CEO of St. Patrick's Festival, Richard Tierney welcomes you to this year's festival extraganza, the largest celebration of Irish Culture and Heritage in the world, which takes place throughout the capital from March 15th to 17th.
When I think about St. Patrick’s Festival and how it has grown over the years, I can’t help but feel proud of how closely it’s woven into the fabric of Dublin.
This festival is more than a celebration of Irish culture - it’s an expression of who we are, how we tell our stories, and how we come together as a nation. Every year, we build on what’s come before, welcoming new ideas and exciting ways to showcase Ireland on a global stage.
This time out, we are embracing that spirit more than ever with a theme that speaks to the history of our nation - Adventures (Eachtraí).
Adventure is truly at the core of our national identity. It’s seen in our stories, our music, our art, and it's in the way we tackle challenges and turn them into opportunities. Throughout our history, the Irish spirit has always been defined by courage and curiosity, and that’s exactly what this year’s festival aims to capture - a city alive with possibility, where every street tells a story, every performance sparks joy, and every experience invites you to be part of something bigger.
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade remains the beating heart of the festival, and this year, we’re pulling out all the stops. With incredible creative talent from Bui Bolg, Spraoi, Inishowen Carnival Group, Artastic, and the return of the legendary Macnas and Cork Puppetry Company, the streets of Dublin will become a dazzling spectacle of colour, joy and imagination.
(Pic: Julien Behal)
Our collaboration with Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre is a particularly special moment as we celebrate 40 years of their amazing work by honouring a shared tradition, the wagon wheel, which brings the two communities together in a powerful and meaningful way.
Outside the parade, the streets of Dublin city will come to life with a festival programme that has something for everyone, delivered across 7 key performance areas in the city. From exciting performances to toe tapping tunes, comedy that fills the streets with laughter through to the lively Céilí Mór in Merrion Square & neurodivergent-friendly performances designed to be inclusive for all - we want to create a memorable experience that captures the diversity, energy, and warmth of Dublin itself.
The Dublin City Council St. Patrick’s Festival Treasure Hunt is sure to be a huge hit - designed to inspire people of all ages to rediscover the city, it's a fun, free, and accessible experience for all, with the treasure hunt returning to the streets of the city on Saturday March 15th for the first time in a number of years.
the 2025 National St. Patrick’s Day Parade
None of this would be possible without the extraordinary work of our artists, performers, community groups, and the wider festival team. St. Patrick’s Festival is a huge collaborative effort that showcases the very best of Irish creativity and talent to a global audience.
The support of our funders, including the Government of Ireland, Dublin City Council, Fáilte Ireland, and our many generous sponsors, ensures that we can continue to grow and bring this year's incredible celebration to life.
As we countdown to the big day, we invite you to step into the adventure with us and immerse yourself in the magic, and experience Dublin in a way you never have before. Whether you’re watching the parade, participating in the city-wide treasure hunt, or just soaking up the fun, St. Patrick’s Festival 2025 promises to be a celebration like no other.
The St. Patrick's Festival takes place throughout the capital from March 15th to 17th - find out more about this year's programme here.
