Ireland remains the only country in the world with a dedicated national day celebrating young people’s creativity, and this year’s programme is one of the most ambitious yet.

Launched by Minister Patrick O’Donovan T.D. at TU Dublin Grangegorman, this year’s programme celebrates everything from music, circus and street art to theatre, storytelling, film and creative technology. As Ireland’s national day of free creativity for young people, Cruinniú na nÓg continues to offer opportunities for children and teenagers to try something new, express themselves and connect with others through creativity.

The launch event on May 18th featured performances by Garageland Galaxyz artists Aerial, a four-piece band from Dublin, alongside solo performer Eabha O’Keeffe, who will appear at the youth music event We Own the Castle in Swords Castle on June 6th. Young ambassadors from organisations including Youth Theatre Ireland, Waterford Walls, Circus Explored and RTÉ’s This Is Art! also joined the celebration, highlighting the diversity of creative experiences taking place nationwide.

A major feature of this year’s programme is the return of Cruinniú Late, supported through the Department’s Late-Night Economy Initiative. Designed by and for young people aged 13–18, these youth-led evening events create welcoming spaces for creativity, music and self-expression. Highlights include:

• We Own the Castle – a live youth music festival in Swords Castle
• Rebel Teen Social Hive in Cork City
• Youth Stage in Galway’s Father Burke Park featuring open mic sessions, spoken word, quizzes, DJs and live performances from young artists

Shared Island collaborations will also continue to grow in 2026, bringing young people together across the island through creative projects and exchanges. Local authorities and creative organisations are delivering events that encourage participation, experimentation and collaboration.

This year’s Cruinniú na nÓg highlights include:

• Circus Céilí, presented as part of Circus Explored by ISACS, will bring families and young people together through circus workshops, performances and creative collaborations.
• Rock the Block in Cork will celebrate youth-led music, dance and street culture in Shandon.
• The Walls Project will host mural workshops in 13 locations, giving young people the opportunity to work alongside professional street artists to create large-scale public artworks.
• Youth Theatre Ireland Gatherings will bring together 21 youth theatre groups across five regional hubs for collaboration and performance.
• RTÉ’s This Is Art! 2026 returns with workshops and exhibitions supporting young artists nationwide.
• On the Aran Islands, Galway County Council will host a full programme of events as Gaeilge across Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr, including drumming, mosaic-making, illustration, circus skills, spray painting and silent discos.

Speaking at the launch, Minister O’Donovan described Cruinniú na nÓg as “a standout moment in Ireland’s creative calendar”, highlighting the importance of investing in young people’s voices, ideas and creative potential.

As June 6th approaches, young people across Ireland are being invited to step into new creative experiences, whether that means painting a mural, joining a circus workshop, performing on stage, creating music or simply discovering a new way to express themselves.

Full programme details are available at cruinniu.gov.ie