The parade will conclude with celebrations at Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square will soon be swept up in a sea of shamrocks and emerald green top hats as the date of this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade was announced. The Mayor of London’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations will take place from 12pm on Sunday, March 15 , bringing together Londoners and visitors to celebrate the “energy, creativity and incredible contributions” of the Irish community to the capital.
The day starts at midday with the spectacular St Patrick’s Day Parade, which begins at Hyde Park Corner and weaves along through Piccadilly, St James’s Street, Pall Mall, Cockspur Street, and Whitehall, before concluding in Trafalgar Square.
The parade will be led by this year’s grand marshal, Irish writer and broadcaster Emma Dabiri, followed by marching bands, dancers, musicians and carnival performers as well as representatives from countless Irish organisations.
London has the largest Irish community in the UK and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said he was “delighted” to welcome crowds to Trafalgar Square on March 15 to celebrate the “incredible contributions” of the capital’s Irish community.
Emma Dabiri said: “I’m so thrilled and it’s such an honour to be invited to be the grand marshal of The St Patrick’s Day Parade, especially as it’s the London one! I am so proud of being Irish, and my Irishness remains my anchor and North Star wherever I am in the world.
“I have lived in the UK for many years now and have such a special relationship with London, but nonetheless while you can take the girl out of Dublin, you can never take Dublin out of the girl!”
Celebrity chef Anna Haugh returns with The Wee Sister restaurant pop-up in the Square serving Irish dishes, and there will also be a range of stalls offering food, crafts and cultural delights.
Anna said: “The beauty of culture is that it always evolves but retains the heartbeat of your ancestors and the St Patrick’s Day parade in London at Trafalgar Square is a great representation of that.”
Trafalgar Square is once again at the heart of the celebrations, with a programme of free, family friendly entertainment across the day. The main stage will be hosted by Irish comedian Rachel Galvo, and audiences can enjoy an exciting mix of traditional and contemporary performances from acts including the Irish Culture Centre Choir, Moonlight: The Philip Lynott Enigma, Carrie Baxter, Cór Na nÓg choir, Jig and a Swig with the London Bodhrán Band, The Wran, Nell Mescal, Huartan, David Keenan and The Commitments.
Londoners and visitors can also explore the Irish Creative Collective sessions tent with comedy, spoken word, music, and Irish film and TV shorts; Out in the World exhibition highlighting stories from Ireland’s LGBTQ+ diaspora, Irish language lessons, children’s arts and crafts with Artburst, and the charming Oldbog Cottage experience.
Irish ambassador Martin Fraser said: “Once again, the Embassy of Ireland is delighted to support and be part of the 2026 St Patrick’s Day parade in London. St Patrick’s Day in London is a magical moment each year, bringing together not only our Irish community but all friends of Ireland here in Britain, and people from around the world who feel a connection to Ireland.
“This year we are lucky to be led by our fantastic grand marshal Emma Dabiri, an esteemed Irish writer, broadcaster and academic, and to be joined by Tánaiste Simon Harris. I want to express my gratitude to all involved for their creativity, talent and hard work, and to the people of London who always give the event such a warm reception.
“I also want to express my sincere thanks to Mayor Sadiq Khan and his team for their continued support for the parade and the strong friendship between Ireland and Britain. Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh go léir!”
London’s St Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 12pm on Sunday, March 15, at Hyde Park Corner and ends at Trafalgar Square.
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