St Patrick’s Festival Dublin 2026

St Patrick’s Festival Dublin 2026

Experiencing St Patrick’s Day in Dublin is akin to attending Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Carnival in Rio de Janeiro – an unforgettable event! The city buzzes with excitement, revelry, and various activities that range from artistic to unconventional.

• Stay in the heart of the parade celebrations at The Riu Plaza Gresham Hotel, a Travel Proud certified hotel featuring spacious rooms, perfect location and highly-rated breakfasts.

St Patrick’s Day

• St. Patrick’s Day, initially a religious holiday honouring Ireland’s patron saint, has become a worldwide celebration of Irish culture.
• It started as a feast day to pay tribute to St. Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland.
• Over time, the event has become a cultural celebration associated with Irish traditions such as parades, music, dance, and the iconic emerald green colour.

The Festival

• Saturday 14th to Tuesday 17th March 2026 – Throughout the five-day Festival, you can immerse yourself in the jubilant ambience through music concerts, guided tours, culinary showcases, and art displays.
• St. Patrick’s Festival Quarter is at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, home to a magical day-to-night urban Festival for all, including the Mother Gay Cluture Festival on Saturday, an indoor and outdoor event featuring drag acts, guest DJs, electronic music and more.
• Other highlights include street theatre, interactive games, film screenings and even a circus.
• Stay close to the Festival at the “Fabulous” Ashling Hotel Dublin, a Travel Proud rated hotel, a swift Luas ride away to the centre of town with spacious rooms, friendly staff and excellent location.

The Parade

• Sunday, 17th March 2025, starting at 12 midday. The Parade takes approximately two hours to wind through Dublin’s city streets.
• Leaving from Parnell Square in the north and ending on Kevin Street in the south, the national St. Patrick’s Day Parade will delight and entertain the hundreds of thousands that line the parade route.
• A cast of Ireland’s most dynamic and innovative performers, musicians, dancers, and artists will be joined by world-class marching bands travelling from around the globe to participate in this fantastic bucket-list event.

Best Places to View the Parade

• O’Connell Street: This is one of the widest streets in the city and offers a long stretch of the parade route with good visibility. It’s also where the grandstand is located, where VIPs and dignitaries watch the Parade, but you’ll need to arrive early to secure a spot as it gets crowded quickly.
• Discover the top hotels closest to O’Connell Street.
• Westmoreland Street: This street tends to be less crowded than O’Connell Street and can offer a good view of the Parade as it approaches Dame Street.
• Dame Street: Near the historic Trinity College, this area offers a great atmosphere and plenty of spots to watch the Parade. The parade performers often perform here so that you can catch some of the entertainment.
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral: The area around St. Patrick’s Cathedral offers a more relaxed viewing experience. It’s near the parade route’s end, so crowds may be less dense.
• Check out the top hotels closest to the cathedral.
• Upper O’Connell Street (near Parnell Square): The Parade starts near Parnell Square, so being on Upper O’Connell Street can give you a first look at the floats and performers. It’s also less crowded at the beginning of the Parade.
• Remember that these areas can fill up quickly, so arriving at least a couple of hours is advisable to secure a good viewing spot. Also, consider the weather and dress accordingly, as March in Ireland can be pretty cold and wet.
• Stay close to the gay nightlife of the city centre at The Motel One Dublin. Rated “Fabulous” by guests, this Travel Proud certified hotel has a great location. It features stylish designer rooms, high-end amenities and a highly-rated breakfast. 

Gay Dublin During St Patrick’s Day.

• Dublin has a vibrant gay scene that’s as warm and welcoming as a traditional Irish hug.
• Start your adventure along Capel Street, Dublin’s burgeoning gayborhood. Be sure to visit PantiBar, by Ireland’s most famous drag queen, Panti Bliss. This lively spot is perfect for cocktails and cabaret.
• Next, sashay down to The George, Dublin’s oldest gay bar and nightclub. With nightly entertainment ranging from drag performances to bingo, this is the pulse of Dublin’s LGBT+ nightlife.
• Take a stroll through Merrion Square and pay homage to one of Dublin’s most famous sons at the Oscar Wilde Statue. It’s a selfie spot with historical significance.

Getting Around Dublin

• Dublin’s light rail transit service, the LUAS, operates two main lines: the Green Line and the Red Line.
• Tickets can be bought at machines located at every stop. You can also use a Leap Card, a reusable smart card that provides savings.
• Green Line: Runs from Broombridge in North Dublin to Bride’s Glen in the South.
• Red Line: Connects Saggart/Tallaght in the Southwest to The Point in the East.
• Peak Times: Trams run approximately every 4-6 minutes.
• Off-Peak Times: Every 10-15 minutes.

Recommended Hotels in Dublin

• Dublin’s two famous gay bars are The George on South Great Georges Street and Panti Bar on Capel Street. Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to the bars and the city’s top attractions:

The Merrion Hotel,    The Westbury Hotel,    Westin Dublin,    The Morrison Dublin.