Culture Night marks 20 years with spectacular citywide celebrations

Dublin is gearing up for one of its biggest nights of the year as Culture Night returns tonight — and this year promises to be extra special as the nationwide celebration marks its 20th anniversary.

Culture Night, or Oíche Chultúir, will see venues, galleries, parks, and historic buildings across the capital open their doors late into the night for a vibrant evening of creativity, performances, and cultural discovery — all completely free of charge.

Backed by Dublin City Council, this milestone edition will see hundreds of events take place right across the city, from open-air opera to hands-on workshops, live music, dance, and art exhibitions.

Some of the highlights tonight are:

In Dublin 13, Fr Collins Park will transform into a stage for a special edition of Opera in the Open from 4pm to 7.10pm.

The evening begins with performances from Irish musicians Casey Harris and Sult, followed by a dazzling display from Kalaasankya, Dublin’s leading Indian classical dance school.

From 6.10pm, the park will echo with beloved excerpts from Carmen and other operatic favourites, performed by acclaimed Irish stars Sandra Oman, Simon Morgan and David Wray, joined by talented emerging singers from TU Dublin Conservatoire.

At Charlemont House on Parnell Square North, the Hugh Lane Gallery will open late for an evening of artist-led workshops, pop-up art talks, and guided tours of its world-class collection. Visitors can also enjoy live music and explore the gallery’s special temporary exhibitions in a relaxed, after-dark setting.

City Hall on Dame Street will be alive with music from 6pm, starting with the four-part female choir Diva Voces.

They’ll be followed by multicultural group Roots in Tune, supported by Bal Folk dancers, before the acclaimed all-male choir The Ramparts take to the stage. The evening will close with a rousing set from the Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band at 9pm. Visitors can also join free guided tours of the historic Council Chambers upstairs throughout the evening.

Hill Street Family Resource Centre will host a colourful evening of diversity and inclusion organised by Dublin City’s Comhairle na nÓg. The Irish Youth Council will showcase their work while families can enjoy music, games, face painting, henna artistry, hair braiding, and interactive workshops.

On Foley Street, The LAB Gallery will feature the Nach Cuma? Who Cares? exhibition with artist Aaron Sunderland Carey on hand to run workshops. The venue will also host performances of Yellow, an uplifting new play by Jody O’Neill, among other activities (free but ticketed via Eventbrite).

Launching this year’s programme, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, said:
“Join us tonight for the art party of the year as Culture Night celebrates its 20th year in the capital.

“It’s a chance to explore the city’s hidden gems, unleash your creativity and become a tourist in your own town.

“It’s wonderful to see that O’Connell Street will be activated with events for the first time, in the year of O’Connell’s 250th anniversary, a fitting tribute to our most famous former Lord Mayor.”

For full details of tonight’s citywide programme, visit culturenight.ie/Dublin.