St. Patrick’s Festival 2026 kicks off this Saturday, March 14th, inviting locals and visitors alike to experience a vibrant, city-wide programme featuring more than 150 artists across music, street theatre, dance, comedy, craft, and participatory performance.
The National St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns on Tuesday, March 17th, promising a spectacular showcase of imagination, scale, and creativity. Guided by the Festival’s core values of community, diversity, joy, prosperity, and sustainability, the 2026 Parade will follow its established route from Parnell Square, bringing colour and celebration to Dublin’s streets.
This year’s Parade will feature 12 large-scale floats from independent parade companies, with more than 3,000 participants, making it one of the most dynamic celebrations yet.
The theme for St. Patrick’s Festival 2026 is Roots, a celebration of where we come from, what grounds us, and how we continue to grow together. Ireland is deeply connected to story and tradition, where ancient myths sit alongside living culture and shared rituals. The theme recognises that Ireland’s roots are shaped not only by history and folklore but also by the lived experiences of those who call this island home, shaped by migration, emigration, and cultural exchange across generations.
Speaking ahead of the Festival opening, Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam said:
“St. Patrick’s Festival is one of the great celebrations of our capital city, when Dublin opens its arms to the world and invites people to experience the energy, creativity and character that define this remarkable place.
This year’s theme, Roots, is especially fitting. It reminds us that the story of Dublin is shaped by the generations who built our communities, the traditions that ground us, and the cultures that continue to enrich our city today.
As Lord Mayor, and through my theme of Celebrating Dublin, I believe moments like this allow us to honour our past while embracing the vibrant, diverse and confident city we are becoming. Over the coming days, Dublin will once again come alive with music, colour and imagination, and I encourage everyone to come together and celebrate the very best of our capital.”
Richard Tierney, CEO of St. Patrick’s Festival, added:
“St. Patrick’s Festival kicks off on March 14th and runs for four action-packed days and nights, culminating with the National Parade on the 17th. From the Family Village and Treasure Hunt to performances across ten city locations, there’s something for everyone. After 6 p.m., Dublin comes alive with evening entertainment and late-night nightclub events. It’s going to be four vibrant days of fun, music, food and celebration for all ages.”
An Garda Síochána will have a comprehensive policing operation in place across Dublin throughout the St. Patrick’s Bank Holiday weekend to support the safe running of the celebrations.
Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Roberts, representing An Garda Síochána said:
“Throughout the St. Patrick’s Bank Holiday weekend, An Garda Síochána will have a comprehensive policing operation in place across Dublin. Gardaí will be out working hard to make sure that the many thousands attending the national parade and the wide range of family-friendly events being held across the city can enjoy themselves. Those attending the festivities can help us keep people safe by using public transport and following the instructions of Gardaí and Stewards. We want everyone to have a brilliant time with family and friends, so please look out for one another and don’t hesitate to call on us should you need our help.”
St. Patrick’s Festival is made possible through the continued support of the Government of Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Fáilte Ireland, Dublin City Council, and generous partners and sponsors. With equal gratitude, RTÉ and Q102 are proud media partners of St. Patrick’s Festival 2026, supporting the festival through national and local broadcast coverage and promotion.
The Festival Programme is available now at www.stpatricksfestival.ie and will continue to be updated as further events are announced.
