St Patrick's Festival Dublin Guide

Every 17 March, Dublin marks St Patrick's Day with a parade through the city centre — but the modern festival built around that date is bigger than the parade alone. Here's how it actually works and what to expect if you're planning around it.

From a one-day parade to a five-day festival

Dublin has marked St Patrick's Day with a parade for generations, but the multi-day St Patrick's Festival itself is a more recent creation. It was established by the Government of Ireland in 1995, with the first festival taking place in March 1996. It grew quickly: a three-day event by 1997, four days by 2000, and the current five-day format from 2006 onward — running for several days on and around 17 March each year.

The parade

The National St Patrick's Day Parade on 17 March is the festival's centrepiece and its single most-attended event. It runs through Dublin city centre, with performers, marching bands, community groups and floats making their way along the route. It's free to watch and family-friendly, and it draws large crowds along the whole route — arrive well ahead of the published start time if you want a spot near the barriers.

What else happens

Beyond parade day, the festival programmes citywide events across its full run — music, family activities, and public celebrations in Dublin's streets and public spaces. The exact line-up changes from year to year, so check the official festival site for the current programme rather than relying on a fixed list here.

Separately, landmarks around the world — from the Sydney Opera House to the Empire State Building — turn green each March as part of Tourism Ireland's Global Greening Initiative. It's a related but distinct promotional campaign, not part of the Dublin festival's own programme.

This year's confirmed dates

We keep a dated, verified entry for the current edition — check it for this year's exact dates and any announced programme details:

• St Patrick's Festival 2027 →

Planning tips

• 17 March is a public holiday in Ireland — city centre transport can be busier than usual and some businesses run holiday hours.
• Dublin weather in March is unpredictable; dress for rain regardless of the forecast.
• If you're not fussed about being right at the parade barriers, side streets slightly off the main route tend to be far less crowded while still offering a good view.

Related reading

• Best Things to Do in Dublin
• Best Free Things to Do in Dublin