On Monday, Northern Ireland’s towns and cities are set to host thousands of people to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It is expected to be a cosmopolitan celebration of community, music, culture, and the Irish language. There will be parades in Newry and Downpatrick with pageantry, dancers, community organizations, and street performers.
Let’s learn what’s available this year in the Irish capital and throughout Northern Ireland:
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Belfast
Belfast has been organising events from the beginning of March. St. Patrick’s Day procession is scheduled to begin at 13:30 GMT. Before making their way back to Belfast City Hall, local dance regiments, schools, community organisations, and musicians will make their way through the city centre.
Londonderry
Derry’s St Patrick’s Day program blends the themes of forest, sky, and sea. Waterloo Place, the Craft Village, Guildhall Square, and the Guildhall itself will all host events. At 15:00 GMT, the St. Patrick’s Day procession will start, leaving from the Bishop Street parking lot.
Dublin
On Monday, the national St. Patrick’s Day parade, which honours Irish culture and heritage, will start at noon local time (12.:00 GMT). In addition to more than 4,000 participants, including international marching bands, entertainers, dancers, and vibrant and imaginative St. Patrick’s Day floats, over half a million spectators will turn out to watch.
Downpatrick
Downpatrick, reputedly the final resting place of St Patrick, will host a carnival parade with street performers, community groups and dancers. The parade will leave from Downshire Estate at 13:30 GMT and is due to arrive in the town centre at 14:00 GMT.
Armagh
The week-long celebration in Armagh, which started on Sunday, March 9, is set to draw thousands of tourists with a schedule of cultural events, music, art, and drama. The Christian Brothers’ School will be the starting point of Monday’s city procession, which is being planned by the local community, at 13:00 GMT
Newry
The St. Patrick’s Day parade in Newry is scheduled to leave Albert Basin on Monday at 13:00 GMT. Hill Street and McClelland Park will have activities and attractions, such as free face painting and climbing walls.
Dungannon
The Hill of the O’Neill and Ranfurly House in Dungannon will host a free St. Patrick’s Day concert on Monday from 13:30 to 16:30 GMT. The Muddlers Club, an Irish folk and traditional band, will entertain the crowds.
Enniskillen
On Monday, the Enniskillen St Patrick’s Day parade will depart from Enniskillen Castle at 15:30 GMT. The theme for this year is Jump ‘n’ Jive. At 13:30 GMT, live entertainment acts will begin a free family-friendly day at the castle.
Omagh
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Omagh will start at South West College at 14:00 GMT. Inspired by the 2025 Lunar New Year of the snake, this year’s theme is “snakes alive.” A range of family-friendly events, such as face painting, storytelling, and arts and crafts, will be held at Strule Arts Centre.
Newtownabbey and Antrim
The Borough of Antrim and Newtownabbey is hosting a number of St. Patrick’s Day activities. Until April 13, the Theatre at The Mill will host an exhibition of vintage Irish dancing costumes from the 1940s. On Sunday, from 12:00 to 16:00 GMT, Antrim Castle Gardens will host a wonderful family day filled with storytelling, live music, and traditional Irish and Highland dance.
Lisburn
Market Square in Lisburn will host a tea dance and St Patrick’s Day event on Saturday from 13:00 to 16:00 GMT. The patron saint will be the topic of a free drop-in arts and crafts event at the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum on Saturday and Monday from 9:30 to 15:30 GMT.
Ballycastle
On Monday, there will be a St. Patrick’s Day parade and family-friendly events in Ballycastle, County Antrim. A variety of craftsmen, artists, food providers, and independent merchants will be present at the waterfront market, which begins at 11:30 GMT. There will be family-friendly arts and activities, a peaceful space, and unofficial sporting performances within the Marine Hotel.