Student Ambassador Ava Urquidez shares her top 5 things to do in Dublin during the winter! From festive Christmas markets to cosy pub quizzes and exploring the National Art Gallery, Ava has the perfect winter activities to keep you entertained in Dublin.
Let’s face it: Dublin, Ireland, gets dark and cold during the winter months. However, this cool city is built for the sometimes bitter cold and therefore provides plenty of fun indoor activities to keep us happy and entertained! Read on to discover five of those fun activities.
- Christmas Markets –The Dublin Christmas market is one of the most festive and exciting Christmas markets in Europe. Hosted at the historic Dublin Castle in the city centre, it offers free entry to a wide variety of local and unique goods such as vintage clothes, homemade ornaments, and holiday treats! There are also fun food trucks and great music playing throughout the day to maintain a cheerful atmosphere. The market is open from December 6-19, from 12 pm to 9 pm, so be sure to check it out!
- Pub Quizzes
Pub quizzes are an iconic part of Dublin culture. These fun quizzes are hosted by pubs, university societies/clubs, and other groups where teams compete to answer questions, and the winners earn a prize! All of this is done in good spirits, with pints in hand. I recommend Chaplain’s in Dublin city centre, where many university societies gather, or Mary’s in the city centre and Friends at Mary’s Dropping Well in Rathmines for public pub quizzes! - The Sauna and Steam Room – As someone who grew up in warmer and sunnier weather, I can’t say I’ve fully adjusted to the scarves and layers just yet… which is why I use the Trinity Sports Centre’s sauna and steam room weekly. This is my time to feel warm while also relaxing and recovering my muscles from exercise and the everyday stresses of life. I recommend checking out your university’s sports centre – it offers so many amenities for whatever you’re interested in, from swimming to climbing to weight training, and of course, the sauna!
- Movie Theatre
As we all know, 2023 had massive movies such as Barbie, Oppenheimer, Saltburn, Foe, and more. There is no better way to experience these immersive films than in the cinema, which not only provides a better experience you can share with friends but also supports the theatres after many struggled during the pandemic. Here is a list of some movie theatres I recommend depending on the experience you’re looking for:- Stella – Comfortable chairs with in-dining experience in Rathgar, Dublin
- Odeon – Classic movie theatre with an amazing monthly student deal if you want to watch more films
- Irish Film Institute – A local movie theatre with historical relevance, featuring alternative films
- National Art Gallery – Finally, a lovely way to explore Dublin is by discovering its art. The National Art Gallery features a collection of Irish and European art and changes its pieces periodically throughout the year. It’s a beautiful place located in Dublin city centre, by Merrion Square. Admission is free, so you can walk in at any time!
Ava Urquidez is studying Political Science and Economics at Trinity College via Education in Ireland.