Music

Nell Mescal
The Button Factory, Dublin (December 1)
Fresh off the release of her latest EP, The Closest We’ll Get, indie-folk singer-songwriter Nell Mescal has embarked on her biggest headline tour to date. She’ll kick off December with a Button Factory date, with Nashville-born singer Cece Coakley as support. There’s nothing better than Mescal’s cosy, fresh, acoustic sound to warm the soul in these winter months.

Christy Moore
Vicar Street, Dublin (December 2, 8, & 15)
The Newbridge legend has sold out shows across the country on his latest tour. With the expanded edition of his chart-topping record, A Terrible Beauty, arriving in October, he’s taking his celebrated live show back to Vicar Street this winter for three separate December dates. A Terrible Beauty was named Best Folk Album of 2024 by Hot Press and now’s your chance to hear it live.

Bricknasty
Cyprus Avenue, Cork (December 3)
Genre-defying four-piece Bricknasty are touring their new EP, Black’s Law, around the country, with a special stop in Cork on the third of the month. Celebrated for their phenomenal live shows, this Leeside date promises to be one to remember.

Bricknasty. Copyright Trevor McGrath/Hotpress.com

King Princess
Vicar Street, Dublin (December 3)
American pop singer King Princess, aka Mikaela Straus, arrives in Dublin this winter for her Vicar Street show. After establishing herself with the singles ‘1950’ and ‘Talia’ in 2018, she’s been on the up and up. She released her third record, Girl Violence, in September and starred in the latest season of Nine Perfect Strangers alongside Nicole Kidman. Soon, she’ll make her film debut in musical biopic Song Sung Blue alongside Hugh Jackman. Want to see what the buzz is all about? Check her out at Vicar Street.

Amble
3Arena, Dublin (December 4, 11, & 12)
After a summer run supporting Ed Sheeran in North America, Amble are back for a series of headliners at Dublin’s 3Arena. They will be supported by Irish band Bear’s Den, who beautifully complement their trad-infused folk. With Amble’s album Reverie having charted in the Irish top ten for 25 consecutive weeks, this promises to be a memorable end to the year.

Ash
Mike The Pies, Listowel (December 5)
Downpatrick indie legends Ash enjoyed a hugely positive reception this year for their latest LP, Ad Astra, which boasted a guest appearance from Blur’s Graham Coxon. Expect to hear material from that album at this date in the Kingdom, alongside generation-defining hits from albums such as 1977, Nu-clear Sounds and Free All Angels.

CMAT
3Arena, Dublin (December 5)
Over the past few years, Dunboyne’s CMAT has catapulted herself to international stardom, capped off with the release of her chart-topping masterpiece, Euro-Country. She and her Very Sexy CMAT Band are playing their biggest headline tour to date, with a bound-to-be-brilliant show at 3Arena. After massive festival sets at All Together Now and Glastonbury, and ahead of 2026 stadium gigs in St Anne’s Park in Dublin and Virgin Media Park in Cork, this is the time to see a major star in the ascendant.

CMAT. Copyright Trevor McGrath/ hotpress.com

Simple Things
Kasbah Social Club, Limerick (December 7)
Kerry pop-folk outfit Simple Things will be taking their heartfelt sound to Limerick on the 7th. Somewhere between Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers, while deeply rooted in Irish trad, they are getting their due after opening for Picture This, and playing several packed headline shows in the past few years. A wonderfully cosy gig in the lead-up to the holidays.

Ed Sheeran
3Arena, Dublin (December 9)
Ed Sheeran may have been born in England, but his roots – and plenty of themes in his discography – are Irish. The ‘Galway Girl’ singer is bound for 3Arena in one of the first shows of his Loop tour. He’ll be playing plenty of old crowd favourites, along with tracks from his eighth studio album, Play, which topped the Irish charts upon its release in September.

