Mainland Europe hosts significant Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations in 2026, with major parades and festivals scheduled for the weekend of 14–15 March and on the official day itself, Tuesday, 17 March.
Germany
- Munich (The Largest Parade in Mainland Europe): Munich organises one of the continent’s biggest celebrations, marking its 30th edition with a blend of Irish and Bavarian traditions. Main Parade: Sunday, 15 March 2026, from 12:00, Starts at Münchner Freiheit and proceeds along Leopoldstraße and Ludwigstraße to Odeonsplatz. A vibrant procession with around 1,500 participants in 60 groups, including marching bands, Irish dancers, folklore associations, and traditional costumes, covering approximately 2.5 kilometres.
- Munich after-Party: Sunday, 15 March 2026, from 13:00, Wittelsbacher Platz / Odeonsplatz area. Features the traditional “blessing of the shamrock”, live music, and open-air festivities.
- Munich pre-Party: Saturday, 14 March 2026, from 11:00, Odeonsplatz. An open-air festival with international street food, live bands, and entertainment.
- Major pub venues such as Kilians Irish Pub and Ned Kelly’s Australian Bar host multi-day parties with live music and special events.
- Lüneburg (Tuesday, 17 March 2026):
- English-Language Mass at St Marien-Kirche at 18:00, featuring Celtic folk music, followed by a concert at 19:30 in the Parish Hall (Friedenstr. 8b).
France
- Paris: The Irish Cultural Centre (Centre Culturel Irlandais) runs a month-long festival in March, with events such as traditional music sessions (around 12–13 March) and historical archive tours (11–18 March).
- O’Sullivans Pubs (Tuesday, 17 March 2026): All five locations, including O’Sullivans by the Mill, feature major parties with live music, photo booths, and giveaways.
- Slow Session & Conference (Tuesday, 17 March 2026): At La Médiathèque de Paris from 17:30.
- Generator Paris (Tuesday, 17 March 2026): “Lucky Clover” party from 20:00 to 01:00.
- Lyon (Sunday, 15 March 2026): A family-friendly party at Les Gamins de la Grande Cote from 10:00 to 12:00.
Spain
- Madrid (Sunday, 15 March 2026): The main parade runs through the city centre from Gran Vía to Plaza de España, typically starting at 17:00 (note: some sources indicate the parade may shift to Saturday 14 March in certain years; confirm locally for 2026). This is one of Spain’s largest events, expecting high attendance with marching bands and folk groups.
- Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote (14–17 March 2026): A four-day festival along the seafront promenade with Celtic music, street food, and a major parade on the 17th.
- Benelux (Belgium & Netherlands)
Brussels, Belgium:
- Parade of Nations (Sunday, 15 March 2026): Starts at Les Halles Saint Géry at 13:00, concluding at the Grand Place at 15:30 with a cultural ceremony.
- European Saint Patrick’s Day (Tuesday, 17 March 2026): The Schuman-Monnet European Quarter becomes a pedestrian hub with events in local pubs from 12:00 to midnight.
- The Hague, Netherlands (Sunday, 15 March 2026): A festival at the Grote Markt from 12:30.
Scandinavia
- Stockholm, Sweden (Saturday, 14 March 2026): Celebrations begin at Kungsträdgården at 14:00.
- Oslo, Norway (Sunday, 15 March 2026): Gathering at Jernbanetorget from 12:00.
- Copenhagen, Denmark (Sunday, 15 March 2026): Main event at Rådhuspladsen from 15:30, often including a charitable three-legged pub race.
Other Notable Destinations
- Prague, Czech Republic: A parade through the Old Town, typically starting around 14:00–14:30 at Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí), crossing Charles Bridge and passing through Old Town Square, with Irish music, dancing, and a lively atmosphere.
- Padua, Italy: The “Irlanda in Festa” festival runs for several days around 17 March, featuring live music and Guinness tents.
Tourism Ireland reaches out toe the Irish Diaspora
Saint Patrick’s Day county by county
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Saint Patrick’s Day state by state in the USA
Alabama – Alaska – Arizona – Arkansas – California – Colorado – Connecticut – Delaware – Florida – Georgia – Hawaii – Idaho – Illinois –Indiana – Iowa – Kansas – Kentucky – Louisiana – Maine – Maryland – Massachusetts – Michigan – Minnesota – Mississippi – Missouri – Montana – Nebraska – Nevada – New Hampshire – New Jersey – New Mexico – New York – North Carolina – North Dakota – Ohio – Oklahoma – Oregon – Pennsylvania – Rhode Island – South Carolina – South Dakota – Tennessee – Texas – Utah – Vermont – Virginia – Washington DC – Washington State – West Virginia – Wisconsin – Wyoming –
Saint Patrick’s Day province by province in Canada
Alberta – British Columbia – Manitoba – New Brunswick – Newfoundland and Labrador – Nova Scotia – Ontario – Prince Edward Island – Quebec – Saskatchewan
Saint Patrick’s Day state by state in Australia
New South Wales – Northern Territory – Queensland – Tasmania – Victoria – Western Australia
