St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The National St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 12pm on 17 March in Dublin City Centre, running from Parnell Square in the north of the city, down O’Connell Street, over O’Connell Bridge and through the south side of the city, ending at the Cuffe Street/Kevin Street junction.

The Parade will feature 12 large-scale floats from independent parade companies, with over 3,000 participants involved. Returning to the streets of Dublin are beloved pageant makers including Macnas, Bui Bolg, Spraoi, Inishowen Carnival Group, Curious State, Volkidana, The Outing Queer Arts Collective, Artastic and ArtFX, alongside exciting new entries from Lumen Street Theatre and Show CoMotion, a new Dublin-based parade company making its Festival debut. Adding to the festivities, The Rotunda Hospital makes its first appearance this year with a special float designed by ArtFX.  

International participation remains a hallmark of the Parade, with marching bands travelling from Scotland and the United States, including eight American bands from Ohio, Arizona, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Mississippi, Indiana and Texas, reflecting the deep cultural connections between Ireland and its global diaspora. 

No tickets are required for you to attend the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Simply pick a spot along the route and enjoy the spectacle and excitement! If you would like a seat at the Parade, there are a limited number of tickets available to purchase for grandstand seats. Grandstand tickets for St. Patrick’s Festival 2026 are on sale now.