Wolf Alice
3Arena, Dublin (December 10)
Wolf Alice will take their European tour to 3Arena on the tenth of the month, following the release of their first album in four years, Clearing. Imagine if Fleetwood Mac wrote an album in North London in 2025, and you’ve got a pretty accurate idea of the sound of Wolf Alice’s latest release. It should make for a barnstorming evening in the docklands.

Wolf Alice. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

The Altered Hours
Whelans, Dublin (December 10)
Alternative rockers The Altered Hours have shared stages with the likes of The Brian Jonestown Massacre and Fontaines D.C., and they’ve now got a headline spot at Whelans. Their self-titled LP, released in November, is a late contender for album of the year.

Caribou
Vicar Street, Dublin (December 10, 11, & 12)
Set to headline Beyond The Pale next year alongside Father John Misty and Soulwax, Caribou’s Vicar Street dates are ones to mark in your calendar. The Canadian indietronica producer (real name Daniel Victor Snaith) performs alongside a top-notch  band for live performances, and together, they’ve played memorable dates everywhere from Coachella and Glastonbury to Primavera Sound and more.

Dug
Róisín Dubh, Galway (December 11)
Americana folk duo Dug are on a winter tour of Ireland, with a particularly notable stop in Galway. Their debut album, Have At It!, was released in September, with a shining nine star review in Hot Press. Signed to the legendary Claddagh label, these lads are an essential live act to check out.

DUG at The Academy on October 29th, 2025. Copyright Patrik Meier/ hotpress.com

Damien Dempsey
Vicar Street, Dublin (December 16-17, 19-20, & 22-23)
Donaghmede’s favourite son returns to Vicar Street for his traditional series of December shows, considered by many to be soul-stirring, emotionally spiritual experiences. Expect tunes from his 9/10 rated latest album, Hold Your Joy, plus plenty of classic hits. Damien is also playing Limerick’s Big Top, Cork’s Cyprus Avenue and Galway’s Leisureland.

KNEECAP
Gleneagle Arena, Killarney (December 12 & 13)
One of the world’s most talked-about groups are headed to Killarney. Headline-makers, risk-takers, rappers as Gaeilge: it’s KNEECAP, and it’s full steam ahead for Gleneagle Arena this December. The set is bound to feature its share of new stuff, from ‘Saynara’ to ‘No Comment’, and lots of crowd favourites, from ‘Get Your Brits Out’ to ‘Guilty Conscience’. After selling out shows from Dublin to Tokyo, they’re not to be missed in Killarney.

Kingfishr
TF Royal, Castlebar (December 13 & 14)
From the woods of Glenbower to TF Royal in Castlebar, these indie-folk lads promise to deliver a superb show. Their August album, Halcyon, debuted at number one on the Irish charts and hasn’t left the top five since its release. ‘Killeagh’ spent 10 weeks at number one on the Irish singles charts, and they’ve got a lot more soulful singles up their sleeves. They’ve also sold out plenty of live shows, and in Castlebar, they’ll be raring to go, as always.

Kingfishr. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

Kean Kavanagh
The Button Factory, Dublin (December 17)
Portlaoise indie alternative singer Kean Kavanagh will tour his debut album, The Country Star, across the country, with a Dublin date at the Button Factory mid-month. The Country Star reflects Kavangh’s culture-straddling between his birthplace of Texas and his upbringing in Laois, as the singer explained to HP earlier this year. He’s also got a whole cowboy character to go with it, so get ready for a rip-roaring evening.

Gurriers
Cyprus Avenue, Cork (December 18)
Don’t be a worrier, come see Dublin rock band Gurriers in Cork as they tour their debut album Come and See. They previously supported KNEECAP and Turnstile, and now they’ve got a headline tour bound to be bursting with energy. They are one of the most compelling names in Irish rock, but you’ve got to see it to believe it!

MayKay
Whelans, Dublin (December 18)
Irish star MayKay is set to play Whelans, following the release of her self-titled debut solo album in October. She has described the new record as a personal project written in the aftermath of her father’s death, shaped around themes of relationships and self-discovery. The Whelans gig will be her first full headline performance as a solo artist in Dublin, adding to the sense of anticipation.

