Event Details
Welcome to St. Patrick's Festival Dublin 2027
St. Patrick's Festival Dublin is Ireland's largest national celebration in honour of the country's patron saint. Every year on 17 March, the Irish capital transforms into a massive green festival attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world. The festival spans several days around St. Patrick's Day, offering the famous parade alongside citywide events, concerts, theatre, street performances, and cultural activities throughout Dublin city centre. For 2027, the festival is expected to run from 13 to 17 March 2027; official dates are typically published on stpatricksfestival.ie in autumn of the preceding year.
Highlights
- National St. Patrick's Day Parade on 17 March, starting at 12:00 noon
- Parade route from Parnell Square along O'Connell Street, across O'Connell Bridge to the Cuffe Street/Kevin Street junction
- International marching bands from the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe
- Spectacular pageant groups and street theatre from Macnas, Bui Bolg, Spraoi and more
- Citywide program of concerts, theatre and exhibitions across four days
- Family-friendly activities and children's events across the city
- Traditional Irish music sessions in pubs and on outdoor stages
- Iconic Dublin landmarks illuminated in green light after dark
The Parade
The centrepiece of the festival is the St. Patrick's Day Parade on 17 March. It begins at 12:00 noon at Granby Row near Parnell Square, travelling down O'Connell Street, across O'Connell Bridge and through the south side of the city to the Cuffe Street/Kevin Street junction. The parade takes approximately two hours to pass. Spectators should aim to be in place by 10:00 AM to secure a good standing spot along the free sections of the route. No ticket is required to watch the parade from the public route.
Tickets
Watching the parade from public standing areas is free of charge. For a more comfortable experience, grandstand tickets are available for covered, tiered seating at six locations along the parade route. Prices vary by location: stands at Parnell Square and St. Patrick's Cathedral have historically started from €100 per person, while the premium O'Connell Street grandstand has reached up to €250 per seat. Many of the citywide festival events are also free to attend. Grandstand tickets for 2027 are expected to go on sale in autumn 2026 via the official festival website.
Multi-Day Program
The festival is far more than a single day. Over several days, Dublin fills with events: citywide street theatre and performances animate the city centre from the first day of the festival. The St. Patrick's Festival Quarter at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, offers a packed program of daytime and evening activities for families and adults alike. Live traditional music sessions take place in pubs and bars around the clock. Historic buildings and bridges are bathed in green light after dark. The full festival program is published each year from January onwards on the official website.
Visitor Tips
- Arrive early on parade day: aim to be at the route by 10:00 AM for the best free standing spots.
- Use public transport: Dublin Bus, DART and Luas are the recommended options; large parts of the city centre are closed to traffic on parade day.
- Dress in green: costumes and green clothing are strongly encouraged and part of the tradition.
- Bring waterproof clothing: March weather in Dublin is unpredictable and rain is common.
- Book accommodation as early as possible: hotels across Dublin sell out very quickly around St. Patrick's Day.
- Families with neurodivergent children or visitors with sensory needs can apply for access to the Relaxed Parade Space in advance via the official website.
- Wheelchair-accessible viewing areas are available along the parade route; registration is required through the official website.
Note on 2027 Dates
Since 17 March is a fixed public holiday in Ireland, St. Patrick's Day 2027 falls on a Wednesday. The multi-day festival is expected to begin on Saturday, 13 March 2027. Official festival dates and the full program are typically announced by the organiser in late autumn of the preceding year at stpatricksfestival.ie. It is strongly recommended to check the website regularly and book accommodation and grandstand tickets as soon as they become available.
