Our festive season begins early at the National Museum of Ireland, with Christmas events starting in November and continuing throughout December across our museum sites in Dublin and Mayo.
From sparkling snowflakes and seasonal storytelling to creative workshops and a live nativity crib, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the National Museum this festive season.
See our key dates and Christmas events at each museum site below and plan your visit to make the most of this special time of year.
Nollaig Shona daoibh go léir!
Collins Barracks Seasonal Events | December & January
Meet the Makers: A Christmas Shopping Morning of Irish Design & Creativity
10:00 - 12:00 | Thursday, 4 December | Adults
National Museum of Ireland | Collins Barracks | Benburb Street | Dublin 7
Meet the Irish Designers & Makers, Collins Barracks Museum Store at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks. Come join us on December 4, 2025, from 10 AM to 12 PM for a festive morning celebrating Irish design and creativity! Meet the makers behind unique products and get an exclusive insight into their work.
10:00 - 12:00, Friday, 5 December | Families
National Museum of Ireland | Collins Barracks | Benburb Street | Dublin 7
Join us at the Dead Zoo Lab in Collins Barracks Museum on Friday, 5 December for an exciting opportunity to meet the author Peter Donnelly of the much-loved The President’s and The Dead Zoo series.
11:00 - 13:00 | Selected dates in December & January | Families Ages 7+
The Dead Zoo Lab | National Museum of Ireland | Collins Barracks | Benburb Street | Dublin 7
Bring the family along and join a short activity to learn about our favourite objects in the handling collections.
11:00 - 13:00 | Selected dates in December & January | Families Ages 7+
The Dead Zoo Lab | National Museum of Ireland | Collins Barracks | Benburb Street | Dublin 7
Bring the family along and join a short activity to learn about animals who were alive during the Ice Age.. An interpreter will be present at this event to provide Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation.
14:00 - 15:30 | Saturday 17th December, 2025 - Thursday 1st January, 2026 | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland | Collins Barracks | Benburb Street | Dublin 7
Round out 2025 with a special series of guided tours at the Museum between Christmas and New Year’s. From Saturday 27th December to Thursday 1st January, our knowledgeable guides will take you on a journey through the most captivating pieces in our collection, sharing stories and insights that bring history and art to life.
Christmas at Kildare Street | Sunday, 7 December
13:00 - 16:30 | Sunday, 7 December | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland | Kildare Street | Dublin 2
As mid-winter draws near, roam through the galleries at the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology to discover how people spent their time in winters past, the games they played, and how they kept themselves safe on long and dangerous pilgrimages.
18:00 | Thursday 4 & Wednesday 10 December | Adults & Families | Booking Required
National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Get into the festive spirit with our Wreath Making Workshops at the beautiful National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, on Thursday 4th December and Wednesday 10th December. In partnership with The Garden, a creative floral studio in Powerscourt Town Centre founded by landscape gardener Mark Grehan, you’ll learn to craft your very own festive wreath, blending the wild beauty of Connemara with elegant Georgian charm.
Christmas at Turlough Park | Sunday, 7 & Sunday 14 December
13:00 - 17:00 | Sunday, 7 & Saturday ,14 December | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland | Turlough Park | Castlebar | Co Mayo
Join Kiltimagh Pet Farm in the Courtyard to learn about some of the farm animals associated with Christmas traditions and stories.
13:00 - 17:00 | Sunday, 7 & Saturday ,14 December | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland | Turlough Park | Castlebar | Co Mayo
Get into the spirit of Christmas by coming along to the National Museum at Turlough Park for a magical storytelling experience with storyteller Fiona Dowling.
13:00 - 16:00 | Sunday, 7 & Saturday ,14 December | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland | Turlough Park | Castlebar | Co Mayo
Join a Museum Educator to create your own unique Christmas tree decoration on an informal, drop-in crafting session between 1pm and 4pm over two Sunday afternoons on 7 and 14 December 2025.
13:00 - 17:00 | Sunday, 7 & Saturday ,14 December | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland | Turlough Park | Castlebar | Co Mayo
Browse beautiful Christmas crafts from a range of local and regional makers in the Courtyard at Turlough Park
14:00 - 16:00 | Sunday, 21 December 2025 | All Ages
National Museum of Ireland | Turlough Park | Castlebar | Co Mayo
The Mayo Male Voice Choir and the Cill Aodain Choral Society make a welcome return to the Museum for an atmospheric afternoon or Christmas carols and choral pieces in the galleries
Available from Sunday, 7 December 2025, Suitable for families with children aged 5+
National Museum of Ireland | Turlough Park | Castlebar | Co Mayo
Go on a decoration hunt across three floors of exhibitions for this fun family treasure hunt style activity
Opening hours for Christmas and New Year
We are closed to visitors at 1 pm on Christmas Eve (Wednesday, 24 December); Christmas Day (Thursday 25 December); St Stephen's Day (Friday, 26 December).
Normal opening hours resume from 10am on Saturday, 27 December.
Online resources to enjoy throughout the festive season
Browse more upcoming events at the National Museum of Ireland