St. Patrick’s Festival 2026

St. Patrick’s FestivalMarch 14th- 17th – is Ireland’s official celebration of our national holiday, St. Patrick’s Day. Its origins lie in honoring Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick. Initially, it was a solemn commemorative feast day dedicated to paying tribute to the saint, but over the years, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a vibrant celebration encompassing the richness of Irish culture.

Today, it is a joyful occasion marked by parades, performances, and diverse expressions of Irish heritage; a multicultural international event that is committed to displaying contemporary and traditional arts, culture and heritage of the Irish people and the people who call Ireland home.

This March, we invite you to St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin to help us celebrate our part and our place in our global community.

St. Patrick's Festival highlights...

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The National St. Patrick’s Day Parade really is the centre of the world on St. Patrick’s Day – a genuinely bucket-list worthy adventure in Ireland’s capital city,

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Dublin City Council St. Patrick’s Festival Family Village

Located in the Wood Quay Amphitheatre, the Family Village is the one stop St. Patrick’s Festival shop for families with younger children.

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Get Shamrocked

Emma Slowe’s face painters are back again this year! Catch them around the city at our various locations. If you’re lucky you might just get shamrocked ☘️

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Up Sadbh Down

Sadbh will mesmerise you with her circus performances involving kitchen furniture to amaze and delight! Expect acrobatic shenanigans and upside down nonsense

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City Funfair

From waltzers and bumper cars to old time carousels, there’s something for everyone at the City Funfair! Dare to be suspended upside down or whisked through the air at amazing speed.

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S(h)tick

S(h)tick is a highly technical, conceptual diabolo show centred around themes of hierarchy, competition, teamwork, consequences and camaraderie where the performers find joy in each other’s success, but more noticeably their failures.

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The Garda

Sgt. Bobby Bobkins investigates the mysterious disappearance of… his trousers. Somebody stole them from his washing line during the night.

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St. Patrick’s Park

Join us in St. Patrick’s Park for fun and games. Our wooden games collection from Tombs Creatius are in keeping with this year Festival theme of ‘Roots’ taking inspiration from Irish myths and legends

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Dublin City Council St. Patrick’s Festival Treasure Hunt

The Dublin City Council St. Patrick’s Festival Treasure Hunt offers a fun, free and accessible experience for everyone, following an exciting trail through Dublin

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All Events...

Stones and Stories

An interactive talk about the recent history of the rediscovered Irish lifting stones and some of the stories and folklore attached to them and this wonderful part of Irish culture and our heritage that had all but been lost until recently.

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Dee Armstrong (Kila) & Friends

An incredible opportunity to see Dee Armstrong in the intimate setting of EPIC Museum playing 30 minute performances of traditional Irish music.

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Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk

Join us at the 19th annual Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk (proudly supported by Dublin Port) on St Patrick’s Day, Tuesday 17th March 2026. An official event of St Patrick’s Festival, the walk welcomed over 3,000 enthusiastic participants last year, and we’re hoping to make 2026 even bigger...

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Dance Corner

It’s your move! Dance Corner is a participatory dance experience that transforms public space into stages for movement, music and connection. Audiences are free to join at their own pace and can take part by dancing, moving or simply observing.

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Sweet Jayne Band

This performance brings together fiddle, concertina, guitar and three-part harmony to present Irish traditional music and song. The trio move between instrumental tunes and songs, with attention to ensemble listening and balance.

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Mr. Wilson’s Second Liners

In New Orleans, funerals are celebrated in style, with noisy brass bands parading through the streets. The main section of the parade is known as First Line, but the real fun starts with the Second Line, those who follow the band to enjoy the music, marching with the musicians and twirling parasols or waving handkerchiefs.

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Selected Abair events...

ABAIR: Little John Nee / Hugh Cooney

A night of songs and stories from punk seanchas to stand-up folklore. Acclaimed writer and theatre-maker Little John Nee shares a line-up with Wicklow comedian and storyteller Hugh Cooney.

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ABAIR: Frankie Archer / Ruth Clinton / Amy Bluemel

Rising contemporary folk talent Frankie Archer from Newcastle, joins a line up comprising Dublin/Sligo traditional singer Ruth Clinton (Landless, Poor Creature), and Chickasaw storyteller Amy Bluemel.

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ABAIR: Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich / Seamas Hyland

Waterford contemporary/traditional singer and accordionist Seamas Hyland performs alongside West Kerry stalwart singer and accordionist Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich.

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St. Patrick's Festival 2025 Highlights