London’s much-loved St Patrick’s Day celebrations will return this Sunday March 17, with Trafalgar Square once again hosting the official festival.
Now in its 22nd year, the capital’s annual celebration of Ireland and its people will again begin with a parade, before music, arts, and plenty of food and drink.
Where does the parade take place?
London’s St Patrick’s Day parade will form up on Piccadilly and set off at noon from Hyde Park Corner. Irish drag star Panti Bliss will be this year’s parade grand master, leading the procession way towards Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, St James's, Pall Mall, Cockspur Street and finally onto Whitehall. It then concludes in Trafalgar Square for the main festivities.
Watching the procession from Piccadilly before heading directly to Trafalgar Square will probably ensure the best view of the passing of the parade.
More than 50,000 people are expected to join the annual procession, which is set to include Irish marching bands, dance troupes, pageantry, while many more will celebrate in pubs and restaurants around the capital.
What happens in Trafalgar Square?
The best of Irish arts, music, food and drink — yes, there will be Guinness — will follow the capital’s annual parade, with a line-up curated in partnership with the London Irish centre, including the Irish Celtic Youth Orchestra, the Maguire O’Shea School of Dance, and the Irish Pensioners Choir.
This year’s host will be writer and producer Xnthony, while the chef Anna Haugh — best-known for her appearances on TV’s MasterChef and her Chelsea restaurant Myrtle — returns to orchestrate food demos alongside children’s workshops and games.
Trafalgar square line-up
- MC/Host: Xnthony
- Eamonn Galldubh
- Irish Pensioners Choir
- Maguire O'Shea Dance Academy
- The Trad Gathering
- The Irish Celtic Youth Orchestra
- Kestine
- Ruairi Glasheen and his bodhran players
- Junk Kouture fashion show compered by Sinead Burke
- Lisa Canny ensemble Biird
- Jiggy
- Belters Only
- Irish Film London Screen Programme
When does the festival begin and end?
The St Patrick’s Day parade will kick-off at midday, with festivities at Trafalgar Square from 1pm, finishing — officially, at least — at about 6pm.
Anything else?
It’s worth noting that those wishing to attend will be searched before heading into the Square, and that bags larger than an A4 sheet of paper are not permitted. Aside from the obvious items that are banned — anything dangerous, or your own booze — note that full facial masks will be confiscated, as will “items that could cause loud audible disruption”, which includes whistles, megaphones and air horns.
