St Patrick’s Day isn’t a bank holiday in the UK but you could easily be mistaken for thinking it was — given the amount of partying that goes on in London alone.
17 March is the day thousands of Londoners remember they’ve got a tiny bit of Irish blood flowing through their veins, don fluffy green leprechaun hats and declare their undying love for a certain brand of stout (other stouts are available). Here’s where to go and what to do for St Patrick’s Day 2026 in London. It falls on a Tuesday this year, so many events understandably take place on the weekend just before it.
London’s St Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival 2026
The free St Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival are back for 2026. The parade winds its way through London’s streets from Green Park to Trafalgar Square, with Irish bands, dancers and pageantry making up the procession. In Trafalgar Square itself, the festival consists of live music, dancing and other family-friendly entertainment with an Irish theme.
St Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade, 15 March 2026, 12pm-6pm.
St Patrick’s Day 2026 parties and events in London
IRISH CULTURAL CENTRE: You need only head as far west as Hammersmith to find Irish craic aplenty at the Irish Cultural Centre, which has various live music sessions (plus plays stand up, Celtic meditattion, you name it). On 17 March itself, five-piece folksters Some One’s Sons will be raising the roof. Throughout March
ALBERT’S SCHLOSS: Soho-based German bar Albert’s Schloss goes Irish for most of March, with Guinness and Irish coffees on the menu. The food gets an Irish makeover too, offering Cow & Guinness pie, smoked salmon Irish Boxty, and a sticky toffee pud (pretty sure that’s English) topped with a Jameson toffee sauce (ah ha!) and vanilla ice cream. Look out for special events throughout the month, including a St Patrick’s themed bottomless brunch (14 March), and Irish-inspired live bands in a special edition of the venue’s regular Kunst Kabaret (17 March). 2-29 March 2026
CEILIDH BAND: On the Saturday before St Patrick’s Day, live ceilidh band Banish Misfortune put on a fiddle-filled feet-stomping riot at The Audley in Mayfair. While you enjoy the entertainment, tuck into a limited-edition menu of Irish delicacies including Louët Feisser oysters, Guinness rarebit, and Durslade Farm lamb Irish stew with soda bread… all accompanied by a constant flow of Guinness, naturally. 14 March 2026
ST PATRICK’S BRUNCH: Irish, family-owned hotel The Marylebone celebrates St Patrick’s Day in its 108 Brasserie. For one day only, a special menu inspired by the flavours of Ireland is served, accompanied by live Irish music. The menu for the St Patrick’s Day live music brunch includes a whiskey cocktail, comforting Irish classics like lamb stew, along with appetisers and desserts like chocolate Guinness cake. 14 March 2026
LONDON ST PATRICK’S DAY RUN: If your idea of celebrating is going for a run, you’re in luck — the London St Patrick’s Day run is back, following a 5k route around Hyde Park, before going onto a social at the Horse and Groom pub (the closest boozer to the Irish Embassy) where Guinness will be quaffed (a pint is included in your ticket) and the Six Nations is broadcast. 14 March 2026. New for 2026 from the same organisers is the London St Patrick’s Day Cycle Sportive, a lap around Richmond Park before heading to the Jolly Gardener to watch the rugby. 15 March 2026
ST PATRICK’S PARTIES: Big Penny Social in Walthamstow throws a weekend of St Patrick’s parties. Saturday evening is for adults only, with live covers of Irish music, Irish dancing lessons and performances, a dedicated stout bar and packets of Taytos. Sunday is the St Patrick’s Day Family Party, where dressing up is encouraged — plus there’s live music and a family ceilidh. 14-15 March 2026
OYSTERS: Indian BBQ restaurant Brigadiers teams up with legendary fish restaurant Sweetings for a day of oyster slurping (accompany with classic shallot vinaigrette or an Indian-inspired Goan recheado dressing). There are Irish drinks to go with: black velvets, Caffrey’s… or a Guinness old fashioned (colour us intrigued!). 17 March 2026
NANCY SPAINS: Named after London’s first Irish woman landlady, Nancy Spains bars in Shoreditch and Monument go all out for St Patrick’s Day, with a full day of music, dancing and general craic, aided by Murphy’s and other Irish-inspired slurps, including baby Murphy’s and the Nancy Handshake… a pint and shot of honey whisky. 17 March 2026
ST PADDY’S CABARET: The Phoenix Arts Club hosts a duo of St Patrick’s Day dinner and cabaret shows, shining the spotlight on Irish talent. If it’s anything like last year’s shindig, expect comedians, burlesque performers, West End stars, dancers and drag kings. Exact names TBC. 17 March 2026
AMAZING GRACE: The Amazing Grace live music venues in both London Bridge and Canary Wharf celebrate St Patrick’s Day with a programme of live music, paired with Irish Spice Bags and paddles of Baby Guinness shots. Also on the emerald-tinged menus: special cocktails crafted with Jameson’s. 17 March 2026
Irish pubs and bars in London for St Patrick’s Day
If you’re just looking for somewhere to kick back with a pint of Guinness, hit up one of London’s best Irish pubs. Don’t go in expecting a quiet pint this weekend though — all of London’s pubs, bars and venues with links to Ireland will be rammed over St Paddy’s Day. Makes for good craic though. Plus, 2026 is the first St Patrick’s Day since the Guinness Open Gate Brewery opened in Covent Garden, so expect lashings of action there.
