Quick answer: Dublin in November is cool, damp and dark by about half four, but the city is buzzing. Expect highs of around 10°C and rain on roughly half the days. 2026 brings three Ireland rugby Tests at the Aviva, the Dublin Book Festival (4–8 November), Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo from 12 November and the first Christmas markets from 20 November. Pack a proper rain jacket and book indoor attractions ahead.
Ah, November. Sure, the tourists have thinned out, the pubs have the fires lit, and the whole city is easing itself towards Christmas. If you don’t mind a bit of drizzle (and you’ll get a bit of drizzle), it’s one of the cosiest months to visit. Here’s what to expect in 2026, with dates checked against official sources.
November Weather and Daylight in Dublin
Met Éireann’s long-term averages for Dublin Airport (1991–2020) give a good picture of a typical November:
- Temperature: an average daily high of 10.3°C and an average low of 4.3°C. There are around three nights of air frost in a typical November, and snow is rare.
- Rain: about 83mm over the month, with 12 or 13 days getting at least 1mm. It’s usually showers and soft drizzle rather than all-day downpours, but it does add up.
- Sunshine: an average of 2.4 hours of bright sun a day. Treat any blue sky as a gift and get outside.
- Wind: it’s breezier than summer, which you’ll notice on the coast and down the quays.
How much daylight is there?
Not a lot, and it shrinks fast. On 1 November 2026, the sun rises at 7:23am and sets at 4:52pm, which gives you about 9.5 hours of daylight. By 30 November, sunrise is at 8:15am and sunset at 4:11pm, so you’re down to just under 8 hours. Plan outdoor sightseeing and day trips for the morning and early afternoon. Save the museums, theatres and pubs for the evening.
What’s On in Dublin in November 2026
Festivals and city events
- Dublin Book Festival, 4–8 November: The festival celebrates its 20th year in 2026, with events in venues all over the city. The hub at the Royal Irish Academy of Music opens on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, with author signings, a festival bookshop and free family events.
- Dublin By Night Fest, 7 November: This family-friendly night of music and culture in the city centre is run by DublinTown with Dublin City Council and Fáilte Ireland, and it kicks off winter in the city. Check dublintown.ie for the programme.
- Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo, from 12 November: The lantern festival returns with a new theme, “Passport to Wonder”, made up of nine zones themed on celebrations from around the world. It runs nightly until 5 January 2027, except 24–26 December. It’s open 5pm–9pm, last entry is 7:30pm, and you need to book online. Santa’s Grotto at the zoo opens on 21 November.
Sport at the Aviva Stadium
November is a big month for Lansdowne Road. Ireland play three home games in rugby’s new Nations Championship:
- Ireland v Argentina: Friday 6 November, kick-off 8:10pm
- Ireland v Fiji: Saturday 14 November, kick-off 8:10pm
- Ireland v South Africa: Saturday 21 November, kick-off 4:40pm. This one is sold out.
The IRFU says tickets for the Argentina and Fiji games are on general sale through Ticketmaster. The Aviva also hosts the FAI Men’s Cup Final on 8 November and the Republic of Ireland v Kosovo Nations League match on 17 November. On match days, the pubs around Lansdowne Road and Ballsbridge are bursting, so book dinner early.
Theatre and live shows
- Bord Gáis Energy Theatre: Carmen with Irish National Opera (2–7 November, from €24.75), The Choir of Man (10–14 November), Heathers the musical (17–21 November, from €29.80) and The Silence of the Lambs (24–28 November).
- The Gaiety: Ballet Ireland’s Romeo & Juliet runs 11–14 November. Then the panto season starts: Robin Hood opens on 22 November and runs until 3 January 2027, with tickets from €23. The Gaiety has hosted its annual Christmas panto since 1873, and it’s a proper Dublin tradition.
Christmas Lights and Early Christmas Markets
By the second half of the month, the city is in festive mode.
- Grafton Street and Henry Street lights: DublinTown’s famous Grafton Street chandeliers and the Henry Street lights usually come on in mid-November. The 2026 date hadn’t been announced when we wrote this.
