{"id":3690,"date":"2026-09-21T11:58:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T09:58:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightside-travel.com\/"},"modified":"2026-09-21T16:39:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T14:39:11","slug":"saint-patricks-day-dublin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brightside-travel.com\/en\/guides\/saint-patricks-day-dublin\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Patrick's Day in Dublin 2027: dates, parade and tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

Celebrate the Saint Patrick's Day in Dublin<\/strong>, It's about experiencing Ireland's biggest party in its capital: a giant parade, concerts, live music in the pubs, and the entire city decked out in green. We've been organizing trips to Ireland since 2012: here are the 2027 dates, the program, and our tips for making the most of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saint Patrick's Day in Dublin: the 2027 dates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The St. Patrick's Day festival will be held from Saturday, March 13th to Wednesday, March 17th, 2027. The grand parade will depart on Wednesday, March 17th at noon, according to the official website of the St. Patrick's Festival<\/a>. The full program will then be published in January 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

March 17th is a public holiday in Ireland as well as in Northern Ireland. Many offices close, while pubs are packed from the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who was Saint Patrick?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain in the 5th century, he was reportedly kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave, before escaping and returning to evangelize the island. According to tradition, he used the shamrock to represent the Trinity, hence its symbolism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

March 17th corresponds to the presumed date of his death. Initially a religious holiday, it has thus become, over time, a global celebration of Irish culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The grand St. Patrick's Day parade in Dublin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The parade covers approximately 3.2 kilometers. It starts in Parnell Square, goes down O'Connell Street and crosses O'Connell Bridge. Then it travels through the southern part of the city center to the intersection of Cuffe Street and Kevin Street. More than 3,000 participants march with giant floats, marching bands, and street theatre companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Access to the course is free. To get a good spot, however, arrive early, ideally around 10 a.m. There are also limited-capacity, paid seats in the stands: they go on sale on September 28, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do in Dublin during St. Patrick's Day?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The concerts and entertainment of the festival<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For five days, the festival offers concerts, shows, walks and family activities, many of which are free. The city's major monuments also light up in green at nightfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditional music in pubs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the evenings, pubs host Irish music sessions. Temple Bar has the most festive, but also the most crowded, atmosphere. For a more authentic setting, opt for the pubs in Smithfield or the streets around Grafton Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Must-see attractions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Take advantage of your stay to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, founded in 1191, Trinity College and its Book of Kells, or the Guinness Storehouse. However, book these visits in advance, as the city is very busy that week. Our itinerary for Visit Dublin in 3 days<\/a> will help you organize your days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our tips for a successful St. Patrick's Day in Dublin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n