Headliners for Dublin New Year’s Festival announced across three iconic locations

A four-day festival will offer more than 40 acts of music and entertainment events, including Picture This, the Divine Comedy, The Scratch, The High Kings, Sharon Shannon and Gemma Dunleavy.

Artists will perform at Dublin Castle, Collins Barracks and Meeting House Square, Temple Bar.

The festival will run from December 29, 2023, until New Year’s Day on January 1, 2024.

The opening day in Collins Barracks will be headlined by The Divine Comedy with special guests The High Kings.

Meanwhile, the second day will offer live performances on stage by Dec Pierce’s Block Rockin’ Beats and special guests Chasing Abbey and Ryan Mack at Collins Barracks.

The Countdown Concert on December 31 will be headlined by Picture This in Dublin Castle. The skies above Dublin Castle will light up with an aerial visual pyrotechnics show as Moncrieff and Lea Heart take the stage as opening acts. While at Collins Barracks, The Scratch, Sharon Shannon and Gemma Dunleavy will also ring in the New Year.

After welcoming the New Year, on January 1, Jerry Fish, Dublin Gospel Choir, Code Of Behaviour and The New Brass Kings will give live performances at Dublin Castle. Meanwhile, the best traditional and folk musicians will be playing in Meeting House Square at the New Year's Day Concert headlined by Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O’Reilly.

Other announced acts include: All Tvvins, Lucy McWilliams, Big Sleep, Aonair, DJs Ed Smith, and many more.

There are almost 50,000 domestic and 11,000 international visitors expected to attend the Festival in Dublin, which is estimated to bring €8m in tourism revenue.

Fáilte Ireland, who organises the Festival as a part of their ‘Winter in Dublin’ programme, has teamed up with the Office of Public Works for the first time ever to host this event.

They aim to establish Ireland’s capital as a must-visit destination to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

After today’s festival launch, Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin said: “Festivals and events are an important part of the Irish tourism offering and essential for supporting local businesses and communities all year round.”

Head of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland Orla Carroll said this festival is for the whole family to enjoy.

“Festivals are crucial drivers of tourism in Ireland and New Year’s Festival Dublin is no exception.

“It’s a flagship event in Fáilte Ireland’s Winter in Dublin programme as we expect to welcome almost 50,000 visitors to Dublin City over four days, including over 11,000 from overseas.

“This will be key in supporting jobs and generating revenue for local businesses and communities during the shoulder season.

“Working with our partners in the Office of Public Works, we are planning a spectacular four-day programme of events that will position Dublin as must-visit destination for both a winter break and to celebrate the New Year,” she said.

Assistant Secretary General at Office of Public Works Rosemary Collier added: “The OPW is proud to look after Ireland’s rich national heritage portfolio and we want to share that with as wide an audience as possible, celebrating the transition from 2023 to 2024, listening to a star line-up of Irish bands and musicians,” she said.

The event offers a variety of ticketed and non-ticketed events. The full programme and tickets are available here.