What to do in November: From pantos and plays to festive fun
Ellen O'Donoghue
There are a litany of events taking place over the month of November, from festive fun to festivals of books and films.
If you are looking to plan your month, look no further and keep on reading.
Light shows
Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo takes place from October 24th until January 5th, with an exciting theme taking visitors on ‘A Journey Through Time’, and tickets from €24.50.
Ireland’s largest award-winning light show experience, Wonderlights, returns to Malahide Castle, Marlay Park and Fota Island from November 7th in Malahide, November 14th in Marlay Park and November 16th in Fota Island.
Loughcrew Lightshow brings Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to the gardens, with Santa Claus visiting amongst the forest and lights. An adventurous walk for all ages, full of surprises through the woodlands from November 17th until December 18th in Co Meath.
The Magic Garden Trail at Mount Congreve opens on November 23rd and is open until December 31st from €24 at Mount Congreve Gardens in Kilmeaden, Co Waterford. Get the whole family together to embark on a magical quest to find the merry elves.
Plays, pantos and concerts
Guys and Dolls by the Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society takes to the National Concert Hall with five performances from November 6th to November 9th with tickets from €30.
Coolmine Musical Society brings Sister Act to Draíocht in Blanchardstown from November 12 to November 16th with tickets from €25.
Ballet Ireland’s Nutcracker Sweeties, presented in association with EY and funded by the Arts Council, comes to the Gaiety Theatre from November 13th to November 16th with tickets from €13.50.
The acclaimed Street Ballet of Georgia comes to the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from November 20th until November 24th for the first time in its 175-year history with a full-length classic production of Swan Lake, with all performances accompanied by the RTÉ Orchestra.
The Helix Panto 2024, Rapunzel, runs from November 22nd until January 12th in Whitehall, Dublin.
A reimagining of Jane Austen’s Emma makes its European premiere at the Abbey Theatre from November 22nd until January 25th, adapted by Kate Hamill and directed by Claire O’Reilly.
Queen Symphonic, a concert series where the music of Queen is performed by a live symphony orchestra, adding a new dimension to Queen’s catalogue of hits, takes to the 3Arena on November 23rd with tickets on Ticketmaster.ie available from €39.90.
Ice skating
Dublin’s first ice skating trail on the harbour in Dún Laoghaire runs from November 1st until January 2025, with a new 300m long trail, a freestyle area and a practice rink, with tickets from €21.
Ice Skating Blanchardstown in Millennium Park caters to all ages and skating abilities with 50-minute sessions. Skate rental is included in the ticket prices and penguin aids are available for young beginners in the wheelchair accessible rink which also has special settings for ASD-friendly skating from November 15th until January 26th from €21.
Festivals
Dublin Book Festival brings over 80 events around Dublin City across five days, showcasing and celebrating Ireland’s writers, illustrators and publishers from November 6th to November 10th.
Cork International Film festival, Ireland’s largest and longest running film festival, creates a unique shared cultural experience to Cork City from November 7th-10th.
Dún Laoghaire Comedy Festival returns for its third year, boasting over 50 comedians, including Dylan Moran, Ardal O’Hanlon and Enya Martin performing in different venues from November 7th to November 10th.
In Waterford, Winterval, Ireland’s largest Christmas festival and now the European City of Christmas, begins on November 15th and runs until December 23rd for its 12th year, promising its biggest and most festive programme yet.
Gauche Market is back on November 17th from 12-5pm in Wigwam. A day of art and creation from some of Dublin’s small businesses. Featuring a selection of homewares, jewellery, apparel and accessories for sale, along with tarot reading and fun portraits. With free entry, the market is located downstairs in Wigwam.
Belfast International Arts Festival returns for its 62nd edition this October, bringing together leading artists, writers, thinkers and cultural observers for an extended bumper five weeks of entertaining and enlightening talks, readings, exhibitions and performance from home and abroad. Takes place until November 26th.
Atlantic Sessions, a musical feast showcasing original music from traditional to contemporary and electric to acoustic across Portrush and Portstewart takes place from November 14th until November 17th. Its said to offer a platform for up and coming talent as well as established artists from across Northern Ireland and beyond.
The 22nd Tulca Festival of Visual Arts runs in Galway from November 1st to 17th and showcases the talents of 15 artists and two collectives throughout Galway city centre.