Waterford set to celebrate creativity on Culture Night 2026

Waterford's cultural community will come together on September 18 as Theatre Royal opens its doors for a packed programme of free events as part of Culture Night 2026. 

The annual nationwide celebration of arts, culture and creativity allows audiences to experience performances and artistic expression free of charge; this year's event at Theatre Royal promises something for all ages. 

The evening begins with the Music Generation Waterford House Takeover, running from 5pm to 7pm. The event will showcase some of the county's most talented young performers, transforming the historic venue into a hub of music and creativity. 

Audiences can enjoy performances from the Music Generation Waterford Wind Band, alongside appearances from young harpers and pipers.  

A relaxed open mic session will also give young musicians, poets and spoken word artists aged under 18 the chance to perform in front of a live audience. 

The event highlights the depth of emerging talent across Waterford and reflects Culture Night's focus on participation, accessibility and community engagement. 

Rather than simply observing the arts, attendees are encouraged to take part and celebrate creativity in all its forms.  

As the evening continues, Theatre Royal will shift gears for a series of late-night performances aimed at older audiences. 

One of the highlights of the programme is Slip of the Tongue, taking place in the Stage Door Bar from 10pm until 11:30pm.

Curated by Waterford poet and playwright Wayne Power, the event promises an energetic and unpredictable mix of spoken word poetry, live music, comedy and drag performances. 

Described as a space where “open mic, open minds” is the guiding principle, the event aims to create an inclusive atmosphere where performers and audience members alike can engage with new ideas and artistic expression. The emphasis on participation and experimentation reflects the growing popularity of spoken word events across Ireland.

Headlining the event is The Poetry Kiln, a Dublin-based poetry collective founded by poet Dave Hynes. The group has built a strong reputation within Ireland’s spoken word scene through its workshops, performances and open mic events.

The collective brings together writers from a wide variety of backgrounds and experience levels, creating opportunities for both emerging and established voices to share original work. Their appearance in Waterford is expected to be one of the standout moments of the night.

Elsewhere in the venue, music lovers can head to the Theatre Vestibule, where Luca Records & Decks will present a specially curated late-night soundtrack from 10.30pm until 12.30am.

The event has been organised by Harry O’Neill of Luca Records & Decks and will feature a headline performance by The Slinkies, made up of musicians Cilian Jacob and Ken Lally, previously known as VAGUE.

The duo are known for blending a variety of influences, including rock, funk, folk and soul, creating a sound that is both eclectic and energetic. Their performance is expected to bring a lively atmosphere to the closing hours of Culture Night.

With young performers, established artists, live music, poetry and drag all sharing the same stage, Theatre Royal's Cultural Night programme reflects the diversity and creativity that continues to shape Waterford's artistic community.