red suit. Gifts and Snacks are included.

Party 1: Thurs, Dec 19^th 4:30pm to 6pm
Party 2: Sat, Dec 21^st 1:30 to 3pm

Members and non-members welcome.

Cost is €12 per child (members) or €15 (non-members) - including gift. Mums and Dads go free.

Christmas Events in Dublin City Libraries

There are a load of events for Christmas 2013 during the month of December in Dublin City Public Libraries that your munchkins might like. Ones coming up include:-

Cabra Library:

Christmas Movie screening. Wednesday 18th December at 4pm. For movie details please contact Cabra Library

Dublin City Council Choir perform a selection of Christmas Carols on Thursday 19th December at 6.30pm

Coolock Library:

Special "Storytime" Teddy Bears Picnic. Saturday 21st December at 11am. Booking essential at the library.

Marino Library:

Childrens Christmas Crafts for ages 4-12. Those under 8 must be accompanied by parent/minder at all times in the library on Saturday 21st December 3pm-4pm.

Terenure Library:
Workshop “Christmas Fun” with Gymboree. Tuesday 17th December 10.30am – 11.30am. This one is fully booked up.

Orson Welles' Christmas Carol

AboutFace Ireland is performing a play based on true events of the young Orson Welles and his company in 1938 performing the Dickens classic on live radio, having just lost their Scrooge.

Includes 50-minute version of “A Christmas Carol,” performed in the 1930′s American radio style, with live sound effects, and featuring actors from New York, London and Dublin. 

Suitable for ages 8 and up.  

Venue - Powerscourt Theatre, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre on Friday 20th (3pm and 8pm), Saturday 21st (3pm and 8pm) and Sunday 22nd December (3pm).

Christmas Treasure Hunts at Croke Park

The GAA Museum is hosting a series of family-friendly Christmas Treasure Hunts at Croke Park Stadium this festive season. 

Families can take part in special guided tours of Croke Park where younger visitors must follow the Christmas stars through the stadium to collect their Christmas treat. Special tours run from Saturday 28th December – Tuesday 31st December. Museum open from 10.00 – 17.00. Stadium tours at 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00 and 15.00. Etihad Skyline Tours at 11.30 and 14.30

Christmas Elves Family Workshops

Draíocht has announced some last minute Christmas Elves Family Workshops  with Niamh Lawlor from Puca Puppets on Saturday 21 December 2013.  €10 per child (accompanying adult free)

Workshop 1: Ages 4 - 6 yrs / 10.30am - 12.30pm
Workshop 2: Ages 7 - 9 yrs / 2pm - 4pm

Just 15 places per workshop

Christmas Markets and Fairs

There seems to be more and more Christmas Markets and Fairs springing up every year in Dublin adding Christmassy cheer to the city.  

I have already posted a few blogs about some of them i.e. the Craft Fair at the Christmas Winter Wonderland at Ashtown Castle, Phoenix Park Visitor Centre; the Christmas Fair at the National Print Museum; the craft chalets at the Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival, Christmas market at Farmleigh, GloHealth Christmas Wonderland Continental Christmas Market  and the Christmas Market in Dublin Castle.

Other ones I have heard about include the following:-

Christmas Craft Fair, Sean Ennis Centre (December 15th from 10.30am)



The ‘Designer Dublin’ Christmas Market - The ‘Designer Dublin’ Christmas Market opens for one day only, on Thursday, December 19th. Up to thirty designers and craftspeople, all based in the capital, will be showcasing their work at the one day fair on Thursday, December 19th, at Bank of Ireland on College Green.    

Christmas Cracker Flea Market - the Dublin Flea and Block T are once again running the Christmas Cracker special edition. Running from December 13th – 15th, the Christmas Cracker Flea Market returns to Smithfield Square for its third successive year. With over 100 stalls, the market will be a mish-mash of everything from arts & crafts to furniture to vintage clothes. The main focus is on small, local, Irish businesses and individuals.

The Dame District Christmas Market – back for its third year, from the 13th to the 22nd December, the Dame District Market will have over 24 stalls with Crafts, Food, Drinks, Fudge, Wooden Toys, Hand Crafted Jewellery and Gourmet Food stalls. Each night free entertainment will take place on its three Christmas Stages. Every Saturday and Sunday is Kids Christmas Day with face painters, children’s disco and over sized games.

