Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir returns for its 2023 edition this September 22nd, with venues and public spaces across the country hosting a free programme of events centred on the arts, heritage & culture.
It's the 18th installment of the annual celebration of culture and creativity, which started in 40 venues in Dublin's Temple Bar in 2006, and has grown to become an all-island celebration featuring thousands of events for all ages and interests.
Directed by the Arts Council of Ireland, the Culture Night programme is created in partnership with local authorities and cultural organisations throughout the island. 742,000 people engaged with 1,700 Culture Night events in 2022.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Listen: Culture Night 2023 is launched, via RTÉ News At One
The night shines a light on the quality and breadth of Ireland's diverse cultural offerings, while introducing audiences nationwide to new venues and emerging talent.
Culture Night Late, an eclectic series of events running later into the night than previous years, with many into the early hours, will return with an expanded programme this year.
After a successful debut in 2022, the Arts Council's book-gifting project Read Mór also returns for 2023, bringing Culture Night to those who can’t take part. This year, in partnership with the HSE Healthy Ireland, a curated list of 30 books from Irish literary talent will be gifted to patients of 7 selected hospitals nationally.
RTÉ will once again partner with Culture Night for 2023, broadcasting across the evening from multiple regional venues: RTÉ One will host a live broadcast from Dunlewey, Co. Donegal, featuring specially commissioned performances, and an Arena special on RTÉ Radio 1 will come live from Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim, while Wicklow's Mermaid Theatre in Bray stages 2FM Rising, featuring live performances from an array of emerging musical talent.
It's all go as we prepare for Culture Night 2023! ✨
— Culture Night (@CultureNight) August 15, 2023
Check out our ever-growing list of events at https://t.co/kbMqTeFpnf
📆 22 September 2023 | 22 Meán Fómhair #OneNightForAll #OícheDárSaol pic.twitter.com/mZ7XxzOGqE
Arts Council Director Maureen Kennelly said: "As well as the vast array of events showcasing our vibrant culture, one of my favourite things to see on Culture Night is generations of families and groups of friends, young and old, coming out to explore together and enjoy the richness and diversity of Ireland's culture today.
"We in the Arts Council, as stewards, are delighted to bring this important collective cultural experience to life. This year we are celebrating Culture Night’s coming of age and I encourage everyone to come out on Friday September 22nd, have fun and wish Culture Night a happy 18th birthday!"
Find out more about this year's Culture Night programme here.
