33 free events lined up involving music, theatre, art, exhibitions and workshops

Sligo will come alive with music, art, theatre, exhibitions, workshops, heritage and late-night experiences when Culture Night returns on Friday 18 September 2026.

Thirty free events will take place across Sligo town and county, bringing together artists, cultural organisations and community groups for an evening that invites audiences not only to watch and listen, but to take part

From major performances and outdoor spectacle to open studios, traditional music, poetry, craft, storytelling and hands-on workshops, Culture Night Sligo 2026 offers something for all ages.

Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Dara Mulvey, said: “Culture Night is one of the highlights of our cultural calendar, providing a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to come together and experience the incredible creativity, talent and cultural richness that exists throughout County Sligo.

“This year’s programme showcases the diversity of our artists, performers, community groups and cultural organisations, while also encouraging people to explore new places, participate in new experiences and connect with their communities.”

Four flagship events are at the heart of this year’s programme. At The Model, Culture Blast: Everything is Connected will fill the building with workshops, open studios, exhibitions, tours and a performance by acclaimed music collective Crash Ensemble.

On Queen Maeve Square, artist Tom Meskell’s Sleeping Giant will transform the town centre after dark, with a spectacular illuminated sculpture accompanied by smaller pieces created by communities across Sligo.

At the ATU Innovation Centre, Spilt Milk: Minor Disturbance will run from 7.30pm until midnight, beginning with printmaking, sticker-making, poster design and large-format drawing before moving into an alcohol-free late-night programme of live electronic music, DJs and large-scale projections.

Meanwhile, Sligo Baroque Music Festival joins forces with the Hawk’s Well Theatre for Baroque Brilliance, a special Culture Night opera gala featuring an evening of operatic favourites.

Across Sligo town, audiences can explore exhibitions and creative spaces throughout the evening.

The Yeats Society delves into the world of dreams through art, science, poetry, light, sound and live music; Vivid Studio Gallery opens both its gallery and working studio; Sligo Drama Circle celebrates 70 years of amateur drama through costumes, photographs, programmes and memorabilia; and Ceramic Poem at The Canopy presents Legacy, an exhibition celebrating more than 60 years of craftsmanship by master potter Con Lynch.

Later in the evening, Scéal na Michael by Hazel Doolan comes to The Swagman, while Terry Markey explores the mysterious world of Yeats and the Golden Dawn.

There are also plenty of opportunities to take part. MADE in Sligo hosts hands-on printmaking, drawing and clay workshops; The Nest brings together visual art, music, theatre and creative encounters; Down Syndrome Sligo presents an inclusive evening of candle- and puppet-making; and audiences can explore folklore and traditional remedies through Into Yarrow – Magic, Myth, Medicine. Elsewhere, people can join Sligo Orpheus Choir for an evening of singing at The Factory Performance Space, teenagers can create a collective handmade animated film with Kids’ Own, and the Aremoja Women’s Group brings together music, dance, spoken word and storytelling in a celebration of Sligo’s diverse communities.

In Ballysadare, Queer Shed Sligo presents alternative punk-pop band The Amniotics; GreenBirdFlying and Mary Branley bring original music, poetry and spoken word to Maugherow; Coolera Dramatic Society explores the people and stories of Carrowmore through music, storytelling, dance and drama; and the Coleman Music Centre in Gurteen celebrates the musical and cultural traditions of South Sligo.

Audiences can get involved too, from art, painting and ceramics at Rathcormack Craft Village to the revival of Ireland’s ancient annal-writing tradition at Sligo Folk Park in Riverstown.

Phoenix Players hosts an open-mic evening of poetry and spoken word in Tubbercurry, Ballintogher Enterprise Centre recreates the atmosphere of a traditional Rambling House, and Sligo Traditional Singers brings together sean-nós and traditional singing from cultures around the world in Rosses Point.

Culture Night will continue well beyond the traditional evening programme in 2026 with an expanded Culture Night Late offering across Sligo town.

Six events will extend into the night, including Nesting Culture Night at The Nest, Vivid Studio Gallery’s Open Studio & Gallery, Sleeping Giant on Queen Maeve Square and Spilt Milk: Minor Disturbance at the ATU Innovation Centre.

From 9pm, Hazel Doolan’s Scéal na Michael will be presented at The Swagman, followed by Yeats and the Golden Dawn at the Yeats Building from 10pm.

The programme is funded by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport in support of the Night-Time Economy and Night-Time Economy Advisor pilot initiative, and delivered in partnership by Sligo BID and Sligo County Council.

With events taking place in theatres, galleries, community centres, pubs, studios, shopping centres, outdoor spaces and cultural venues, Culture Night Sligo 2026 celebrates the breadth of creativity happening throughout Sligo and offers audiences the opportunity to discover somewhere new, revisit a favourite venue or get directly involved themselves.

All Culture Night events are free, although advance booking is required for a small number of events and activities.

The full Culture Night Sligo programme is available at: culturenight.ie/events/ – search/select Sligo.

Culture Night Sligo is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and delivered locally by Sligo County Council Arts Service.