Looking to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in London? Here’s where to start…
Whether you’re an Irish expat, a tourist, or just a Londoner looking for an excuse to sink pints of Guinness, you don’t want to miss the St Paddy’s Festival and parade in Trafalgar Square.
The annual celebration has been a huge deal for Londoners over the years and, excitingly, it returns this year for more Guinness-fueled fun.
Here’s what you need to know about St Patrick’s Day in London 2023.
St Paddy’s Parade on Trafalgar Square
The St Patrick’s Day Festival in London will be taking place a wee bit earlier this year, on Sunday 12th March. Expect the very best of Irish arts, culture, food, and music, right here in the heart of London.
It’s expected that more than 50,000 people will join the festival’s procession, alongside Irish marching bands and dancers – the Celtic Youth Orchestra, and the Maguire O’Shea School of Dance.
This year, the parade will start at Hyde Park Corner, before weaving through Piccadilly, St James’s Street, Pall Mall, Cockspur Street, and Whitehall, before eventually moving over to Trafalgar Square where the party will keep going ‘til late.
Well, 6pm officially but it’s never quite over by then.
The Trafalgar Square set up will have all the stands, food and beverage options, celebrations of Irish music and arts.
Gemma Bradley will be this years’ hostess with the mostess, introducing a stellar lineup in collaboration with the London Irish Centre.
Over the afternoon, the likes of family concerts, storytelling, dance troupes, and singalongs are all very much on the agenda – and there will also be a smattering of children’s workshops boasting camogie games, medal making, and face painting.
As well as this, Anna Haugh (International Chef of the Year 2019) will be running food demos, and there will be plenty of street food stalls dotted around.
Other Ways to Celebrate St Patrick’s Day in London
Partying it up in Trafalgar Square is not the only way you can celebrate St Paddy’s Day in London – far from it. London’s pubs and bars will be awash with limited-edition offerings and craic-ing deals.
Piano Works
Piano Works are celebrating with a massive live concert where the band will be taking requests.
They’ll also be throwing in a two-hour happy hour and other drink specials and getting glitter artists in to tart you up. That’s at both locations on Friday the 17th.
Big Penny Social
Big Penny Social in Walthamstow will be throwing a party on the 17th, also. There’s going the more traditional route with Irish dancers and a traditional Irish band.
They had to get the Irish whisky in there somehow too of course. That will come in the form of a unique cocktail menu.
Skylight
If you want a good view with your skinful of Guinness, head over to Skylight at Tobacco Dock where a day/night of DJs will be laying the down the music to an event that’s highlight must surely be a Jameson-infused burger. If you prefer your whisky over ice they’ll also be serving it in cocktail form.
Single Malt Shop
And if you really, really love your whisky, the Single Malt Shop is hosting a tasting event on Thursday the 9th where you’ll be able to try some very fine bottles, many of which are only available there.
The whisky will also be accompanied by food from renowned Dublin chef, Robin Gill.
Practical Information: St Patrick’s Day in London
St Patrick’s Day is on the 17th March every year, though London’s main celebration will be taking place on the 12th.
The parade starts at Hyde Park at 12pm and ends up in Trafalgar Square where the party will continue until 6pm
St Patrick’s Day is the special day dedicated to the patron saint of Ireland. Not only is it a big deal in Ireland, but it has followed those who have emigrated around the world – with huge celebrations taking place in London, the US, and across the rest of Europe.
Not at all. You can find more information about the festivities here, but all you need to do is turn up.
