Dublin Christmas lights are set for a big change this year

Remember last year when you went to go see the Christmas lights being switched on?

It was lovely and festive and lots of fun, right? Of course it was. It was also pretty packed though considering about 20,000 people tried to squeeze their way onto Grafton Street to see them being turned on. So, in order to switch things up a bit (and give people a bit more breathing space, probably), organisers have decided to change this year's switching on of Dublin's Christmas lights in a fairly big way. This year, two parades will travel through the city at the same time, eventually meeting on O'Connell street where Lord Mayor Ardmheara Micheal Mac Donncha will turn on the O'Connell street Christmas tree. One parade will go from the south side of the city (from Grafton street, through Westmoreland and across O'Connell bridge) and the other will start from the north side (from Mary street, through Moore street, and ending at O'Connell street). The parades start at 5.30pm from each location with both Grafton street and Henry street lights being switched on as they pass through. Once the processions are finished, the Lord Mayor will then switch on the O'Connell street Christmas tree. The change means that wherever you stand in the city, you'll still get to experience a parade and witness the switching on of the lights. Dublin City Council has encouraged families to arrive early and head for O'Connell street as there will be more breathing space. They also suggested that if people want more room in general, they should aim for College Green, Westmoreland street, or Moore street. The parades will begin at 5.30pm on Sunday, November 19. More information can be found here.