A fairground at the Docklands, movies at Temple Bar, ice-skating at Smithfield, and visiting deer in Phoenix Park are among the attractions planned for Dublin this Christmas season.
There may be over seven weeks to go before Christmas, but it's never too early to start the festivities judging by the launch of Dublin's programme of events today at the Mansion House.
Overseen by an ice king and queen on stilts, a collection of skaters, and children from the Picollo Lasso choir and an Aladdinpantomime, Lord Mayor of Dublin Eibhlin Byrne and the Dublin City Business Association stressed the importance of shopping in Dublin this Christmas.
"If we want to keep our city vibrant and open for business, there is an emphasis on all of us to do what we can to promote Dublin . . . remember that you want to keep Grafton Street, Henry Street and the rest of the city going," Mr Byrne said.
Asked why people would want to endure the traffic and crowds in Dublin when they could go to suburban centres, Ms Byrne responded: "Can you really beat the atmosphere round Dublin? . . . The [Georgian] buildings themselves lend themselves to the whole magic . . . and I think it's also part of tradition, and it's very important in the modern world to keep traditions for kids."
Ms Byrne continued: "I think people will be spending carefully, but people will be focused in their shopping, and I believe they will find good value around the city . . . there are lots of bargains to be found.
"It is very important in these difficult economic times that all of us send out a clear message is very much open for business," she added.
Asked why the Christmas tree in O'Connell Street was being switched on some three weeks early this Sunday, Ms Byrne said this was to do with the energy-efficient, LED "tree", which was coming from France and would take three days to erect.
"The businesses around the city have invested hugely in this tree, and it is to give maximum exposure for the most amount of people to be able to come in and see the city."
The tree this year is a 18m, five-tonne structure that is comprised of nearly 100,000 energy-efficient bulbs of different sizes.
David Brennan of the Dublin City Business Association noted that over €1 million had been invested on Christmas lights for the city, including what he promised would be "spectacular" new lights for Henry Street.
There will also be new LED lights on Mary Street, South Anne Street, St Andrew Street, Trinity Street, North Earl Street and South Great Georges Street.
The investment for the capital's energy-efficient street lighting is being made by the Dublin City Business Improvement District, in partnership with retailers, hoteliers, restaurateurs and businesses in the area.
Referring to the earlier date for switching on the city's Christmas lights, Mr Brennan said: "If you look it at from a point of view that shopping centres really start celebrating Christmas way too early, we've only just moved it back by a week or ten days this year."
Other events in Dublin over the festive season include story telling, pantomime, musical recitals, carol singing, and the annual visit to Santa.
According to Dublin City Council, each year, the average daily footfall in Dublin increases to over 700,000 during the Christmas season.
Commenting on Halloween, the Lord Mayor said there was a huge bill for the clean-up operation and that there should be mandatory sentencing enforced for "thugs" who endangered the lives of fire brigade officers.
