Dates: Every Saturday & Sunday from the 15th November until 12th December.

Venue: Powerscourt Town House Shopping Centre, Ilac Shopping Centre, St Stephens Green Shopping Centre and Jervis Shopping Centre.

The Dublin City Business Improvement District (BID) will ignite your child’s imagination this Christmas with a host of FREE seasonal entertainment, including hilarious puppet shows and festive storytelling sessions, as part of its BIDs for Kids Winter programme. Taking place in a number of city centre locations including Powerscourt Town House Shopping Centre, Ilac Shopping Centre, St Stephens Green Shopping Centre and Jervis Shopping Centre; each weekend from the 15th November until 12th December, the Dublin City BID is providing a unique way for kids and families to experience the magical atmosphere of Dublin City Centre this Christmas.

Each weekend, Conor Lambert’s Custard Pie Puppet Company will entertain and create a drama with live interactive puppet shows in the Ilac and St Stephens Green Shopping Centres. The troop will perform stories including ‘Christmas Crackers’. Follow Santa’s mischievous helpers Ding and Dong who get into all types of trouble over the holidays. ‘Christmas Crackers’ will bring lots of sing-a-long fun for all the family, not to be missed. Puppeteer Anne Fitzpatrick will also perform the story of ‘The Witch in the Wood’. The story takes us into the world of ‘Cackaleen’ a something-teen dysfunctional Witch, who is actually more ‘spoilt than scary’! The show also includes a special appearance by a surprise Christmas guest!

Story teller Susie Minto will take children on magical, mysterious and mythical journeys to other lands and times with her Christmas and Winter themed stories from many traditions – Irish, Russian, North American, European to name but a few. Her story trove is bursting with tales that will warm and nourish little souls. Her stories have been chosen with 4-9 year olds in mind though anyone of any age will enjoy her unique storytelling ability. This Christmas why not awaken their imaginations and explore the timeless wisdom of storytelling, taking place each weekend in the Powercourt and Jervis Shopping Centres.

Richard Guiney, CEO of the Dublin City Business Improvement District explains; “Christmas in Dublin City Centre is a magical experience for families; the ambiance, glittering lights and bustling atmosphere is unique and not to be missed. We can all remember the excitement and thrill of going into Dublin City as children at Christmas time. The BIDs for Kids Winter programme provides fun, free events for families to retreat and relax from all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas rush. I hope that they will become part of your children’s memories of Christmas in our great city.”

There will be four events taking place each day, running for 30 minutes. Children aged two to ten years old, accompanied by an adult, are welcome. Starting on Sunday 15th November and continuing every weekend until and including Saturday 12th December. The sessions are free but pre-booking is essential as spaces are limited. Please telephone the Dublin City BID on (01) 8994015 or email bidsforkids@dublincitybid.ie to reserve a space. See http://www.dublincitybid.ie for more information.

The launch of the BIDs for Kids Winter Programme of events will take place on Sunday 15th November to coincide with the turning on of the Christmas Lights on Dublin’s Henry Street. The lights which are sponsored by the Dublin City Business Improvement District will be even bigger and better than ever. There will be a large ceremony to switch on the lights on the day with a celebrity appearance and on street performance extravaganza – everyone is welcome!

Puppet Show Details:

St Stephens Green Shopping Centre -11am and 12pm

Ilac Shopping Centre – 2pm and 3pm

Each Saturday and Sunday from 15th November to 12th December

Storytelling Session Details:

Jervis Shopping Centre – 11am and 12pm

Powerscourt Town House Shopping Centre – 2pm and 3pm

Each Saturday and Sunday from 15th November to 12th December

For More Information:
http://www.dublincitybid.ie