Richmond Barracks

Christmas Fair 2025

Dates: Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Admission: Free

 

Enjoy a weekend filled with creativity, community and connection at our 2025 Christmas Fair!

The Richmond Barracks Christmas Fair will celebrate the winter season with lots of unique gifts, seasonal crafts and products to buy. People can also try something new at our various family friendly workshops for all ages and enjoy festive music, hot drinks and treats.

Come together to meet artists, makers, producers and small businesses as we celebrate the season. 

The fair is family-friendly, with entertainment and creative activities for all ages. There will be workshops, stalls, entertainment, and food and drink. 

Admission to the Fair is free. The building is accessible, with safe parking for bikes and for buggies. We open at 11 am each day. Find directions here.

To get the most up to date details on our Fair, please sign up to our newsletter or follow us on instagram.

 

Here's what you can enjoy at the Christmas Fair:

Stalls

Pick up beautiful gifts, delicious treats and sustainable goods for your Christmas list.

Here are some of the stalls you can visit:

 

Creative Workshops

Try out free festive workshops for all ages, including seasonal crafts, felt-making, wreath-making, make-and-do decorations, and upcycling. 

If you enjoy them, come and take part in our year round Culture Connects programme.

Most of our workshops are suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied by an adult.

To take part in these workshops you must book a place on the day. You can do this at reception 30 minutes before the workshop takes place. Places may be limited.

Christmas Storytime with Inchicore Library
Saturday 11.30 am to 12.00 pm

Join Inchicore Library for a special Christmas storytime during the Richmond Barracks Christmas Fair. Christmas jumpers are encouraged!

This is a drop-in event so no booking is required but places may be limited. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

Roth na Bliana Wreaths (ages 7+)
Saturday 12 pm to 1 pm

Join Dublin’s Historian in Residence for Children Dervilia Roche and Eco-Gardener in Residence Polly Rowley-Sams to explore the history of the winter solstice, learn about other dates in the old Irish calendar, and create a special version of a Christmas wreath that represents the cycle of the year.

This workshop is suitable for children aged 7+. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To take part in this workshop, you must book a place on the day. You can do this at the reception desk 30 minutes before the workshop takes place. Places may be limited.

 

Draw a Winter Wonderland (all ages)
Saturday 12 pm to 4 pm

Join Artist in Residence Shannon Jade Wilson to create a giant winter picture over the weekend. Taking place in the garden, come and draw, colour and help to get the picture finished!

This activity is suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This is a drop-in event at the Richmond Barracks Christmas Fair and will take place in the garden.

 

Make a Festive Wreath from Upcycled Fabric (all ages)
Saturday 12.30 pm to 1.15 pm and 1.30 pm to 2.15 pm

Join Rainie from Change Clothes to make a festive wreath for your door from upcycled fabric scraps.

This workshop is suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To take part in this workshop you must book a place on the day. You can do this at the reception desk 30 minutes before the workshop takes place. Places may be limited.

 

Make a Christmas Garland (all ages)
Saturday 2 pm to 2.45 pm and 3 pm to 3.45 pm

Join Artist in Residence Paula Garcia Ibanez to make your own Christmas garland using craft and natural materials.

This workshop is suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To take part in this workshop you must book a place on the day. You can do this at the reception desk 30 minutes before the workshop takes place. Places may be limited.

 

Make a Sock Snowman (all ages)
Saturday 3 pm to 3.45 pm and 4 pm to 4.45 pm

Join crafter Lisa O'Connor to make your own snowman from a sock.

This workshop is suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To take part in this workshop you must book a place on the day. You can do this at the reception desk 30 minutes before the workshop takes place. Places may be limited.

 

Draw a Winter Wonderland (all ages) 
Sunday 11 am to 4 pm

Join Artist in Residence Shannon Jade Wilson to create a giant winter picture over the weekend. Taking place in the garden, come and draw, colour and help to get the picture finished!

