Now in its fourth year, New Year’s Festival Dublin has announced a new and exciting programme of events to ring in 2018. Dublin city will light up with imagination and wonder over 2 days with 5 spectacular events from 31 December 2017 until 1 January 2018.
Gather together in the heart of Dublin with family and friends as The Custom House, Dublin’s iconic landmark, becomes the centre for NYF Dublin’s countdown and New Year’s Day celebrations this year.
For the first time ever, New Year’s Festival Dublin have created two spectacular Midnight Moment events to countdown to 2018 in style – Liffey Lights Midnight Moment and Liffey Lights Midnight Moment – Matinee. Both world-class spectacles will be performed against the backdrop of the iconic Custom House with the River Liffey taking centre stage.
Be amazed at the Liffey Lights Midnight Moment. This is a high-flying, aerial and aquatic spectacle with a dazzling light show of over 100 aqua beams and spotlights. The stunning, free event will start at 11.30pm with excitement building to a crescendo as the clock strikes midnight.
New Year’s Festival Dublin have announced a very special family friendly countdown event – Liffey Lights Midnight Moment – Matinee. For the first time, families and friends of all ages can ring in the New Year together. Entertainment will start at 6.30pm building to the earlier countdown celebrations at 7pm. This colourful event features aerial, aquatic and street acrobats and performers taking to the streets, the sky and the River Liffey.
New Year’s Festival Dublin revellers can celebrate the New Year at the 3Countdown Concert with Kodaline and special guests Hudson Taylor and Keywest, tickets €45.05 including booking fee go on sale this Thursday 26 October at 9am. Get fired up for 2018 as Dublin’s national landmark the Spire beams light into space as the clock strikes midnight. Kick-start the New Year at the free, family friendly New Year’s Day Celebrations with award-winning international and national street and acrobatic performers, and the hugely popular New Year’s Day concert.
Keelin Fagan, Head of Dublin Programme for Fáilte Ireland said:
“We have been working with Dublin City Council to ensure that this year’s festival delivers a fresh and exciting 2 day programme for all visitors whether from home or overseas. In particular, this year’s new Midnight Moment, a free spectacular, will help us to truly emphasise why Dublin is a top city destination to ring in the New Year.
Dublin’s NYF is a key strategic festival for Fáilte Ireland as it showcases our rich culture and vibrant creativity –promoting Dublin as a fantastic visitor destination and at the same time, enhancing our reputation as a friendly, warm and welcoming place to visit at the end of the year.”
Declan Wallace, Assistant Chief Executive, Dublin City Council said:
“We are delighted in Dublin City Council to partner on, what promises to be, the City’s biggest celebration of the ringing in of the New Year to date, and one of the highlights of our annual festival and events programme. I hope that this year’s celebration will be embraced by Dubliners of all ages and that everyone will enjoy the atmosphere and buzz around the City that this two day event will bring.”
LIFFEY LIGHTS MIDNIGHT MOMENT – George’s Quay on New Year’s Eve, Sunday 31 December (Free)
Watch Liffey Lights Midnight Moment in amazement as the breathtaking, high-flying spectacle of lights and acrobatics takes to the Dublin Sky for two performances on New Year’s Eve. This world-class spectacle will be performed against the backdrop of the iconic Custom House with the River Liffey taking centre stage for a dazzling lighting, aerial and aquatic display.
Prepare to be thrilled by the spectacular symphony of lights as up to to 100 aquabeams and search lights dance across the night sky, performing in time with original music created especially for the event. Watch in awe as Heliosphere’s high flying acrobats spin and spiral through the sky while attached to giant helium balloons and as FLYBOARDERS perform incredible aquatic and aerial stunts in unison across the River Liffey. This performance is not to be missed.
Countdown to Midnight Moment Performance: From 11.30pm
This is a free event but tickets will need to be booked in advance. Booking details will be announced on www.nyfdublin.com on 1 December 2017.
LIFFEY LIGHTS MIDNIGHT MOMENT – MATINEE – George’s Quay on New Year’s Eve, Sun 31 Dec (Family Friendly, Free)
Families and friends of all ages can celebrate the new year together at this new and exciting early countdown event. Watch in amazement as colourful aerial and aquatic acrobats take to the streets, the sky and the River Liffey. Enjoy jaw-dropping performances from Heliosphere’s high flying acrobats and FLYBOARDERS as they perform amazing stunts.
Matinee – Countdown to Midnight Moment Performance: From 6.30pm with countdown at 7:00pm
This is a free event but tickets will need to be booked in advance. Booking details will be announced on www.nyfdublin.com on 1 December 2017.
3COUNTDOWN CONCERT – Custom House on New Year’s Eve, Sunday 31 December
Tickets for the 3Countdown Concert sell out weeks in advance and this year will be no different. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve and ring in 2018 with headliners Kodaline and special guests Hudson Taylor and Keywest at Custom House for the 3Countdown Concert as part of New Year’s Festival Dublin.
Tickets priced € 44.50 incl. booking fee go on sale this Thursday 26 October at 9:00am from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and www.ticketmaster.ie (subject to license).
LIGHTING OF SPIRE – New Year’s Eve, 31 December from midnight
New Year’s Festival Dublin will supercharge with light, Dublin’s national landmark, the Spire as the clock strikes midnight. Powerful beams will radiate into the sky, reaching for the stars and will be visible for miles and miles across Ireland to mark the start of 2018. Lighting of the Spire will take place from midnight on New Year’s Eve, 31 December and runs until midnight on New Year’s Day 1 January 2018.
NEW YEAR’S DAY CELEBRATION – Custom House on New Year’s Day, 1 January 2018 (Free, Family-friendly)
Kick-start 2018 at the free, family–friendly New Year’s Day Celebration at the Custom House Quay from 12 noon until 4pm with entertainment from award winning international and national street performers and the annual New Year’s Day Concert. You’ll be stunned by amazing FLYBOARDERS who will perform their jaw-dropping aquatic and aerial stunts on the River Liffey. New Year’s Day Celebration will be a fun filled day of entertainment with pop up performances from jugglers, mime artists, stilt walkers and face painting.
For additional information on all other NYF Dublin events please visit www.NYFDublin.com. Keep up to date with news about all upcoming events by using the hashtag #NYFDublin and following @NYFDublin on Twitter and Instagram.
The New Year’s Festival Dublin is an initiative by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Dublin City Council and produced and promoted by MCD Productions.
