Up to 500,000 people are expected to attend events in 20 cities, towns, counties and islands across Ireland next month to mark Culture Night 2010.
Among the popular events lined up on September 24th will be painting, poetry, dance, opera, traditional music, architecture, history and theatre.
This is the fifth year of Culture Night, with the event expanding to 20 different places throughout the Republic, including the Gaeltacht islands of Tory and Inis Meáin. Events will also take place in Derry and Belfast.
A record 132 venues in Dublin are taking part in Culture Night, including museums and cinemas.
The gates of Leinster House will be opened for the third year in a row with members of the public being invited for an evening of culture and entertainment.
Visitors on the night will enjoy guided tours, including access to the debating chambers of both Dáil and Seanad Éireann and a walk through the historic corridors of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Specialist events elsewhere will include a walking tour of the graves of famous Irish icons at Glasnevin Museum and Cemetery, an exploration of the work of 30 local and visiting artists in Oughterard, Co Galway, a night of contemporary dance in Limerick, a trip on the Culture Music Bus in Sligo and a haiku competition in Co Mayo.
Have you got the Opera Factor? will be one of the highlights in Carlow.
According to Dermot McLaughlin, chief executive of the Temple Bar Cultural Trust, which organises Culture Night, the lineup will appeal to all ages.
“We expect approximately half a million people to be engaged with Culture Night this year and there's plenty of room for everyone,” he said.
Culture Night is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport in partnership with the regional arts offices and local authorities and partners including Fáilte Ireland and Dublin Tourism.
Dublin Bus will provide free buses between venues on the night. They will leave every 20 minutes from bus stops at Bachelors Walk, Aston Quay and Trinity College.