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 200 events across the city including a lively pop-up festival village, 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:
Local Social Scran, The Klondyke Club, Levenshulme – March 8
From 5-9pm on March 8, things kick off with a lovely social event in Levenshulme. Think a cosy coffee corner, kids activities, DJs and live performances, amazing street food and tasty craft beer – the perfect evening for all the family.
Irish Festival Village, St Ann’s Square – March 8-17
All roads lead to the Irish Festival Village – filled with vibrant pop-up venues on St Ann’s Square, all taking place under a huge tent. Visitors can expect the best of live Irish music, a huge screen showing Ireland’s Six Nations games, Manchester’s creamiest pint of Guinness and mouth watering Irish-themed food. The Irish Festival Village launches on the 8 March and will run right up to St Patrick’s Day, on March 17.
St Patrick’s Day Parade – March 10
This year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade organised by the Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester will take place on Sunday 10 March 2024. 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.
Big Queer Céílí, Gay Village – March 10
Manchester Gay Village‘s Queer Céílí includes all dances called and hosted by drag queen Gypsy Darling, with free entry from 5.30-late at the church on Canal Street.
Céílí-Cise, Klondyke Centre, Levenshulme – March 11
This Céílí-Cise dancing class for adults promises a fun and friendly atmosphere for beginners. Based in Levenshulme’s Klondyke, anyone can join this event which will take place from 5:30pm on March 11.
Palace Nightclub Reunion Quiz, Levenshulme – March 12
This event is a reunion for the Palace nightclub in Levenshulme that opened in 1989. The Irish Club hosted some of the biggest names in Irish entertainment, and this quiz night will be hosted in Hennigan’s Sports Bar – just a stone’s throw away from the original nightclub. Catch the quiz from 7pm on March 12.
John McSherry Trio performance, Band on the Wall – March 17
Hailed as a ‘true master’ of music according to Irish Music Magazine, John McSherry will launch ‘Féile’, the live debut album of the John McSherry Trio. Watch them perform on March 17, at 8pm at Band on the Wall.
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 Lochin, 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.
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!