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Free Things that happen in Dublin Every Weekend
Markets, Art, Tours and much More
Olivia Sinclair
February 05, 2026
Howdy!
If you’re trying to do more in Dublin without rinsing your bank account, this one’s for you.
Below is a curated list of genuinely free, recurring things to do around the city. No one-off festivals. No “free if you buy a pint” nonsense. These are things you can rely on, week after week.
Save it. Revisit it. Share it.
Free galleries & museums
Weekly markets around Dublin
Parks & outdoor spots that never charge
Free walking tours
Run clubs & Parkrun
Easy community culture without the price tag
Hugh Lane Gallery
Location: Parnell Square North, Dublin 1
Day & Time: Free entry Tuesday – Sunday
One of Dublin’s best free galleries. Home to the Francis Bacon Studio and rotating modern and contemporary exhibitions. Central, easy to pop into, and always worth a revisit.
Visit their site here
RHA Gallery (Royal Hibernian Academy)
Location: Ely Place, Dublin 2
Day & Time: Free entry Tuesday – Sunday
A compact but consistently strong gallery just off St Stephen’s Green. Exhibitions change regularly, so it’s ideal for repeat visits without it feeling samey. Take a look at their site
Chester Beatty Library
Location: Dublin Castle, Dublin 2
Day & Time: Free entry Tuesday – Sunday
A quiet gem in the city centre. Manuscripts, books and artwork from across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Bonus points for the rooftop garden overlooking Dublin Castle. Visit the Chester Beatty site
National Gallery of Ireland
Location: Merrion Square West, Dublin 2
Day & Time: Free entry daily | Free guided tours most weekends
World-class art without the entry fee. Wander at your own pace or join a free guided tour for more context. Easy to spend 30 minutes or a full afternoon here.
Read more about the National Gallery
IMMA – Irish Museum of Modern Art
Location: Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin 8
Day & Time: Free entry Tuesday – Sunday
Contemporary art in a historic building with big outdoor grounds. Exhibitions rotate often, so it rewards repeat visits even if modern art isn’t usually your thing.
Temple Bar Food Market
Location: Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Day & Time: Every Saturday, 10am – 4:30pm
A lively weekly market with local food producers, baked goods and street food. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a solid weekend wander.
Herbert Park Farmers’ Market
Location: Herbert Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Day & Time: Every Sunday, 11am – 4pm
A relaxed Sunday market beside one of Dublin’s nicest parks. Easy to combine with a walk, coffee and some people-watching.
Skerries Farmers Market
Location: Skerries Mills, North County Dublin
Day & Time: Every Saturday, 10am – 4pm
A well-loved local market with food, crafts and a proper community feel. Worth the trip if you want a break from the city.
Red Stables Market
Location: St Annes Park
Day & Time: Every Saturday, 10am – 4pm
With its free entry, incredible mix of food and crafts, and the chance to grab some unforgettable bread from Bread 41, this market is a must-visit destination for all enthusiasts of quality, taste, and artistic expression.
Priory Market
Location: Tallaght, Dublin 24
Day & Time: Weekends, daytime
A community-focused market with food trucks, crafts and local stalls. A great southside option that doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
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Phoenix Park
Location: Phoenix Park, Dublin 8
Day & Time: Open daily, dawn to dusk
One of the largest city parks in Europe and completely free. Ideal for walking, cycling, picnics or spotting the resident deer.
National Botanic Gardens
Location: Glasnevin, Dublin 9
Day & Time: Open daily (times vary by season)
Free entry to beautifully maintained gardens and historic glasshouses. An easy, calming way to spend an hour any day of the week.
Sunday Kids Drop by Activities
Location: National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
Day & Time: Every Sunday, 20 minute sessions start at 11am,11.30am, 3.30pm & 4pm
Each week they have a different activity to help your kids to become an expert gardener. Sow your own vegetable and flower seeds, play some nature games or re-use everyday things to create your own piece of eco-art all for free with thanks to the Botanic Gardens.
National Print Museum
Location: Haddington Road Barracks
Day & Time: Open 9-4pm
The National Print Museum offers art lovers a unique experience in discovering how literature was printed from the 15th century all the way up to the 1980s.
Fairy Tree Trail at Ardgillan Castle
Location: Ardgillan Castle
Day & Time: Open 7 days, but times depend on the season
Ardgillan Castle has established an enchanting and educational Fairy Tree Trail, crafted in partnership with Fingal County Council and free of charge. Along the trail are informative signposts that feature information on the various tree varieties found in the park.
Additionally, the Fairy Tree Trail Map and Quiz is available both online and at the reception of Ardgillan Castle for those wishing to learn more about the flora and fauna.
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