Here in Manchester, we’re mad about St Patrick’s Day, and whether that’s because of our love for a good Guinness, or perhaps because it’s the next best city for a party after Dublin, hell yeah, we’re gonna celebrate. This year, Manchester Irish Festival is back and bigger than ever, with ten whole days of Irish merriment and impish shenanigans.
Between March 8-17, the celebration of the vibrant Irish community in Manchester will be flooding the city with live music and dancing, including the ‘best St Patrick’s Day celebrations outside of Ireland’. As Europe’s biggest Irish festival, Manchester Irish Festival will host 100 events across the city including lively 30th anniversary celebrations, a legendary parade with more than 30 colourful and impressive floats featuring dancers and bands, through to a 12-hour St Patrick’s Day party.
Obviously, we’d be here forever listing off all the amazing activities going on throughout Manchester Irish Festival, so here are our top picks of the best events to get involved in, all culminating on St Patrick’s Day.
Events to look out for at this year’s Manchester Irish Festival:
Festival Village in St Ann’s Square
The festival will centre around a pop-up marquee on St Ann’s Square, hosting some fantastic performers throughout the week on the run-up to St Patrick’s Day. Find out what’s coming up each day here.
St Patrick’s Day Parade – March 16
This year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade organised by the Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester will take place on Sunday 16 March 2025. The parade, which will depart from Queen’s Road, Cheetham Hill at midday, will be an incredible celebration of the proud and thriving Irish community in Manchester. This year’s parade will showcase and champion local groups and organisations such as GAA clubs, Irish dance classes, marching bands and pipe bands, along with a strong representation of the 32 counties in Ireland.
As one of the longest running St Patrick’s Day parades in Europe, it’s not just those from the Irish community that are invited, but all communities across Greater Manchester and beyond are welcome to join the big celebration and line the route with support.
Am I Irish Yet – March 13
Hit play Am I Irish Yet comes to this year’s Manchester Irish Festival with multiple shows from 7-13 March. The hilarious play by Kate Kerrigan about growing up as a second generation Irish person has had a string of sold out shows and rave reviews. Shows include the Irish World Heritage Centre and the Brian Boru Club – find tickets here.
St Patrick’s Day at O’Sheas – March 17
O’Sheas Irish Bar on Princess Street, Manchester is hosting a day of live music including the artists Joe Keegan and Green Hot Clover to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. O’Sheas promises “the biggest St Patrick’s Night party in town”, so what are you waiting for? Entry during the day is free with the bar’s famous Irish Breakfast served from 10am – book here.
You can find all event listings for Manchester Irish Festival here. So, enjoy all there is on the run-up to this year’s St Patrick’s day – sláinte!