The second annual Dublin by Night Fest will celebrate the city keeping its Purple Flag – presented to cities with consistently vibrant, family friendly nightlife.
Events will include lively street activity, music, animation, art and culture, market stalls, and food stalls from nearby restaurants. There will also be cookery demonstrations by top Dublin chefs.
Last year’s events attracted 25,000 people to the city centre across two nights.
Lord Mayor of Dublin, James Geoghegan said the city should be proud of maintaining Purple Flag status.
“The Purple Flag initiative is about striving to create safe and thriving locations at night for everybody and Dublin is rightly satisfied to have received it once again,” he said.
“Dublin by Night Fest will act as a brilliant incentive for Dubliners, visitors and families to experience the vast range of music, culture, food and shopping on offer in our capital city.”
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, welcomed the opportunity to celebrate and promote Dublin’s night time economy.
“The Dublin by Night Fest, which is running over two nights, provides people with a great opportunity to go out and engage with Dublin City through cultural events, street animation, music and retail,” she said.
“Following the success of last year’s event, I am delighted to support this festival for a second year, which promises to offer even more events for locals and visitors to enjoy and once again showcases all the positive aspects of what our capital city has to offer.
“This builds on the positivity generated by the new Dublin City Council Night-Time Economy Strategy, which was published recently.”
A Purple Flag is an award for reaching a standard of excellence in the evening and night time economy through a diverse cultural offering which is non-alcohol dependent, family-friendly, safe, and vibrant.
Dublin by Night Fest will take place on Friday, November 1, on Drury Street, South William Street and the Central Plaza, Dame Street. Events on Saturday, November 2, will take place at both Capel Street and Lower Mary Street.
Liz Halpin, Head of Dublin at Fáilte Ireland, said research proves that attending events and festivals are key motivators for visitors.
“We are delighted to support the Dublin by Night Fest as an opening event of the Winter in Dublin programme, which highlights all the authentic Dublin events happening from November through until January,” she said.
Richard Guiney, Dublin Town CEO, highlighted that the city is facing its night-time challenges head on.
“We believe this mutual effort will deliver the city Dubliners want. There is a growing platform being built to deliver a wonderful experience for all in the city, both day and night,” he said.
“Achieving and maintaining our Purple Flag necessitates co-operation from all of the city’s key stakeholders.
“Dublin Town is delighted to once again be part of this celebration of the city’s evening and night time economy and looks forward to welcoming tens of thousands to our streets over the course of the weekend.”