- TwinkleTown: Smithfield Square opens on 20 November (until 31 December), and a new second site in St Patrick’s Park opens on 27 November (until 23 December). Entry to both is free. Ice skating and the Santo Panto are ticketed.
- Everwinter at the RDS: This brand-new winter festival opens on 25 November, with an ice rink, Robert Fossett’s Circus, a market of Irish makers and a vintage fairground. It’s open Tuesday to Friday 2pm–9pm and weekends 12pm–9pm, and closed on Mondays.
There’s no Christmas market at Dublin Castle this year. For the full rundown, including Belfast, Galway, Waterford and Cork, see our guide to Christmas markets in Dublin and Ireland.
What to Pack
- A waterproof jacket with a hood. It’s more useful than an umbrella, which Dublin’s wind will try to turn inside out.
- Layers: a warm jumper or fleece under your jacket. Pubs and museums are toasty, and the streets are not.
- Waterproof shoes or boots with grip. Cobbles get slippery when wet, especially in Temple Bar.
- A hat, scarf and gloves, particularly for evening events like Wild Lights, which is entirely outdoors, or a night match at the Aviva.
- Something smart-casual for the theatre or a nice dinner. Dublin isn’t formal, but it’s nice to make an effort.
- A power bank. Short days mean lots of map-checking and photos after dark.
Rainy-Day Ideas
When the heavens open, head indoors. The National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street and the National Gallery are both free. The Book of Kells, EPIC and the Little Museum of Dublin are well worth paying for. A pint with a view at the Guinness Storehouse never hurts either, and you can book Guinness Storehouse tickets here. Finish the day by a fire in an old pub with a trad session.
One thing to know: Dublin Castle is closed to the public for the rest of 2026 while it hosts Ireland’s EU Presidency, and it’s expected to reopen in January 2027. Our rainy-day guide to indoor things to do has 15 ideas, with prices and what’s closed.
Day Trips From Dublin in November
Day trips are a great idea in November. Just remember the short days. Most tours leave early and get you back after dark, so you’ll see the best scenery in the middle of the day.
- Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough: Autumn colour and misty valleys, and it’s close enough to make the most of the light. See our Kilkenny, Wicklow and Glendalough tour guide, or book the Glendalough day tour.
- Belfast: The Belfast Christmas Market opens at City Hall on Saturday 14 November and runs to 22 December. Entry is free, so a trip north late in the month adds a festive bonus. Read our Belfast and Giant’s Causeway tour guide, or book the Belfast and Giant’s Causeway day tour.
- The Cliffs of Moher, Newgrange and more: Compare your options in our top 10 day tours from Dublin. On the west coast, go prepared for wind and rain, and check the forecast the night before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is November a good time to visit Dublin?
Yes, if you like culture, cosy pubs and a festive build-up more than sunshine. There are fewer tourists than in summer, and in 2026 there’s rugby, the Book Festival, Wild Lights and the opening of the Christmas markets.
How cold does Dublin get in November?
It’s mild rather than freezing. Met Éireann’s averages show highs of about 10°C and lows of about 4°C. Wind and damp can make it feel colder, though, so pack layers.
When do the Christmas lights go on in Dublin?
The Grafton Street and Henry Street lights usually go on in mid-November. The 2026 date hadn’t been announced at the time of writing. Dublin Zoo’s Wild Lights opens on 12 November.
Are the Dublin Christmas markets open in November?
Yes, from late in the month. TwinkleTown in Smithfield opens on 20 November, TwinkleTown St Patrick’s Park on 27 November, and Everwinter at the RDS on 25 November. Belfast’s market opens on 14 November.
Does it rain every day in Dublin in November?
No. On average, about 12–13 days in November get 1mm of rain or more. Showers come and go, so carry a rain jacket and keep a few indoor plans ready.
Plan Your November Trip
Book the big-ticket items early, like rugby, the panto and Wild Lights. Then leave a bit of space for wandering under the lights with a hot chocolate. Browse tours and activities in Dublin to fill the gaps, and wrap up warm. Sláinte!
Header photo: Miguel Mendez via Wikimedia Commons (originally Flickr), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/).
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