Things to do this December.

If you don’t mind braving the snow, there’s plenty going on in The Liberties and around Dublin this December.

The run-up to Christmas is always a great time to get out and about and catch a play, discover a new band or shop for some Christmas gifts.

If you still have a mountain of shopping to do, and are struggling to find something unusual to give this year, you might want to start by heading to one of the Christmas Markets that have been growing in popularity over the last few years.

Fitzwilliam Square is opening its gates from now until the 23^rd with over 70 stalls of food, mulled wine and unique handmade gifts. Over at the docklands, there’s a Christmas market with a Germanic feel at the IFSC until the 22^nd and similar festive stalls will be springing up at the Point Village Market.

You will probably need a sit down after all that shopping, so why not head to the Theatre– it is panto season after all! Aladdin is on nearly every day in the Gaiety until the 30^th of January, Jack and the Beanstalk runs in The Helix until January the 16^th. Cinderella will be getting into a flap over her diamond slipper at the Olympia from December 26^th and you can catch Scrooge at the Grand Canal Theatre until the 2^nd of January. Finally, if you can wait until the New Year, Disney on ice is a perfect family day out and this year celebrates its 100^th anniversary starting the 2^nd of January. Phew!

If panto isn’t your thing, and you fancy something a little more physical, try Ice Skating. Arnotts now boasts a roof top rink whilst RDS has traditional skating you can wash down with a hot chocolate. For something a bit different Game On is still celebrating video games from past to present at The Ambassador.

Music wise Vicar St is your best bet for some great local gigs. Neil Delamere performs on the 17^th at 8pm. Christy Moore & Declan Sinnott  play nightly at 8pm on the 19 and 20^th. Mercury shortlisters The Villagers are on stage at 8pm on the 21^st and 22^nd and The Dubliners play three nights between the 28^th -30^th. Liberties local Imelda May brings her own brand of Mayhem to the Olympia from the 15^th to 18^th. Love him or loathe him, X Factor’s Wagner is bound to raise a few eyebrows at The Wright venue on the 23^rd.

If you’re after a laugh Comedian Jason Byrne will be just around the corner in Vicar St on the 18^th. Hot on his heels, in her own ruby heels and eye-watering outfits, will be Katherine Lynch with her ‘Da Hack of ya Tour’ every night at 8.30pm from the 9^th to the 12^th.

Finally for something a bit different, and once last chance to pick up some Christmas gifts, head along to the Liberties best art space- Bad Art Gallery. They are celebrating Christmas with mulled wine and mince pies at their Stocking Filler event taking place on the 20^th and 21^st with over 300 affordable pieces for sale.