GUIDE: Dozens of free fun events for Laois kids this Criuinniú na nÓg!
See our guide to fun, free events for all ages across Laois!
Laois County Council, in conjunction with Creative Ireland, will run free events and activities for children and young people this June to mark Criuinniú na nÓg 2026.
Events such as street theatre, workshops, screenings and readings will take place across the county as part of national Cruinniú na nÓg Day to encourage participation in culture and creativity.
The Leinster Express / Laois Live has compiled a guide of the not-to-be-missed events across Laois on June 6. See our guide below!
Portlaoise
Street Art with Madderdoit- June 5 and June 6
Taking place in Colliers Wood, Portlaoise, youths aged 10 to 18 can partake in an introduction and brief history of street art with a short demostration of how to use a can of spray paint properly and safely, as well as showing an example of how to paint a stencil. This is led under the guidance of Madderdoit, a self taught street artist known for his use of bright and bold colours mixed with monochrome imagery. Over the past few years his work has gained international recognition, having been sold to collectors in over 15 countries around the world.
For more information, contact [email protected] or 086 0756987.
Wonderwalls
In the Dunamase Arts Centre, all are invited to attend a street art, artist led workshop where you will learn to how design and create a mural.
On June 6, Laois School of Music will be hosting two exciting events.
Laois le Chéile will take place from 2.30pm to 5pm. Presented by Music Generation Laois, this arts festival will feature music and craft workshops, open mic sessions, and performances celebrating diverse cultures.
From 5pm to 7pm, the school of music will host a Chéile Mór through Laois le Chéile. Laois Together is the Community Arts Festival presented by Music Generation Laois to mark Cruinniú na nÓg, with this year’s programming extended to include a Céilí Mór!
Messy Play and Sensory Fun
Children aged six and above are invited to Portlaoise library for two hours of fun, messy play with All Abilities to inspire the senses, helping children to regulate their emotions, while making friends. This event will take place from 10:30am to 11:30am.
Role Play Village
From 10:30am to 2:30pm, children aged 12 months to six years of age are invited to drop by Portlaoise library’s Role Play Village.
The village invites children to explore a miniature world through imaginative play, from a supermarket and café to a construction site and vets! There will be three sessions available on June 6: 10:30am, 12:00pm and 1.30pm.
Glow Party
A glow party will take place in Portlaoise library for children aged 7-12. Get ready to light up the library! Join All Abilities Ireland
for a fun-filled Glow Party featuring UV and LED equipment, interactive activities, bubbles, and all the latest hits through a silent disco experience!
Wobbly Circus Workshop
Become part of the circus by joining in our fun circus workshop in Portlaoise library, for children aged six and above. This workshop will take place from 2pm to 2:50pm.
Clowns, Crafts & Ice-Cream, Fun day in Portlaoise FYC
Taking place in Treo Nua, get ready for a day bursting with colour, laughter, and creativity! Step right into the fun with Jeca the Clown from 11am to 1pm.
Mountmellick
Play, chill, belong fun day
Taking place in Mountmellick’s Macra Hall, a vibrant event has been organised for children and young people of all ages, with something to spark joy in everyone. Join organisers from 2:30pm to 4:40pm. For more information, contact Mountmellick Youth and Family Resource Centre.
Wobbly Circus Workshop
Taking place in Mountmellick library, children aged 6 and upwards are invited to take part in a fun circus workshop, from 12 noon to 12:50pm.
Mountrath
Wobbly Circus Show
Mountrath library will host two exciting events for local little ones. From 10am to 10:30am, a Wobbly Circus Show will take place. The wobbly circus is a high-energy juggling and circus show for all the family, of all ages.
Calm and Create
From 11:30am to 1pm, children can make clay creations with Linda. Focus on the joy of creating, not the end product with Linda, creating an inclusive, neuro-affirming, trauma-informed spaces for neurodivergent and disabled children.
Portarlington
CSI Workshop
Children aged 10 and upwards are invited to attend a fun CSI workshop in Portarlington library, from 10am to 10:45am. Step into the shoes of a forensic scientist in this hands-on science workshop!
Creativity through Circus
From 12 to 1pm, children aged 8 to 12 years are invited to join in the fun with circus artists Maria and Isabela. This workshop combines circus skills and drama games, encouraging participants to explore movement, imagination and very cool circus tricks.
Rathdowney
Tin Whistle Showcase
A fun Tin Whistle Showcase will take place in Rathdowney library from 11am to 12 noon. This is a free taster course in tin whistle with Laois Libraries and Music Generation, culminating with a performance on June 6.
Stradbally
Small town, big voices
In Stradbally library from 10am to 1:45pm, four year old Lucy Fitzpatrick is hosting the first Small Town Big Voices as facilitator for her very favourite hobby - drawing and colouring in mermaids and unicorns! Dress up and all parental help welcome! Come join Lucy if that’s your favourite hobby too!
Sensory Play
From 11am to 12 noon, join Discovery Playtime for a fun, hands-on session inviting young children and their caregivers to explore learning through play in a relaxed, sensory-friendly environment.
Calling up Berba on the River Barrow P.2.
Laois Art House- Calling up Berba on the River Barrow P.2.
Experiment with the alchemy of colour to complete a Glenbarrow colour palette with botanical inks and earth pigments, from 10:30am to 1:30pm. For youths aged 10 to 18.
Abbeyleix
Singer/Song-Writer Workshop
From 11am to 1pm, youths aged 10 and above are invited to a singer-songwriter workshop in the Abbeyleix Heritage House. Guided by a professional instructor, the group will create lyrics and music, exploring melodies, rhythms, and storytelling.
Brick Flix Stop Motion Animation
For kids aged 9 to 12, a stop motion animation lego workshop will take place in Abbeyleix library. Step into the world of stop-motion animation using LEGO minifigures in this 2-hour Brickflicks workshop, from 10am to 12 noon.
Castletown
Anyone 4 Science-Ice Cream-Make your own Freezer
Children are invited to a workshop in Castletown Community Centre from 1pm to 1:45pm.
“Here at Anyone 4 Science we love making ice cream for a very unusual reason -we can make our very own freezers! In fact you can make your own freezer too!!” organisers said.
Bubble Lock Hip Hob
Get ready to move, groove, and express yourself with high- energy hip-hop dance sessions in Castletown Community Centre.
Two sessions will take place; 3pm and 4pm.
Glenbarrow
Calling up Berba on the River Barrow (two dates)
Aimed for youths aged 10 to 18, join artists Donna Wright & Angelina Foster invite young people to engage in an inter-generational and ethical foraging walk. This two day event will take place on the 30 May and 6 June, from 10:30am to 1:30pm.