Winter in Dublin: Live Shows, Cosy Pubs and Cultural Highlights |

Experience the magic of winter in Dublin with live music, comedy, theatre, festivals, and street art tours. Discover the best venues, cosy pubs, and cultural gems to warm up your winter trip.

Winter is a wonderful time to visit Dublin. It’s a wonderland. There’s magic in the air with its festive lights, enchanting window displays and plenty of places to warm up with a hot drink after a long day soaking up the sights – think hot toddy or mulled wine by the fire in a cosy pub snug.

This winter, there are even more reasons to visit our capital now that there is a Winter in Dublin festival. Taking place across the capital until February, the festival calendar is crammed with comedy, live music, theatre, festive markets, and exhibitions. There are plenty of exhilarating events for everyone over the winter months.

Throughout the festive period in December, you can look forward to incredible illuminations, Winter Lights and hilarious pantomimes. The marvellous 2025 New Year’s Festival in Dublin is rounding out the season.

In January, you can have a toe-tapping good time at Tradfest, the terrific Temple Bar music and culture festival, which is always a bit of craic.

As for November? Well, this month is all about live events in the city.

Winter in Dublin: Things To Do

Dublin is one of the best cities on the planet for live music, and experiencing the excitement of a live performance in one of the city’s iconic venues is electrifying. It gives you a natural high, and a great gig can leave you buzzing afterwards for days.

The sound of live music courses through the veins of the city, and though this pulse faded for a while, it is now back and beating strong.

Live cultural experiences in Dublin re-awakens the life and soul of our capital – live it, feel it, experience it.

Ready to go live? Here are some of my favourite things to do in Dublin during the winter months. Ah, sure, look it; these things are great all year round.

Street Art Tour with Alternative Dublin City

Before you lose yourself in the music, get to know Dublin’s murals on a Street Art Tour with Alternative Dublin City. Discover Dublin’s thriving street art culture and hear the stories behind the colourful, creative, captivating designs that enhance the capital’s walls. You’ll soon have a richer understanding and deeper appreciation of the creativity, time and talent it takes to create these vibrant works of art.

Can’t get enough of Dublin’s street art? Then spend the night in the Generator hostel in the heart of the Smithfield area. The walls are adorned with striking murals, and the rooms are decorated with bright pops of colour.

Tour the iconic Windmill Lane Recording Studios

As a warm-up act, rock up to Windmill Lane Recording Studios where legendary musicians like U2, David Bowie and The Rolling Stones laid down tracks. Located in the Docklands, you can strut around the studios on the tour, learn about their history and discover how a recording session works. Fancy yourself as the next George Martin? You can even try your hand at mixing a session.

Best of Live Music at Whelan’s of Wexford Street

Whelan’s of Wexford Street is a legendary live music venue that has seen a plethora of stars strut its stages, including Jeff Buckley, Nick Cave, Damien Rice, Bloc Party, Arctic Monkeys and Arcade Fire. As you can probably tell, this venue features a wide variety of music genres and an eclectic mix of artists. You never know who you’ll see or meet at a night out in Whelan’s. So, whatever you are into, get down to Whelan’s for a wicked night of live music.

Whelan’s is located in the bustling Village Quarter of Wexford St & Camden St, so you are spoiled for choice when it comes to great places to stay and eat nearby. Stay in the iconic Hard Rock Hotel to keep the music playing even when you sleep. For food that won’t give you the blues, grab a bite at Drury Buildings, l’Gueuleton, or Little Dumpling.

Music & Comedy at Vicar Street

Located in the historic Liberties area, Vicar Street is another iconic Dublin live venue. Every winter, an incredible lineup of acts warms you up and wins you over with plenty of hip-swaying rhythms and belly-laughing antics.

Big names in the Irish music industry take to the stage here. Past performers include Christy Moore, Aslan, and Bell X1, as well as international acts such as Canadian electronic artist Caribou. Those who like to giggle their way through a gig can enjoy plenty of jokes and high jinx from the likes of Foil, Arms and Hog, Dara O’Briain and Tommy Tiernan. With such a jam-packed programme, there will surely be something to get everyone’s pulses going at Vicar Street.

Your aching dancing feet will thank you if you book a room somewhere close to the venue, so check into the Hyatt Centric, which is located just 600 metres away. For a memorable meal nearby, Grano is great. This Italian restaurant uses a wonderful mix of Irish and Italian ingredients and hits all the right notes.

Music at Smock Alley Theatre

If you visit Dublin in winter, you can brighten up those long, dark nights by catching a show at Smock Alley Theatre. Located on the banks of the River Liffey, this theatre, cultural and heritage site, housed in a beautifully restored 17th-century theatre, has three gorgeous venues that play host to a wide variety of artists.

Be wowed by up-and-coming singers, songwriters and buskers from across the country. You can also hear new works performed for the first time, get involved in immersive multimedia performances and enjoy plays and immersive theatre experiences. Whenever you visit, the Smock Alley Theatre lets the music play on, all night long (all night).

When it’s time to recharge, catch some shut-eye in the heart of the city, close to the Ha’penny Bridge in Zanzibar Locke Aparthotel. When it’s time to refuel, head to Krewe on Capel Street, where the craic and soul of Southern and Irish hospitality combine for a tasty combo.

Opera & Backstage Tours at the Abbey Theatre

Does theatre thrill you? Then don’t miss out on the terrific backstage tours at The Abbey. Getting a sneak peek behind the scenes of our national theatre and being in the areas rarely seen by the public is a real treat. You’ll also learn about how productions come together and what happens in the wings during a show, as well as the theatre’s remarkable history and the famous names that have tread the boards.

You can then see some of these famous names by settling into the plush, red velvet seats in the auditorium and enjoying a performance.

Musicals at Bord Gais Energy Theatre

Ready to belt out the Broadway hits? Then boogie on down to the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Grand Canal Square and prepare for a magical musical evening. Let the music, dance, drama, costumes and unadulterated joy transport you to a fantastical world for a few hours from the comfort of your seat.

Roam the African plains with Simba and Mufasa during The Lion King and head to Uganda with Elders Kevin Price and Arnold Cunningham during The Book of Mormon. With catchy tunes to sing along to, never underestimate the power of a Broadway show to lift your spirits and warm the cockles of your heart, especially on a cold winter’s night.

Looking for somewhere nearby to lay down your head (did you like that musical reference?)? The Mayson boutique hotel on North Wall Quay is just a short stroll away and one of the newest and coolest places to stay in Dublin. Hungry? Ryleigh’s, the Mayson’s 6th-floor rooftop steakhouse, serves great food with unbeatable views across the city.

Winter in Dublin Travel Guide

As you can see, Dublin’s fair city is alive alive o with the sound of music and laughter, and now is the perfect time to shimmy your way into the city to enjoy some comedy, theatre, music and more.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to plan your trip with the help of this Dublin travel guide. With a calendar crammed with events, live entertainment in Dublin is a great way to tap into the culture and vibrancy for which the city is known the world over.