‘Spréach’, or spark, representing life force, is the theme of this years spectacular global celebration of Irish culture, heritage and arts. Ireland's national Saint Patrick's Festival returns to Dublin from March 15th to 18th 2024 and as always the world watches as this spectacular showcase is unveiled.

This year, the big difference is that sustainability is at the very centre of the celebrations and there has been a huge effort to think of the planet and climate change across every aspect of the Festival. The aim is to make this year's Festival the greenest and most sustainable Saint Patrick’s Festival to date. 

"As the centre of the world’s attention every March, and as one of the biggest festivals in Ireland, we have a responsibility to lead by example which is why we are championing sustainability in production, operations and programming", say the organisers.

Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin

The face of Friday night television, Patrick Kielty has been chosen as the Grand Marshal of this year's Saint Patrick's Day Parade which will be beamed into televisions across homes in Ireland and around the world.

There will be parades and celebrations all over Ireland through towns and villages and the country will go green as always.

In New York, the 13th annual Saint Patrick's Day 'sober' celebration will be hosted on March 16th. The idea is to totally 'reclaim the day' and there will be family friendly alcohol free celebrations of the very best of Ireland. There will be live music, step dancers, crafts, games, refreshments and food.

Another landmark this Saint Patrick's Day is that Maggie's Place, the world famous and oldest pub along the NYC Saint Patrick's Day route on Fifth Avenue celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Dublin natives Teddy and Maggie Whelan opened the bar at 21 E 47th St. in 1974 and the Irish pub has remained within the family ever since. Teddy and Maggie's son Martin took over the bar in 1992 and has watched the parade over three decades and all the changes that have happened over the years.

Across the world and known as 'the other Emerald Isle', Montserrat, a 17th century Irish Catholic settlement has a surprisingly high profile Saint Patrick's Day celebration. It's one of the few places besides Ireland where the day has been declared a public holiday and the festivities also commemorate the country's first slave rebellion and there's a street parade and organised talks and shamrock everywhere.

Sydney has big plans this year once again. Sharon Shannon leads the best of traditional musicians with concerts across the city. For the first time in 10 years, the Saint Patrick's Day parade will march through the Sydney Central Business District. This family friendly free event will see a march, toe-tapping live music, world class Irish dancing, crafts, Irish language lessons and more as the city raises a glass to Ireland's patron saint.

There will be pipe bands, stilt walkers, Irish dancers and children's characters among the 1,000 marchers from more than 50 groups taking part in the parade.

Saint Patrick's Day Celebrations in Chicago

Across in Chicago, once again the Windy City will carry on a tradition spanning over 50 years and there will be the colorful tradition of turning the river bright green. Thousands of spectators gather along the river in the morning to watch an environmentally safe dye change the river's hue for a few hours. Then even larger crowds will gather for the parade with step dancers and pipers traveling up Columbus Drive.

Wherever you are - Saint Patrick's Day 2024 looks bigger and better than ever!