12.12.2025
25th Dublin Black Santa Sit Out Begins Next Week
The 2025 Dublin Black Santa Sit Out will be officially launched on Tuesday December 16th at 1pm at St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street.
The appeal will be launched by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam together with members of staff and the Select Vestry of St Ann’s and St Stephen’s. The children of the Kildare Place School Choir will be on hand to sing some well–known carols and Christmas songs.
The primary focus of Black Santa’s fundraising efforts will be charities that support people in homelessness in the city. These include: St Vincent de Paul, Simon, The Samaritans, Salvation Army, Protestant Aid, Alice Leahy Trust, Laura Lynn Foundation, Capuchin Day Centre, Barnardos, Focus Ireland and the Solas Project, along with other local charities.
Speaking in advance of the launch, Archbishop Jackson commended the volunteering spirit of those who coordinate the Black Santa appeal and the generosity of those who support it.
“Over the last 24 years the dedicated clergy and people of St Ann’s have raised over €900,000 for local charities. They have stood outside the church on Dawson Street in all weather conditions shaking their buckets and have welcomed and fed the many choirs who have added their voices to support the appeal. Their endeavours and the generosity of the people of Dublin in their donations have made a real difference to the lives of people served by the charities Black Santa supports,” he said. “I wish the team well this year and in these times when so many people are struggling, I encourage all who can donate to do so.”
You can donate via the parish website www.stannsandststephens.ie or in person at the church with cash or card. As always, every cent donated is given to charity – everyone involved volunteers their time free of charge.
A huge array of choirs will join Black Santa each lunchtime and throughout the day, to bring festive cheer to Dawson Street.
Black Santa in Dublin is modelled on a similar appeal, which has been run by successive Deans of St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast for many years. It has become known as the Black Santa appeal because of the long heavy black cloaks worn by the clergy to keep out the cold. This is the 25th year that the Black Santa Sit Out has taken place in Dublin.
Last year, the Black Santa appeal raised €66,000. Over the past 24 years the Dublin sit out has raised over €920,000 with every cent donated going to the charities it supports.