Culture Night is back tonight and as ever there's an eye watering amount of events to entertain young and old. Dublin has the biggest range of events and to help you wade through the maze of offerings here's our top TEN free events for Culture Night. For our regional highlights click here
Free Set Dancing Lessons
Where: Áras Chrónáin, Watery Lane, off Orchard Road, Clondalkin
Free
Always getting you one, two, threes and heal and toes mixed up? Well Áras Chrónáin in Clondalkin can help you out. They are offering free Irish Set Dancing lessons from 8pm – 9:30pm. And once you have your jigs and reels sorted you will be treated to a night of traditional Irish music, dance, song and of course a cúpla focal!
Bluefire on Smithfield Square
Where: Smithfield Square, Dublin 7
Time: 6pm – 10pm
Free
Smithfield Square will be transformed for Culture Night. You bring the food and Bluefire provides the entertainment, for an evening picnic under the stars with a difference. Lit by candlelight, there will be live music, performances and workshops, plus a few surprises. Expect everything from African drumming to giant outdoor games like Connect 4!
Grafton Academy of Fashion Design
Where: Herbert Place, Dublin 2
Time 5pm - 9pm
Free
Fashion fans listen up – if you've ever dreamed of a career as a fashion designer, be sure not to miss the Culture Night event at the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design, where many of Ireland's biggest names have cut their cloth – including Paul Costelloe, Louise Kennedy, Umit Kutluk and Sharon Hoey. The academy is hosting an evening of live fashion, with demonstrations of pattern cutting, sewing and millinery, with a drawing and collage workshop. There will also be models showcasing the graduate collections so you can see the cutting-edge fashion being created there.
Stomptown Brass
Where: Trinity College Dublin Main Square (in front of the Bell Tower), Dublin 2
Time: 6.30pm – 7.15pm
Free
Bringing a flavour of New Orleans to Dublin is the Stomptown Brass band, who will perform live at Trinity College on Culture Night. The self-described urban brass outfit from Dublin play original material composed by trombonist James O'Leary, as well as rousing renditions of hits such as Outkast's Hey Ya, which is always sure to go down a treat. They band has been bringing pedestrians to a standstill through their live performances on Dublin streets, so this is sure to a must-see gig. The meeting point for the live performance is in front of the Bell Tower in Trinity College Dublin.
Gavin James
Where: IMRO, Pembroke Row Lower Baggot Street Dublin 2
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Free
Pop along for a chilled out evening of music and chat with singer-songwriter Gavin James. The 24 year old has had a string of sold-out headline dates and supporting tours with the likes of Marina & The Diamonds, Kodaline and Sam Smith. But hurry, there's only a limited number of spaces available. To reserve a place please email your name to events@imro.ie
Freemasons' Hall
Where: Molesworth Street, Dublin 2
Time: 5pm-11pm
Free
This is a treat for young and old as one of Dublin city's most opulent buildings throws open its doors for the evening. Check out the Victorian splendour of this architecturally rich mansion which is the headquarters of the Freemasons of Ireland located right in the heart of the city. The National Youth Orchestra of Ireland will also be on hand to add some atmosphere from 6.30 to 8 pm.
Windmill Lane Recording Studios
Where: Ringsend Road, Dublin 4
Time: 6pm-10pm
Free
Calling all music fans. This is a rare chance to have a look inside the world famous recording studios, which along with U2 has hosted artists such The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Spice Girls and, more recently, Lady GaGa, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, Hozier and Kodaline. Producers and engineers will be on had to give an insight while three special live shows will take place at 7, 8 and 9pm.
Lilliput Press
Where: Sitric Road Stoneybatter Dublin 7
Time: 5pm-9pm
Free
To mark the forthcoming release of the first short story collection from Booker Prize nominee, Donal Ryan, Lilliput Press are hosting an evening of literature and music. Readings kick off at 6.30pm. Special guests include official Culture Night Ambassador Niamh Farrell of Ham Sandwich, and writer Alan McMonagle.
Glasnevin Cemetery Museum
Where: Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin 9
Time: 5pm-9pm
Free
One of Dublin's best visitor attractions is also throwing open its doors for Culture Night. The award winning interactive museum exhibition features everything from grave digging & grave robbing, conversations amongst past grave diggers, to and exhibition on Daniel O’Connell. You can also explore the life and death of 200 of the more famous residents of the Cemetery. Tours are at 5.30pm, 6.00pm (Children’s special crypt tour) 6.30pm and 7.00pm. Booking is essential.
Sweny's Pharmacy
Where: Lincoln Place Dublin 2
When: 5pm-11pm
Free
A truly iconic Dublin institution. Pop along and visit the Chemist that features in James Joyce’s famous book Ulysses. Enjoy a reading of Joyce’s irreverent Children’s story ‘The Cat and the Devil’ as well as the section from Ulysses that features the chemist. If you pop along you can also pick up a bar of lemon soap!
