The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced the highly anticipated return of the city’s iconic St Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade on Sunday, March 16. This vibrant celebration brings
together Londoners and visitors alike to honour the rich contributions of the Irish community in the heart of the capital.
This year’s Grand Marshals are Katie-George Dunlevy, a Paralympic gold medal-winning cyclist, and Kellie Harrington, an Olympic gold medal-winning boxer. Following their outstanding victories in Paris last year, they will lead an exhilarating parade of over 50,000 participants through central London. Expect dazzling floats, lively marching bands, and energetic dance troupes as the procession winds its way from Hyde Park Corner, along Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square, before concluding at Whitehall.
Trafalgar Square: the heart of the festivities
Trafalgar Square will serve as the festival’s main hub, offering a free afternoon of entertainment hosted by DJ and broadcaster Tara Kumar. The main stage will showcase an exciting lineup of performances, featuring world-renowned acts such as Kíla, Irish Women in Harmony, Ragz-CV, and many more.
For food lovers, celebrity chef Anna Haugh will return to demonstrate how to prepare traditional Irish cuisine, while a variety of food stalls will cater to all tastes.
Celebrating Irish art, culture & sustainability
This year’s festival highlights include the Peace Heroines exhibition, a unique art project paying tribute to Ireland’s unsung women heroes. Attendees can also experience the Irish Creative Collective Sessions, which will present the best of Irish comedy, music, and film, including short films and TV clips.
Festival-goers can immerse themselves in Irish culture by trying out traditional Irish dance steps in the Irish Dance Zone, while younger visitors can get creative in the Children’s Zone, where Artburst will lead sustainable art workshops using recycled materials—reflecting this year’s emphasis on sustainability.
Adding to the festival’s cinematic appeal, The Song Cycle—a documentary following Nick Kelly and his band, Dogs, as they cycled from Dublin to Glastonbury to perform—will be featured on the big screen. In a remarkable show of dedication, the band will once again cycle all the way from Dublin to London to take part in the parade before performing on the main stage.
A celebration of Irish culture in London
London’s St Patrick’s Day Festival is a fantastic opportunity to experience the spirit, creativity, and cultural heritage of the Irish community while strengthening the deep-rooted ties between London and Ireland. Whether you’re there for the music, the food, or the festivities, this year’s event promises a memorable celebration for all. Photo by Garry Knight from London, England, Wikimedia commons.