The twenty-first edition of Culture Night/Oíche Chultúir returns to Galway City on Friday, 18 September, with free cultural events taking place across the city from 4pm until late. Culture Night is an initiative of the Arts Council and is managed locally by Galway City Arts Office. Check out a sneak peek of the programme below...
This year's programme invites people across Galway to come together and enjoy a wide range of free cultural experiences that celebrate the city's creativity, identity and communities. From music and visual arts to heritage, performance and community-led events, the programme reflects the richness and diversity of Galway's cultural life.
The full programme will be launched shortly, but here is a glimpse of what’s in store for Culture Night 2026:
Across the city's cultural spaces Culture Night visitors can enjoy a rich programme of culture, performance and participation across the city. Highlights include The Great Debate by Red Bird Youth Collective; a free drop-in linocut printmaking workshop with Engage Art Studios; Tulach, a specially commissioned performance by Sandra Corrigan Breathnach at 126 Artist-Run Gallery; late-night access, tours and an artist talk at John Rainey's Deviations exhibition in Galway Arts Centre; and a film programme celebrating 40 years of Artspace Studios. Outset Gallery will extend their opening hours, and Satellite Projects & Studios will open its artist studios and project space to the public.
above: photo by Anita Murphy
Déanfar ceiliúradh ar chultúr na Gaeilge sa Taibhdhearc, le ceol agus taispeántais ó ealaíontóirí buacacha ghradam Taibhsín na bliana seo, agus déanfaidh An Cosán Cultúrtha in Áras na nGael comóradh ar oidhreacht Phádraig Uí Conaire agus Liam Ó Flaithearta trí cheol, scéalaíocht agus taibhiú. // Irish-language culture will be celebrated at An Taibhdhearc through performances, music and showcases by this year's Taibhsín award artists, while An Cosán Cultúrtha at Áras na nGael honours the legacy of Pádraig Ó Conaire and Liam Ó Flaithearta through music, storytelling and performance.
In recognition of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Culture Night will also feature events celebrating European culture and connections, including a recital by soprano Helen Hancock and pianist Ramin Haghjoo, a performance by Galway Baytones, and a night of live jazz at The Ol' 55.
Get hands on with free clay workshops at Forge Clay Studio, a live oil painting masterclass at Watershed Studios, a community embroidery project at LIV Vintage Studio, and help imagine the city's future through design, storytelling and live art at UrbanLab Galway.
The streets of Galway will be alive on the night too. Enjoy performances from Galway Céilí Club, the high-energy rhythms of Samba Wave, the dynamic sounds of the 424 Brass Band, and street entertainment from The Bash Brothers.
Flirt FM will bring Culture Night audiences live coverage from locations across Galway City. Featuring interviews, music, event highlights and reports from roving broadcast teams, the programme will air on 101.3FM across Galway City and online worldwide, making Culture Night accessible to the Galway community near and far.
above: photo by Emilija Jefremova
The Eastside will light up with Galway Skateboard Association transforming Doughiska Skatepark into a vibrant, illuminated cultural space featuring skateboarding, live music, graffiti workshops, chalk art and film projections. Meanwhile, Galway Sports Partnership will lead a unique Glow Games experience.
Highlights of the Culture Night Late programme are: Architecture at the Edge (AATE) will present an innovative crossover event combining an outdoor exhibition of the Irish culinary landscape, creating inviting spaces for encounter, conversation and cultural exchange in the heart of the city. As part of Galway’s Night-Time Economy programme, media artist Serhii Khadzhava will present 8 Bits of Galway, a visually captivating 3D projection mapping artwork.
Both events are part of the Arts Council’s Culture Night Late Programme and are supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
Galway City Library service will host a range of events, including storytelling and readings, while Ballybane Library and Westside Library will welcome families to enjoy hands-on arts and crafts activities.
Find out more about Culture Night/Oíche Chultúir 2026 and the programme launch by following Galway City Arts Office on Facebook (@ArtsOfficeGalwayCity) & Instagram (@artsofficegalwaycity), or visit culturenight.ie/galwaycity
#OicheDárSaol #OneNightForAll #CultureNight #OicheChultúir
Disclaimer: Events and programme development is ongoing at the time of publication.
Main photo by Emilija Jefremova
above: photo by Anita Murphy
