Dublin will be the party capital of the world as it explodes into life for four action-packed days of fun with the spectacular New Year’s Eve Festival, December 29th – January 1st. Below is a list of exciting events happening during this time:
Gallop to the Gathering at Leopardstown Races, Sunday, 29th December
Experiencing the thrills and spills of The Gathering at Leopardstown, marking the first day of the New Year’s festival. For more information please click here.
Love Dublin Day, Monday, 30th December
Show, and grow, your affection for the capital at Love Dublin Day (Monday, December 30th), with free arts, culture and music events all over the city. At the Little Museum of Dublin on St Stephen’s Green, travel back in time at the History Ireland Hedge School with talks on James Joyce, Roddy Doyle and Dracula creator Bram Stoker. There will be a poetry trail with impromptu performances in some of the city’s best loved pubs and a homage to the Theatre Royal, one of the city’s first theatres, at Smock Alley.
The Button Factory in Temple Bar will host a special edition of Leviathon, the political cabaret.
To have your freedom of Dublin City and travel by bus, why not purchase a Dublin Bus ‘3 day Freedom Ticket’. You can pace your travel over 3 days (72) hours and take time to enjoy the city’s unique atmosphere.
People’s Procession of Light, Tuesday, 31st December
This is a free, fun-filled family-friendly event - illuminate the streets of Dublin in the darkest hours of the year.
The procession, at 6.30pm, will be led by LUXe, Ireland’s leading specialists in creative, imaginative and illuminated processions, with a sparkling cast of street performers and costumed characters. They will be joined by Fidget Feet, the country’s top aerial dance theatre company. In a glittering grand finale, the parade will weave its way, like a magnificent river of light, along Grafton Street, with a spectacular overhead performance!
Countdown Concert, Tuesday, 31st December
Rock in 2014 at the Countdown Concert at College Green. Nominated as one of the top 5 New Year’s Eve attractions in the world by Lonely Planet, this cracking city centre gig will feature hot acts including MKS (Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan – the founding members of Sugababes), The Strypes and YouTube darlings Seo Linn. They will be joined by seminal ska band Madness and Ryan Sheridan on stage. This sparkling evening will be amplified by stunning projections on Trinity College to see out the final few hours of 2013.
Concert tickets are just €25, on sale now from www.3nyedublin.ie.
We have tickets for the Countdown Concert to win as part of our ’12 Days of Christmas’ giveaway, so check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for details. And Dublin Bus Nitelinks also operate on the night to get you home again!
The Big Brunch, Wednesday, 1st January
Next day meet up, chill out and wind down at The Big Brunch at Meeting House Square in Temple Bar. Starting at 11am, this will be a great way to start the New Year with a special children’s programme of face painting, balloon modelling, puppet and magic shows, plus a kids disco and children’s choir.
There’s plenty of fun for grown-ups too including market stalls, a vintage tea dance and céilí.
You can buy a Dublin Bus Family Rambler ticket to travel around the city in a cost effective and family-friendly way.
Full details on all the events can be found here.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!