Culture Night returns to Waterford city and county today (Friday), running from 4pm nationally through to well after midnight, with a full day and night of free events spanning visual art, music, theatre, heritage, storytelling and community celebration.

Organised by the Culture Night Waterford team on behalf of Waterford City and County Council Arts Office, the programme takes in venues across the city centre and locations right across the county.

In the city, the Apple Market becomes the evening’s anchor point, hosting a stage programme from 6pm to 9pm alongside a full night of activity through the Waterford Cultural Quarter, including open studios at Garter Lane, a portrait drop-in at Waterford Gallery of Art, and the exhibition Trust Artists Unconditionally, marking the public art of 1990s Waterford.

GOMA Gallery of Modern Art marks ten years with an extended late opening, while the Theatre Royal hosts a Music Generation takeover followed by two late-night events running into the small hours. Imagine Arts Festival marks the start of its landmark 25th anniversary year with a launch event on Bank Lane, and Bus Éireann joins the night with Music and Poetry in Motion bringing live performance onto city bus routes.

Beyond the city, the county programme is just as busy: rehearsed readings of Lucky Strike by Martina Teeny Collender in Kilmacthomas and Mahon Bridge, a local talent show in Tournore, storytelling and song in An Sean Phobal, walking and photography events in Dunmore East, and music and dancing continuing late into the night in An Rinn. Dungarvan hosts its own Culture Night Lights and an evening of music and welcome at the Old Market House Arts Centre.

All events are free to attend, with the full programme and venue details available at culturenight.ie and via the Culture Night Waterford social media channels.

Mayor of Waterford Metropolitan District, Cllr. Lola O’ Sullivan said, “There is something special about Culture Night in Waterford. It connects people and communities through music, poetry, art, and creativity, and this year is no exception.

“Whether it’s getting a sneak-peek behind the scenes of Spraoi Studios, enjoying spoken word in Waterford’s Cultural Quarter or experiencing music and poetry in motion on public transport, Culture Night has something for everyone.

“Waterford’s arts and cultural organisations, the Arts Office, and Waterford City and County Council’s Arts Officers have put together a programme that celebrates our richness and diversity, so I would encourage everyone to immerse themselves in Culture Night across the city and county.”