Plan a magical January break in Dublin

Pick up your fiddle and dust off your bodhrán (or at least get ready to hear them), because TradFest is back in town. From January 21-25 you can catch gigs in venues all over Dublin, from St Patrick’s Cathedral and the Pepper Canister Church in the city centre to Swords Castle and Malahide Castle north of town. It's a packed five days, with Women of Note at St Patrick's Cathedral, Féile Kíla in the National Stadium, and Niall Breslin at the Pepper Canister Church on January 25. 

For the full rundown, check out our guide to TradFest 2026.

Media captionAdd TradFest's array of shows to your calendar.

The days may be shorter in January, but that’s not always a bad thing. This is the only month when you can view the National Gallery of Ireland’s beautiful (and fragile) paintings by J.M.W. Turner. Their collection was gifted to the gallery in 1900, on the proviso that they would be displayed for free every January, when the light is at its dimmest. Celebrating the return of the 31 pieces loaned to National Galleries of Scotland in January 2025, The National Gallery will once again showcase Turner's influential landscapes, alongside works by artists inspired by his mastery of light, colour and atmosphere. The gallery will also feature pieces by Picasso and explore the countries and cultures that helped shape his remarkable body of work.

This month also offers another chance to see a number of exhibitions that have been running since the autumn, including Maija Tammi's Empathy Machine at the Photo Museum Ireland, Frontlines: Irish Journalists Abroad Exhibition at EPIC, Maurice Marinot - On Paper, In Glass at the National Gallery and the art of Cecilia Vicuña at IMMA.  

In Temple Bar, go behind the scenes of Irish musical history at the Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience. You can get an all-access pass to explore the museum, the Button Factory venue, and the connected recording studios, where artists from Christy Moore to Rihanna have recorded. You can also tour Windmill Lane Recording Studios and learn to mix your own session with their virtual band. Or, experience the unseen moments of one of the world's most famous concert series at the Live Aid Exhibition in the National Photographic Archive. 

Media captionSpend a January day in the National Gallery of Ireland.

After the rush of Christmas dinners and festive get-togethers, treat yourself to a quiet meal at a new-to-you restaurant. Phibsborough's Borgo is an authentic Italian set in The Old Bank building. Since opening their doors in August 2025, Sean Crescenzi and Jamie McCarthy have been serving traditional Italian dishes with new-school flair – think buffalo burrata with spiced plum, sunflower crumb, basil oil and mint. They've also made their mark in Dublin 1 with Hera, a 2025 Michelin Guide-recommended spot serving big and small bites like brown butter baked scallops and McLoughlin's smoked striploin with mojo rojo saunce and prawns.

One of the most exciting openings in 2025, Comet is a delightfully modern bistro by Wexford chef Kevin O'Donnell, who cut his teeth in Copenhagen at two Michelin-starred Kadeau and its one-starred seaside spot in Bornholm. Tucked away on Joshua Lane off Dawson Street, Comet invites diners into its intimate, wood-panelled dining room with a warm ambience and excellent service. Menus change daily, but you can expect modern Irish creations such as liver parfait with fermented blood orange and turbot served with broccoli and citruc beurre blanc. 

Brunch favourite Two Pups has branched out into evening entertaining with the playfully-named Notions. The restaurant and wine bar opened up in their Francis Street location at the start of 2025 and offers seasonal menus with a sustainable focus. (This year saw the business also get into pastries with the launch of Bold Boy Bakery.)

Taking over a canalside location in Portobello which was formerly the home of Locks, Lena is an intimate Italian bistro perfect for date night. Start with beetroot and ricotta ravioli before moving on to the grilled octopus and mussels served with tomato and basil fregola. You can cap it all off with a delicious chocolate and olive oil tart. 

TradFest will be sweeping across city venues at the end of the month, but you won't have to wait until then to catch a session. You'll find things are lively in Vicar Street, with musical acts including Mon Rovîa and The 502s popping up in January. Whelan's will see Chris Boldt, American singer-songwriter Grant-Lee Philips and Grammy-nominated songstress Rose Betts make the stage their own. Meanwhile, Galway-born legend Mary Coughlan will be playing some of her blues and jazz hits in the 3Olympia. 

