I have put together a list of things to do with your family in December in Dublin and surrounding areas. I find sometimes when you are looking for things to do you totally forget what is on so this is a handy guide that you can keep coming back to. Some events are a little drive outside Dublin but I have linked all events so you can see where they are and what suits you best. Hope it gives you some ideas of things to do!

Wonka Camp at Imaginosity

Wednesday 2nd – Friday 4th January 2019

Imaginosity

Dublin Children’s Museum

Beacon South Quarter

Sandyford

Dublin 18

This holiday Imaginosity will be celebrating the magic of Willy Wonka in our fantastically themed ‘WONKA CAMP’.

‘Wonka Camp’ will take place on the following dates over the festive break: 2nd, 3rd and 4th January for children aged 4-6 years (9.00am-1.00pm), and an older camp for children aged 7-9 years (9.00-2.30pm). For both camps there are both weekly, and day rates available and additional discounts for members/sibling bookings.

Advance booking is STRONGLY recommended as both camps has LIMITED availability. Bookings can be made NOW by calling 01-2176130 or emailing us at info@imaginosity.ie.

https://www.facebook.com/events/343678469778043/

 

Alice in Wonderland – The Axis Panto

Thursday 3rd – Sunday 27th January 2019

Axis Ballymun

Main Street

Ballymun Dublin 9

What would you do if you found a talking white rabbit in your garden? You would be curious of course. So if it was with Alice when she followed the white rabbit into the rabbit hole, followed by her mother Dame Stuffy. On their journey they meet the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, the Chesire Cat, Dee and Dum and have a mad hatters tea party. Join us for the annual Christmas of music, song and laughter.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1508414325968947/

Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo

Until Sunday 6th January 2019 from 5pm-9pm

Dublin Zoo

Phoenix Park

Dublin 8

Dive into an Ocean of Light at this year’s Wild Lights in Dublin Zoo, with an entirely new cast of illuminated giant silk lanterns celebrating the wonders of the life aquatic. From giant squid to polar bears, penguins, colossal blue whales and dainty seahorses, Dublin Zoo, once again, will be transformed into a world of illumination with lanterns tailor-made especially for this year’s event.

Traditional Chinese performers, a craft market and an array of Asian food will make Wild Lights 2018 a truly unforgettable night where friends and families celebrate the festive season together.

January: Tuesday 1st January – Sunday, 6th January

How is Wild Lights 2018 different to last year?

Spectacular new themes feature in this year’s enchanting experience – dive into an Ocean of Light, where schools of vibrant fish, luminous jellyfish and the endangered hammerhead shark reside. Walk through Winter Wonderland, home to Arctic favourites such as polar bears and penguins. Explore Celebrating China, a flavour of the east, and dash up to The North Pole where a dazzling 16-metre high silk Christmas tree sparkles on high.

Wild Lights Ticket Prices

Adults: €20

Child: €15

Under 3s: €0

Student: €16

Senior Citizen: €16

Wild Lights Dublin Zoo Annual Pass Holder Prices

Adults: €18

Child: €12

https://dublinzoo.ie/wildlights/

Cinderella at Liberty Hall Theatre

Until Sunday 6th January 2019

Liberty Hall Theatre

Dublin 1

The Dublin 1 theatre is this year hosting Cinderella as its Christmas panto.

Will poor old Cinders get to the ball?

Not if her two ugly stepsisters Whitney and Britney have anything to do with it.

But with the help of her faithful friend Buttons and the Magical Fairy G – she might just get to kiss Prince Charming!

The Tempus Productions show stars Red Rock star John Lovett along with comedian and Fair City bad guy Eric Lalor.

Tickets priced at €19.50 plus €1 booking fee. through the Box Office on 01 5563511 or email: Info@libertypanto.com

Polly and the Magic Lamp in the Olympia

Until Sunday 6th January 2019

Olympia Theatre

Dame Street

Dublin 2

The Dame Street Theatre claims to be home to this year’s most most star studded Panto, Polly and the Magic Lamp.

And with a cast including Rory Cowan, Jake Carter, James Patrice, Erin McGregor and Fair City star Ryan Andrews – they may just be right.

