Overview
Thousands of people are anticipated to gather along streets in towns and cities across the island of Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day.
Belfast
Belfast will host a variety of displays including costumes, music, dance, and theatrical performances on Tuesday.
The city has been holding events since early March, featuring a comprehensive programme of cultural activities leading up to St Patrick's Day.
Runners participating in the SPAR Craic 10K event will start from Belfast City Hall at 09:00 GMT, proceeding through the city centre and concluding at Ormeau Park.
The annual parade will commence at 13:30, winding through the city centre. This year's parade will feature vibrant live performances and a dynamic soundtrack, incorporating new elements to honour the legends of St Patrick.
Participants include local dance troupes, schools, community groups, and musicians.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland has announced that a traffic management system and signage will be implemented, with expected traffic disruptions between 13:00 and 15:00.
The Féile Trad Trail, organised by Féile an Phobail, highlights Irish traditional music and workshops at various venues across the city starting from 10 March.
A St Patrick's Day Festival Village will be located in Belfast Cathedral Car Park from 13:00 to 16:00, featuring two live music stages, an all-day céilí, a food village, and a range of family-friendly activities.
Seachtain na Gaeilge, the largest Irish language festival globally, is conducting multiple events throughout Belfast from 1 March.
Londonderry
The parade will depart from Bishop Street Carpark at 15:00, proceeding through the city and concluding at Strand Road Carpark.
The Spring Market, a vibrant event showcasing local traders, will take place in Guildhall Square from 12:00.
Live music featuring Irish traditional and folk genres will be performed by some of the city's most talented artists in Guildhall Square starting at 13:00.
Derry City and Strabane District Council is commemorating the 20th anniversary of its St Patrick's Day parade in Strabane, County Tyrone, with activities throughout the town centre.
The parade will begin at Holy Cross College at 14:00, traveling along Melmount Road, Bridge Street, Market Street, passing Abercorn Square, and continuing along Railway Road before finishing at Dock Street.
From 13:30 to 16:00, Abercorn Square will host music, arts and crafts, and face-painting activities.
Dublin
The Dublin 2026 St Patrick's Festival programme runs from Saturday to Tuesday.
The parade will start at 12:00 local time in Dublin City Centre, proceeding from Granby Row in the north, down O'Connell Street, over O'Connell Bridge, through the south side of the city, and ending at the Cuffe Street/Kevin Street junction.
This event will feature 12 large-scale floats with over 3,000 participants involved.
Additional festival events are scheduled throughout the city during the weekend.
The theme for this year's festival is 'Roots', inviting people to celebrate the living roots of Ireland.
Downpatrick
Downpatrick in County Down is marking the 25th anniversary of the Saint Patrick Centre, the world's only permanent exhibition dedicated to St Patrick.
The centre plays a significant role in narrating the story of St Patrick's life, legacy, and his enduring connection to the town, including St Patrick's grave and historic pilgrim routes.
The St Patrick's Day parade will depart from Downshire Estate, Ardglass Road at 13:30, following the main route into town and concluding at Rathkeltair Car Park, Lower Market Street.
Festivities in Downpatrick will run from 12:00 to 16:00.
Alongside the parade, the celebrations will include a main stage programme with performances by Clann Uí hUiginn, Celtic Storm, and Pure Blarney.
An artisan market will be held at the Grove Car Park at St Patrick's Square, complemented by arts and crafts sessions, face painting, St Brigid's Cross making, Irish traditional music, and a series of street performances around Down Arts Centre.
Armagh
The Home of St Patrick Festival in Armagh runs until 18 March, celebrating St Patrick's life through music, art, theatre, film, and dance.
A vigil walk is scheduled between St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral and St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral at 20:00 on Sunday.
The city's local parade will proceed through the city centre, starting at the Christian Brothers' School at 14:00.
The route continues through the city onto Cathedral Road, past the Shambles Market, and finishes at the grounds of Cathedral Road Recreation Centre.
A Live Irish Music Trail will feature 20 acts across 12 venues from 13 to 17 March.
Enniskillen
Enniskillen's two-day programme, organised by Project St Patrick, begins on Monday with an event at Enniskillen Castle.
The evening includes a live rock folk gig by The Porter Bellys, various food and drink vendors, and an illuminated flotilla of over 40 boats on Lough Erne.
On St Patrick's Day, celebrations continue with a family fun day from 13:00 across the Castle and Broadmeadow, featuring live traditional music, interactive activities, island storytelling, attractions, and food vendors.
The St Patrick's parade will take place from 15:30 to 16:30, traveling "Castle to Castle" through the town centre and across the town's famous bridges.
Up to 30,000 people are expected throughout the day, with pre-parade entertainment on the Diamond from The Hand Me Downs and special guest performers.
Omagh
Omagh's St Patrick's Day carnival parade runs from 15:00 to 16:00, proceeding from South West College through the town centre and back, showcasing creativity from local schools, groups, and cultural organisations.
At Strule Arts Centre, in partnership with Dún Uladh Cultural & Heritage Centre, families can enjoy live music, Irish and Highland dancing, themed crafts, storytelling, and a Celtic Mythology Sand Mandala workshop hosted by Thai Arts NI.
Lead-in events include the Omagh Eats Food Market on Saturday and Omagh Trad Fest on Sunday.
Ballycastle
Lá Fhéile Pádraig is a community-organised festival celebrating St Patrick's Day in Ballycastle, County Antrim.
From 11:30, a market at the seafront will feature a diverse mix of artisans, makers, food producers, and independent traders.
Families, clubs, and school groups will assemble at Dalriada Lower Car Park from 12:30 in preparation for the parade.
The parade will begin at 13:00, proceeding to the seafront led by a piper, with live music continuing at the seafront stage until 16:00.
Additional Notes
Throughout the island, St Patrick's Day celebrations include a wide range of parades, cultural events, music performances, markets, and family-friendly activities, reflecting the rich traditions and community spirit associated with the holiday.
"The town will be buzzing with energy and offering a mix of tradition and community spirit," said representatives of Derry City and Strabane Council regarding the 20th anniversary parade in Strabane.
"This year's festival theme is 'Roots', inviting people to celebrate the living roots of Ireland," organisers of the Dublin 2026 St Patrick's Festival stated.
"Up to 30,000 people are expected throughout the day in Enniskillen," noted Project St Patrick organisers.