This activity is suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This is a drop-in event at the Richmond Barracks Christmas Fair and will take place in the garden.

 

Festive Dance Workshop (ages 1 to 12)
Sunday 11.30 am to 12.15 pm

Join Artist in Residence Mia DiChiaro for a festive dance party. Learn the hot chocolate dance, leap like reindeer and explore a Christmas tree forest. Grown-ups will be encouraged to take part too!

This workshop is suitable for children aged up to 12 years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To take part in this workshop you must book a place on the day. You can do this at the reception desk 30 minutes before the workshop takes place. Places may be limited.

 

Christmas Cards and Traditions (all ages)
Sunday 12 pm to 1 pm

Why do we decorate trees, give gifts, and send cards at Christmas? Join Children's History Facilitator Lorraine McEvoy to learn more about the history of Christmas traditions and make your own Christmas cards.

This workshop is suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To take part in this workshop you must book a place on the day. You can do this at the reception desk 30 minutes before the workshop takes place. Places may be limited.

 

Make a Sock Snowman (all ages)
Sunday 12.45 pm to 1.30 pm and 1.45 pm to 2.30 pm

Join crafter Lisa O'Connor to make your own snowman from a sock.

This workshop is suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To take part in this workshop you must book a place on the day. You can do this at the reception desk 30 minutes before the workshop takes place. Places may be limited.

 

Make a Felted Festive Bauble (all ages)
Sunday 2 pm to 3 pm and 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm

Join Artist in Residence Niki Collier to learn felt-making techniques by creating your own unique festive bauble from wool.

This workshop is suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To take part in this workshop you must book a place on the day. You can do this at the reception desk 30 minutes before the workshop takes place. Places may be limited.

 

Make a Christmas Garland (all ages)
Sunday 3.15 pm to 4 pm and 4.15 pm to 5 pm

Join Artist in Residence Paula Garcia Ibanez to make your own Christmas garland using craft and natural materials.

This workshop is suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To take part in this workshop you must book a place on the day. You can do this at the reception desk 30 minutes before the workshop takes place. Places may be limited.

 

Entertainment

Enjoy musical performances with seasonal songs from local groups and musicians.

Sing for Fun Choir Performance
Saturday 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm

Join participants of our weekly 'Sing for Fun' singing workshop for a performance of seasonal songs with Artist in Residence Michael McCartan.

Sing for Fun is for anyone interested in singing as part of a group. Join Michael and learn to sing different songs and try out vocal warm-ups and exercises. No singing experience is needed, just a willingness to take part.

Find out more about Sing for Fun workshops here. 

St James's Brass and Reed Band
Saturday and Sunday 3 pm to 4 pm

We're delighted to welcome back a festive fair favourite - the ladies and gentlemen of St James's Brass and Reed Band, the oldest band in Ireland and possibly Europe!

Expect Christmas favourites, pop versions and the odd classic overture or two. 

Inchicore Community Choir
Sunday 1.30 pm to 2.10 pm

Enjoy local, mixed-voice, modern pop/rock/soul group, Inchicore Community Choir, singing a variety of Christmas songs to get everyone in the festive mood.

 

Guided Tour of Goldenbridge Cemetery

Join us on Saturday 29 November at 1 pm for a guided walking tour of Goldenbridge, Ireland’s first garden cemetery. 

Book a tour here

 

 

Food and drink

You can enjoy delicious hot food and warm drinks from a range of food trucks and stalls in the garden including Happy Out Coffee, Melty Berry, Paddy’s Pizza, Lough Owel Organic Farm and Cyclone Potatoes.

 

Library

The library will be open each day. Along with their usual services, they will have special events for young people, including Christmas Storytime.

We look forward to welcoming you!

 

Photography and videography

Photography and videography takes place at each Fair for promotional purposes. These photographs or videos may be used on our website, in our programmes, on our social media and for further promotion. If you would prefer not to be photographed or filmed you can just let us know.