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20th December 2016
12:10am GMT
So Dublin's got its very own New Year's Festival – a three-day city-wide shindig exploring and celebrating the best of contemporary Irish talent in the arts, music, culture and live entertainment.
And basically, a recipe for a bloody cracking weekend.
Spanning the New Year period from December 30 to January 1, NYF is a multi-platform experience – featuring music, dance, design, art, and spoken word from across the last century as we approach our country's 100th birthday.
Here's just what's in store...
What we Irish do best. After the roaring success that was last year, the Spoken Word Festival is back and better than ever. Check out the Lingo Brunch, Poets vs Rappers and Poetry Slam events or sit in on a live Ashoka panel discussion.
The popular Soundings event from last year also makes an appearance, with special guests Dylan Haskins and Lisa Hannigan. Not to be missed.
Fifteen venues across the city will be rigged up to play host to live music from the best new artists the Emerald Isle has to offer, all hand picked from Dublin's prestigious Hard Working Class Heroes line up.
And PS – it's all free.
Cool name, bro. Dublin for Dubliners.
This event allows you to discover Dublin and enjoy free on-street entertainment while being surrounded by a host of exciting fringe events and cultural trails happening across our fair city. From Oscar Wilde nights to disco brunches to craft tasting events and New Year’s celebrations – there's a tonne of choice.
One for the whole family. Watch Iveagh House at Stephen's Green transform using innovative 3D projection mapping technology. This free spectacle will illuminate the city from 5pm each evening, celebrating Irish heroes from the sporting, music and art worlds, both past and present.
Check out the whopper videos from last year.
That night, Dublin's most well-loved streets will be illuminated with dazzling light installations, music and performers – with the opportunity for you to get involved with special NYF lanterns. Count us in.
Also a world record attempt for the largest bodhrán session, which sounds like it may also potentially break the record for 'best craic ever'.
Brand new to this year, the Street Fest is exactly what it says on the tin, with unreal live music ringing in the new year on the streets of the capital. And not just any old live music – Le Galaxie, All Tvvins and Wyvern Lingo are on the line up, and are all unbelievable live performers. Tickets are only €7.50 (with proceeds going to charity).
Thinking you'll be cold on the streets? Get yourself to the 3Arena where none other than The Coronas, Fatboy Slim, Ryan Sheridan, Kila and many more will be there waiting to warm you up.
The trail continues to show you, if anything, that Ireland boasts potentially some of the best live music acts in the world.
We've had our fun, now's time to get back to basics, the NYF way. A host of fun activities including on-street musical performances, the New Year's Day 5K Run and TED-style talks, interspersed with music, comedy and poetry by the bucket load. Not to mention craft beer and whiskey tasting classes for those of you who are not finished partying.
An on-street performance by Our Lady's Choral Society and The Dublin Handelian Orchestra of Handel's Messiah, amongst others, on the historical site of Parnell Square at 2:30pm. If you don't mind.
Another mix of everything and anything, including street performances, walking tours, a disco lunch, art trails and a masquerade bleeding ball for goodness sake. You won't be left wanting, that's for sure.
What a way to wipe off the cobwebs and kick off the new year in flying form. Prizes for top dogs and great craic to be had by all in the Park of Phoenix – a great way to start your day and an excuse to be smug for all eternity. Consider us there.
In Christchurch Cathedral on New Year's Day at 7pm, NYF is hosting an inspirational evening of Ted-style talks regarding topics such as mental health with music, comedy and poetry with some familiar faces headlining the talks. Such as Diarmuid Gavin, Eoghan McDermott and Mary McEvoy. An evening both young and old will take something from, with passionate ambassadors speaking about a matter of great importance.
Proclamation is part of the First Fortnight Festival, a really incredible charity-based organisation with the express aim of challenging mental health prejudice through the creative arts. Quite a lot more than just bang for your buck.
Tempted? Us too. You can get your tickets here.
Oh, and Happy New Year!
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