It’s officially feeling festive in the capital after the Dublin Town Christmas lights were switched on at Mary Street this evening, marking the start of the city’s holiday season.
The lights were turned on by Darcie Gavin (8) and Liam Tomney (7) from Tallaght, both representing the Little Blue Heroes Foundation — a Garda charity that supports families of children with serious illnesses. The young guests pushed the magic button outside Penneys, sparking cheers from the crowd as the city lit up for Christmas.
The switch-on at Mary Street is the first in a series of illuminations across the city, with the iconic Grafton Street chandeliers and lights along Henry Street, South William Street, Capel Street, and other central areas set to follow in the coming days.
@radionova100fm It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Dublin, as the lights have all been turned on in the city tonight DublinTown and the Little Blue Heroes Foundation have collaborated to light the city up with that seasonal Christmas glow, that takes no less than 30 poeple and 4 weeks to sept up⚡@We Are DublinTown ♬ original sound - Radio Nova 100
Now in its 17th year, the Christmas light display is organised by Dublin Town, the business group representing retailers, hospitality, and cultural venues in the city centre. This year, the group will illuminate 24 streets with energy-efficient LED lights, ensuring the city looks festive while keeping sustainability in mind.
“There is nowhere quite like Dublin city centre at Christmas,” said Richard Guiney, CEO of Dublin Town. “The Dublin Town Christmas lights are by far the biggest task we undertake for our business members, and for the people of the city, each year.”
The project is a major operation, involving a team of 30 people working through the night for four weeks to put the lights in place. Every single bulb and fixture is tested before being installed.
“The lights bring the sense of Christmas to the city centre and thousands take selfies beneath the iconic displays,” Guiney added. “They are a major catalyst for the city’s Christmas buzz, as well as attracting footfall. Shopping and socialising under the lights is a key Christmas experience for many.”
All of Dublin Town’s decorations are designed with sustainability in mind. The Grafton Street chandeliers, for example, use just a third of the electricity of a standard household shower, thanks to low-energy LED bulbs and timer controls.
The switch-on marks one of the first major festive events in the city, with more Christmas markets, ice rinks and seasonal activities due to follow in the coming weeks.
As Guiney put it, “We invite everyone to come to town and make new Christmas memories under the magic of the Dublin Town Christmas lights.”
