Dublin City’s biggest Christmas Tree will sparkle brightly when the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Paddy Bourke, switches on its lights on Sunday, 25th November, at 6pm in O’Connell Street.

Our city centre will be illuminated by a fusion of colour as the annual Festival of Light proceeds from Wolfe Tone Park, at 4.30pm, down Henry Street and arrives onto O’Connell Street at 5.00pm. The Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band will get the festivities under way. Magnificent costumed children will dominate the parade with stilt walking and dancing, while a sea of beautiful handmade lanterns will be carried by others.  With Samba rhythms and Latvian dancers strutting their stuff an entertaining evening is guaranteed for all with music and dancing to get you in the festive mood!

Children from the Rose Project, an Aids Awareness Charity, will have a prominent role in the parade and will place twenty red ribbons on the Tree to highlight Aids Awareness Day on 1st December.

 “The occasion of turning on the Christmas lights is a traditional part of Dublin’s Christmas going back many decades” says the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Paddy Bourke. “This year, the city is beautifully decked out with new Christmas lights, creating a warm glow across the city centre.  I’m encouraging Dubliners and visitors alike to come and soak up the magic of a Dublin Christmas and let your capital city help you capture the warmth of this festive season.”

Basil Good, Chairman of Dublin City Business Association says “I would like to thank Dublin City Council for arranging what promises to be a great event this Sunday. I believe it will clearly capture the magic of our Capital City and there is nothing quite like Dublin City Centre at Christmas time. As well as its extensive cultural and leisure offering, unique festive atmosphere and fantastic new Christmas lights erected by the retailers, the 4,000 shops and 10 department stores offer the best choice and value for money in the country.  We would encourage everyone to take the time to come in and enjoy Dublin City Centre this Christmas.”