Dublin’s Culture Night will take place on Friday, 20 September and this year’s late night program promises to be bigger and better than ever before.
For those new to the phenomenon that is Culture Night, this is an annual all-island public event that takes place on one evening a year where arts and cultural organisations and venues of all shapes and sizes, including the National Cultural Institutions, extend their opening hours to allow for increased access to the public.
There is no charge for any activity making it the perfect excuse to explore new ways find outlets to express yourself in Dublin through participation in specially created workshops and availing of the unique events on offer. Visit museums, galleries, historic houses, artists’ studios and cultural centres – the only limitation on Culture Night is your own imagination! While every event is free, some are ticketed and these are booked out weeks ago but fear not, we have compiled a list of our top event with no booking required.
Dollard & Co
Explore your artistic side as The National Print Museum will bring its Pop-up Print Shop to Dollard & Co. (Temple Bar). Here you will be able to try your hand at traditional craft through printing activities – composing, set your name in metal type, plus take home your very own keepsake print. This is a family friendly event with café and restaurant facilities on site.
Time: 4pm – 9:30pm
No Booking Required
Atelier Maser
You may be familiar with Irish artist Maser but if not, think of him as Ireland’s Banksy! You are invited to his working studio that is also a gallery space showcasing the work of upcoming artists from a street art background. Culture Night is the launch platform for the new exhibition displaying a collection of work by some of the most internationally renowned street artists from around the globe. This is family friendly event and is also wheelchair accessible.
Time: 4pm – 10pm
Address: Block 3, French Mullen House, Charlemont St, D2, D02 DK57
No Booking Required
D-Light Studios
This multi-function warehouse will open its doors to hopefully inspire as you explore multi-disciplinary creative projects undertaken within the studio and local area. Limited complimentary drinks will be provided by Glendalough Distillery and 5 Lamps Brewery. Expect installations, exhibitions, a pop-up market and more!
Time: 6pm – 10pm
Address: 46 N Great Clarence St, Ballybough, D1, D01 K2Y1
No Booking Required
Dublin Body Paint
Be body proud and discover this new outlet of professional body painting. You will be in the best professional hands for the night as Dublin Body Paint (68 Dame Street) are Ireland’s leading face & Body Painting company specialising in adult events. Their beautiful studio will invite people to participate in a UV body painting workshop using Chromadepth technology. This will take place every half hour on the hour. Be prepared to be mind blown during this UV workshop!
Time: 4pm – 10pm
No Booking Required
Abbey Theatre
Tap into your inner drama with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Abbey Theatre (26 Lower Abbey St). Tour guides will explain the history of the theatre, take a peek at preparations for the next production, and see a showcase of costume design and stagecraft from their productions this year. This is a family friendly event and tours will last approx. 30 minutes and will run every 20 minutes, from 4 – 9pm (last tour at 8.40pm)
While no booking is required, this is a ticketed event (max. 10 people per tour). Tickets will be offered on a first come, first served basis, from 4pm on Friday 20 September. One ticket per person. Please note that queuing involves standing, the tour involves climbing stairs over 3 floors, and the route is subject to change.
Time: 4pm – 9pm
No Booking Required
Dance Ireland
Discover the world of dance as Dance Ireland invite you to join them at their dance studios (Foley St) for a fun evening of free dance workshops, performances and films. Dance Ireland is a dance organisation home to professional dance artists, companies, and evening dance classes for people of all levels and ability. This is family friendly events and is wheelchair accessible.
Time: 4pm – 9pm
No Booking Required
GAA / Trinity College Dublin Cricket Ground
Make the most of the good weather on Friday with this outdoor GAA Fun & Run activity. It’s suitable for all ages and abilities and involves teams of batterers/ kickers and fielders. It is particularly suited to meet the needs of people with disabilities or those who may have felt excluded from mainstream GAA activities.
Time: 5pm – 9pm
No Booking Required
Inspire Galerie Dublin
Discover artist Tomasz Grzesik exhibition containing assemblage art made of waste materials. See an eclectic mix of organic art brought to life through a mixture of paintings, sculptures and photography. It may inspire you to become an environmentally creative artist!
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Address: 56 Lower Gardiner St, D1, D01 HD37
No Booking Required
Mind the Step
If you love good coffee and enjoy dancing then this is the perfect event for you! Mind the Step (24 Great Strand St) is a new late café with two dance studios and they offer a great selection of Social Dances and other movement related classes suitable for all ages from all walks of life. This Culture Night they encourage you to try their drop-in classes of Tango, Salsa Cubana and Bachata Dominicana, as well as Ballet and other classes.
Time: 4pm – 11pm
No Booking Required
National Gallery of Ireland
The National Gallery of Ireland always hosts unique and interesting events in this stunning space throughout the year and Culture Night is no exception. As well as free guided tours, a dash of Iberian colour is being added with exciting Flamenco dance and music performances. Tapas and wine are available to purchase at the Gallery Café. Free family workshops, music, choirs, art trails and our ‘Snapshot Central’ photo booth. This event is family friendly and wheelchair accessible.
Time: 5pm – 10pm
Address: Clare St & Merrion Square West, D2, D02 K303
No Booking Required
Royal Irish Academy of Music
Get a musical spring in your step this Culture Night as The Royal Irish Academy of Music (36 Westland Row) throw open their doors for a festive night of music-making. This promises to be a fun, informal and highly-engaging evening of entertainment provided by some of their finest emerging young talents and seasoned stars. This event is family friendly and wheelchair accessible.
Time: 5.30pm – 11pm
No Booking Required
Street 66
Have fun at this informal life drawing special session ‘Drag + Draw’ where your model of the night is a a drag queen! Basic materials are provided on the night and while booking is not required there will be 30 participants maximum, on a first come first served basis. Arrive early to avoid disappointment. You never know you could discover you are the next Leonardo Di Vinci 😉
Time: 4pm – 11pm
Address: 33-34 Parliament St, Temple Bar, D2, D02 YP97
No Booking Required
The Amphitheatre
Want to #ExpressYourself through music? This open air event is a music equipment gear swap. If you have an instrument/ equipment you want to swap this is the place to be this Culture Night! If you don’t you can still join in the fun and pop along to make your own eye-catching mask from recycled materials to join in the free Masquerade Ball with live music! This event is family friendly and wheelchair accessible.
Time: 5pm – 9pm
Address: Civic Offices, Wood Quay, D2
No Booking Required
If you fancy staying local this is a great option to join in the Culture Night festivities . . .
Skerries Theatre Group
Enjoy local culture in the upstairs lounge of Joe May’s Bar on Harbour Road with a special invitation from Skerries Theatre Group to join them in an Open Mic Night. You will enjoy an evening of fun performances, monologues, poetry readings, literature and new writings. Pop along for a relaxed sociable evening!
Time: 7.30pm – 11.30pm
No Booking Required
With only 3 days until Culture Night 2019 begins across Dublin city, its time to start curating your own Culture Night. Use Culture Night 2019 as a platform to express yourself and discover new interests and hobbies that you can continue to enjoy all year round.
We will operate a normal timetable on Friday and valid taxsaver tickets can be used on both our Fingal Express and Swords Express service. The last Swords Express Nitelink is 23.45 and costs €6.50 cash/ €6.00 Leap Card. Our service may be busier than normal so please allow extra travel time when planning your journey.
For the full rundown of what’s on across the country check out www.culturenight.ie