Twinkletown generates €12 million for local economy

Dublin City Council has announced that the Twinkletown Christmas festival, which was held in Smithfield, generated €12m for the local economy. 

There were approximately 600,000 visits to the festival, an exceptional result which deepened a sense of community ownership and local pride.

There was also favourable feedback from people who attended, with positive sentiment running at 85%. That figure significantly exceeds typical benchmarks for large-scale public gatherings.

Many people commented on the event’s magical atmosphere, accessibility features, family-friendly programming and its contribution to the local economy.

There were 25,000 tickets sold for the ‘Santo Panto’. Key to this figure was the accessible €5 ticket price point that successfully removed some financial barriers for families who might otherwise not be able to enjoy a traditional pantomime show.

The City Council welcomes the feedback from local traders, food vendors and surrounding businesses in the Smithfield area who reported measurable positive impacts during the festival including extended evening trade.

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Ray McAdam, said, “Twinkletown was a major success for Dublin- for families, for the city centre, and for local businesses.”

“With up to 600,000 visits, an 85% positive sentiment score, and a €12 million economic impact, it proved what’s possible when we invest in inclusive, high-quality placemaking. The €5 ‘Santo Panto’ and the accessibility-first approach helped ensure this was a festival for everyone. My thanks to the Council teams, partners and traders, and to the thousands who came to Smithfield and made Twinkletown truly magical.”