St Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival

The London St Patrick’s Day Festival lasts for a whole three days with the main parade on Sunday the 18th, attracting massive crowds of over 125,000 people.

For guaranteed fun and rowdiness, follow the St Patrick’s Day Parade (complete with floats, marching bands and colourful showmanship) from Green park via Piccadilly, and Whitehall before ending at Trafalgar Square where Irish-themed festivities will continue.

This year’s line up includes live music from KILA,  heel-kicking sounds from the Big St Patrick’s Ceili, and a tribute to Cranberries singer Dolores O’Riordan. There is also more free entertainment with games, arts and crafts, walkabout performances based on Irish myths—featuring characters like Pirate Queen Grainne Mhaol and the giant Fionn MacChuaill.

Don’t fancy the big crowds? There are smaller events happening all over London.

Join in with walking tours, open air gigs in Camden Market, Irish films at West End cinemas and Irish art at City Hall. Join free guided walks at Trafalgar Square, Fleet Street and Camden Town (booking necessary). Head to London Film School, Covent Garden and The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square for the Irish Film Festival or join a an Irish music trail in Camden Market.

Wherever you celebrate St Paddy’s, expect an abundance of entertainment, food and drink.

(Adriana Paradiso)