Log in to My Time Out for your personalised guide to what's on in London. It's fast, easy and FREE!
St Patrick's Day in London
Plan your celebrations for St Patrick's Day with our guide to the parade, plus more events and the best Irish pubs in town on March 17 2012
When is St Patrick's Day?
St Patrick's Day is commemorated on March 17 although in London you can expect events celebrating St Patrick's Day throughout the week, culminating in the St Patrick's Day Parade on March 18 2012.
About St Patrick's Day
© James O.Jenkins
St Patrick's Day, March 17, is dedicated to the Patron Saint of Ireland. Along with the religious aspects of the Saint's day, the festival is traditionally celebrated with the 'wearing of the green' and shamrocks – the colour and plant associated with St Patrick and Ireland in general.
The biggest festivities take place in Ireland but St Patrick's Day is also widely celebrated by Irish ex-pats around the world, with parades, music, dance and celebrations in the pub with the traditional pint of Guinness. London has marked the day with public celebrations since 2002. They attract huge crowds of revellers to a lively parade through central London and music, dance and food stalls in Trafalgar Square.
Read more about the Irish in LondonSt Patrick's Day video playlist
St Patrick's Day doesn't have to be all about Boyzone and The Corrs. Here's our selection of bands from the Republic and Northern Ireland who won't make you want to turn off your speakers.
St Patrick's Day Parade
St Patrick's Day is on March 17 2012, with the London parade taking place on March 18. London's celebration of the Emerald Isle attracts around 110,000 revellers to Trafalgar Square from noon to 8pm on March 18, where traditional and contempoarary Irish bands create a festive atmosphere, and food and drink stalls sustain the merrymaking. A parade of floats and marching bands wends its way from Park Lane to the square via Piccadilly, Regent Street, Pall Mall and Whitehall from noon to 2pm. Throw on your best green garments and join the fun, or head to one of the many pubs or events with Irish-themed celebrations, presented below.
London's best Irish pubs
-
Irish pubs for anytime of year
We've chosen places that are Irish-owned, or have an interesting selection of Irish ales or whiskeys, or sometimes feature traditional music, food or even dancing
Time Out guides and magazines
Useful links
Things to do in London
- London restaurants
- London events
- London theatre
- London bars and pubs
- London clubs
- Film listings
- London tickets and offers
- Alternative London
- London museums
- London music
- London art
- London shopping
- London Olympics
- Gay and lesbian London
- London cabaret
- London comedy
- London for kids
- Books and poetry
- Dance in London
- Festivals
- London hotels
- Classical music in London
London by area
- Brixton guide
- Borough guide
- Bermondsey guide
- City of London guide
- Dalston guide
- Mayfair guide
- Camden guide
- Clapham guide
- Covent Garden guide
- Greenwich guide
- Stoke Newington guide
- Hammersmith guide
- Hampstead guide
- Highgate guide
- Holborn guide
- King's Cross guide
- Islington guide
- West End guide
- Hackney guide
- Marylebone guide
- London Bridge guide
- Little Venice guide
- Richmond guide
- Shoreditch guide
- Soho guide
- South Bank guide
- Wimbledon guide
- Notting Hill guide
Time Out Worldwide
Get the latest news from Time Out
Share your thoughts