Culture Night Kilkenny/Oíche Chultúir returns on Friday, 18th September 2026, inviting people of all ages to discover, celebrate and experience the rich artistic and cultural life of our city and county. As part of Ireland’s national Culture Night programme, audiences are encouraged to explore the extraordinary creativity, heritage and artistic talent that make up Kilkenny’s cultural landscape through a diverse programme of free events taking place from late afternoon into the evening.
Culture Night is a unique annual celebration that invites everyone, everywhere, on one joyful night, to discover and celebrate all that our culture is today. Taking place nationwide, it provides free access to arts, culture, heritage and creativity in all their forms, connecting people with cultural experiences locally and encouraging continued engagement throughout the year.
Part of a nationwide celebration that has been bringing communities together for more than 20 years, Culture Night sees venues, artists, community groups, galleries, museums, libraries and cultural organisations opening their doors for a vibrant programme of events. Audiences can enjoy a wide variety of free activities including performances, exhibitions, workshops, tours, talks, music, dance, literature 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, Kilkenny 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 Ireland’s EU Presidency and enabling an expanded programme that showcases creativity, participation and cultural exchange long into the evening.
This year’s programme offers opportunities to explore visual arts exhibitions and participatory workshops, discover Kilkenny’s public art through guided walking tours, enjoy literature, theatre and storytelling events, and take part in hands-on creative experiences including ceramics, weaving and lantern-making workshops.
Among the highlights is Culture for All on The Parade, featuring live music, family-friendly activities and a vibrant collaboration between Maracatu Ireland and the Global Dance Club. Visitors can also spend a fascinating evening at the Medieval Mile Museum, learning about medieval textiles while contributing to a collaborative artistic project.
The Butler Gallery will present a special Culture Night programme inspired by the work of Tony and Jane O’Malley, while contemporary art takes centre stage at Market Cross Car Park with Remedy/Resistance, an innovative exhibition that brings contemporary artwork 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 performances throughout the evening, including a violin and cello recital in the beautiful surroundings of St Mary’s Cathedral. Meanwhile, the city’s Culture Night Late programme will bring additional energy and excitement through 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 the Culture Night Kilkenny programme.
Culture Night Kilkenny 2026 takes place on Friday, 18th September. All events are free. Join us and experience the richness, diversity and creativity of culture in Kilkenny.
