What's Happening in Dublin this weekend (Sept 5th) - Free Events

Whether you're into art, seafood, live performances, or want to honour our frontline heroes, there’s something special on the calendar this weekend.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up:

✅ National Services Day – Dublin Castle, 6th Sept
✅ Ailbhe Ní Bhriain: The Dream Pool Intervals – Hugh Lane Gallery
✅ Summer on Essex Street West – Temple Bar, 6th Sept
✅ Sculpture in Context – National Botanic Gardens
✅ Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival – 6th–7th Sept

🇮🇪 National Services Day

📍 Dublin Castle
📅 Saturday, 6th September
Celebrate the work of Ireland’s frontline, emergency, and security services with a powerful city-wide parade and free public event at Dublin Castle.

The parade steps off from the Garden of Remembrance at 12:00, winding through O’Connell Street to Dame Street. Inside the castle grounds, enjoy service displays, meet volunteers, and catch performances including the Sea of Change Choir at 13:00.

A great day out for families and a proud moment for Dublin.

🌀 Ailbhe Ní Bhriain: The Dream Pool Intervals

📍 Hugh Lane Gallery
📅 Running until Sunday, 28th September
This haunting, immersive exhibition explores myths, memory, and the modern world.

Through surreal digital imagery and sound, Ní Bhriain creates fractured dreamscapes filled with cave-like visuals and mythic animals.

Inspired by early photography and colonial memory, it’s visually rich and deeply reflective. A must-see for art lovers and fans of conceptual storytelling.

🎨 Summer on Essex Street West

📍 Temple Bar
📅 Saturday, 6th September
Temple Bar’s creative heart is throwing a street party! Join in for live music, free painting and dance workshops, open-air theatre and family activities.

All happening on traffic-free Essex Street West. This historic street, home to the Smock Alley Theatre and independent shops, comes alive with colour and culture. A brilliant end-of-summer day for all ages.

🌿 Sculpture in Context

📍 National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin
📅 Thursday, 4th September – Friday, 10th October
Ireland’s largest sculpture exhibition celebrates 40 years this year. Over 120 works by leading artists will be dotted across the gardens, glasshouses and woodland paths.

With free entry and plenty to discover, it’s an easy and enjoyable way to see art in the wild. Open every day, and always full of surprises.

🐟 Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival

📍 Howth Village
📅 Saturday, 6th – Sunday, 7th September (12–6pm)
Seafood, music, and coastal vibes — the Howth Maritime & Seafood Festival is back!

Taste your way through fresh local seafood, dance to live music by the harbour, and keep the kids happy with free games and family fun. Support local businesses and soak up the community feel in one of Dublin’s most scenic villages.

Please share this event guide with your friends or family who might enjoy some of the events in here!

We’re working on something new to bring to the free events scene in Dublin and hope to publish soon.

If you have an event to share or to support The Dublin Buzz and have a shout out, you can contact me here!