Brought to you by the Arts Council in partnership with local authorities and cultural organisations, Culture Night is a national celebration of culture, creativity and the arts. At its heart is the idea of “One Night for All” – opening doors, creating opportunities for discovery and inviting people to experience the culture happening in their own communities. Events are free to attend, although advance booking is required for some.

Here in County Kildare, that celebration has a particularly rich backdrop. From ancient heritage, folklore and the Irish language to music, literature, theatre, craft and contemporary visual arts, Kildare’s cultural identity has been shaped by generations of artists, musicians, storytellers and communities.

This Culture Night, towns and villages across the county will host a packed programme of events. Here are some of the experiences to discover.

Newbridge

At Riverbank Arts Centre, visitors can experience ‘An Antarctic Journey’ & ‘Parachute Display’, with exhibitions running from 4pm–8pm. Inspired by artist Martina McDonald’s journey to Antarctica, it offers a fascinating meeting point between art, travel and exploration.

Elsewhere in Newbridge, the programme includes PopUpArt Newbridge – Season of Colour, bringing together local community artists and businesses from 4pm–8pm, while music fans can head to Broken Record’s RPM Series: Planxty – TheBlack Album Listening Party at Dubh from 8pm–10pm, celebrating Newbridge’s place in Ireland’s musical story.

A Public Art Bus Tour with Rina Whyte also departs from Riverbank Arts Centre from 5.30pm–8.30pm, offering a different way to discover public art around Kildare.

Athy

Athy has a packed Culture Night programme celebrating everything from music and art to language and community. Opera in the Library with Ioana Constantin Pipelea takes place at Athy Library from 4pm–5pm, while Gaeilge Chois Bhearu offers conversation and song through Irish from 6.30pm–7.20pm. Later, Legends by Athy Gospel Choir brings an evening of music to the library.

At the Methodist Church, A2Z Sound performs classical, traditional folk and country music from 4.30pm–6.30pm, followed later by Athy Comhaltas and Friends, with traditional Irish music, song and dancing from 7pm–9.36pm.

Art House also joins the celebrations with the Faces We Know Exhibition Opening from 5.30pm–7.30pm and a Journal Binding Workshopfrom 7.30pm–9.30pm.

Kildare Town

Kildare Town’s programme combines music and hands-on creativity.

At Kildare Town Library, singer-songwriter Eoghan Burke – Fia Rua – presents Celebrating Culture in Kildare with the Songs of Kildare from 7pm–8pm, exploring songs associated with the county and its cultural identity.

At The Square Coffee Shop, Paint & Print: A Collaborative Art Experience with Alan Stafford runs from 7pm–8.30pm, inviting participants to become part of a collaborative creative experience.

Maynooth

Maynooth’s extraordinary heritage provides another beautiful setting for Culture Night.

At Maynooth Community Library, Eoghan Burke leads a Bodhrán Workshop and Songs of Kildare from 4pm–5pm, giving participants the opportunity to try one of Ireland’s best-known traditional instruments.

The National Science and Ecclesiology Museum at St Patrick’s College Maynooth will also welcome Culture Night visitors between 4pm and 8pm.

From 5.30pm–7pm, Oíche Litríochta agus Cheoil celebrates literature, music and traditional heritage, while later in the evening Traditional Music and Dance with Comhaltas Maynooth brings another celebration of Irish culture to St Mary’s Church of Ireland.

Naas

In Naas, Culture Night begins with creativity at Naas Library, where Getting into Place: Discovering your Place in Creative Writing with Keith Payne runs from 5pm–7.30pm.

From 6pm–7pm, Amhráin Scoile Ghaeilge / Songs You Learned in Primary School invites audiences to reconnect with familiar Irish-language songs, while Aria Ladies Choir will also perform at Naas Library and Cultural Centre.

Celbridge & Leixlip

In Celbridge, ‘Headspace’ screening in partnership with Run of the Mill takes place at Celbridge Library at 6pm, showcasing the award-winning Irish short film written and directed by Aisling Byrne.

Celbridge will also welcome traditional music, song and dance when CCÉ Leixlip presents Trad in the Church at Christ Church from 7.30pm–10pm.

Meanwhile, Leixlip Library marks an impressive milestone with its 100 Years of Kildare Libraries Yarn Bomb Exhibition, running from 5.30pm–7.30pm.

Sallins

Culture Night spills into some unexpected spaces in Sallins, where theatre, nature and creativity are all on the programme.

Autumn Canal Hedgerow Forage Walk with Aisling Moore leaves from outside Sallins Canal Stores from 6pm–7.30pm, while Sallins Dramatic Society presents An Accidental Preview at Café Grange from 6.30pm–7pm before moving to Lock 13 for another performance from 8pm–9pm.

The Sallins programme also includes Carve & Kindle – Butter Knives by Firelight with Dúlra Forest School, alongside poetry, music and family activities.

Clane, Kilcullen & Kill

The county’s strong tradition of community performance takes centre stage in Clane, where A Celebration with Clane Musical and Dramatic Society runs from 7pm–9pm.

In Kilcullen, A Gathering with Kilcullen Drama Group also takes place from 7pm–9pm, celebrating local talent, heritage and community.

Meanwhile, history takes to the streets in Kill, with Kill Village Walk & Talk from 7pm–9pm, featuring commentary from members of Kill History Group.

Kilcock, Straffan, Allenwood & Rathangan

Culture Night reaches communities right across the county.

In Kilcock, Live in the Garden transforms Kilcock Community Gardens with music, art, poetry, dance and performance from 6.30pm–8.30pm.

Straffan Community Hall hosts Images of World War I, presented by the Geraldine O’Brien School of Speech and Drama, while the Kildare North Ukulele Group brings music to Culture Night with KNUCs at Craicly Stories.

In Rathangan, Culture Night includes an Arts & Craft Demonstration in Ma’s Kitchen, followed later by the Vintage Vinyl Arts Music & Culture Evening, running from 8pm–11pm.

Castledermot

Film and discussion are on the programme at Castledermot Library, where Rocky Road to Dublin: A Secular Ireland? takes place from 6.30pm–8pm. The evening features a screening of the landmark 1967 documentary followed by discussion.

Young creatives can also get involved through Rough Cut – A Culture Night Screenwriting Workshop for Teenagers, aimed at young people aged 13–18.

One Night, One County, So Much to Discover

From traditional music in Athy and Maynooth to contemporary art in Newbridge, theatre in Sallins and Kilcullen, heritage in Kill, Irish-language events in Naas and hands-on workshops across the county, Culture Night 2026 is an opportunity to experience Kildare in a completely different way.

Whether you plan an entire evening of events or simply drop into something happening in your own town, Culture Night is about opening doors, discovering new experiences and celebrating the people and communities that keep Kildare’s culture thriving.

Culture Night takes place on Friday, 18 September 2026. All Culture Night events are free, although some require advance booking.

View the full Culture Night programme for County Kildare