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IF YOU KNOW a young person who is a budding musician, an aspiring visual artist, or still searching for the right creative outlet, make sure you’re free today!
Ireland remains the only country in the world to host a national day of free creativity for children and young people under 18. Now in its eighth year, Cruinniú na nÓg offers over 1,000 free events in partnership with all 31 local authorities across Ireland — meaning that wherever you’re based, you’ll be certain to find something to something to help inspire young minds.
Since 2023, Cruinniú na nÓg has become an all-island event and part of the Government’s Shared Island initiative. This year, Creative Ireland’s strategic partners and a number of local authorities have programmed several innovative all-island events, including in Antrim, Derry and Fermanagh.
If you’re curious about which events are taking place near you and how to get involved, all of the information can be found on the Cruinniú website. To tailor the results to your family’s needs, you can filter events not only by county but by age range, so you can zero in on the creative pursuits that matter to the kids in your life.
To get you started, we’ve curated a list of some of the most exciting events taking place across Ireland. Simply click the link at the bottom of any event description to find out how you can attend. This is important as booking is required for some events.
Remember, the below is just a small selection of the hundreds of events happening nationwide today Saturday, 7 June this year. To explore the full range of events taking place as part of Cruinniú na nÓg, visit this page.
Carlow – The Big Dig
Experience what it’s like to be an archaeologist! The Big Dig workshops incorporate the dig experience with educational, engaging, and interactive activities. Learn about the lifestyles of our Viking ancestors, guided by a professional archaeologist. Places are limited. This is an outdoor activity, so dress appropriately!
Cavan – Playful Park
Join the Cottage Market in Cavan for a day full of imagination, creativity and fun. This free family-friendly event invites children and young people (ages 0–18) to explore a playful park of hands-on interactive activities designed to inspire and engage.
Playful Park: Make, Imagine, Explore! – Cruinniú na nÓg
Clare – Filmmaking Workshop
Clare Youth Service invites young people to join a unique film-making workshop. Learn from Shane Vaughan for hands-on filmmaking and editing skills, learn about the film industry and start your journey to a creative career.
Clare Youth Service Film Workshop & Showcase – Cruinniú na nÓg
Cork – Rock the Block 2025
A collision of genres, an explosion of sounds and a meeting of minds, Rock the Block returns and boldly plants itself on the Cruinniú na nÓg map for 2025, daring all young music to come along and be heard! Booking required.
Rock the Block 2025 – Cruinniú na nÓg
Derry – Circus Picnic
In Your Space Circus invites you to a smorgasbord of Circus to celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg. The Circus Picnic will be taking over St Columb’s Park and is suitable for all ages.
Circus Picnic Derry – Cruinniú na nÓg
Donegal – Family Fun Day
Donegal Town comes alive with a family fun day in the amazing surroundings of Donegal Castle! There’ll be games to play and performances from The MakeyUppers, The Green Fairy, Cikada Circus, Paddy Picasso and Bunderella.
Cruinniú na nÓg Family Fun Day – Donegal Town – Cruinniú na nÓg
Dublin – We Own the Castle – Live Youth Music Festival with Garageland Galaxyz
The Young People are invited to take over the Castle today. From rising bands and solo acts to fresh new ensembles, this is a day about music, creativity and community. Watch featured acts on the Main Stage, perform on the spot on the Busking stage, or step into the Chapel Session for poetry and unplugged sets. Kids can also craft their festival look at the Creative Village and soak in the vibes.
Galway – Circus Picnic
A world of fun and wonder for children aged up to 10 (and their grown-ups). Try your hand at juggling, balancing and more at our drop-in circus skills workshops, soar on our outdoor aerial rig, and meet fantastic youth performers as they bring the park to life with colourful walkabout characters.
Pack a picnic, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy a joyful day of circus play for the whole family – older siblings and curious adults are welcome too!
Kerry – Cruinniú Late Killorglin
A special Cruinniú Late event, inviting young people aged 13-18 to take part in a variety of creative activities.
Kids will print their own tote bags and unleash their inner artist by contributing to a collaborative mini-mural. Enjoy live café music sessions or check out film screenings from the Kerry Filmmaker in Residence Jesse Gilbert and students from Killorglin Community College.
Kildare – Learn to DJ
Join Helena the Storyteller and DJ Seán Fitzmaurice for this fantastic workshop and learn about the tips and tricks of DJing! Kids will also get their own shot at the turntables.
Kilkenny – Electric Bugs Science Workshop
Young people learn about electricity, circuits and basic engineering while building their very own electric bugs! Create little critters that light up, using the power of electricity. It’s a perfect blend of fun, creativity and learning, helping young scientists to develop problem-solving skills while exploring the wonders of science and technology.
Electric Bugs Science Workshop
Laois – Get Out!