Christmas Craft Fair at St. Enda's Park, Rathfarnham - St. Enda's Park in Rathfarnham is holding a Christmas Craft Fair in St. Enda's Park Courtyard on Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th December from 11am-4pm. There will be a variety of Irish-made craft work. There will be a children's face painter on Sunday afternoon between 2 and 4pm

Dublin Docklands Christmas Festival - Dublin Docklands Christmas Festival has been running for eight years. Christmas trees, fairy lights, carol singing, traditional Victorian fairground rides, gift shopping opportunities and mulled wine and festive food aplenty. The Market will open from December 12th till December 23rd. This year’s Christmas Festival will take place around Georges Dock and its surrounding area, where there will be loads of Christmas Food and craft stalls situated alongside the traditional Victorian fairground rides, our 1950’s airstream bar and performances on stage every night.  Kids might like the Dig And Reveal Treasure, (DART), which is the Festival's family fun treasure hunt starting on the DART line with two clues that can be seen in the last two stations as you approach Connolly.

Christmas Market in Christ Church Cathedral Crypt 2013 - 

The market, now in its fourth year, is located indoors in the 12th century crypt in the Cathedral, the oldest structure in Dublin. The Christmas Market will run for 3 dates this Christmas over 3 consecutive Saturdays, beginning on Saturday 7th December and will continue on the 14th and 21st December. Trading times will be 11am - 4pm. Santa will also be visiting Christ Church Cathedral in December and you can take the whole family to visit him in his Grotto.

Inaugural Christmas Markets at the Harbour Playhouse  - you can sample some of the Christmas bakes with a cuppa or a glass of mulled wine and feel the festive cheer at the Christmas Markets in the Harbour Playhouse in Portobello. Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th December from 10am-6pm. There will be some kids entertainment too.

Christmas Wonderland at the RDS

GloHealth Christmas Wonderland in the RDS is a festival of family entertainment. Highlights include iSkate Ireland’s largest ice rink, a Continental Christmas Market, Funderland, a special Santa’s Christmas Circus, an adventure journey through Jingle Town, the famous Custard Pie puppet company and award winning international illusionist Guy Barrett.  Runs from December 6th.

You can attend the market for free but other attractions at the Wonderland event are ticketed events.

Christmas Time at Farmleigh

Farmleigh House in Phoenix Park is getting into the Christmas mood again this year as it runs its Christmas Time at Farmleigh programme of events for the first three weekends in December.

Christmas Food Market, Festive Crib, Puppet Shows, Storytelling for Children, Carol Singing, Barbershop Melodies, Victorian Christmas Experience, Magic Shows, Horse & Carriage Rides, The Velvettes in concert - plenty to keep you amused.

Visiting Santa

Santa is a busy man this Christmas making magic simultaneous appearances across Dublin. How does he do it!?

So far stops in and near Dublin I am aware of include:-

* Santa's Grotto at Christchurch Cathedral



* Santa's Grotto at Dublin Zoo



* Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centre



* Hamleys in Dundrum



* DSPCA, Rathfarnham



* Avoca in Powerscourt House (NB - sold out)



* Malahide Castle and Garden (NB - sold out)



* Newbridge House and Garden



* Santa Experience, Dunnes in Henry's Street



* Chocolate Warehouse



* Butlers Chocolate Experience



* Santa Playland at the Ambassador



* Jingle Town Grotto at Christmas Wonderland (RDS) 




* Santa's Winter Wonderland at Skerries Mills



* Imaginosity (14th December)




* Wax Museum



* The Magic of the Nutcracker at Dublin Castle



* Finnie's Half Price Christmas Party at the National Aquatic Centre (14th December)  



* Arnotts



* Powerscourt Centre 



* Nutgrove Shopping Centre




* Christmas Party at Gymboree, Spawell

* Christmas Winter Wonderland at Ashtown Castle, Phoenix Park Visitor Centre

* The North Pole Experience

* Santa's Workshop at City Hall

* Glenroe Open Farm

* Charlestown Shopping Centre

Christmas at the National Concert Hall

There are loads of great concerts and shows on at the National Concert Hall over Christmas. From choirs to musicals and movie screenings to carols, there is something to cater for all tastes. Kids and families might be particularly interested in the following events:-

* Angelic voices sing "Christmas Crackers", National Concert Hall, Thursday 12th December (1.05pm)

* Movie Screening - The Wizard of Oz with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, National Concert Hall, Saturday 14th December (3.30pm & 7.30pm)

* The Christmas Concert Featuring The Snowman, National Concert Hall, Friday 20th December (2.30pm & 5pm) and Saturday 21st, and Sunday 22nd December (12pm, 2.30pm, 5pm & 7.30pm) NB sold out -boo hoo!

