St Patrick’s Festival is an annual celebration of Irish arts, culture and heritage and the theme of this year’s event is Adventures (Eachtraí), representing the legendary adventurous spirit that is known and loved the world over as a defining symbol of Irishness.

Running from 15 – 17 March 2025 in Dublin, the festival invites visitors on a journey like no other across a city of tales, trails and treasures, where every street tells a story of history, magic and adventure.

Guests can expect a huge celebration of Irish culture throughout the weekend, from captivating street theatre to comedy that fills the city streets with laughter, awe-inspiring circus performances and family-friendly areas. 

The world-famous St Patrick’s Day Parade, which takes place on Monday 17th March, promises to be the most joyful yet, bringing together the values of community, diversity and sustainability to delight to those watching.

With half a million spectators expected to line this year’s route, the iconic parade will feature artistic performances and ceremonial displays, as well as community groups and marching bands from across Ireland, North America and Austria. 

Kicking off the festival will be the much-loved Dublin City Council Treasure Hunt which makes a triumphant return in 2025. The perfect way to explore Dublin City, the treasure hunt is guaranteed to be a hit with all ages.

Enjoy acrobatic delights and juggling wonders with circus companies on street corners; dance on the pavement to the music of Irish bands or marvel at creative performances all over the city.

While the streets teem with activity, there’s even more to be found across a plethora of famous city locations, including the Wood Quay Amphitheatre, Wolfe Tone Square, Hugh Lane Gallery, Capel Street, Barnardo Square and St. Stephen’s Green. 

The sensational Céilí Mór Irish dance spectacular takes place in Merrion Square on St Patrick’s Day itself, and the 18th annual Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk sees over 3,000 enthusiastic walkers take on a 26 km (16 mile) challenge around Dublin Bay, from Howth to Dun Laoghaire.

Ciara Sugrue, Head of Festivals & Events at Fáilte Ireland, said: "St. Patrick’s Festival returns to Dublin this year with a fantastic programme of music, entertainment and arts that celebrates the rich tapestry of Irish arts, culture and heritage, and we look forward to welcoming over 500,000 visitors.

“The festival is also a vibrant celebration of the incredible talent and creativity within our communities - from the street performances taking place across the city, to the magic and colour of the parade, and of course, the unmissable craic of the Céilí Mór, which is hugely popular with overseas visitors.” 

Janet Redler, Managing Director of Janet Redler Travel, added: “St Patrick’s Festival is one of the highlights of Ireland’s cultural calendar and is not to be missed! Dublin truly comes alive with three days of celebrations, which provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable Irish adventure.”

Established in 1996, St. Patrick’s Festival has grown from a single-day to a multi-day event and is recognised globally as one of the world’s biggest festivals. In 2024, it delivered an overall media reach of 400 million people, a digital and social media reach of 22 million, a live audience in excess of 600,000 and a TV audience of 386,000. Find out more at www.stpatricksfestival.ie.

If you or your group would like to enjoy next year’s St Patrick’s Festival in Dublin on a tailor-made tour of Ireland, then we can help. Please contact our friendly team today!