From captivating tours, interactive handling sessions and engaging drop-in sessions, there’s something for everyone to discover and enjoy across our museum sites in Dublin and Mayo.
The 25th anniversary of Culture Night will take place from 17:00 - 20:00 on Friday, 19 September 2025.
Supported by the Arts Council, Culture Night/Oíche Chultúir is an annual all-island public event and a great opportunity for people to enjoy a range of specially programmed cultural activities at hundreds of participating locations, including museums, theatres, galleries, arts centres and more. This year's theme is 'One Night For All'
See what's on at the National Museum of Ireland for Culture Night 2025
My Favourite Animal at the Dead Zoo Lab
17:00 - 19:00 | Friday, 19 September | Families | Free Admission | No booking required
Dead Zoo Lab, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
Drop into the Discovery Zone this Culture Night and choose your favourite animal on display in the new Dead Zoo Lab. Grab a pencil and a copy of the newly designed activity sheet, ‘My Favourite Animal’, and get exploring! Museum Educators will be on hand to answer any curious questions and show off the new handling carts where you can touch real fossils, fur and bones! . FIND OUT MORE
Late Opening for Culture Night at Turlough Park
18:00 - 21:00 | Friday, 19 September | All Ages | Free Admission | No booking required
National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Visit the popular temporary exhibition The Murmur of Bees and explore various themes from the National Folklife Collection including trades and crafts, life in the home, life in the community, clothing, textiles, farming and fishing. FIND OUT MORE
Hands on History: Gloves, Games and Gallons of Fun
17:30 - 19:00 | Friday, 19 September | Adults & Families | Free Admission | No booking required
National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
This Culture Night, the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks invites visitors to take part in an engaging, hands-on session exploring the age-old question of how to spend your evening – going out or staying in? This interactive experience offers a unique opportunity to handle a selection of historical objects related to fashion, grooming, and leisure activities of times past, from elegant accessories and grooming tools used to prepare for a night on the town, to the more intimate items associated with domestic entertainment and relaxation. FIND OUT MORE
LGBTQIA+ Tour of Collins Barracks
17:30 - 18:30 & 19:00 - 20:00 | Friday, 19 September | Adults & Families | Free Admission | No booking required
National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
Come along on Culture Night for a rich and informative historical tour of the National Museum of Ireland – Collins Barracks exploring LGBTQIA+ history in the Museum’s collections. This tour views the Museum’s exhibitions through alternative lenses, bringing some hidden histories and perspectives to the fore. Focusing on objects and individuals from the 17th to the 21st century, the tour reveals a wide variety of identities, genders and sexualities along the way. FIND OUT MORE
Culture Night Tours at Kildare Street
17:00- 20:00 | Friday, 19 September | All Ages | Free Admission | No booking required
National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Step into history this Culture Night with a visit to the National Museum of Ireland at Kildare Street. Experience the magic of metal, stone and manuscript art from Ireland's Golden Age in the Words of the Wave: Ireland and St Gallen in Early Medieveal Europe exhibition. Explore early medieval treasures in a free guided tour of this exhibition or enjoy a highlight tour that brings to life some of Ireland's most iconic artefacts like the Ardagh Chalice and the Tara Brooch. FIND OUT MORE
Browse more upcoming events at the National Museum of Ireland