Cities That Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Last updated Feb 24, 2026
Every March 17th, cities across Europe celebrate Ireland’s patron saint. St Patrick’s Day is more than a holiday - it’s a vibrant expression of Irish heritage, culture and community spirit that now resonates far beyond Ireland.
Dublin - The Heart of St. Patrick’s Day
Of course, no St Patrick’s Day story is complete without honouring Dublin. Dublin’s St Patrick’s Festival takes place from 14–17th March 2026 with a packed programme of parades, performances, concerts, art installations, family events and street festivities that bring the Irish capital alive with colour and culture.
On March 17th, the national St Patrick’s Day Parade takes centre stage. It’s one of the country’s signature cultural events, and in recent years around 500,000 people have lined the streets of Dublin to witness the colourful floats, marching bands and performances that make this parade unforgettable.
Staying in Dublin with Staycity during the festival means you’re steps away from the fun, as have 7 centrally located aparthotels to choose from.
UK Celebrations
St Patrick’s Day has deep roots in the UK. Across several UK cities, you’ll find lively celebrations filled with music, parades, and friendly crowds:
Birmingham is famed for its St Patrick’s Day festivities, and hosts the third-largest St Patrick’s Day parade in the world, with around 90,000 participants and spectators each year - trailing only Dublin and New York in scale. The city’s Irish Quarter around Digbeth buzzes with music, traditional food, cultural events and community gatherings.
In Liverpool, revelry centres on spirited pub celebrations, live folk music and the famous Green Mile - a stretch of bars and venues where locals and visitors alike toast with Guinness and Irish cheer. Check out Shenanigan's Irish Bar - famous for their delicious Irish breakfast!
Manchester brings its own lively twist with parades and special events across town, while Edinburgh’s pubs and venues go green with live DJs, Irish bands and themed parties.
Paris & Bordeaux - French Flair Meets Celtic Fun
In Paris, St Patrick’s Day isn’t just tucked away in pubs, it’s a city-wide celebration. Irish cultural clubs and venues host festivals that can stretch over a week, with parades, live music, Gaelic games, circus acts and street performers joining the party well before March 17th. Parisian Irish pubs, like those in the Latin Quarter and around the Marais, are legendary for their St Patrick’s parties, drawing crowds from across the city for dancing, music and festive food.
Bordeaux offers their own take on St Patrick’s Day with live bands, themed menus and energy that blends French joie de vivre with Irish tradition - a great choice for travellers who want a cosmopolitan yet lively experience. A much-loved Irish pub in Bordeaux is The Blarney Stone. Open since 1995, their traditional Beef & Guinness pie is a must.
Germany - A European Twist
St Patrick’s Day might not be a public holiday in Germany, but in Frankfurt, Dresden and Leipzig, you’ll still find plenty of reasons to wear green.
Frankfurt is one of the country’s most international cities, and its Irish community brings real energy to St. Patrick’s Day. Traditional pubs across the city host all-day celebrations with live bands, folk sessions and a lively after-work crowd. In recent years, Frankfurt has even staged its own St Patrick’s Day parade - proof that the Irish spirit travels well. A favourite Irish pub in Frankfurt? O'Reilly's, famous for their hearty pub grub and a great pint of Guinness!
Over in eastern Germany, Dresden and Leipzig lean into their buzzing bar scenes. Expect Irish-themed nights, live music and plenty of Guinness flowing in neighbourhood pubs, especially in Dresden’s Neustadt and across Leipzig’s creative districts.
At Staycity, we’re a proudly independent Irish company, born in Dublin, and we couldn’t be prouder of our roots. St Patrick’s Day is always a special moment for us, and we’re delighted to welcome guests to celebrations across the cities we call home. Whether you’re heading to Dublin for the full parade experience or planning a spirited city break elsewhere in Europe, we hope you’ll enjoy all the celebrations!
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