Tickets priced from €26 per person and family tickets priced from €84 including booking fee & €1 restoration levy on sale from Ticketmaster.

https://www.dublinlive.ie/whats-on/family-kids-news/christmas-panto-guide-2018-dublin-15366331

Swords on Ice

Until Sunday 6th January 2019

Swords on Ice returns to the Pavilions on the Malahide Road in Swords from November 16th 2018 to January 6th 2019. Tickets are on sale now.

If you have a school or large group please call us now on 01-5242322 to reserve the date you want.

http://swordsonice.ie/

Snow Queen in the Gaiety Theatre

Until Sunday 6th January 2019.

Gaiety Theatre

South King St

Dublin

Get ready to have a brrrrrr…iliant time at this year’s Gaiety Panto The Snow Queen. 

Shiver and shake with laughter as the icy Royal tries to freeze out the fun of Christmas!  With a cool cast including West End star Louise Bowden as the Snow Queen, Nicholas Grennell as Jack Frost and Joe Conlan as the Panto Dame, it’s the coolest ticket in town.

Tickets from €19.50 (including booking fee and restoration levy) from Ticketmaster and Gaiety Theatre Box Offices.

https://www.dublinlive.ie/whats-on/family-kids-news/christmas-panto-guide-2018-dublin-15366331

Beauty And the Beast – Mill Theatre

Until Sunday 7th January

Mill Theatre

Dundrum

Weekends and over the holidays at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm

A tale as old as time, featuring a host of well-loved characters and lovable crockery!

Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle and the dreaded Beast in his lonely castle. Belle is beautiful, the Beast is – ahem – beastly and Gaston is still totally in love, with himself! A story of friendship and love, mixing magic and adventure with spectacular song and dance routines and special effects to entertain all the family!

School performances weekday mornings. (for school and group bookings please contact helen@milltheatre.ie or call us on 012969340)

http://www.milltheatre.ie/2018/06/28/announcing-our-christmas-2018-panto/

Grandparents go free at Imaginosity each term-time Tuesday

Tuesday 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th January 2019

Imaginosity

Dublin Children’s Museum

Beacon South Quarter

Sandyford

Dublin 18

Don’t forget Grandparents go FREE each term time Tuesday at Imaginosity, Dublin Children’s Museum!

https://www.facebook.com/events/303347713843520/

Children Art Classes – Botanic Gardens

Sunday 12th January 2019

*10 Euro per child. Booking Essential Call 01 857 0909*

Budding Artists

Join our ‘budding’ artists, a creative workshop especially for younger children taking place once a month, under the attentive eye of artist Niamh Synnott. Children are encouraged to take a closer look at the natural world all around them to inspire fun art-making activities. Suitable for 4 to 7 year olds.

Time: 11.00am-12.30pm. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre

Cost: €10. Booking Essential

Hardy Annuals

Why not join us for a guided discovery of the natural world where you can observe, engage, and be inspired by your surroundings. Participants in this art programme will be encouraged to use materials in fun and interesting ways while taking inspiration from the world of plants on show at Glasnevin. Suitable for 8 to 12 year olds.

Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm. Meet at the Education and Visitor Centre

Cost: €10. Booking Essential

https://www.facebook.com/events/325248194909851/

 

Snow White and the Seven Short Stories

Saturday 12th January at 11.00am – 12.00pm and 1.30pm – 2.30pm

National Concert Hall

Earlsfort Terrace

Dublin D02 N527

Join the WhistleBlast Quartet for a musical adventure through popular fairy tales and children’s stories. Listen out for some favourite familiar pieces including selections from Carmen and Sleeping Beauty, and meet Amadeus Mozart as one of the Three Little Pigs! See how music can bring a story to life, with plenty of opportunity for participation in this engaging concert for the family.

Suitable for 4-12 year olds and their families.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1971029122986222/

Funderland – RDS Dublin

Until Sunday 13th January 2019

RDS

Balls bridge

Dublin 6

Funderland is possibly the largest travelling Amusement Park event in Europe. Our venues feature Rollercoasters and as many as fifteen different thrilling attractions carefully selected from among the top attractions in Europe. The Logo and Name are registered Trade Marks to ensure that our customers know it is the genuine event and not just an imitation.

