St. Patrick's Festival 2025 Unveiled
Wednesday 29 January
On Tuesday 28th January 2025, the programme for the national St. Patrick’s Festival, Dublin, March 15th-17th 2025 was unveiled, with even more to come . . .
The theme of this years’ global celebration of Irish arts, culture and heritage is Adventures (Eachtraí), representing the famed and legendary Adventurous spirit that lives inside us all, known and loved the world over as a defining symbol of Irishness. It is that innate ability as a nation to transform fear into courage, face any challenge head on and turn it into an adventure, forging new paths as we go.
This St. Patrick’s Festival invites locals and visitors alike to a celebration like no other across a city of tales, trails, and treasures, where every street tells a story of history, of magic, of adventures. All are welcome to experience the world-famous parade, immersive on-street performances and the cultural delights of a city bursting with life. Guests can expect a huge celebration of Irish culture throughout the weekend, from captivating street theatre to comedy that fills the city streets with joy and laughter, awe-inspiring circus performances, family-friendly areas, neurodivergent friendly performances, a lively Céilí Mór and everything in between!
This year’s National St. Patrick’s Day Parade will see a beautiful and meaningful collaboration between St. Patrick’s Festival and Pavee Point Traveller & Roma Centre who are celebrating 40 years of Pavee Point. This particular piece will honour the wagon wheel, a shared traditional focal point for both groups, and bring the two together as they share stories & skills between the two communities.
The iconic procession will also feature Ireland’s foremost creative pageant companies including Bui Bolg, Spraoi, Inishowen Carnival Group, The Outing Queer Arts Collective, Artastic and Art FX, with a highly anticipated Parade return coming in the form of the beloved and legendary Macnas and Cork Puppetry Company!
Kia embarks on its fourth adventure as an official sponsor of St. Patrick's Festival, with their support continuing to drive the festival’s success. Dublin Zoo have also jumped on board to add their own extra special twist on the theme of Adventures that’s sure to delight the waiting crowds! With half a million spectators expected to line this year’s route, the Parade will feature over 23 artistic parade performances and ceremonial unit displays, 10 community groups performances (as part of the St. Patrick's Festival Community Arts Programme), and 12 marching bands from across Ireland, North America and Austria.
Under the guidance of new Artistic Director, Aoife Carry, the Festival has worked closely with all of the parade companies, drawing on their vast experience and utilising all of their unique talent and artistic flair to really bring the theme of Adventures to life.
St. Patrick’s Festival is thrilled to launch the 2025 programme of events, with an immersive offering of interactive and awe-inspiring experiences taking place against the backdrop of our historic city. This year Dublin comes to life with events that celebrate the city, through a diverse and eclectic array of entertainment, on-street performances and cultural experiences, with something for everyone, each and every way you turn! This exciting new adventure places the Festival back into the beating heart of the city, delivering electric and joyous energy pulsing right across the weekend as Dublin transforms into a playground of discovery and wonder for all ages and interests, from the very best of our esteemed creative communities.
Kicking off the festival will be the much-loved Dublin City Council Treasure Hunt which makes a triumphant return for 2025 and is guaranteed to be a hit with all ages. The perfect way to explore and rediscover Dublin City – more details to follow very soon!
For the remainder of the weekend, be sure to explore the city and catch acrobatic delights and juggling wonders with circus companies like Cikada Circus, Tumble Circus, Hands Down Circus, Symmetry Circus and Amadan Circus on city corners; dance on the pavement to tunes by the Shamrock Show Band; or stop by to wonder and enjoy Team Fuinneamh or Moss Russell ‘Squish Stomp Spin’ (both neurodivergent friendly performances!).
Performance and visual art will surprise and delight all over the city, courtesy of talented creatives and cultural curators including interdisciplinary performing artist Elisa Gallo Rosso, multidisciplinary dancer and percussionist, Favour Odusola, illustrator and visual artist Harry Pizzey and many more! While the streets teem with performance and adventure, there’s even more to be found across a plethora of iconic city locations, including the Wood Quay Amphitheatre, Wolfe Tone Square, Hugh Lane Gallery, Capel Street, Barnardo Square and St. Stephen’s Green.
*All events subject to license and permissions.