Soda Blonde
Vicar Street, Dublin (December 18)
Alt-pop band Soda Blonde are set to play Vicar Street six days after the release of their keenly awaited live album, Dream Big Live. The album was recorded alongside the National Concert Orchestra during their sold-out performance at the National Concert Hall last year, with over 70 musicians on stage. Expect another evening of stellar indie anthems at this Vicar Street date.

Soda Blonde. Copyright Abigail Ring/ hotpress.com

Cian Ducrot
3Arena, Dublin (December 20)
Cork native and pop sensation Cian Ducrot is set to play his first headline show at Dublin’s 3Arena the week of Christmas. Recently, Ducrot earned a Grammy as part of SZA’s writing team for ‘Saturn’, and earned critical acclaim for his album Victory, so this 3Arena date offers the chance to see an artist very much on the crest of a wave.

Lisa O’Neill with Junior Brother
Vicar Street, Dublin (December 21)
Following recent sold-out residencies in the Gate Theatre and Pavilion Theatre, and a main stage performance at All Together Now, Lisa O’Neill is returning to Dublin for a cosy show in the lead-up to Christmas. Her support act is none other than experimental folk sensation Junior Brother, who can also be depended upon to deliver a superb set.

New Year’s Festival Dublin
Dublin Castle, Dublin (December 30-31 & January 1)
This year’s Countdown Concert features beloved rockers Inhaler as headliners, with support from BIIRD and Florence Road. For good measure, the weekend’s celebrations will also include performances from Kíla, Cliffords, Chasing Abbey, Madra Salach and many, many more…

Inhaler. Copyright Patrik Meier- hotpress.com

Culture, Comedy, Experiences

EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum
CHQ Building, Dublin
(multiple dates)
There’s plenty to see at EPIC this winter! Author Kevin Barry will speak about his latest novel, The Heart in Winter, on December 18 as part of EPIC’s Éire to Everywhere: Stories Without Borders series. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance on Eventbrite. For the little ones, get ready to meet Mr. Claus himself at Santa’s Grotto on December 6, 7, and 22. Santa’s cheerful elves will gift each child a festive passport and boarding pass for Reindeer Airways, en route to Santa’s cosy Post Office to write letters and enjoy festive storytelling. Book tickets on the EPIC website. The events will occur alongside EPIC’s newest exhibition, Frontlines: Irish Journalists Abroad. Running until March 2026, Frontlines celebrates the groundbreaking work by Irish journalists across the world for over two centuries. Featured is reporter Des Mullan’s work on the Biafra Famine in Nigeria, as well Pulitzer-winning reporting on the Sudan conflict by Declan Walsh, chief Africa correspondent for The New York Times. Entry is included with a general admission ticket to EPIC.

Kevin Barry. Credit: B+

Foil Arms and Hog: Skittish
Vicar Street, Dublin (December 5)
Sketch comedy trio Foil Arms and Hog are Dublin born and bred. They met at UCD’a drama society in 2008. and while each was studying their own science-related courses at the time, their electric chemistry sparked the flame that would become a long-beloved source of video comedy. Sometimes topical, always hilarious and never boring, these three know how to make a crowd cackle. Their live shows are a staple at the Edinburgh Fringe and their Skittish Tour – back for another year – is not to be missed.

Jarlath Regan: Under Construction
De Barra’s Folk Club, Clonakilty (December 5 & 6)
The comedian and Irishman Abroad podcaster returns home after selling out venues across America and the UK. Regan will be taking his brand new Under Construction show to West Cork for a hilarious double-header at De Barra’s Folk Club. Performing never-before-heard material, Regan is bound to leave you howling…

Rachel Galvo: The Shite Feminist
Ambassador Theatre, Dublin (December 4-7 & 28)
Following sold-out shows at the Sugar Club, the Academy, and 3Olympia, Dublin comedian Rachel Galvo returns to her hometown with a series of dates for her beloved show The Shite Feminist at The Ambassador Theatre. Her witty combination of feminist intellect and clever comedy has created a signature stage presence, with critical acclaim and sold-out shows across the UK and Ireland. Reflecting on the forces that have shaped her – from an Irish Catholic upbringing to awkward sexual encounters – Galvo considers the choices that threw her South Dub life drastically off-course in her raucous shows.

