St Patrick’s Festival Galway
St Patrick’s Festival Galway will celebrate Ireland’s national holiday with a series of events over the course of the bank holiday weekend from 14th to the 17th March 2026, organised by Galway City Council. Galway’s St Patrick’s Day parade in 2026 will be set to the theme ‘Legends and Rising Stars’
A weekend celebration of community
For three days of the St. Patrick’s Festival (14th to 17th March 2026) there will be family-oriented entertainment throughout the city and Salthill.
Festival Village
From the 14th to the 17th of March head to the Eyre Square to find the heart of the festival where you will find free outdoor concerts and entertainment!
Parade
Don’t miss the main attraction of the festival! The Parade will begin at 11am on the 17th starting at University Road and concluding as Prospect Hill. Up to 3000 Participants will colour the streets to the theme of ‘Legends and Rising Stars’
Tribesmen Head of the River
14th of March We’re happy to announce the return of the the rowing event on Saturday! Clubs from all over Ireland will race from Lough Corrib to Woodquay in Galway city!
Badoiri an Chladaigh: Boats, Music & Culture
17th of March – Galway’s Badoiri an Chladaigh will host a special Gaelic traditions event including singers, poetry and Galway Hookers in full sail!
St.Patrick’s Night Ceili & Workshop
Monday 16th of March at St.Patrick’s Band Hall join the fun with the Galway Ceili Club, no partner needs and all levels welcome!
Expect many additional events to be held throughout the city over the bank holiday weekend.
Family fun day and Amusements in Salthill
Over the course of the weekend Curry’s Funpark at Leisureland and Salthill Park will host a Family Fun Day. Everyone is in for a fantastic day filled with games and activities.
Greening of the city
Lighting artists have been commissioned to bring festive colours to the city, with the iconic sails in Eyre Square being lit up and Bádóirí an Chladaigh are expected to light up the boats of The Claddagh Basin as part of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Find out more about St Patrick’s Festival Galway
Parade Participants
The 2026 parade will be led by the parade grand marshal in an open top bus, which will be confirmed close to the date. The parade is expected to feature an array of community, cultural, sporting and international groups including Ireland’s pioneering spectacle theatre company Macnas, led by the Macnas Young Ensemble. Recognised worldwide for its quality and innovation, Macnas will be accompanied by some of their fantastical creations, such as their flowery giant owl alongside a cacophony of rhythm passion and purpose from the next generation Macnas drummers.
The parade has grown from small beginnings to the present day, when on average it has 70,000 spectators thronging the 1.5 mile route. People of all ages mingle together to enjoy the spectacle of music, dance and performance art as the procession winds its way through the city.
This year the Festival is a platform to showcase local artists and community groups and they aim to celebrate this through an varied programme of music, street theatre and art and hope you enjoy the Festival and the people of Galway wish you a very happy St Patrick’s day.
St Patrick’s Festival Galway Event
St Patrick’s Day Parade Galway
Bands, dance groups, performance artists and community groups come from all over the world to Galway each year to experience a parade that is widely regarded as one of the best in Ireland. The beauty of the Galway Parade is that it is small enough for groups to truly feel a part of, yet big enough to create a special atmosphere. The Parade route is thronged with spectators from start to finish, creating a non-stop carnival atmosphere.
Look here for more details about St Patricks Day Galway Parade
Date:- 17 March – The Parade start time will be 11.00am and finishing at approximately 12.30pm.
Admission: Free
