Waterford Cultural Quarter (WCQ) welcomes everyone to experience a novel casino night along with visual art, music, spoken word, theatre and cultural heritage in venues on O’Connell Street, Waterford City for Culture Night 2026.
Creative Waterford presents a new and exciting event, “Creativity Casino”, developed by artist Catherine Barron. Drop in to WCQ Place, 18 O’Connell Street, from 6 p.m. for an evening of fun and games. (Ages 16 +) Contact creativewaterford@waterfordcouncil.ie for further information.
Waterford Gallery of Art presents free portrait activities with artist Sammy Kane in the downstairs gallery, animatronic madness with The Couch Mobile, and late-night opening for the AIB Portrait Prize and AIB Young Portrait Prize exhibitions. Meanwhile, in the gallery upstairs, there will be live portrait and caricature drawings by artist, Pat O’Brien.
Garter Lane Arts Centre opens its new exhibition “Trust Artists Unconditionally – Public Art of 1990’s Waterford” and has several events throughout the evening that include art activities, a live DJ set and drop-on Improv sessions in the Theatre. At No 5 O’Connell Street, meet some of the 12 Garter Lane Studio artists. Discover their processes and get a deeper understanding of what is involved in their work.
The newest arrival to the street, Little Lane Bookshop will host an Open Mic with SpeakUp Waterford; a spoken word event where you can try out your new work or drop by and listen to performances from 7 to 9 p.m.
Theatre Maker Joe Meagher will provide a tour of the cultural heritage of the O’Connell Street area from 6 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. leaving from outside Waterford Gallery of Art. No booking required, just come along!
Round off the evening in Tully’s and Thomas Mahers, two great pubs along O’Connell Street providing entertainment throughout the evening.
A fabulous evening of new cultural experiences awaits locals and visitors, come along and enjoy! For updates and specific details for each venue please visit their websites and social media or get in touch via email; culturalquarter@waterfordcouncil.ie. Leaflets with all details are available from www.culturalquarter.ie and in WCQ venues.
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