Rachel Galvo

The 2 Johnnies Podcast Live
3Arena, Dublin (December 13)
Musical comedy duo The 2 Johnnies are quite the sensation. Their bread and butter is their weekly podcast, often occupying multiple slots in the Irish podcast Top 10, and hitting over 50 million streams for the first quarter of 2025. Their live shows, meanwhile, are also huge events. They performed at Electric Picnic in September and are set to play a second show at St. Anne’s Park in June 2026 after drawing a crowd of 20,000 this year. This festive season, they’re set to deliver a special Country Christmas show at 3Arena, bursting with hilarious banter, music and special guests.

Jim Jefferies: The Son Of A Carpenter
3Arena, Dublin (December 14)
Aussie comedian and actor Jim Jefferies is one of the most popular comedians of his generation, and with good reason. His shows have left audiences across the globe chuckling at his wickedly provocative comedy. His Son Of A Carpenter show is an essential date for comedy fans, so get your tickets ASAP.

Riverdance “30”
SSE Arena, Belfast (December 17-20)
You know it, you love it. Riverdance burst onto the world stage, kicking and jumping and twirling to global stardom. The Grammy-winning music and mesmerising choreography are complemented by intricate costumes and stunning sets, leaving audiences in awe from Hong Kong to Prague – and now back in Belfast, as they celebrate three decades of phenomenal performances.

The Cork Opera House And Neville Jewellers Panto – Aladdin
The Cork Opera House (November 29-January 18)
Bring the whole family and hop on a magic carpet to Cork for a fun-filled night at the opera. It features everyone’s favourite hero, Aladdin, plus a host of lovable friends, bursting with beloved tunes, breathtaking dance numbers, and unforgettable live music – not to mention plenty of laughs. It all makes for a brilliant and memorable evening of entertainment.

Guinness Storehouse
This festive season, the Guinness Storehouse is transforming into Dublin’s ultimate Christmas destination. By day, you can look forward to seven floors of seasonal magic, with a special Guinness twist – including Snug N0.0llaig, a cozy Guinness 0.0 vinyl lounge – as well as the acclaimed These Walls: Landmarks exhibition. As night falls, enjoy the glow of the city lights up in the Gravity Bar – with a unique bookable experience, presented with Love Tempo and BIGFAN, that includes DJs sets, a mouth-watering cocktail menu, and exclusive festive dishes...
guinness-storehouse.com

Guinness Storehouse

Sport

Leopardstown Christmas Festival
Leopardstown Racecourse, Leopardstown (December 26-29)
This thrilling annual meet returns with four days of racing, fun and fascinators. Just 40 minutes from Dublin city centre, the festival is the perfect post-Christmas family day out, with loads of brilliant entertainment on offer.

Limerick Christmas Racing Festival 2025
Limerick Racecourse, Limerick (December 26-29)
The four-day festival begins on St. Stephen’s Day, promising fun, glamour and top-class jump racing. There’s the prestigious Faugheen Grade 1 race, with massive prize money of €100k, while the 29th is Family Fun Day, which as well as the racing action, features a fantastic range of children’s amusements.

Munster vs. Leinster
Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick (December 27)
In another festive outing for Leinster, they have a showdown against arch rivals Munster, in what’s always a memorable Irish sporting occasion. With Tadgh Beirne spearheading the challenge, Clayton McMillan’s boys will be looking to secure a landmark victory on home turf.

Thomond Park. Credit: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

The special festive issue of Hot Press is out now: