Dublin city centre is getting the ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights’ make-over with epic light features on landmarks, buildings, along the River Liffey and in Dublin’s docklands for everyone to enjoy. With creativity and vision Dublin’s most iconic landmarks have become vibrant works of art, bringing light and imagination to Dublin city during the winter season.
Bringing the talents of established and emerging artists to Dublin’s GPO and Hugh Lane Gallery, this year’s ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights’ competitions combined imagination with innovation, to transform familiar façades into unique storytelling canvasses.
‘Liberation’ at the GPO
Artists from all over the world were invited to take part in the GPO Video Mapping Competition, as part of the 2025 ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights’ programme. The competition is judged by an esteemed panel of internationally-recognised judges.
In the centre of Dublin on O’Connell Street, you can see how eight artists have brought the theme of ‘Liberation’ to life across the GPO with full digital projections. The winning artwork by Vali Chincișan, SHINE, explores freedom as an inner process – a reclaiming of voice, identity and personal expression. Inspired by conscious hip hop and Dadaist aesthetics, it blends text, glitches and typographic collages. SHINE is light emerging from darkness – an act of self- affirmation through art.
‘Reimagine and Regenerate’ at Hugh Lane Gallery
Watch as the talents of NCAD Moving Image Design students explore the theme of ‘reimagine and regenerate’ on the façade of Hugh Lane Gallery. The students inspiring and colourful artworks move across this major building in the heart of the city.
Last chance to see dazzling delights!
Most of light projections run until the end of the month. There are a few that finish on Sunday 21st so make sure you catch them this week.
Watch a giant hologram of Street Dancer Jessie Thompson. This creative and artistic performance was developed for ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights’ to be projected as a large scale hologram on the water at Grand Canal Dock.
See 100 beams of light illuminate the sky as ‘Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Lights’ presents ‘Céad’, an exciting lighting installation created by lighting designer Sonya Fossett and electronic music artist and producer, Caolan Ryan. Open nightly at Georges Dock.
Visit Dublin Castle to experience ‘Flux’ in the magnificent courtyard. This magical large light installation combines movement and sound.
Merrion Square Park with its giant kaleidoscope, interactive walkways and augmented reality activity is packed with lots of light experiences for the family to enjoy. Open from 5pm to 9pm every night, there’s lots to explore and experience in the park. Tickets are just €2 euro per adult with 2 kids going free.
Follow the magic and find out more about Dublin City Council Dublin Winter Light locations, visit dublinwinterlights.ie
Feature Image: Céad