There are always a host of attractions that are sure to appease even the most seasoned thrill seekers who – more… dare to be suspended upside down, turned over or whisked through the air. We don’t neglect our younger thrill seekers either. We always have an extensive selection of Juvenile attractions for young children to enjoy.

Funderland is a concept dedicated to the idea that there should always be fun and affordable places to go and our mission is to provide top class entertainment across the board, with thrill attractions, family attractions, side attractions and Rollercoasters. When a complete day of satisfaction for the entire family is what is required a visit to Funderland is a must.

So whether you are young, or young at heart, why not come along and see why Funderland has become a Heritage Brand name.

https://dublin.ie/whats-on/listings/funderland/

Robin Hood in the Helix

Until Sunday 20th January 2019

Helix Theatre

DCU

Collins Ave

Dublin 9

The DCU theatre will this year stage the family fairy tale Robin Hood as its Christmas Panto.  Featuring tenor Paul Byrom, the TheatreworX production promises to captivate audiences of all ages with a magical story, lively music, song and dance, eye-catching sets and of course lots of laughs for all the family to enjoy.

Not only that, but all proceeds of the December 13 show will go directly towards charity partners Temple Street Children’s University Hospital.

And there’ll be a specially adapted sensory friendly performance on December 18 with no sudden noises or bangs, softer and brighter lighting, and music at a suitable level.

Tickets from €19.50 (booking fees apply) are on sale now from www.thehelix.ie and at The Helix Box Office on 01 700 7000.

Dundrum on Ice

Dublin’s best ice skating venue in Dundrum Town Centre is open until January 13th 2019.

We’ve got 500m² of crisp, white ice to get you skating from Halloween till the New Year and Online Bookings are available now to ensure you  get the times and dates you want.

http://dundrumonice.ie/

South Dublin on Ice

Until Sunday 20th January 2019

Tallaght Stadium

Old Bawn

Tallaght

Dublin 24

Session Times: (All Sessions last 45minutes)

Mondays: 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm

Tuesdays: 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm

Wednesdays: 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm

Thursdays: 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm

Fridays: 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm

Saturdays: 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm

Sundays: 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm

Adult Ticket:                                                    €15

Child Ticket:                                                    €13

Family of 4 Ticket (2ADU & 2CH):             €50

Family of 5 Ticket (2ADU & 3CH):             €60

School & Group Rates Available                                                                                           

You can walk up and pay at the box office before your session or

Online via Online Ticketing Page (Online Booking Fees Apply)

Or Via Box Office (Cash, Credit or Debit Cards accepted)

Ice Skating Blanchardstown

There are lots of events happening at Ice Skating Blanchardstown. Jump onto their website and have a look!

https://www.facebook.com/IceSkatingBlanchardstown/

 

Children’s Creative Writing Workshop  –  Botanic Gardens

Sunday 20th January 2019 2.00pm – 4.00pm

National Botanic Gardens of Ireland

300 Botanic Road, Dublin 9

Caoimhe Creed, guide at Dublin Castle and former Fighting Words instructor, will lead you through the process of crafting a story inspired by the Botanic Gardens. Nature and plants have enlivened much of literature and there are many amazing stories represented in the Gardens’ collections. In this session, Caoimhe will show you how to derive inspiration from your surroundings and release your creative writing potential.

Booking Essential. Call (01) 804 0319/ 857 0909 or email botanicgardens@opw.ie to book. Free Workshop.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2510867295632547/event_time_id=2510867302299213

 

Children’s Workshop – Build a birdfeeder  –  Botanic Gardens

Saturday 26th January 2019  11.00am – 1.00pm

National Botanic Gardens of Ireland

300 Botanic Road, Dublin 9

A fun kids’ workshop where we will be making bird feeders to help our feathered friends during the cold winter months. Be sure to wear old clothes since we may be making a mess.

Suitable for ages 6-12. Booking Essential. Call (01) 804 0319/ 857 0909 or email botanicgardens@opw.ie to book.

https://www.facebook.com/events/340258733462074/?event_time_id=340258743462073

Hope you like our suggestions!

Have a great January:)

Eimear x