* Annie - The Musical, National Concert Hall, Friday 27th December (6pm), Saturday 28th December/Sunday 29th December/Monday 30th December/Thursday 2nd January/Friday 3rd January (2pm & 6pm)

* Carols from the Old and New Worlds, University Church, St Stephen’s Green, Tuesday 17th December, 6.30pm

Christmas Winter Wonderland at Ashtown Castle, Phoenix Park Visitor Centre

Every weekend in December (10am to 5pm), the courtyard at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre will host a craft village. Christmas gifts on sale will range from woodcrafted items, knitwear, table centres, candles, oils, little ceramic cottages and small sculptures.

Santa will appear each Sunday from 1pm to 5pm to meet the children.

Storytelling for children will take place in the 16th century tower house beside the courtyard each Sunday at 1.30pm and 3pm. The shows are:
* Sunday December 8th - The Snow Queen from the North.
* Sunday December 15th - Christmas in Dublin with a Musical Flavour.
* Sunday December 22nd - Snow White.

A choir will also sing Christmas carols and songs - Sundays from 2pm.

All of these attractions are free of charge and there is car parking on site.

The Magic of the Nutcracker - Christmas at Dublin Castle

Every Saturday and Sunday in December, starting Saturday 30th November til 22nd December, Dublin Castle will be hosting some festive events to celebrate the Magic of The Nutcracker, including evening poetry, choral and music events. 

For the kids, a free children’s magic show will take place from 12.30pm to 3.30pm each Saturday (i.e. 30th November, 7th/14th/21st December). Free children’s storytelling with Clara takes place on each Sunday (ie 1st/8th/15th/22nd December) from 12.30pm-3.30pm. 

Families can also explore the Nutcracker themed State Apartments of Dublin Castle and meet the characters from the fairytale (the latter costs €10 for a family). Kids will get a chance to meet Santa too and post their letters. Every Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 4pm, you can have your photo taken with the characters from the Nutcracker. 

There will be a Christmas Market on the Upper Courtyard every weekend and choirs will perform from 1.30-3.30pm. A craft fair will take place on December 15th from 1am to 5pm in the Bedford Hall. 

For more information, click here for the full details of the Christmas programme.

Half Price Christmas Party at National Aquatic Centre in aid of Temple Street

The Fountain Resource Group brought to my attention the discounted day of festivities planned at the National Aquatic Centre on December the 14th, and it looks like a really great event for families to enjoy together. All proceeds from the event will go to a very worthy cause, Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

The event – entitled Finnie’s Christmas Party – will feature music playing throughout the Aquazone, zoorb balls, Santa’s grotto, carol singers, face painting and much more. The National Aquatic Centre’s brand new Flow Rider will also be open by the time this party takes place, and staff at the venue will be wearing Santa hats and tinsel to raise the Christmas spirit!

The entrance prices on the day will be half the normal price, and all proceeds go to Temple Street, as part of the innovative 100minds campaign. It challenges 100 of Ireland’s undergraduate university students to each raise €1,000, by whatever means necessary, in order to collectively contribute €100,000 to aid sick children in Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

Grainne Hawkes is the student behind this Christmas event, after being selected to participate in the 100minds campaign. She is a part time lifeguard at the National Aquatic Centre, and a final year Law Student at Trinity College, Dublin.

Panto Time

Tis Panto time again and there is plenty to choose from.

The Gaiety will stage Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs from 1st December to the 12th January. 

The Helix will stage The Sleeping Beauty Pantomine from the 29th November -12th January. Last year, in consultation with Irish Autism Action, The Helix staged a sensory friendly production of the pantomime. Due to popular demand, there will be two sensory friendly performances this year – Monday 23rd December at 2pm and Sunday the 5th January at 5pm. 

The Olympia will stage Jedward in Beauty and The Beast from 18th December 2013 to the 5th January

The Tivoli will stage Jack and the Beanstalk from 11th December to the 12th January.

The Civic Theatre in Tallaght will stage Red Riding Hood from 1st-5th January.