Smithfield Christmas Spectacular
The annual Smithfield Christmas Spectacular at Smithfield Square, Dublin 7 opened on November 25th and will continue until Thursday the 2nd of January. It is open daily from 11am until 9pm but it will close at 4pm on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day and Saint Stephen’s Day before reopening on the 27th of December.
It has a wide range of festive attractions such as an ice rink, an ice museum and a big wheel and there is a host of cabins where you can buy unique Christmas gifts, handmade crafts, festive food, confectionery and drinks.
Among the many choices of food and drinks on offer, you can enjoy festive mulled wine, hot chocolate, sweet crepes, churros, and German Bratwurst sausages. If you are shopping for a gift for yourself or a loved one, there are a variety of cabins selling such things as handmade crafts, jewellery and trinkets, Christmas decorations and cakes.
Entry to the Christmas Market is free of charge. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance via the Smithfield Christmas Spectacular website for the Ice Rink and Ice Museum. Tickets for the Big Wheel ride are available on site.
Tickets for the Ice Rink and Ice Museum can be booked online at the Christmas Spectacular website link here.
Ice Rink
The indoor ice rink promises seasonal fun for the whole family, regardless of whether you are a first time skater or a more experienced one. Tickets cost 18 euro for an adult, 13 euro for a child and a family ticket costs 57 euro. Online booking fees apply.
Big Wheel
Enjoy a panoramic bird’s eye view of the city from dizzying heights by either day or night on the Big Wheel. It is the perfect opportunity to view Dublin from a whole new perspective and the perfect opportunity for that festive selfie. Tickets cost 10 euro for adults, 7 euro for children and a family ticket costs 30 euro.
Ice Museum
The Ice Museum has a collection of beautifully crafted ice sculptures, such as one of Molly Malone, on display. Tickets cost 10 euro for adults and 7 euro for children. Online booking fees apply.
The Nutcracker Snug
The warm and cosy Nutcracker Snug is festively styled like an Alpine Lodge and you can enjoy warm seasonal drinks such as mulled wine here. A mulled wine costs 8 euro, as does a Bailey’s Hot Chocolate.
Among the cabins selling their goods at the market, two in particular caught my attention. They were:
The Weaver and the Workshop: Eamon O Donnchadha
Weaver Eamon O Donnchadha is selling hand woven Irish tweed and woolen garments, such as handwoven Christmas Stockings priced at 35 euro, scarfs at 50 euro and blankets at 195 euro. All these items are woven on a hand loom in County Meath. Although you might consider them a bit pricey, they are beautifully crafted, high quality woolen and tweed garments.
Chocolate World is selling premium Belgian hot chocolate from their mesmerizing milk, dark and white chocolate fountains. One of their hot chocolates with marshmallows will cost you 8 euro.
Packed with the best in food, drink, handmade gifts and fun entertainment opportunities, the picturesque Smithfield Christmas Spectacular has something for all the family and a visit there is well worth including in your Christmas schedule.
Hashtags: #SmithfieldChristmasMarket 
