One of the loveliest parts of Christmas is listening to — and singing along with — the classic carols. If that appeals to you too, here’s a roundup of Carols by Candlelight events and other festive carol concerts to enjoy around Ireland.
For many families, a big part of Christmas is hearing favourites like Deck the Halls, The First Noel and O Come All Ye Faithful sung live. Cathedrals, concert halls, community choirs and local arts centres around the country host carol concerts and candlelit performances every December, so there’s likely to be one near you. Programmes and exact dates change from year to year, so we’ve focused here on the choirs, venues and events worth keeping an eye on — check the links below for each year’s current schedule and tickets.
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Christmas Carol Concerts at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin
St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin hosts a rich programme of Christmas concerts each December, from orchestral evenings to candlelit carol services. Past programmes have included a Viennese Christmas Special, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, a Culwick Choral Christmas concert, Handel by Candlelight and a candlelit Christmas classics evening — the exact line-up changes annually.
For this year’s full programme and tickets, visit St Patrick’s Cathedral’s events page.
The Journey Home for Christmas, in Aid of Focus Ireland
In the days before Christmas, Focus Ireland invites musicians, choirs and solo singers to bring some festive cheer to travellers passing through Iarnród Éireann stations around the country, as part of “The Journey Home for Christmas.” Stations that have taken part in previous years include Heuston Station (Dublin), Kilkenny Station, Kent Station (Cork), Colbert Station (Limerick) and Athlone Station. All proceeds go to Focus Ireland.
Check Focus Ireland’s events listings for participating stations and dates this year.
Dublin Gospel Choir Christmas Concerts
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The Dublin Gospel Choir returns each December with a brilliant mix of festive favourites and gospel greats, guaranteed to bring the Christmas feels. DGC are a household name in Ireland — versatile, vibrant and uplifting, with powerful voices and rich harmonies. They’ve performed alongside artists including John Legend, Take That, Duran Duran, Damien Rice, Outkast and Ennio Morricone, and their annual Electric Picnic slot is legendary.
In past years, shows have been held at venues including The Moat Theatre in Naas, Co Kildare and Draíocht in Blanchardstown. The choir also hosts an annual Christmas Night of Soul in aid of the Capuchin Day Centre, held at St Mary of the Angels Church, Dublin 7 — a free event where donations are welcome.
For this year’s dates and tickets, see the Dublin Gospel Choir’s performance listings.
Christmas with New Dublin Voices
The internationally acclaimed, award-winning chamber choir New Dublin Voices, with Bernie Sherlock, brings a beautiful blend of Christmas music old and new to the John Field Room at the National Concert Hall each December.
For dates and tickets, check the National Concert Hall’s listings.
The A Cappella Knights: The Knights Before Christmas, Galway
The A Cappella Knights present a festive evening of music and dance at Galway Cathedral, supporting Hand in Hand Children’s Cancer Charity.
For dates and tickets, check Eventbrite for the current listing.
The Big Christmas Sing Concert, Wexford Arts Centre
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Join in the fun as the Big Christmas Sing community group, led by Elizabeth Drwal, marks the end of its seasonal workshop series with a concert of old, new and wonderfully wacky festive favourites.
For dates and tickets, check Wexford Arts Centre’s listings.
Christmas Classics by Candlelight with Frank McNamara
Frank McNamara leads an evening of Christmas classics by candlelight, with special guests, at venues across Munster including St John’s Church of Ireland in Tralee, Co Kerry, St Augustine’s Catholic Church in Limerick, and the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity Within in Waterford.
For this year’s dates and venues, check Eventbrite for current listings.
Dublin County Choir Christmas Family Gala
As traditional as Christmas turkey, the Dublin County Choir kicks off the festive season with a variety show at the National Concert Hall, joined by presenter and soprano Niamh Murray and the cream of Irish family entertainment.
For dates and tickets, check the National Concert Hall’s listings.
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The Kilkenny Choir Christmas Concert
The Kilkenny Choir presents a selection of modern and traditional Christmas carols at St Canice’s Catholic Church, Kilkenny.
For dates and tickets, check Eventbrite for the current listing.
The DMEP Christmas Concert, An Grianán Theatre, Donegal
Hear some of Donegal’s finest young musicians and singers perform Christmas carols alongside special guests, which in past years have included the Donegal Youth Orchestra, the Grand Ukulele Band, the Ukrainian Guitar Ensemble and Harpists Inc.
For dates and tickets, check An Grianán Theatre’s listings.
Music @ the Museum: Christmas Concert with Cantóirí
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The Chester Beatty regularly welcomes back Cantóirí, a Dublin choir with an international membership whose repertoire spans continents and centuries. Their festive performances feature a mix of Christmas songs old and new, including much-loved carols. These events are typically free with no booking required.
Check the Chester Beatty’s events listings for this year’s date.
The Great Christmas Concert, National Concert Hall
For over 25 years, The Great Christmas Concert at the National Concert Hall has marked the start of the Christmas season for many families. Expect the joyful sound of children’s voices from Piccolo Lasso alongside adult choir The Lassus Scholars and the Orlando Chamber Orchestra, under conductor Dr Ite O’Donovan — with the audience often invited to join in on carols. Past programmes have included favourites from O Holy Night to Jingle Bells, alongside classical pieces by Haydn, Schubert, Rossini, Reger, Byrd and Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.
For dates and tickets, check the National Concert Hall’s listings.
Christmas at the Cathedral, Cork
The Cork International Choral Festival hosts an evening (or two) of festive carols, song and poetry in the stunning surrounds of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, with the choir directed by Cathrine Mahon Buckley and joined by special guests.
For dates and tickets, check Cork International Choral Festival’s listings.
Christmas by Candlelight, Inspire Choral Group, Meath
The Inspire Choral Group brings its “Christmas by Candlelight” concert to the Headfort Arms Hotel in Kells, Co Meath, with a mix of classic and modern Christmas songs to get the whole family in the festive spirit.
For dates and tickets, check Eventbrite for the current listing.
Candlelit Carols, National Concert Hall
One of the most elegant ways to celebrate the season: a candlelit concert of carols and seasonal classics featuring the Dublin Concert Orchestra, conducted by Michael Bawtree, with soloist Harriet Eyley.
For dates and tickets, check the National Concert Hall’s listings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When do carol concerts and Carols by Candlelight events take place in Ireland?
Most take place in December, in the weeks leading up to Christmas, though some larger venues begin their festive programmes in late November. Exact dates vary from year to year, so it’s worth checking with the venue or choir directly closer to the time.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Many concerts, particularly those in cathedrals and concert halls, sell tickets in advance and can book out early. Some community and charity events are free or don’t require booking. Check the specific listing for each concert to confirm.
Are these concerts suitable for children?
Many of the events above are family-friendly, with sing-along carols that children enjoy joining in with. If you’re bringing young children, it’s worth checking the running time and venue with the organiser beforehand.
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- Things to Do with Kids Around Ireland at Christmas
- 50 Magical Places to Visit Santa in Ireland
- Festive Family Ice Skating in Dublin and Around Ireland
Save This for Later
Christmas gets busy — save this roundup of carol concerts and Carols by Candlelight events now, and come back to it as you plan your festive outings.
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