Culture Night 2026 – Events Across North Mayo and Beyond
Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir returns on Friday 18th September 2026, bringing a wonderful programme of culture, creativity and the arts to towns, villages and communities right across Mayo.
Culture Night is a national moment celebrating the richness and diversity of culture in Ireland today. From music, art and dance to storytelling, heritage, food and the Irish language, it is a chance to experience something new, discover local talent and celebrate the culture that is all around us.
North Mayo will once again be a hive of activity, with events taking place across Ballina, Attymass, Crossmolina, Ballycastle and Erris.
There really is something for everyone, so why not make an evening of it and explore some of the fantastic events happening across North Mayo.
Ballina
There will be plenty happening in Ballina this Culture Night, with arts, music, food, Gaeilge, workshops and live performances taking place throughout the evening.
– Culture Night at Ballina Arts Centre
Ballina Arts Centre will open its doors from 4pm to 8pm with a packed programme of activities for all ages.
The evening will include a Tech Tour of the Auditorium with Darren Hallinan at 6pm, a screening of the acclaimed animation Flow at 7pm, a Sensory Music Production Workshop at Organic Flow Studio for young people with additional needs, and a Printmaking artist talk and showcase with printmaker with Dr Anne-Marie Clarke.
There will also be a sewing class with Roser Sanchez for children aged 6+, an Origami class with Daniel McMonagle for teenagers aged 12+ and a showcase of traditional Portuguese Azulejo tiles with Eugenia Carroll.
There is plenty to get involved with and booking is required for the Ballina Arts Centre programme.
Ballina Arts Centre, 4pm to 8pm. For bookings contact Ballina Arts Centre on 096 73593 or [email protected].
– Gaeilge, Food and Culture in Ballina with Gnó Mhaigh Eo
Gnó Mhaigh Eo will be celebrating Culture Night with Camchuairt Bhia & Dí, Béal an Átha, a unique food and drink tour around Ballina celebrating local businesses, the Irish language and culture.
Taking place from 5pm to 7.30pm, the tour will include stops at The Pizza Pod Mayo, Rouse’s Bar, Poacher Restaurant and Daniels Restaurant.
Whether you have a cúpla focal or are fluent in Gaeilge, everyone is welcome to take part. Booking is essential by emailing [email protected].
– Laneways and Sessions at The Clarke Museum of Irish History
The Clarke Museum of Irish History, in partnership with Event Audio Visual, will host Laneways and Sessions on Friday 18th September.
From 6pm to 9.30pm the lanes of Ballina will be filled with music and song as the town comes alive for an evening celebrating Irish music and culture.
It promises to be a wonderful opportunity to experience some of Ballina’s historic streets and laneways in a completely different way, with live music and performances creating a special atmosphere throughout the evening.
– The NCF and October Nights presents Paddy Hanna
The NCF Cultural Co-operative and October Nights will present singer-songwriter Paddy Hanna for a special Culture Night performance.
The show begins at 8.30pm and Paddy will perform songs from his latest release OYLEGATE.
Paddy Hanna has appeared at many of Ireland’s major festivals in recent years, including Beyond the Pale, Galway Arts Festival, All Together Now, Another Love Story and Electric Picnic.
The event is free to attend, with booking required. Book tickets here:
Attymass
– Culture Night at the Fr Peyton Centre, Attymass
The Fr Peyton Centre in Attymass will once again take part in Culture Night with an evening celebrating traditional Irish music, local performers and community.
Beginning at 6pm, visitors can enjoy an evening of music and local entertainment along with homemade scones, tea and coffee. In addition to this, their will be a fabulous display of heritage images of the locality provided by the newly formed Attymass History and Heritage Group.
Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Ox Mountains, it is a lovely opportunity to enjoy Culture Night in a relaxed community setting and celebrate the music, heritage and traditions of the area.
The event is suitable for all and everyone is welcome.
For further information visit the Father Peyton Centre website or call to Kathleen 087 679 8839.
Crossmolina
– Culture Night at Crossmolina Civic Centre
Crossmolina Community Council CLG will once again host Culture Night at Crossmolina Civic Centre, following the success of last year’s event.
