Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has unveiled magical plans for dlr Christmas 2025, promising a season filled with snow, sparkle, and outdoor family fun across the county. Festivities kick off on Friday 21 November with the much-anticipated Santa Parade in Dún Laoghaire.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is all set to sparkle and glow this Christmas with exciting 3D light installations, the Curious Elf Tree and a fairylike forest walk at Cabinteely Park and the traditional Santa Post Boxes where Christmas wishes begin.

Festive attractions include:

• Wonderlights at Marlay Park,
• The Alpine Skate Trail at St Michael's Pier,
• Santa in Dún Laoghaire Shopping Centre,
• Festive shows at the Pavilion Theatre and dlr Mill Theatre
• Meet Santa at Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre
• The iconic bandstand on the East Pier illuminated for Christmas and;
• The traditional Crib on display at St Michael’s to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Walking Trails at Marlay Park and Cabinteely Park

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown will delight residents and visitors with a range of countywide festive favourites. The very popular illuminated Christmas walking trails in Marlay Park and Cabinteely Park are back for the 2025 Christmas period.

The ever-popular illuminated walking trail in Cabinteely Park is free to attend and open from 4pm to 8pm, 7 days a week from Friday 21 November to Sunday 1 February.

The Marlay Park trail is also open from 4pm - 8pm, 7 days a week, (no parking available Thursday to Sunday) and runs until the 28th December 2025. 

Both are fully accessible for wheelchairs and buggies and are not operating on 25 & 26 December and New Year’s Day. An oasis of calm beneath the twinkling lights but look out for mischief-making elves in the Elf Tree. Local legend suggests that this whimsical wonder resplendent with hundreds of little red elves is the very gathering place of the beloved Elf on the Shelf!

Where possible, all official Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Christmas trees are living trees and their lights are LED extra low voltage for safety only using 4.8watts of electricity.

Giant bauble installations

For those seeking the perfect insta moment, dlr Christmas features giant Christmas bauble light installations, providing the ideal backdrop for capturing festive memories.

Elf Dash in Cabinteely Park

A highlight of the season is the dlr Elf Dash on Sunday 7 December  in Cabinteely Park - a festive family fun run in Elf Hats and Christmas costumes and a day of laughter and community spirit.

Santa Post Boxes and Download the free APP to meet Mrs Santa Claus

Santa Post Boxes will magically appear at dlr LexIcon in Dún Laoghaire, Marlay Park in Rathfarnham, Deerpark in Mount Merrion and Cabinteely Park by special commission of Santa Claus. The letters are whizzed off to the North Pole via Elf Airlines direct to Santa who replies to every single one. Download the free Augmented Reality (AR) app at the Santa Post Boxes or from webcloudone.com/dlrchristmas to meet Mrs Claus, Santa, Elf, Rudolf and the Talking Tree.

New Year's Eve Fireworks

With twinkling lights, snowy scenes and joyful outdoor experiences for all ages, dlr Christmas 2025 promises to be the county’s most magical celebration yet. After the magic of Christmas, ring in the New Year with sparkle — the NYF Dublin Fireworks Spectacular lights up Dún Laoghaire Harbour at 7pm on New Year’s Eve!