Nadine Coyle Is Switching on the Christmas Lights at Dundrum
If you’ve been quietly dreading the moment Christmas shopping turns into a full-scale logistical operation involving four different online tabs, a forgotten password and a growing sense of panic, Dundrum Town has a rather lovely solution: get ahead of it all on Giftmas Day, Thursday 5th November.
This year’s celebrations are shaping up to be genuinely brilliant. Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle has been announced as Dundrum Town’s official Giftmas Star for 2026 and she’ll be joining shoppers in person for the day, switching on the centre’s brand-new Christmas lights scheme in Town Square at 6pm before performing live beneath the chandeliers. And yes, that’s as lovely as it sounds.
Nadine said it herself: “Christmas shopping is so much more special when you can take your time, explore the shops and find something that genuinely reminds you of the person you’re buying for. I’m really looking forward to joining everyone at Dundrum Town for Giftmas Day, performing beneath the chandeliers and helping to switch on the Christmas lights. It’s going to be such a brilliant way to start the festive season.”
Mrs Claus Is Running the Show
Joining Nadine for the day is performer and drag artist Paul Ryder, who’ll be appearing in full glamorous Mrs Claus mode to host the return of Ireland’s first life-sized Live Advent Calendar. It’s running on Level 1 outside River Island from 12pm to 4pm and again from 6pm to 9pm, and shoppers will get to unlock its doors and win prizes from some seriously good retailers — we’re talking Brown Thomas, Boots, Swarovski, Schuh, Molton Brown, Thérapie Clinic and Louis Copeland, among others.
Giftmas Day is coming to Dundrum Town Centre on 5th November.
Paul summed it up perfectly: “I’m absolutely delighted to be hosting the Live Advent Calendar this Giftmas Day. There are some fantastic prizes waiting behind those doors, and I can’t wait to meet the shoppers, build the excitement and bring a little Mrs Claus glamour to Dundrum Town.”
For one day only, visitors can also take advantage of savings of up to 20% across participating retailers with extended opening until 10pm. If you’ve been putting off starting the gift list — and honestly, who hasn’t — this is the nudge you’ve been waiting for.
The Giving Tree Is Back
This one matters. The much-loved Giving Tree, run in partnership with Children in Hospital Ireland, will return for another year. The idea is simple and genuinely heartwarming: pick a tag from the tree, buy the suggested gift and drop it off unwrapped at the donation point on Level 1. There’s also a tap-to-donate option if you’d rather contribute that way.
Last year, the Giving Tree collected more than 1,500 gifts for children spending Christmas in hospital. Donations will be accepted right through to 22nd December 2026, so there’s plenty of time to get involved even if 5th November doesn’t work for you.
A Festive Season Worth Leaving the House For
Giftmas Day is just the beginning of what looks like a packed Christmas at Dundrum Town. Dundrum on Ice is already open, Santa’s Christmas Wonderland returns on Friday 27th November and the new Christmas tree in Pembroke Square is set to be Ireland’s largest. Don Nugent, Senior General Manager at Dundrum Town, put it well: “At a time when so much of our shopping is shaped by screens and algorithms, we want to bring back the enjoyment of exploring stores, discovering something unexpected and choosing gifts that feel genuinely personal.”
Honestly? There’s something in that. Sometimes the best gift ideas come when you’re not staring at a phone screen at midnight, wilting under the weight of sponsored posts. A proper day out, a live performance, a bit of Mrs Claus energy and maybe a prize or two from behind an advent calendar door — that sounds like a very fine way to kick off the season.
For all the details, visit dundrum.ie or follow @dundrumtc on Instagram and Facebook.
