Dublin Winter Lights to light up new locations around the city this December
Dublin's Winter Lights will light up new locations around the city this December.
Dublin City Council has announced the return of the Dublin Winter Lights, which will transform 25 locations around the city with colourful protections, lighting displays, and interactive experiences. This year’s festival will feature several new locations, including Meeting House Square, Dublin Castle, and Temple Bar Square.
Lord Mayor Councillor Ray McAdam described Dublin Winter Lights as “one of our city’s great Christmas traditions” that has established itself as an essential aspect of Dublin in December since its launch in 2018. “Each year is better than the one before and I can’t wait to see what this year’s version has in store,” he said.
“If you’ve never seen them before, or if you have and you just want to experience some Christmas cheer on these dark nights, come into town, see the lights and make some new memories.” With iconic Dublin buildings being transformed with colourful and dynamic light protections, the GPO building will see creations from eight leading national and international artists who are the finalist in the ‘ Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights’ GPO Competition.
Tony Smithers, from the Council's events section said: “This year’s festival is bigger and better than ever before. With fantastic new locations, the return of festival favourites and great interactive experiences, it’s a great time to visit the city centre.
“We’re committed to achieving a low carbon footprint and use of LEDs, projections with low power requirements, battery storage for power, and hydrotreated vegetable oil as a fuel source.” A children’s art competition is also taking place and every artwork will be projected onto Barnardo Square beside Dublin Castle. Three winners will receive a prize from the Lord Mayor and their artwork will be used on the Lord Mayor’s Christmas cards this year.
At George’s Dock, 100 beams of light will illuminate the sky as part of ‘Céad’. The lighting installation brings together the talents and creativity of lighting designer Sonya Fossett and electronic music artist and producer, Caolan Ryan.
In Wolfe Tone Square, passersby become part of the projection as an interactive motion sensing wall of LED pixels will capture the movement of daily life. ‘Flux’, an international touring light installation featuring kinetic light movement, will also be in Dublin Castle until December 21.
Merrion Square Park brings playfulness, lighting and interactivity to the park with walk-through lighting installations including an immersive kaleidoscope. Open from December 1 to 21, tickets can be booked from November 13.
Merrion Square Park also offers a relaxed viewing timeslot. Every evening the 5pm to 5.30pm timeslot will be designed to welcome people who will benefit from a more relaxed environment, including those who identify as neurodiverse. During this slot, no music will be played and people will have more space to move around. For more information see www.dublinwinterlights.ie
This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme