The Dún Laoghaire Christmas Festival Opening Ceremony
November 29th – December 23rd 2014
On November 29th from 5.30pm, Dún Laoghaire will be all lit up with festive sparkle and a spectacular fireworks display over the harbour to celebrate the opening ceremony of the Dún Laoghaire Christmas Festival. Music will fill the air as the Christmas trees are lit and magical Christmas lights illuminate the whole town at 6pm at the event organised by DLBID and presented by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. Excitement is set to reach fever pitch on the stage at Harbour Plaza with MC Tommy Greene from East Coat FM and entertainment as families await the arrival of Santa Claus to to see who is being naughty and nice! Santa Claus is giving Rudolf a rest before the big day and will arrive with an escort of Harley Davidson outriders! The procession will leave Dún Laoghaire Shopping Centre and make its way to Harbour Plaza before the night sky will dance with a dazzling fireworks display over the whole town and harbor.
This year Dún Laoghaire is all dressed up for Christmas, but not just with twinkling lights and the usual festive fare! This year, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council presents the most exciting Christmas programme of FREE family events ever staged in the scenic seaside town. Dún L
aoghaire sparkles among the top towns in Ireland in 2014 with the Dún Laoghaire Christmas Festival from November 26th to December 23rd bringing the magic of Christmas and a winter wonderland for the festive season.
The Festival includes a whole host of exciting events including the Christmas Festival Opening Ceremony with fireworks over the harbour on November 29th, a Santa Hat Record in aid of Barnardos on December 14th, the SuperValu Trolley Dash on December 6th and a charming Christmas Market every weekend with an old-world children’s carnival and the Christmas Treasure Trail. Further treats include, Senior Citizens Day on November 26th, a Christmas Cookery and Craft School on December 5th and 6th, the Christmas Crib, a Christmas Shop Front Competition and finally the enchanting Lantern Procession with spectacular Festival Fireworks on December 20th.
The Dún Laoghaire Christmas market is a feast for the seasonal senses as carefully selected vendors sell authentic German gifts and locally made goods every weekend from November 26th to December 23rd 2014 at the Pavilion Quarter and dlr LexIcon from 11am to 7pm.
Aromas of spiced Gluhwein, homemade chocolate and sausage fill the air as you wander through the German inspired Christmas Market with hand-crafted gifts and decorations, wooden toys and fairy doors, jewelry, cards, knitwear, ironwork, glass and a whole host of very special gifts and treats that are not mass-produced but craftwork of real quality made with love.
Dún Laoghaire Town Centre has over 280 retail outlets and businesses so why not swap city centre crowds and stuffed out-of-town shopping centres to browse, shop, relax and soak up the festive spirit of this magical seaside town. Shoppers and visitors alike will also be able to avail of the countywide Christmas parking promotion being run by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council from 26th November 2014 to the 12th January 2015 inclusive. The promotion applies to on-street pay and display parking and offers one hour free parking when you pay for a minimum of one hour parking. Extra trading hours and exclusive in-store promotions with colourful window displays are sure to help the festive spirit soar. See www.dlrevents.ie
