Dublin’s nightlife in the spotlight with 'Nocturnal Beats' programme unveiled

This September, Dublin City Council’s Night-Time Economy Advisor and Dublin Fringe Festival come together for Nocturnal Beats - a celebration of the artists, venues, promoters and audiences who bring Dublin to life after dark

Add to preferred sources News Stephen Holland Local Democracy Reporter 14:17, 02 Sep 2026 View Image Cabáiste Cabaret - burlesque, drag, dance as Gaeilge (Image: Nocturnal Beats)

Dublin comes to life after dark this September with the nightlife celebration Nocturnal Beats.

Taking place across various locations from September 4 - 18, Dublin City Council’s Night-Time Economy Advisor and the Dublin Fringe Festival are teaming up for a packed programme of night-time events. Supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, exciting events spotlight a vibrant trail of performances and cultural experiences taking place across Dublin Fringe Festival 2026.

From live music and club culture to cabaret, drag, dance floors and immersive performance, the programme celebrates the energy, creativity and diversity of Dublin at night. It aims to recognise nightlife as an important part of the city’s cultural life.

“Club culture is an important part of Dublin’s cultural life, but sometimes it can get pushed to the side or simply not get the recognition it deserves. When you look at the dynamic and diverse line-up across Nocturnal Beats, you can see that this culture is very much alive and thriving in Dublin,” said Ray O’Donoghue, Dublin City Night-Time Economy Advisor.

“Sometimes what it needs is the support, space and respect to allow it to flourish. That’s what we’re trying to do here - support the artists, promoters and venues who make Dublin such an interesting city after dark.”

A major highlight of Nocturnal Beats comes on Culture Night, Friday 18 September, when BIG FAT SLUT takes over Parliament Street for a free outdoor street party from 7pm to 11pm as part of Culture Night Late.

Across September, Nocturnal Beats will take audiences through venues and spaces around the city, with everything from outdoor parties and late-night club events to drag, cabaret, live music, wrestling and immersive performance.

A major free party at Wigwam and one of the highlights of Culture Night Late, bringing BIG FAT SLUT’s distinctive mix of performance, music and club culture to the heart of the city.

A late-night collision of drag kings, dancers, DJs and queer performance, followed by an afterparty until late.

Live music meets professional wrestling in a one-night spectacle of music, wrestling and larger-than-life performance.

An immersive visual and musical experience blending alternative hip hop, ethereal R&B and underground performance.

Burlesque, drag, dance, singing and a céilí come together in a cabaret trí mheán na Gaeilge. All levels of Irish welcome.

Pole, drag and cabaret performers come together for a night celebrating sex worker resistance and joy.

Eight hours of music moving from laid-back outdoor afternoon sets into a late-night party indoors.

Inspired by the legacy of Alternative Miss Ireland, contestants of all shapes, sizes and species compete through live performance, music and spectacle for the crowning of Miss Powder Vacuum 2026.

At the Project Arts Centre: A series of late-night club events presented through the collaboration between Dublin Fringe Festival and Project Arts Centre.

This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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