St Patrick’s Day Celebrations 2023

By Carrie Larwood, February 8, 2023

St Patrick’s Day is widely celebrated across the world and we have been looking around to find you some free events in London and other cities in the UK:

The London St Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival has become a destination event, which showcases the best of Irish music, song dance, culture and arts.

Accessible to all audiences, the festival aims to transfer the experience of Irish culture to all Londoners and visitors. Organised by the Mayor of London with the support of many Irish businesses, the festival works closely with many Irish cultural organisations, musicians and artists. Held on the Sunday closest to 17 March, the 2023 event will take place on Sunday 12 March 2023 in the iconic Trafalgar Square.

The parade celebrates both the deep roots of Irish communities in London and also the present-day energy and vibrance of Irishness in London and beyond. The parade will feature spectacular pageantry, wonderful floats, marching bands from across the UK, sports clubs and Irish dancing schools.

On the day, the focal point for celebrations will be Trafalgar Square, where a free St Patrick’s Day festival promotes the best of Irish music, song, culture, arts and dance. Acts include

Biblecode Sunday’s
Celtic Youth Orchestra
Celaviedmai
Junk Kouture
Craic Heads
Leon Dunne -Spoken Word artist
AIS X I Am Irish
Roxanna Nic Liam
Maguire O’Shea School of Dance
Sharon Shannon & Band, plus many more

Live music, spoken word, Irish dancing, and Irish film screenings usually feature, with storytelling, face painting and children’s films to keep younger visitors happy.

Beyond Trafalgar Square, Ireland’s national day is felt right through the city with the parade commencing at Piccadilly at midday and then completing a 1.5-mile route through central London – it passes landmarks such as the Ritz and Piccadilly Circus before arriving at Whitehall. Numerous London and Irish dance groups will participate, and the parade is also set to feature pageantry, floats, marching bands and sports clubs.
Official celebrations at Trafalgar Square end at around 6pm but you can expect various bars and restaurants in Soho and around to host special events well into the evening.

If you are not in London, there are parades taking place in a city near you:

2023 Birmingham St Patricks Day Parade

Event cancelled due to redevelopment of Digbeth, but there will still be a lot of celebrations. Check here

2023 Manchester St Patrick’s Day Parade

Sunday March 12th, 2023

The annual St Patrick’s Parade will take place in Manchester with a slightly shorter route.

An initial timetable for the celebration of Ireland’s national day, which takes place on Sunday, March 12 for 2023, has been released.

It will see the festivities kick off at Irish World Heritage Centre (IWHC) with Gaelic Mass at 10am on March 12.

This will be followed by Irish dancing in the foyer before the annual St Patrick’s Parade leaves the IWHC at 12noon and is due to return to the centre at roughly 2pm. There will be entertainment and a fun fair from midday to 9pm.

2023 Leeds Saint Patricks Day Parade

Sunday 12th March 2023 at 11am

The Leeds St Patrick’s Day Parade brings together the Irish in Leeds to celebrate in the heart of the city. Everyone is welcome.

You are invited to join the parade through our city centre, with colourful floats, pipe and brass bands and walking displays from Irish organisations, schools and clubs from across Leeds.

Then stay with us for live music and dance on Millennium Square, showcasing home-grown Leeds talent alongside invited guest performers. With refreshment stalls and activities and a bar to raise a celebratory pint of Guinness!

2023 Nottingham St. Patrick’s Day

The 22nd annual Nottingham St Patrick’s Day event returns to the city centre on March 17th 2023, celebrating the city and region’s vibrant Irish community and descendants.

Head to Old Market Square to enjoy a range of Irish and Irish-inspired live music and culture on stage including the Louie Walsh Band.

Schedule of activities: 11.30am – 4.30pm in Old Market Square ~ Elaine Marren Memorial Stage ~ MC Gerry Molumby