Ring in the New Year at the electrifying NYE Dublin Festival
It promises to be one hell of a party! Dublin will take centre stage for a sensational New Year's Eve Festival heralding the start of The Gathering Ireland 2013, a year-long celebration of all things Irish. And you are invited to be part of it!
Rivalling the world-famous Edinburgh Hogmanay, the spectacular NYE Dublin Festival (December 31st) will see the city transformed into a massive outdoor playground with music, dance, fireworks, pageantry, and heaps of family entertainment.
The green carpet will be out and Dublin will open its arms to thousands of people from home and abroad to come and share in Irish culture, tradition and sense of fun. This is the perfect excuse for visitors, including the 70 million plus people worldwide who claim Irish ancestry, to explore our magical country and experience at first hand a land of unparalleled scenic beauty, vibrant culture, and rich history.
You will be guaranteed the céad míle fáilte (one hundred thousand welcomes) that the Irish are famous for!
Join the People's Procession of Light!
The evening will start in dazzling style with a very special torch-lit procession, steeped in pageantry, colour and fire. This style of procession was a traditional Irish custom dating back to the 1600s, which has been resurrected for the first time in centuries.
This free, family-friendly event will have the theme "The Journey", marking the arrival of thousands of Irish and other people from abroad for the start of The Gathering Ireland 2013.
The People's Procession of Light will be a vivid celebration incorporating art, music and dance, led by LUXe, one of the most creative and imaginative arts groups working in Ireland today. There promises to be stunning scenes as thousands of people holding glowing lights weave their way slowly through Dublin's streets with fire breathers, marching bands, dancers, stilt walkers and giant lanterns - culminating with The Big Bang fireworks spectacular in St. Stephen's Green.
Remember this is a people's procession, offering a rare opportunity for young and old, from home and abroad, to be part of a spectacular event alongside hundreds of illuminated street theatre characters. Be part of it!
Gathering at College Green at 6.30, the procession will weave through the streets of Dublin 2, before finishing at St. Stephen's Green with hundreds of lanterns, LED balloons and torches creating a magical atmosphere.
If you are planning to take part, register your participation at nyedublin.ie, as there will be a free LED light on the evening for the first 500 people to register. Also, watch the website for details of a series of workshops that will be held in the days before New Year, during which kids can make their own procession lanterns! Alternatively, participants can bring their own battery or LED operated light sources, or buy one on the night from festival stalls.
Witness the Big Bang!
After the excitement and symbolism of the People's Procession of Light, you will be treated to a free fireworks display such as you have never seen before in St. Stephen's Green (8.00 p.m.) This is the first time ever fireworks have been planned for Dublin's historic Georgian centre. The fireworks spectacular will light up the sky with a riotous blaze of colour, guaranteeing to leave visitors awe struck. Streets on the four sides of the Georgian Square will be closed off for the duration, giving the perfect vantage point to see a close-up, urban fireworks show in action. Participants in the torch-lit procession will have access to a special viewing enclosure.
Music and street acts will keep everyone entertained as the fuses burn, and a wide selection of food stalls will be on hand to keep hunger at bay.
The LUAS (Dublin's light rail system) will transport party goers to the area before the start of the fireworks - and will resume afterwards for people who are going home.
Rock in the New Year at the mega Countdown Concert!
The night is still but young! The fireworks will be followed by an open-air Countdown Concert in historic College Green (8.30 p.m.), which promises to be the hottest ticket in town!
Internationally renowned Irish acts will perform at what will be an unforgettable experience for visitors and Dubliners alike. Apart from great music, a unique feature will be giant 3D visuals which will illuminate the iconic façade of Trinity College, to count down to the magic midnight moment, heralding the start of 2013! There will be a special "festival village" around the main gates of Trinity College with a full bar and a selection of festival food.
This is an over 18s only, ticketed event so don't be disappointed - go to nyedublin.ie now to book your ticket, which are priced at only €15.
So join in the NYE Dublin Festival and show the world how to party! For more information, and details on buying Countdown Concert tickets, visit nyedublin.ie There are also great hotel and restaurant deals specially created for the NYE Dublin Festival. More details at visitdublin.com/nyedublin.
