HAPPENINGS:

Gifted – The Contemporary Craft and Design Fair

Ireland’s largest festival of giving, Gifted – The Contemporary Craft and Design Fair, is set to get Christmas off to a flying start at the RDS from December 5 to 9. With over 500 designers, makers and artisan food producers displaying original gifts, the traditional opening to the festive season in Dublin is set to attract over 45,000 people in five days. Gifted also features The Spectacular Christmas Food Emporium with over 100 artisan food producers.

There will be 10 per cent off everything at Gifted on the opening day, Wednesday, December 5. 

Gifted Contemporary Craft and Design Fair takes place at the RDS Main Hall from December 5-9 from 10am each day.  Full details and booking can be found at www.giftedfair.ie

Christmas charity concert 

Soprano Rebecca Rodgers presents ‘The North Dublin Singers’ plus special guests on Wednesday, December 12 at the Church of the Nativity, Beaumont. 

Doors will open at 7pm. The cost for adults is €10 and kids go free. All proceeds go to St Francis Hospice.

Christmas concerts in Fingal 

Fingal Academy of Music is holding Christmas Concerts on December 7 at 8pm in St Sylvester’s Church in Malahide featuring all of the academy’s prize winning choirs; December 15 at Malahide Castle and Gardens at 5pm, a joint recital between teachers and students; and on December 18 in the Seapark Carmelite Convent, Malahide at 8pm, featuring the award winning choir Cór Fingal. 

For Christmas music lovers, the academy offers a €20 discount ticket that gives you access to all three concerts. Tickets for all of the concerts can be purchased at the door or online through the academy’s website.

For more information, visit www.fingalacademyofmusic.com

Table quiz in Swords 

A fun table quiz in aid of St Francis Hospice takes place every Monday at the Estuary Pub, North Street, Swords, starting at 10pm. 

Now in its 18th year, the quiz has raised a staggering €190,000, all of which goes to the hospice. Why not drop in and enjoy the craic? It’s for a very good cause!

Abba Forever

The smash hit Christmas show returns for another terrific night out on December 7 in the dlr Mill Theatre Dundrum. After fantastic shows for the past 11 years, it’s always party time when Abba are about, but when it’s the Christmas show, then that’s a real excuse for a party!

This happy sing-a-long extravaganza celebrates with a loud and proud fanfare and some stunning audiovisuals Abba’s seminal moments. It’s the perfect way to start your Christmas celebrations so come along and join the party at 8pm.

Christmas Experience at Airfield

Johnny Vegas and Maia Dunphy are pictured at the launch of the Christmas Experience at Airfield Estate food and farm destination in Dundrum. This is a wonderful, old-fashioned traditional festive adventure for all the family to enjoy until December 23. See www.airfield.ie for more details.

Christmas concert

Five Lamps Arts Festival & North East Inner City is presenting an evening of Christmas music and song on Tuesday, December 11 at 7pm at Liberty Hall Theatre. Guests include the Artane Senior Band as well as local performers. Tickets costing €3 are available from Lourdes Day Care Centre, St Agatha’s Parish office or by calling 01-2223893 or 01-2226604.

Dublin Christmas Flea Market

Last year’s Christmas Flea Market at Point Square, East Wall Road, was a huge success and this year it’s happening over two long weekends, the first from December 6-9.

Running from Thursday to Sunday and hosting 140 different stalls each weekend, the craftworkers showcasing their products have been curated from over 500 applications, so no two stalls are alike and the quality is second to none. 

The market hosts 100 percent creative Irish start-up and small business enterprises selling an incredible selection of art, contemporary design, hand-made craft, retro, vintage and antique collectibles and delicious and healthy artisan food products.

Christmas at Glasnevin

Savour the festive atmosphere and experience the spirit of Christmas with a free visit to Santa and his helpers in his hideaway in the National Botanic Gardens.

Visitors can also stock up with seasonal goodies, treats, presents and assorted Christmas supplies at the special Christmas market. It’s happening from 10am-4.30pm on December 9.