Culture night in Kilkenny has a packed programme of free events
All are welcome to step out and soak up the culture
Culture Night Kilkenny returns on Friday, September 18, inviting people of all ages to discover, celebrate and experience the rich artistic and cultural life of our city and county.
Culture Night is a unique opportunity to enjoy free access to arts, culture, heritage and creativity in all its forms, with an exciting programme of events taking place across Kilkenny City and county and is part of a nationwide celebration that has been bringing communities together for over 20 years,
Culture Night sees venues, artists, community groups, galleries, museums and cultural organisations opening their doors late into the evening for a vibrant programme of events. Audiences can enjoy a wide variety of free activities including performances, exhibitions, workshops, tours, talks, music, dance and family-friendly experiences.
Culture Night is an opportunity to get curious, try something new and engage with arts and culture in a fun, welcoming and inclusive way. Whether you are a regular attendee or experiencing Culture Night for the first time, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Once again, the Arts Office is working in partnership with the Kilkenny City Night Time Economy office to support a number of Culture Night Late events, helping to create a lively and vibrant night- time cultural experience across the city. Additional support is provided through Cultúr 2026: Sharing Ireland’s Culture, celebrating Irelands EU presidency.
Visitors can explore visual art exhibitions and participatory workshops, discover Kilkenny’s public art through a guided walking tour, enjoy literature, theatre and storytelling events, and take part in hands-on creative experiences including ceramics, weaving and lantern-making workshops. All events are free.
Highlights include ‘Culture for all on the Parade’ which will feature live music, family events and a wonderful collaboration between Maracatu Ireland and the Global Dance Club, a fascinating evening at the Medieval Mile Museum, where visitors can learn about medieval textiles and contribute to a collaborative artistic project.
The Butler Gallery will present a special programme inspired by the work of Tony and Jane O’Malley and Remedy/Resistance will be back at the at Market Cross carpark, an innovative exhibition bringing contemporary art into an unexpected urban setting.
The programme also showcases Kilkenny’s thriving performance sector, with new writing from the Watergate Collective, site-specific theatre from Bare Bones Kilkenny, and Voice Notes, a new theatre work by Susie Lamb and Gillian Grattan exploring modern communication through performance.
Traditional music, poetry, dance and storytelling will come together in The Crossroads in Clogh, celebrating local heritage and community traditions.
Music lovers can enjoy a range of performances throughout the evening, including a violin and cello recital in the beautiful setting of St Mary’s Cathedral, while Culture Night Late events will bring additional energy and excitement to the city. Audiences can experience live jazz and swing dancing,
intimate musical performances and artist conversations at Hole in the Wall, an immersive electronic music and visual experience at Kilkenny Skatepark, and the Watergate Urban Block Party featuring DJ Nialler9.
Events will take place in galleries, museums, libraries, community venues, heritage sites and public spaces throughout Kilkenny, reflecting the creativity, diversity and cultural richness of the county.
Many events are family-friendly and all are free to attend.
For the full Culture Night Kilkenny programme, event times and further details, visit:
www.culturenight.ie/kilkenny