From the Whale Theatre in Greystones to the plush surroundings of Russborough and the fabulous Mermaid Theatre in Bray, the Garden County is well equipped to get you in the festive mood.
Be uplifted by a trio of Christmas quartets
Kick off the season of giving at The Mermaid Theatre on December 3 with the WhistleBlast Quartet, who will be performing a heart-warming selection of festive favourites that are sure to give you all the Christmas feels.
Later that day, Greystones native and award-winning soprano Jade Phoenix returns to the Whale Theatre for an evening of beloved Opera classics and Christmas themes.
Rounding off the trio of magnificent foursomes, The Whale Theatre will host another unforgettable night of music, entertainment, banter and good old-fashioned fun with The Camembert Quartet on December 16.
Have a whale of a time with giants of comedy
If the harsh Irish winter is getting you down and you’re in need of cheering up, look no further than the stunning seaside town of Greystones this festive season.
Not one but two titans of the Irish comedy circuit are due to perform, with one of Ireland’s most revered comedians, David O’Doherty, taking to the stage at The Whale Theatre on December 15 and devilishly divisive funny man David McSavage is set to perform his new show ‘If That Makes Sense’ at the cosy theatre on December 29.
Jingle all the way with festive musicals
Tots and teens from around the Garden County will proudly present the annual Junior and Youth Musicals Christmas production in the Mermaid Arts Centre on December 8 and 9. Featuring excerpts from ‘Annie’, ‘Six’, and ‘Hamilton’, there will be entertainment for all the family with music from a live band.
The Studio 55 Dance Academy in Arklow are preparing for another ground-breaking show this Christmas, bringing Elf the Musical to Wicklow for the first time, with five fantastic shows in St Mary’s College on December 15, 16 and 17.
Transition Year students from Dominican College in Wicklow town are taking to the stage on December 6, 7 and 8 with their production of the Roald Dahl musical ‘Matilda’.
The Nutcracker Ballet will be taking to the stage on December 1, 2, 15 and 16 at Valleymount Hall. Presented by Ruth Shine School of Dance & Valleymount Theatre Company, the highly-anticipated performances will start at 7.30 p.m. (Door 7 p.m.)
Christmas carols and a night at the opera
Wicklow is home to a series of carol concerts like no other. The Suantrai Female Vocal Ensemble will give Wicklow music lovers another chance to hear their dulcet tones when they perform their debut Christmas concert at Sts. Mary and Peter Church in Arklow on Dec 14.
In Bray, the awe-inspiring Christ Church hosts its annual Carols by Candlelight on December 16. Be led by the Bray Choral Society in an evening of song, festivities, and of course, mulled wine.
The Blessington Millennium Choir will perform The Winter Rose (A Christmas Cantata by Joseph Martin) and all your favourite Christmas songs in the Hollywood Centre on Saturday, December 16 at 4 p.m.
Volunteers from the Ukraine Hub in Wicklow town, Palyanytsya, will host a Christmas extravaganza of seasonal carols with the lady’s choir ‘Voices of Ukraine’ at An Tairseach Ecology Centre in Wicklow town on Sunday, December 10.
The Wicklow Male Voice Choir and special guest will perform a magical evening of Christmas music in St Patrick’s Church, Wicklow town, on Sunday, December 10 at 8 p.m.
The choir will take to Fitzwilliam Square in Wicklow town for some carol signing on Christmas Eve, starting at 11 a.m. Members of Wicklow and District Lions Club will also be on hand to raise some funds for their tireless work through a bucket collection.
St Saviours Church in Rathdrum will host a fundraising concert for the Rathdrum Christmas Festival on November 29 at 7.30 p.m.
MC’d by Liam Kinsella, the magical evening will feature performances by the Lir Female Ensemble, Arklow and Wicklow Ukulele Bands, the Avondale Community College Choir, Sleigh Belles (Lorraine, Martina and Noelle), Kathryn Noone, Robert Casey, Chairde and Denis and John Nolan.
Immerse yourself in the warmth and magic of the festive season with a truly special Christmas Opera Soirée of food, music and magic at Russborough House on December 9, where a dinner designed to make your taste buds sing will be followed by a magical tour of popular opera and Christmas classics with the Drawing Room Opera Company.
Celebrate Irish music at the Mermaid
The Mermaid Theatre’s stellar Christmas line-up continues on December 17, when leading traditional artists Caitlín Nic Gabhann, Síle Denvir, Andrea Palandri, and Pádraic Keane unite for an evening of original performances inspired by the great archival collections.
Revered and feted as one of Ireland’s most innovative, original and brilliant live bands, Scullion will perform old favourites and tracks from their latest record ‘Time Has Made a Change in Me’ at the Mermaid on December 21.