How to Celebrate St. Patricks Day in Dublin

Celebrate the Irish way this St Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is a national holiday in Ireland and is celebrated with great excitement all over the world. If you're planning a trip to Dublin to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year, we have a list of ways you can enjoy the holiday!

From 15-18 March, there will be fun events taking place all over the city as part of the St Patrick’s Festival. The festival is the largest celebration of Irish culture and heritage in the world and includes events to suit all ages. Some of these events feature live music, family entertainment, storytelling, street theatre, dance, and Irish language activities.

St Patrick’s Day Parade

St Patrick’s Day is famous for the parade in Dublin. The National St. Patrick’s Day Parade really is the centre of the world on St. Patrick’s Day, a bucket-list-worthy adventure in Dublin, which lies at the heart of the global celebration of our Irish culture, heritage, and people! You can join the crowds lining the streets to watch the parade, which features colourful floats, marching bands, and street performers. Join half a million spectators who gather each March to witness over 4,000 parade participants!

The theme for 2024 is Spréach (Spark), representing the unique essence of Ireland and of Irish people that is spread worldwide on this fantastic day. Organisers promise that it will be the most ambitious one yet.

The Parade will be full of marching bands from all across the globe in a thunderous display of music and pageantry, extravagantly dressed performers, troupes of colourful, cascading dancers and a spectacular display of extravagant floats as they wind their way through the historic streets of Dublin!

City Funfair

Located at Custom House Quay, there’s something for everyone at the City Funfair! From waltzers and bumper cars to old-time carousels. Dare to be suspended upside down or whisked through the air at amazing speed! The funfair is suitable for all the family and is open Sat & Sun 11am - 9pm, Mon 11am - 8pm.

St Patrick’s Festival Location

The St. Patrick's Day Parade begins at 12pm on Sunday 17 March 2024 in Dublin City Centre, running from Parnell Square in the north of the city, down O'Connell Street, over O'Connell Bridge and through the south side of the city, ending at the Cuffe St./Kevin St. junction. As St. Patrick’s Day turns into St. Patrick’s night, there will be live music playing across the legendary grounds of the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks to celebrate some of Ireland’s incredible traditional Irish music artists.

There's a whole bundle of St. Patrick's Festival events taking place at St. Patrick’s Festival Quarter at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks.

The grounds of the amazing historic heritage site will be transformed into a magical day-to-night urban festival for all, in the heart of Dublin, featuring many great venues including a 3,000 capacity covered main stage, other more intimate, unique performance spaces, relaxation areas and a dedicated Irish Food and Craft Village!

On Saturday 16 March, the Festival Quarter will be free to access and open to all ages from 12pm to 5pm. You will require a pre-purchased ticket for evening programme which is 18+. On Sunday the 17th of March, it will be free to access for all ages from 12pm to 10.30pm.

Plan Ahead

There is so much going on in Dublin for St Patrick’s Day weekend that you will have an endless number of things to do. However, it's important to remember that St. Patrick's Day is a public holiday, and many places will be busy. It's best to plan everything ahead of time.

When it comes to places to stay and eat in the city, make sure you have everything booked well in advance to get the best deal and avoid disappointment. As there will be so many people travelling for the weekend, you need to have your entire trip planned and everything booked. Avoid stress and plan everything before you go.

You can pre-book your airport transfer coach tickets before you arrive in Dublin to ensure a stress-free journey to the city. Book your ticket at dublinexpress.ie.

Remember to have fun and make the most of the weekend celebrations and let Dublin Express get you to the heart of the city centre this St. Patrick’s Day!