The kids are off school until Monday and we have already published some ideas for the week with 29 Pantos, Ice-Skating and Events to try over the Christmas Holidays.
This weekend is also the date when traditionally women had their own Christmas celebration - Nollaig na mBan on January 6th - and the men took on the household duties.
Although times have changed (I hope) it can still be a day when the ladies of Ireland get together for some festive fun.
1) Cork Simon Women's Little Christmas Lunch
This is a great opportunity for women to get together with family and friends to celebrate Little Women's Christmas in style in the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery on Saturday.
There will be a reception, 4-course lunch and live entertainment and talks all in aid of the Cork Simon Community, helping to find homelessness in the county.
2) Hunt Museum - Nollaig na mBan
Mums and Grandmas are invited to celebrate Nollaig na mBan at the Hunt Museum in Limerick on Saturday. Spoil yourself with a relaxing lunch at The Hunt Café, while the kids prepare a shadow puppet performance for you!
Their show will take place in our Captains’ Room. It’ll be their way of showing you thanks for all the great work you do! Spaces are limited so booking is essential.
3) Nollaig na mBan - Women's Little Christmas
Join the National Museum of Country Life in Mayo to celebrate Nollaig na mBan with musician Emer Mayock and friends from 2pm-3pm on Saturday. All musicians and listeners are welcome. No booking required.
4) Park Run
Start off your resolutions in style this weekend with a fun run, in one of seventy-two locations around Ireland.
parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. They are open to everyone, free and easy to take part in. These events take place in pleasant parkland surroundings and they encourage people of every ability to take part; from those taking their first steps in running to Olympians; from juniors to those with more experience.
5) The Three Little Pigs
Miriam Lambert Puppeteer presents The Three Little Pigs in the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray on Friday. In this pig’s tale, mummy pig is so proud of her little piglets, encouraging them to dream big and follow their hearts.
6) David Bowie Festival
The third David Bowie Festival takes place in Dublin from January 4th - 10th and features twenty-eight events over seven days including movie and documentary screenings, Q&As, debates and discussions, literary, fine art and fashion events, merch markets, quizzes, a BowieOke sing-off, DJs and more.
On Sunday, 7th a fun family event takes place in Smithfield Square, Space Oddity – The View From Major Tom's Tin Can. Kids can enjoy a 360 degree view of the galaxy as the Exploration Dome takes them on a journey through time and space with stunning graphics and advanced computer simulations all set to the music of David Bowie!
7) Dinosaurs Around The World
Discover the age of reptiles in Dublin's Ambassador Theatre with their latest exhibition Dinosaurs around the World. You will be transported to the era of the dinosaur for a tour of an Earth very different from today.
With advanced animatronics, a multi-layered narrative, fossils, authentic casts, cutting-edge research and immersive design elements you’ll experience the Age of Reptiles as it comes to life!
8) Bosco Meets Hansel and Gretel
Bosco is Bosco, not a boy, not a girl, just a Bosco: a cheeky, lovely, funny, slightly-cracked, irrepressible, eternal five-year-old who lives in a box and who loves nothing more than to just be Bosco and meet all the boys and girls.
After starring on Irish TV for three decades, you’ll see why Bosco remains a firm favourite for each new generation. Enjoy the story of Hansel and Gretel through this completely interactive live experience on Saturday in the Dunamaise Arts Centre.
9) A Selection Box of Natural History Mysteries
On Saturday from 11am-1pm in the Natural History Museum, drop into the Discovery Zone to check out their selection box of mysteries from the natural history handling collection. Animal, fossil or mineral? From ages 8+ and no booking required.
10) Precious Gifts and Where to Find them
Archaeologists often find precious objects under the ground but is everything found at the same depth? Call into the National Archaeology Museum on Sunday from 2pmto 4pm to find out!
Create a special bookmark, decorate it with precious objects and decide if they should be close to the surface, or deep underground. For families with children 7+ and no booking is required.
11) Free Puppy Play Dates
Did your family gain a new member this Christmas? If so, this free event in the DSPCA in Rathfarnham is a perfect way to help socialise your new best friend.
Early puppy socialisation is critical. Puppies that grow up in isolation – both from other dogs as well as from a wide variety of humans – have a greater tendency to develop behaviour problems later in life such as fear-based aggression.
The play dates run every Saturday morning in January & February and although free, registration in advance is required.