Start off the morning of Cruinniú na nÓg in the outdoors, with teen wildlife photographer, Rossa Bracken, for a fun GET OUT!! experience. Explore what’s around us and learn how to preserve and protect it through an interactive nature treasure hunt. Booking via phone only – 085 1622342.
Leitrim – 24-Hour Play Extravaganza
Get ready for a whirlwind of creativity! The Rabbit’s Riot Theatre Company is thrilled to present the 24-Hour Play Extravaganza, an exciting theatre project for young people aged 13 to 18.
Over just 24 hours, participants will write, design, direct and perform a series of short plays—created entirely from scratch! The plays will be showcased in a public performance on Cruinniú na nÓg day.
Limerick – Wonder Walls Workshops
Get creative at a drop-in mural session, where 12-18-year-olds can help paint a vibrant, collaborative mural with a professional artist. No booking needed, just come along!
Longford — Music Bonanza
Music Generation Longford’s Music Bonanza returns with a full day of music workshops, try an instrument, and open mic performances in Longford town.
Experience taster workshops in African Djembe Drumming, Bodhrán, Ukulele and Early Years Music. There’s an ASD friendly music hour, and throughout the day, there will be an opportunity to try different instruments, and opening mic opportunities — if you’re brave enough.
Louth – Now That’s What I Call an Album Cover
Get ready for a bold and brilliant celebration of music and visual art, as Droichead Youth Theatre presents Now That’s What I Call an Album Cover—a live art experience that transforms iconic album covers into powerful, living scenes on stage.
A playful and imaginative tribute to the music that shaped generations, this event combines performance, design, and nostalgia in a way that’s both fresh and familiar. Free and open to the public, but booking is required.
Now That’s What I Call An Album Cover
Mayo – Where art meets science
Discover the magic of colour as you watch flowers blossom in water. Get your hands messy and watch the colours swirl, creating a blooming rainbow. Not only will attendees get to create their own beautiful flowers, but they also get to decorate their own vase. Each child gets to take home their creation. This workshop is designed for children with additional needs.
Meath – Toddler Twist
Lively workshops full of song, dance and action songs for toddlers. Playful puppets and interactive music, the perfect way to bond, move and spark your toddler’s love for music and movement.
Monaghan – Circus 250 at Monaghan Peace Campus
Experience an unforgettable day of entertainment at Monaghan Peace Campus. Step right up and immerse yourself in a jam-packed program of extraordinary circus performances.
Offaly – Music Generation Showcase
In preparation for Cruinniú 2025, Birr, Tullamore, and Edenderry Libraries hosted a series of workshops with Music Generation.
Over six weeks, participants have been learning new skills, including singing, drumming, and performing. The groups will come together for a special family-friendly concert on 7 June, showcasing their creativity and talent.
Roscommon – Creative Nature at Knockvicar Organic Garden
Explore wildlife through taxidermy and herbarium specimens of our local flora and fauna, affording rare proximity to shy creatures and notorious characters! Work in simple clay and charcoal activities, to learn and appreciate the nature we are lucky enough to share space with. Book early as places are limited.
Sligo – Youth Theatre Taster Workshop
A fun and energetic introduction to drama. One-hour taster workshops offering young people a chance to explore theatre games, storytelling and creative expression in a relaxed and welcoming environment. No experience necessary!
Tipperary – Summer Block Party
Clonmel Applefest is throwing an epic youth takeover at Kickham Plaza – and you’re invited! It’s a full day dedicated to youth creativity, packed with live music and dance vibes from every corner of the scene – think hip-hop, rock, pop, trad and more.
Catch high-energy dance and music performances that’ll have everyone dancing along – featuring DR2, Kool Skool and Music Generation. This is a Nighttime Event for ages 13 and up.
Waterford – Break from the Books
Exam students are invited to take a break from the books with a creative reset. Join holistic wellbeing practitioner Lucy Hyland in the gorgeous surrounds of the Coastguard Cultural Centre for a morning retreat of breathing, slow crafting and soul nourishment.
Wexford – Red Moon Theatre Company
An island has mysteriously arisen off the coast of Blackwater. Participants form small groups of professionals, like journalists. scientists, and artists, and secretly gain access to the island to find out what is going on. Each group is suspicious of the other, but when a storm arises, they have to take shelter together.
They are trapped unless they can create a ‘Golden Code’ which ensures each and every individual on the island can be safely rescued – or can they?
Art. Problem-solving. Storymaking.
Wicklow – Bug Art & Bug Hotel-Making Workshop
Join local artist Tina Mouritzen in a fun art and creative session. Learn how to draw a bugs, make your own bug hotel using natural and recycled materials. Take the finished hotel home and watch the bugs get comfortable in your garden.
Fun and educational workshop for children of all ages. No booking required.
Bug Art & Bug Hotel-Making Workshop
Cruinniú na nÓg 2025 is a collaboration between the Creative Ireland Programme, 31 local authorities and RTÉ, with support from the Shared Ireland initiative.
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