It may have started in America but next week's Black Friday is now a big thing in Ireland too, and it's getting bigger.
As well as savings on your Christmas shopping, some venues will be offering a discount on admission too.
Until then, we have a few suggestions for things to do in Ireland this weekend. There are some seasonal shows, charity runs, film, music, books and plenty of sightings of a big man in red.
1) MoRunning
Fundraiser for The Movember Foundation now includes two Irish runs, on Saturday 23 in Phoenix Park, Dublin and Sunday 24 in Stormont Park, Belfast. When you step up to that start line, remember that you're helping men live longer, healthier lives.
2) Galway Science & Technology Festival
The Galway Science & Technology Festival celebrates 22 years as Ireland's premier Festival for the promotion of STEM as part of Science Foundation Ireland’s National Science Week with the annual Exhibition Day on Sunday 24th November at NUI Galway.
3) Lords of Strut | Nenagh Arts Centre
Street Performance World Champions, unlikely heroes of smash hit RIOT and Britain’s Got Talent favourites, Lords of Strut deliver their most ridiculous and sublime family show to date this Saturday evening. Rip-roaringly funny, fantastically bizarre, they are absolute legends!
To celebrate the new Frozen movie, join Elsa and Olaf for a magical breakfast at Kidspace Rathcoole on Saturday. Pancakes, selfies, songs as well as playtime in the playcentre.
The 32nd Festival continues this weekend with The Lion King at Buncrana Cinema, the Closing Night Gala and Santa Screens: Pinocchio on Sunday with a classic animated film, popcorn and a visit from Father Christmas himself!
World-renowned chocolatiers and bakers from Ireland and abroad will flock to Cork to showcase their love of all things sweet. The main exhibitor area will feature a variety of chocolatiers and bakers, while there will also be a children's zone with workshops for the younger guests and budding bakers.
This year’s C.S. Lewis Festival will transport you through the wardrobe into the incredible imaginative world of C.S. Lewis and his characters, with plenty of family-friendly events, talks, discussions and workshops.
8) Baby's First Christmas | Wexford Arts Centre
Created for babies under one year old, Baby's First Christmas is a gentle magical wonderland of gorgeous harmony singing, little lights and enticing textures. There are three performers and the show involves the performers singing and telling the story of the night before Christmas with soft red blankets, sleigh bells, and with the green and gold colours of the Christmas tree. Shows this Saturday at 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00.
9) String Ogham | Quiet Lights Festival
Double bassist, songwriter, and arranger, Caimin Gilmore, commissioned four new Solo Double Bass pieces and you can be the first to experience 'String Ogham’ – Four Double Bass Commissions at The Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, this Saturday 23rd November at 2pm. Admission is free.
10) Tall Tail | Everyman Theatre
Told through the eyes of loveable dog Here-Boy who lives on the street with his owner, Tall Tail is a heart-warming play with original live music for family audiences (7+ yrs), dog-lovers and anyone who has ever made a friend for life. There are two shows this Saturday at 11:00 and 14:00.
Wild Lights is back with a brand new theme – Stories, Myths and Legends. Expect to see magical scenes from well-known stories like the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Peter Pan and the Jungle Book…to best-loved nursery rhymes and characters from Irish Mythology – all brought to life by dazzling, giant colourful silk lanterns!
Three things to do next week:
1) Gaiety Christmas Panto | Aladdin
An Arabian tale of true love, magic wishes and dastardly dealings, this year’s Panto will excite and delight all ages with the extra helping of song, dance, slapstick and laughter that you would come to expect from the Gaiety’s festive extravaganza. Opening November 25th.
2) Moving Crib
The Moving Crib in Parnell Square is opening its doors for the 62nd year this Christmas.
It has been a key feature of Christmas in Dublin for so long that parents and grandparents, who visited the Moving Crib as children, are now bringing their children and grandchildren to enjoy and relive this Christmas experience.
It’s the day before Christmas Eve. Cheerful chimney-sweep Rudi is cleaning all the chimneys – to make sure they are ready for Santa – but Rudi gets a very nasty shock! Family Fun at a Christmas Panto at Wexford Arts Centre on 30th November.
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