An event that has become a staple in our family calendar is Culture Night and this year it seems bigger than ever. On Friday, 18th September family-friendly events take place across Ireland. From 4 pm until late, towns, cities and villages will come alive with music, theatre, dance, workshops, performances and hands-on activities, all completely free of charge. 
Now in its 21st year, Culture Night is built around the idea of One Night for All, including its youngest culture seekers. Families can discover somewhere new, try an activity together or simply use Culture Night as an excuse to get out and explore what’s happening on their doorstep.
Some family highlights for 2026 include:
DUBLIN CITY – Pink K-Pop Dance Academy
Get a taste of Dublin’s K-Pop dance scene at Meeting House Square with Pink K-Pop Dance, Ireland’s first K-Pop dance school, and learn about the choreography behind some of Korea’s biggest pop hits.
WICKLOW – Beginners Youth Breaking Jam + Dance Presentations
Wicklow Youth Resource Centre hosts a free evening of dance, creativity and community, including a Beginner’s Youth Breaking Jam from 4.30pm–6pm for children from seven years through to teenagers.
FINGAL – Shorts for Wee Ones at Draíocht
Perfect for little film fans aged three and over, Shorts for Wee Ones features seven short films exploring friendship, cooperation and accepting difference. Almost all are dialogue-free, making this a great introduction to the cinema. Booking required.
WEXFORD – Circular Weaving for Parents & Teenagers
Parents and teenagers can create something together during a relaxed workshop with artist Trish Middleton, exploring colour, texture and simple weaving techniques before taking home their own handmade pieces. Booking required.
DUBLIN CITY – Culture Night with Laureate na nÓg and friends at Hodges Figgis
Children’s Books Ireland and Hodges Figgis present an evening of drawing and storytelling with Laureate na nÓg Chris Haughton and top children’s authors. Across the evening, families can also pay a visit to the free Book Clinics, running in English and as Gaeilge in store.
TIPPERARY – Children’s Creative Workshop: Character Masks
Children can design colourful character masks inspired by traditional Irish mythology and folklore during this creative workshop facilitated by Lisa Manton. Booking required.
CORK COUNTY – Build-a-Bot
Young makers aged eight to twelve can design and build their own wooden robot keychain using wooden blocks, screws, washers, springs and craft materials with Hillcraft Designs. Booking required.
MONAGHAN – Turn Your Favourite Pop Songs into Irish
Taylor Swift as Gaeilge? This all-ages bilingual Gael Pop workshop with Hannah Nic Eindrí invites families to translate favourite pop songs into Irish, practise their cúpla focal and even perform their creations. Booking required.
DUBLIN CITY – Starship Troopers: Spaceship Building Workshop
PhotoIreland is calling all young space explorers for a drop-in spaceship-building workshop at the International Centre for the Image. Young people up to age 12 are welcome.
With new listings still being added, families are encouraged to explore what’s happening locally and check individual listings for age guidance and booking requirements before setting off.
Visit culturenight.ie/events to plan your family’s Culture Night.
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