Cork City Events on Culture Night
With over 100 venues to choose from, it's hard to pick your trail on Culture Night. Below find details on some events you don't want to miss, and below that is a list of events that require booking - so act fast to secure your place:
Kaught at the Karpark
Cork City was a cultural hotbed of Irish absurdist music back in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Bands like Nun Attax (5 Go Down to the Sea), Microdisney and Stump honed their – wonderfully bizarre – craft in the Arcadia on the Lower Road, when Elvera Butler hosted gigs in the Downtown Kampus.
Celebrating these hugely influential artists of Cork’s punk/post-punk period, Kaught at the Karpark is more than simply a lookback to the glory days. It will also showcase current music by band members who are working musicians today, and of course celebrate those like Mick Lynch, Finbarr Donnelly and Cathal Coughlan, gone but not forgotten, who left an indelible mark on their home town.
Presented by Seanie Buttons with Leagues O’Toole of Foggy Notions, these (free) tickets will be snapped up by both those who remember this heyday and by new audiences curious about this significant phase of Cork’s musical heritage.
Performances include Big Boy Foolish, Sean O'Hagan ...and NUN came back.
Please be aware that this event will be filmed and photographed. By entering, you consent to your image and likeness being used in promotional and media materials.
Open Streets:
Cork’s Culture of Street Play is a lively series of city-centre activities designed to celebrate play, sport, and creativity in the heart of the city. For this special event, the streets will be closed to general traffic, transforming the city centre into a safe, open space where people of all ages can come together to enjoy, explore, and connect.
With the roads reclaimed for fun, families, friends, and neighbours can take part in games, sports, and creative activities that highlight the joy of outdoor play. The event encourages everyone to see the city in a new light — not just as a place to move through, but as a space to pause, engage, and be inspired by the environment around them.
At its core, Cork’s Culture of Street Play is about community, creativity, and reclaiming public spaces for people. It’s a chance to slow down, celebrate active living, and experience the city centre as a shared playground full of energy and possibility.
Night Market:
Join us for a special Night Market on Cornmarket Street this Culture Night!
As part of Cork's Night-Time Economy initiative, Cornmarket Street will come alive with entertainment, music, and stalls galore. Explore a vibrant mix of craft vendors, local food stalls, and family-friendly fun, and soak up the buzzing atmosphere of the city at night.