The 2026 event will have a strong arts focus, with Art, Music, Dance and local food including boxty all featuring as part of the evening.
The event takes place on Friday 18th September and is supported by funding from Mayo Arts Service and Mayo County Council.
More details are to follow, but this promises to be another great community celebration and everyone is welcome.
Admission is free.
Ballycastle
– Culture Night at Ballinglen Arts Foundation
Ballinglen Arts Foundation will celebrate Culture Night with a special focus on the connection between acclaimed Irish artist Jack B Yeats and Ballycastle and the North Mayo landscape.
Ballinglen has recently produced a wonderful book on Jack B Yeats, featuring work he created during visits to Ballycastle and the North Mayo area, alongside historical information about the places and people he encountered.
The book provides a fascinating artistic and historical recollection of the area and is available from the Ballinglen Arts Foundation.
As well as this, as part of Culture Night, Ballinglen will host a special discussion on Jack B Yeats with author David Connolly and designer and layout artist Pat Pidgeon.
There will also be a Ballycastle Street Survey Exhibition featuring beautiful images from a 1974 survey of the village carried out by students from the College of Technology, Bolton Street, Dublin.
The exhibition offers a fascinating glimpse into Ballycastle as it was more than 50 years ago and provides an opportunity to explore the history and character of the village through the eyes of those who documented it at the time.
The Ballinglen Arts Foundation is wheelchair friendly, with the Ballinglen Gallery located on the ground floor and a lift providing access to the upstairs museum.
Ballinglen Arts Foundation, 5pm to 6pm, No booking required.
Erris and Belmullet
Culture Night will also bring a great variety of events to Erris, with traditional music and storytelling alongside a very different contemporary sound experience at SOLAS Visitor Centre.
– John Spillane at Áras Inis Gluaire
Music, songs and stories with John Spillane will take place at Áras Inis Gluaire in Belmullet from 7.30pm to 9pm.
Visitors can look forward to an evening of songs, stories, music, humour and Irish culture from one of Ireland’s best-known singer-songwriters and performers.
It promises to be a warm and intimate evening celebrating the Irish tradition of music and storytelling.
Áras Inis Gluaire, 7.30pm to 9pm, Booking required – For booking information visit https://arasinisgluaire.ie/event/john-spillane-oiche-chultuir/.
– SUBTERRA: What’s Lost and What’s Left
For something a little different this Culture Night, SOLAS Visitor Centre in Aghleam will host SUBTERRA: What’s Lost and What’s Left, a deep-listening experience created and produced under the banner of saltstate.
The event invites participants into a dedicated deep-listening environment where they can be still and immerse themselves in experimental electronic music.
There will be two sessions during the evening.
- The first session runs from 4pm to 7pm. It is suitable for all ages, with live electronic artist and producer Dashamlav providing an ambient and atmospheric soundscape.
- The second session runs from 7pm to 10pm. It is aimed at older audiences, featuring Dublin-based DJ and radio host SAZ, whose music draws more deeply from club culture and electronic music.
This is a very different way to experience Culture Night and an opportunity to discover contemporary electronic music in the unique surroundings of the SOLAS Visitor Centre.
SOLAS Visitor Centre, Aghleam, 4pm to 7pm and 7pm to 10pm. For booking visit https://www.eventbrite.com.
A Night to Celebrate North Mayo’s Culture
From music and art to Gaeilge, food, history, storytelling and community events, Culture Night 2026 provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the creativity and culture of North Mayo.
It is also a great reminder of the incredible range of cultural activity taking place across the region throughout the year.
Whether you are looking for something to do with the family, want to hear live music, discover local history, try something creative or simply get out and enjoy an evening in your local community, there is plenty to choose from.
So on Friday 18th September, why not head out and experience Culture Night for yourself?
Culture Night events are free, although booking is required for some events.
For the full programme of Culture Night events in Mayo, visit the Culture Night website and check individual event listings for booking information and any updates.
Culture Night Mayo is supported by Mayo County Council and the Arts Council of Ireland, with support through Creative Ireland and participating venues and organisations across the county.