Weekend Guide: All the best events happening around Ireland this weekend

Galway Christmas Market

11 November – 22 December

Festivities are officially kicking off in the west of Ireland with the grand opening of the Galway Christmas Market. With more than fifty wooden chalets each boasting unique wares, exquisite crafts, and artisan delights, Santa’s Grotto and the carousel, Eyre Square has never looked better. Whether it’s a stein in the beer tent or a spin in the ferris wheel, a visit to this festive market will get you thoroughly in the Christmas spirit.

Cork International Film Festival

Running until 20 November

The 67th Cork International Film Festival is in full swing, and as Ireland’s first and largest festival of film, the programme is top notch. A local, national and international celebration of cinema taking place in Cork city and online via their new Digital Festival Platform, this 12-day event endeavour to connect and stimulate audiences and artists through a carefully curated selection of the best films, creating a unique shared cultural experience, rooted in Cork, open to the world.

Dún Laoghaire Comedy Festival

11-12 November

This weekend sees the grand debut of Dún Laoghaire Comedy Festival, a weekend which will see over 15 world-class comedians take to the stages of a number of different venues all over Dún Laoghaire. The lineup includes Reginald D Hunter, Deirdre O’Kane, Dave Mc Savage, Michael Fry, Emma Doran and many, many more.

Dublin Book Festival

Running until 13 November

Since 2006, the Dublin Book Festival has been one of Ireland’s most successful and vibrant annual book festivals. Showcasing, supporting and developing Irish publishing by programming, publicising and selling Irish published books, their authors, editors and contributors, this festival reflects the creativity and personality of the Irish publishing sector and its authors.

The Night Sky at Malahide Castle & Gardens

Running until 3 January, Malahide Castle & Gardens, Dublin

Bringing the Northern Lights to Dublin, Wonderlights at Malahide Castle is an enchanting evening spectacle for all the family, taking you on an awe-inspiring walking trail through the illuminated castle grounds. Guests can expect a magical mix of lights, colour, nature and sounds. The experience will captivate all ages – perfect for families, couples and friends.

Photo Album of the Irish: Canada at EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum

Running until 5 March

The Photo Album of the Irish: Canada exhibition at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum celebrates the ordinary and extraordinary histories of Canadians with Irish heritage across generations, reflected in their family photo albums.Working with families across Canada to record, preserve and share diverse social histories, revealing details that official histories can often overlook, the result includes images from the 1860s right up to the present, giving an authentic view of diverse Irish emigrant experiences across Canada. Collectively, the photographs reveal the stories people chose to remember and celebrate in their own lives.

Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo

Running until 9 January, Dublin Zoo

Wild Lights, the spectacular, night-time experience at Dublin Zoo, is back with an exciting brand new theme – The Magic of Life. Over a thousand breath-taking, dazzling lanterns will portray a fascinating and important story by shining a light on biodiversity. Giving guests the opportunity to learn more about the Magic of Life and the role they can play to help our planet, Wild Lights features everything from the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a stunning butterfly, to the intriguing co-operation between ants in a colony.