See what's on in your part of Laois for Culture Night all day this Friday

Culture Night 2026 is underway Laois and already there’s a host of events happening now for free in towns and villages.

This Friday, September 18, there are artists, cultural groups, libraries, venues, and local organisations presenting a lively programme of free events, inviting people of all ages to explore the arts.

Starting in Portlaoise, The Men’s Shed Ukulele Session was held at Connect Café in the Compass Community Hub this morning for those lucky to catch it.

From 4pm to 6pm visit St St Fintan’s Campus, where Laois and Offaly Community Rehabilitation and Recovery Mental Health Services will host an inclusive celebration of music, dance, poetry, and visual art, inspired by connection and community participation. Hear Portlaoise Mezzo Soprano Heather Fogarty, and the Irish Wheelchair Association singers, with Ukrainian poet and performer Snizhana as MC.

Music Generation Laois presenting a Youth Open Mic in their newly developed youth space at the People’s Park, Borrislittle from 6.30 to 8.30pm.

Dunamaise Arts Centre will open its doors for an evening of film, theatre, musical theatre, dance and spoken word, including a screening celebrating Ukrainian musician Taras Kompanichenko at 5.30pm. There is a behind-the-scenes staged situational play with John Doheny and Kevin Lalor Fitzpatrick at 6pm. The Portlaoise Musical Society launch of Young Frankenstein at 6pm. Moumita Pal’s Across the Sea is at 6.30pm. A playful Culture Night social arts experience with Felispeaks and Big Kids Klub starts at 8pm.

At 6.30pm head to Portlaoise Library for the Drawing Room Opera Company for an enchanting evening of Irish song, musical theatre, and operatic classics with soprano Katy Kelly and baritone Brendan Collins.

There is a free concert in the lovely Church of Ireland church, Rosenallis with Laois folk singer Emer Dunne, Derek Dunne and Aidan Connolly at 8.15pm.

Clonad GAA / CLG Chluain Fhada near Portlaoise will host a special Irish-language screening of the drama Fidil Ghorm, complete with refreshments, traditional music, and conversation, doors open 6.30pm, film at 7pm.

In Donaghmore, the historic Corn Mill and Kiln will provide an atmospheric setting at 7pm for The Caochaleleles choir and an introduction to I.V.E.T.A.’s ongoing work to restore the remarkable heritage site and museum.

OPW partners Emo Court will welcome Laois pianist David Vesey and flautist Martina Rosaria O’Connell for an evening of classical music at 7pm, also free.

Mountmellick Library will host Mountmellick Comhaltas for an hour of traditional Irish music from 4pm.

Portarlington will once again highlight the energy of its creative community, with Crafty Dreams Studio offering a spinning demonstration in the Market House and Port Arts Collective leading a Culture Night Crawl through Market Square, Parochial Hall, Market House, and Seán’s Gallery. Visitors can expect art, craft, busking, music, dance, history, comedy, and a lively celebration of local talent throughout the evening.

Laois Arthouse Gallery and Studios will host the opening of Clodhoppers from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, an exhibition of recent work by artist Niamh Coffey, alongside open studios with resident artists, a mix of textiles, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media.

In Abbeyleix Library, visitors can experience Undercurrent, an exhibition by NCAD artists Gillian Adams and Sally-Anne Cahill exploring historical garments, textiles, acrylic paint and the relationship between clothing, freedom, and the natural world, running for all of September.

In Ballylinan, an event for 7.30pm has been cancelled at St Anne’s Hall.

At Castletown Community Centre from 4pm to 5pm, Bubblelock presents The One, a contemporary dance performance bringing together young dancers from the Laois Youth Dance Ensemble with professional performers.

Castletown village lights up at 7pm with light, music and story as Castletown Tidy Towns illuminate the Slí Shibhéal Walkway.

Laois County Council and Laois Arts Office wish to acknowledge the wealth of artistic talent and community effort that makes Culture Night Laois possible and to acknowledge our Creative Producer Marina Rafter in bringing together such a vibrant programme of events.

Culture Night is brought to you by the Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council, led by Laois Arts Office with partners Laois Library Service and Dunamaise Arts Centre.

Funding support from Creative Ireland Laois and Culture 2026. Cuireann an Chomhairle Ealaíon Oíche Chultúir i láthair, i gcomhpháirt le Comhairle Chontae Laoise, le tacaíocht ó Éire Ildánach Laois. It is a national moment celebrating culture, creativity, and the arts, delivered nationwide in cities, towns, villages, and rural locations.