Culture Night's going to be a little different this year.

But it's still happening, and that's the main thing. On September 18 across the country, a series of free real life and virtual events will be taking place, bringing the best of the arts and beyond to a city near you. As is usual for Culture Night, a lot of these events will be in person. But as is bound to occur with the prevalence of the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of them are going to be online too. Here's some of the best ones on this Friday across Cork, Dublin, Kerry and Galway. And hey, it doesn't actually really matter where any of these are taking place because they're all online anyway. Sound. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2v8r0tnozP/

Cork

The Everyman: Virtual treasure hunt (3pm) One for younger culture fans, the Everyman are offering a virtual tour and treasure hunt of its beautiful 123-year old auditorium. Virtual tour of the sky at CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory (4pm) Does what it says on the tin, really. Settle down on Friday for a virtual tour of the night sky for an online astronomy experience like no other. Bring snacks, obviously. Ó Bhéal: Spoken word Zooms (8.30pm) Get your spoken word hat on because the guys at Ó Bhéal have got a trio of online events lined up for Culture Night. The first is a Five Word Challenge, the second some featured guest poets including Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan and Shaunna Lee Lynch and the third is an open mic session. Each event will take place over Zoom.

Dublin

Drag and Draw (3pm) Log on and do some live drawing - but make it of drag queen Miss Taken. Drag & Draw organiser Adrian Colwell will be stepping in as the tutor for the session, which will involve lip-syncs, fast-paced drawing exercises and some audience interaction. Watch a film on Volta (4pm - 12pm)  To celebrate Culture Night, Volta are gifting seven nights of great Irish film from September 14 to 20. Pop over to www.volta.ie/culturenight, redeem the viewing code CULTURE20, and enjoy a film. Simple. Chester Beatty Library: Chinese Dragon Art (7.30pm) Inspired by a snuff bottle from Chester Beatty’s Chinese Collection, artist Heather Gray has the suss on how to transfer the image to paper using a traditional bamboo brush, black ink and xuan paper. Or, any other materials you happen to have lying around the gaff. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2jZrDTnAwO/

Kerry

Fiúntas: A Live Circus Event (4pm) Featuring six circus artists and shot around locations in Tralee, this video piece is a response to the social value of the artist and the worth of the arts due to the Covid-19 pandemic. DIY Gaeilge (8pm)  Journalist and author Úna-Minh Kavanagh is a Gaeilgeoir, and she wants you to be one too. In this bilingual event suitable for beginners or those who want to brush up on their Irish, learn about the many resources out there that you can use to relearn, upskill and enjoy the Irish language.

Galway

A Talk in the Park (4pm)  Five lonely characters on four benches shift around and attempt to strike up a conversation with each other, only to be rebuffed. Total alienation ensues. Each of them wants to talk, but no one is willing to listen. A comedy drama by Ayckbourne - worth a shout, if you're free. Oranmore Arts: Music and spoken word (8.30pm)  Music and poetry from some incredible artists: Gráinne Conaty, Niamh Regan and Denise Chaila. Each performer will give a short set of original material recorded in the unique setting of Oranmore Castle. Not to be missed, for sure. You can find a full list of Culture Night events here.