What is St Patrick's Day?
Saint Patrick was a 5th-century missionary, born in Roman Britain, who was taken to Ireland as a slave in his youth, escaped, and later returned to spread Christianity. 17 March is traditionally held to be the day of his death. Legend says he used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.
For centuries it was mainly a religious feast day in Ireland. The big parades began among the Irish abroad: soldiers marched in New York in 1762, and Chicago has dyed its river green every year since 1962. Dublin's St Patrick's Festival in its current form began in 1996.
When is St Patrick's Day? Dates for 2026 and 2027
2026
- 14–17 March 2026St Patrick's Festival in Dublin
- Tuesday 17 March 2026St Patrick's Day
2027
- 13–17 March 2027St Patrick's Festival in Dublin
- Wednesday 17 March 2027St Patrick's Day, with the Dublin parade at midday
The day is always 17 March, a public holiday in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Dublin's festival runs for several days up to it, and its organisers publish the programme each year.
How people celebrate
- Wearing green, or a sprig of shamrock on the lapel.
- Parades with marching bands, giant puppets and community groups.
- Traditional music sessions in pubs, and céilí dancing.
Good to know
- The Dublin parade route fills up hours before midday: get there early, or book a seat in the grandstands.
- Landmarks around the world light up green for the day as part of Tourism Ireland's “Global Greening”.
- Green beer and leprechaun costumes are mostly modern American additions; in Ireland the day is also a family day out.