Stuck for a Christmas present idea? Or eager to get in the mood for the season soon to be in it? For this Culture 5 special, we've got suggestions for you...
ART: A Community of Hope
Dublin Simon Community launches its third annual online art auction, A Community of Hope: Artists for Dublin Simon, running December 5th - 15th at gormleysartauctions.com. Curated by artist John O'Donnell, the auction features over 100 works including paintings, prints, photography, jewellery, and signed memorabilia. Contributors include Carol Hodder, Colin Martin, Bernadette Kiely, Guggi, Cléa van der Grijn, John O'Donnell, Richard Proffitt, Alastair Keady, Derval Freeman, Adrian O’Carroll, Geraldine Carton, Solus, Louise Neiland, Adrian & Shane, Ishmael Claxton, Rukmini Kelkar, Kurt Oppermann, musicians Bono, Caroline Corr, Andrea Corr, Gavin Friday, Liam Ó Maonlaí; jewelry designer Chupi Sweetman, designers Electronic Sheep, national treasure Panti Bliss and many more. Bidding opens December 5th; a selection of the featured works will be exhibited at FLUX, Dublin 2, from December 5th - 10th, and all funds raised will support people experiencing homelessness - find out more here.
BOOK: Winter Papers Vol. 11
Edited by Kevin Barry and Olivia Smith, Ireland’s acclaimed arts anthology returns with another gorgeous edition that spans fiction, non-fiction, poetry and photography, alongside craft interviews and in-conversation pieces across writing, film, theatre, and music. This time out, the formidable list of contributors include B+, Caolán Barron, Natalia Campos, Jan Carson, Julia Copus, Martina Evans, Brian Fay, Niamh Flanagan, Michael Hill, Siobhán Kane, Ferdia Lennon, Kirsty Logan, Brendan Mac Evilly, Eva Morrissey, Valerie Mulvin, Darren Murphy, Peter Murphy, Hugh O'Conor, Mary O’Donoghue, Alberto Trejo, Ortega James Roseman, Robbie Ryan, Mika Seifert, Stephen Sexton, Bob Stanley, Susanne Stich, Colin Walsh and Eileen Walsh, in conversation with Jim Carroll. An annual must-read, and a great present to boot (Curlew Editions)
FILM: MUBI
For cinephiles, MUBI offers a curated streaming experience focused on auteur-driven films, festival favourites, and cult classics - subscribers gain access to handpicked titles from visionary directors, plus documentaries and new releases. The platform encourages discovery and discussion, making it somewhat of a haven for film lovers seeking depth beyond mainstream movie streaming - it'll do wonders for your Letterboxd account. Plans start at €14 per month, or €18 for MUBI Go, which includes a free weekly cinema ticket at partner venues (in recent years, they've moved into cinema distribution with films like The Substance, Hot Milk and Die My Love) - a free seven-day trial is available, and subscriptions can be cancelled anytime. The big question: where to begin?
MUSIC: Star of Wonder Concert Series
This inspired new concert series aims to rekindle the warmth of Irish Christmas traditions without religious barriers. Created by Shane O’Brien and Feargh Curtis, these inclusive events will blend carols, ensemble music, and winter reflections, aiming to evoke the sense of belonging many associate with the classic Midnight Mass. With performances by Inishlacken Strings and special guests, events will take place in Dublin and Waterford, on December 16th at Dublin Unitarian Church, and December 21st at the Edmund Rice Heritage Centre - fully inclusive and non denominational, the organisers hope to offer audiences a safe, familiar space through music. Find out more here
THEATRE: Moulin Rogue!
Enter a world of splendour, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur and glory! A world where bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment! Winner of 10 Tony awards, Baz Luhrmann's maximalist movie classic sashays onto the stage in all-singing, all-dancing fashion, giving it socks (and then some), less a musical, more a state of mind - no, wait, a vibe. RTÉ Arena takes a deeper dive into the Irish premiere below (Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin, until January 11th 2026)
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