As Culture Night kicks off at 4pm, organisers say it will be a multicultural event that seeks to showcase communities that have been "under-represented" in the past.

Culture Night is expected to attract huge crowds into towns and cities around the country this evening – with around 740,000 people taking part last year.

The eighteenth edition of the annual event seeks to celebrate culture, creativity and the arts and promote the belief that a "rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives, today and every day".

Of the 1,800 events, some of the standouts include "Culture buses" in Cork and an outdoor dance studio in Dublin.

In Temple Bar – the original home of Culture Night – the Central Plaza will be transformed into an outdoor roller disco.

Ahead of the night, the Arts Council director Maureen Kennelly told Newstalk Breakfast that the tagline for this year is "one night for all".

"In Roscommon, there is a multicultural event involving food and music which very much involves the new communities that are living in Roscommon," she said.

"That's something that's very characteristic of Culture Night this year is that it's very much open.

"Those communities that may have been underrepresented in Ireland's cultural scene in the past, it is very much a huge effort to make sure that it incorporates and welcomes and is open to everybody who lives in Ireland.

"It's really designed to be representative of Irish life as it is lived today."

Minister Catherine Martin for Culture Night 2023 with Godfred Asare, Kim McCafferty, Lapree Lala and Con Horgan. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland

Ms Kennelly said Culture Night is an "act of generosity" from the artistic community in Ireland.

"They fling open their doors and they make these events entirely free," she said.

"It is really every town village and city across the country pulsing with artistic activity – every single type you could imagine."

Minister Catherine Martin at IMMA, which will host the Earth Rising Festival, which runs on Culture Night 2023 with performers. 20/09/2023. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland

From 4pm until "late into the night", there will be events running across the country.

"At 70 Merrion Square we have a sample from our wonderful collection – we collect art on behalf of the Irish public," Ms Kennelly said. "People are very welcome to come to us here from 4pm."

More information about tonight's events can be found on the website, TikTok and Instagram.

Local libraries, local arts offices and local arts centres will also provide information.