Prefer to keep things classical? The National Concert Hall is offering a robust programme in January, with the National Symphony Orchestra performing pieces by Wagner, McDonnell and Tchaikovsky. You can also catch David Wray's performance devoted to the hits of Andrew Lloyd Webber. There'll also be an evening dedicated to the Showband days with Ronan Collins and crew performing Reeling in the Showband Years.

Beyond live acts, you can dive into the musical heritage of Dublin on one of the many musical tours of the city. Book in for a Musical Pub Crawl, a Rock & Roll Music Tour or Monumental Music Tour led by expert guides, or head for a self-guided wander through the Liberties or South City music trails with the help of Visit Dublin's audio guides. You'll learn about the rich musical legacies of these neighbourhoods and the major acts that got their start in local pubs and venues.

Media captionCatch a gig at Vicar Street this January.

Take in some Hollywood magic at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre's production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. The Tony Award-winning show full of glitz, glamour and heartache in turn-of-the-century Paris runs until January 11.

Hold on to the festive feeling for a little longer with the Gate Theatre's production of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol by Neil Bartlett. The classic family-friendly tale directed by Claire O’Reilly follows Ebenezer Scrooge's eventful Christmas until its final show on January 18. 

Over in the Abbey Theatre, Barbara Bergin's debut play Dublin Gothic will run until January 31. Meanwhile, Suzie Miller's Olivier-winning Prima Facie has a five-night stint at The Gaiety, starting  January 27.

Media captionCatch a performance at the Gate.

There's a far-reaching spread of plays, talks, outdoor events and more on throughout First Fortnight, a festival promoting mental health awareness through creative arts and workshops across Ireland. This year's festival will run from January 6 to 17, with the final programme still to be announced.

Pre-Christmas shopping may be all about gifting, but January is the time to treat yourself. Make the most of the sales and flit between the shops in the city, from the tech steals in Arnotts on Abbey Street to the designer bargains in Brown Thomas on Grafton Street. When you’ve finished on Grafton Street, be sure to explore the side streets nearby, from the design and craft shops on Drury Street and George's Street Arcade to the boutiques of the Powerscourt Centre. Try Article for cool homeware, MoMuse for fine gold jewellery and hit Temple Bar for vintage shopping.

Media captionShop the indie boutiques of George's Street Arcade.

Laugh away the January blues with comedy gigs throughout the city. There's quite the lineup at the 3Olympia – until January 10, Joanne McNally will have the crowds reeling with laughter, while Jarlath Regan returns to the 3Olympia stage from January 16 to 24. 

At Vicar Street, comedy trio Foil, Arms & Hog are performing their new show Skittish from January 8 to 11, before making room for Dara O'Briain on select dates from January 15 to 24. 

Resist the urge to hibernate on the couch and take yourself out on a long walk instead. There are no shortage of great hikes all within easy reach of the city centre – head out to the Phoenix Park to spot the roaming deer, or walk along the edge of Grand Canal, from the Docklands out to Portobello. 

Head a little further afield and you have the grandeur of the Dublin Mountains or coastline to explore along the Dublin Coastal Trail. Hike up to Killiney Hill and you’ll soon see why this stretch of coast, with its gentle curve of shoreline and Mediterranean greenery, is known as Ireland’s Bay of Naples.

Media captionGet out and enjoy the fresh air of the new year.

After all the activity of the festive season, January is the time to slow down and focus on yourself. Luckily, there are plenty of wellness offerings in Dublin that will help you do just that. At Little Bird in Portobello, there are yoga classes available all month, where you can partake in Slow Vinyasa Flow. 

If you want to sweat out your troubles without going too far from the city centre, The Hot Box Sauna in Inchicore is a good shout, with a new location opening in the Bolands Mills in the Docklands soon. Meanwhile at the Sea Sauna in Portrane, you can relax in a wood-fired Finnish style sauna, while gazing out at Tower Bay Beach. If you’re really brave, you can jump into the sea beforehand. Or, if a sweat and a soak in the mountains is more your to your taste, Glencullen's TIGH 'N ALLUIS - Irish Sweat House is a great spot for a relaxing afternoon, all while taking in the views of the Dublin Mountains around you. 

Looking for more inspiration? Discover everything that's on this Winter in Dublin.