Dublin City Council, in partnership with cultural institutions and local businesses, has announced the launch of 'Dublin by Dusk', a new initiative designed to re-energise the city centre after dark. Starting on 28 May, the programme will take place on the last Thursday of every month, offering a coordinated schedule of events and extended opening hours to encourage early-evening engagement with the city's diverse offerings.

Participating locations will include major national cultural institutions, museums, music venues, and various retail and hospitality businesses. Visitors can expect unique experiences, special events, and added-value offers as venues stay open later than usual. The drive is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, Fáilte Ireland, and Dublin Town.

The initiative aligns with Dublin's long-standing status as a Purple Flag city—a distinction held since 2013 that recognises vibrant and safe night-time environments. It also follows the success of the 2025 'Dublin by Night Fest', which drew a record crowd of over 80,000 people. Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, said: "Dublin by Dusk reflects our ambition to support a more vibrant, accessible and inclusive night-time economy, building stronger connections between culture, community and the city centre. It also fulfils a Government commitment to promote later openings in our museums and galleries and is in line with the Dublin City Taskforce ambitions for the city. I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to go out and explore the cultural offerings available."

Ray O'Donoghue, Night-time Economy Advisor for Dublin City Council, added: "'Dublin by Dusk' is about encouraging more people to engage with the city earlier in the evening, while recognising Dublin is a 24-hour, seven day-a-week city with a huge amount to offer. By bringing together culture, hospitality and retail in a more joined-up way, the initiative helps showcase the breadth of the city's evening and night-time offering, while continuing to support clubs, venues and promoters central to Dublin's nightlife."

Richard Guiney, CEO of Dublin Town, noted the atmosphere the event aims to create: "Locals and visitors to the city-centre will be met by a relaxed and pleasant evening atmosphere to shop, visit galleries and museums, or just stroll and browse. Dublin Town is taking onboard creative ideas so businesses can collaborate together for Dublin by Dusk."

Liz Halpin, Head of Dublin at Fáilte Ireland, commented on the economic and cultural impact: "By bringing together retail, culture, food and visitor attractions through shared after-hours programming, 'Dublin by Dusk' creates new reasons for people to visit the capital and experience it in new and engaging ways. Extending activity later into the evening will also drive footfall for local businesses, strengthen the city centre economy and help ensure Dublin continues to thrive as a place to live, work and visit."

For further details and a full list of participating venues, members of the public can visit DublinbyDusk.ie.