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Culture Vultures A Guide to Culture Night Dublin’
s 20th Anniversary Programme WORDS Melissa Nolan The programme for Culture Night Dublin 2025 has officially been announced, with the annual cultural nocturnal extravaganza set to take place on Friday, September 19th. Over 300 events will be held across the capital, from theatre, music, and dance to podcasting, painting, and poetry. Countless surprises await at iconic heritage sites, museums, and quirky arts spaces throughout the city. Founded in 2006, with just a handful of participating venues in the Temple Bar area, this year marks the 20th edition of the event, which has grown to become Ireland’s largest national celebration of creativity, culture, and heritage. As always, all Culture Night events are free to attend, and this year’s programme certainly offers something for everyone. Commissioned Events Meeting House Square, will be stacked with live events from early afternoon until late, including the pop-alt sister duo Zeztra as well as performances from Calum Agnew, Lisa Murray and Earthmover. Musicians who are all part of the growth of the Irish language in popular music. Come join Louise O’Connor as she hosts a Family Fun Set Dancing event with live musicians. A highlight evening event in the square will feature dancer Favour Odusola, in what promises to be an extraordinary spectacle fusing Nigerian and Irish culture. The iconic Wood Quay Amphitheatre will be a hive of activity, opening with a celebration of multilingualism from Culture Night Dublin ambassador Farah Elle, as well as comedian Sharon Mannion, musical theatre artists Jessica Hayes, Zach O’Brien and the Ballinteer Male Voice Choir. A highlight 38 concert at the Amphitheatre, will feature the Dublin-based Mongolian Ethnic group, Khuur Band, featuring traditional dance and song. A number of new sites across the city will be activated with events for the first time; Wolf Tone Square will host family entertainment early in the evening, and Diamond Park will host several film screenings. On Dublin’s O’Connell Street, there is a “tea dance” planned for beneath Clery’s Clock, accompanied by a full swing band and an early evening time event, ‘talking statues’, will see iconic statues brought to life by period actors. Later in the night, the City Sounds event will transform Central Plaza into an open-air disco dancefloor, while Echo Exchange will curate Capel Street with an eclectic mix of up and coming techno DJs. The Lab on Foldey Street offers craic, music, poetry and stories with The Poetry’s Dead Live Podcast show presented by Ryan Duggins and Leon Dunne. Be warned: Audience participation is probable! Shifting Stages theatre collective presents Mother Storm, an evening of theatre that shines a light on the perfect storm that is motherhood. A unique project to be launched this Culture Night is “After Light: These Dark Citizens” (ALTDC) by artist Peter Power. The project is described as “a geo-located immersive artwork” that unfolds along a walk across Dublin City, featuring moments of music, storytelling, audio, installation, and poetry. Audience members can choose their own route and encounter the story of the nocturnal city, with the narrative adapting and changing to follow each individual’s choices. Exhibitions Galleries, museums and artist studios across the city will open their doors this Culture Night. The Lab Gallery will present an exhibition featuring works by socially engaged mixed media artist Aaron Sunderland and Richmond Road Studios will welcome visitors to an exhibition showcasing the work of its studio members. Photo Museum Ireland is presenting a group show and GalleryX will offer a night of wearable creativity with its “Alternative Fashion” showcase, spotlighting emerging Irish clothing and accessory designers. Meanwhile, at The National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, visitors can experience Hands on History: Gloves, Games and Gallons of Fun, a unique opportunity to interact with a collection of historical objects related to historic fashion, grooming, and leisure. DANCE & THEATRE Culture Night offers a great opportunity for those who may never have been to a theatre or dance show to experience some free live performance. Broadreach, The outreach programme of leading theatre dance company, CoisCéim, will take over the bandstand in Fairview Park with “Performing Memory,” a new outdoor dance performance choreographed by Simone O’Toole. The Dublin Tango School is hosting a special evening at 36 Parnell Square as part of their “XX Tango Festival,” featuring renowned Tango dancers. Visitors to Tailors Hall will enjoy a candlelit theatre experience featuring August Strindberg’s most famous play, ‘Miss Julie’, and The Abbey Theatre will provide free tickets for a special performance of “The Boy,” written by the legendary Irish playwright Marina Carr. Literature & Books The Irish Writers Centre will host live read