This Friday, 19 September it's Culture Night! Once again it will feature a fantastic mix of events designed for all ages to enjoy - from curious little ones to grandparents and everyone in between.
There’s no shortage of ways to get involved and the organisers have shared some of the family-friendly highlights. It's only a small selection of over 1,700 free arts and cultural events taking place all over the country.
Keep an eye on RTÉ Culture for more and click here to see what RTÉ have in store on the night.
Visit the official website www.culturenight.ie to see all the events and read on to see some suggestions - click on the event name to get the full details. Please book in advance where suggested to avoid disappointment.
Craft Central in New Ross, Wexford
Create a "hands-on" cushion with the different generations of your family. With guidance and inspiration from Dawn at Craft Central, you'll use textile paints to decorate a keepsake piece which celebrates your family. Suitable for two to six family members (one cushion between two people). This is best for families with children under 10.
You and your family are invited to the printmaker studio in Limerick to experience the magic of printmaking. Guests can try hand-printing LEGO designs and create unique mono-prints with guidance from the team. See what you can create on the night.
The historic Bolands Mills will host a family-friendly programme from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. They are inviting children into a world of creativity and performance, including dedicated sensory-friendly activities for neurodivergent kids.
Make Animal Stick Puppets at The Ark - Dublin
Bring your imagination to life! Create vibrant, expressive puppets inspired by your favorite insect, bird, or animal. Each participant will have the opportunity to craft their own unique figurine to take home and treasure. This hands-on family workshop is the perfect way to celebrate Culture Night together for creative minds of all ages!
Limited to 20 participants at any one time. No booking required. Please note: children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Family Fun Set Dancing with Louise O’Connor
Come along and join Louise O'Connor, a sean nós dancer, fiddle player and set dancing instructor from County Clare as she opens Meeting House Square with a family fun set dancing class.
Learn the basic steps and dances in this fun-filled activity for all the family to enjoy. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, Louise will guide you through the steps of Irish set dancing with live musicians in a relaxed and welcoming way.
In Kerry you can make music. Children (and grown-ups too) can design and build their own instruments with cardboard and Makedo tools. Older participants can use Makey Makey technology to turn their creations into real, playable sounds.
Autumn Equinox Celtic Calendar Workshop - Wexford
Welcome to an Autumn Equinox Celtic Calendar Making Workshop for Children, using recycled & natural materials. Celebrate the balance of the Autumn Equinox (Cónacht an Fomhair) with Laura, acknowledging our Celtic ancestors.
We will use collage techniques & materials like dried flowers & natural glue & inks to create each segment of the calendar wheel. This is a parent & child workshop, so a parent or guardian should come and take part with their child.
Garden Beasts & Glittering Trails - Sligo
Step into a world where garden creatures come to life in magical new forms! In this playful and imaginative workshop, young artists will dive into the secretive and mysterious lives of slugs, snails, worms, and beetles, transforming these everyday critters into mythical beasts, enchanted guardians, and shimmering forest royalty.
Where do the slugs go at night? Could a beetle's wings shine like stained glass? What if a snail wore a crown and ruled a hidden kingdom beneath the leaves? Through drawing, story
Des Dillon Puppet Show - Tipperary
Go to this special interactive performance of Des Dillon Puppet Show for Culture Night at the new performance space on Abbey Street in Clonmel. The audience will have the opportunity to work with fish, birds and animal puppets, followed by a performance of Des Dillon's Puppet Show with a combination of small and large-scale puppets.
Organised by Clonmel Junction Arts Festival the event will conclude with a community performance with members of the public each taking a puppet and performing with Des in a celebratory finale with music, movement and dance.
Storytelling and Shadow Puppetry for Children - Cork
For the third year in a row, Minna Murphy and Deirdre O'Mahony are delighted to collborate on a craft and storytelling workshop for 7-9 year olds. The oral art of storytelling allows us to create imaginative worlds and images that are completely unique to the listener.
Participants will listen to Deirdre tell a folktale and then have the opportunity toe create puppets and reenact the story using shadow puppetry.
RTÉ will again celebrate Culture Night on Friday, 19 September with a rich schedule of live programmes across its television, radio and online services.
