'Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights' Officially Switched on with Exciting New Additions

Dublin City Council have announced that from 30 November until the end of December, locations all over the city-centre will be transformed with colourful projections and lighting displays, including for the first time, the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Newcomen Bank, the James Joyce Bridge and the Liffey Boardwalk. 

This year’s highlights and new additions:

• Ireland’s First Outdoor Immersive Light & Sound Experience

The historic Clarke Square at National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks will feature captivating 360-degree visuals paired with an immersive soundscape created by eight international digital artists. This is a ticketed event, running from 29th November to 15th December, this ticketed experience is a festival first, promising a mesmerising artistic journey.

• Newcomen Bank first Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights Display

Witness the creativity of Dublin’s budding artists as entries from the first-ever Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights Student Video Mapping Competition light up the elegant Georgian façade of Newcomen Bank at Castle Street. This competition was developed in association with NCAD and the Embassy of France in Ireland.

• James Joyce Bridge and Liffey Boardwalk

Also new this year, walk along the Liffey Boardwalk on the north quays to enjoy 300 metres of dynamic lighting. At the James Joyce Bridge see the large-scale colour-changing light installation transform this single-span structural steel bridge with its distinctive angled arches.

• Children’s Art Competition on Barnardo Square

Children’s artwork takes centre stage, projected onto Barnardo Square beside Dublin Castle. Three winning artworks will receive a prize from the Lord Mayor this year.

• Merrion Square Park Returns with a Giant Holographic Snow Globe

Back this year, Merrion Square Park transforms into a festive wonderland, including an impressive 8-metre holographic snow globe. Open from 29th November to 22nd December, this ticketed event also offers a range of Relaxed Viewing Timeslots for visitors seeking a quieter, experience.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan said, “The annual ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights’ Festival is a wintertime favourite for both locals and visitors. This year promises to be even better than before, with new locations and artists. I know the projections and illuminations have been worked on by some of the best artists from around the globe and Ireland. So come on into town in December and enjoy seeing the city in all its sparkling glory!”

Simon Clarke, from Dublin City Council’s Events section said, “The implementation of a low carbon footprint has been a core strategy for this event. This has mainly been achieved through the elimination of generators from the streets, use of LEDs, projections with low power requirements, battery storage for power, and the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil as a fuel source. Our new installations in Merrion Square Park, and the introduction of the first outdoor 360-degree immersive lighting experience in the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks, will bring a unique and entertaining experience to all visitors young and old to the city centre”.

The power used to light the GPO is comparable to that used in six kettles and an electric shower uses the same power as is used on the Custom House projections.

This festive season, Dublin transforms into a sparkling wonderland, with dazzling displays and events for all ages dotted across the city. Whether you’re spending an evening catching up with family and friends, enjoying the Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights display while finishing your Christmas shopping, or indulging in a warm coffee or seasonal treat, or enjoying the Christmas Markets there’s something magical waiting for you around every corner.

Tickets for both Merrion Square and National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks are available now. There is a €2 euro per adult booking charge. Each adult ticket admits two children. Tickets are limited to a maximum of 4 adult tickets per person. Entry will start from 5pm each evening, with the last admissions at 9pm.

Merrion Square Park also offers relaxed viewing timeslots. From 5pm to 5:30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and Sunday evenings, this time slot is designed to welcome people who will benefit from a more relaxed environment, including those who identify as neurodiverse. During this slot, no music will be played, and people will have more space to move around. There will be a designated mobile sensory unit away from the lights and sounds in the park for use at all sessions.