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St. Patrick's 5 Day
Festival Schedule

A person dressed as Elsa from Frozen and others in cartoon character costumes walk in a street parade, surrounded by colourful confetti falling in the air.
Abstract clover shape filled with layered, colourful patterns in green, blue, and yellow, resembling a landscape with hills, water, and sky.
A person in a detailed sea-inspired costume with scales, coral-like headpiece, and orange netting is seen through a clover-shaped frame with a yellow outline.
A green leprechaun hat with a white band and a yellow buckle, tilted to the side.
Three people pose playfully outdoors at night, including a man in a suit, someone dressed as Saint Patrick with a long beard and staff, and a young woman in a bright Irish dance costume. Green light illuminates a stone wall behind them.
A green cauldron filled with gold coins, illustrated in a simple, cartoon style.
A person dressed as a ship captain stands behind a large wooden ship's wheel, wearing a brown hat and coat, surrounded by orange fishing nets, with trees and festival decorations in the background.
A simple drawing of a green rectangle with a wavy white line running through the centre, resembling a stylised snake.
A parade float features two large wooden sculptures: a man in a robe holding an Irish flag and a woman with curly hair holding a carved fish. People and photographers watch in the background.

WHATS ON

We are thrilled to invite you to Waterford City for an unforgettable experience at our 2026 St Patrick’s Festival! Immerse yourself in a vibrant tapestry of traditions, activities, rhythms and beats that showcase the rich diversity within our community. Get ready to lose yourself in a symphony of sounds, spectacular events and immerse yourself in an eclectic mix of historical and cultural attractions! We are thrilled to present a spectacular celebration of music that promises to captivate your senses and elevate your spirit.

Best of all? Most events are FREE!

Day 1

Friday 13th

 

Kick off the St Patrick’s Festival Waterford – with vibrant parades & centre celebrations as Ireland’s oldest city bursts into life!

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Day 2

Saturday 14th

 

Move the celebration into full swing with family fun, dazzling street entertainment, live music, and nonstop festive vibes citywide! today!

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Day 3

Sunday 15th

 

Delivers dazzling performances, cultural celebrations, live music, and unforgettable St Patrick’s Day atmosphere throughout the city!

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Day 4

Monday 16th

 

Celebrate in style with high-energy entertainment, strong community spirit, live music, and unforgettable moments across Ireland’s oldest city

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St Patricks

Tuesday 17th

 

St Patrick’s Day finale with a spectacular parade, live music, cultural celebrations, and an electric green atmosphere across Ireland’s oldest city!

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Two people in alien costumes join the St Patrick’s Day Festival Waterford parade; one sports a large green alien mask with a graduation cap, whilst the other, dressed as a small alien, sits inside a UFO prop as confetti falls around them.
A performer balances on a tall unicycle, arms outstretched, holding a flaming torch before a large crowd at the St Patrick’s Day Festival Waterford, with bright spotlights and city buildings illuminated in the background.

Our journey so far

Waterford City and County Council, Everyevent and Fáilte Ireland are thrilled to invite you to Waterford City

Join us for an unforgettable experience at our St. Patrick’s Festival!

Dive into a vibrant mix of history and culture with three live music stages, a stunning fire show, engaging local history events, and four days of family fun.

There’s truly something for everyone!

we had some craic’

Getting Here

Families can easily enjoy the festivities. With varied shopping and dining, a great opportunity to experience Waterford.

A young child wearing a helmet drives a go-kart labelled with the number 25 in a race at the St Patrick’s Day Festival Waterford, with another child in kart number 27 behind and crowds of spectators watching from behind barriers.
Two people in large penguin costumes walk in the St Patrick’s Day Festival Waterford parade, surrounded by crowds behind metal barriers. The busy, decorated street is filled with onlookers enjoying the lively celebration.
A parade scene at the St Patrick’s Day Festival Waterford shows people in life jackets and helmets riding a rescue boat mounted on a lorry, with Irish flags on display. Buildings line the street as spectators watch the festive procession.

Visit Waterford Stay, Eat & Explore

OUR GUIDE

  • 1

    Experience Waterford

    Discover Waterford’s rich blend of history, culture, and breathtaking scenery from the medieval heart of the city.
  • 2

    Stay Over

    Find your perfect place to stay in Waterford, with accommodation options to suit every style.
  • 3

    Eat & Drink

    Waterford’s culinary offering is bursting with flavour, creativity, and local pride. 
Explore Waterford
A group of people in colourful traditional clothing march in the St Patrick’s Day Festival Waterford parade, holding a banner that reads "Nigerian Community Waterford" as spectators watch from behind barriers. Confetti is scattered on the street.
A stylised shamrock features abstract green hills, a blue river, a yellow path, and blue water droplets, capturing the spirit of nature and landscape elements—perfect for celebrating the St Patrick’s Day Festival Waterford.
A white pipe, three green shamrocks of different sizes, and a golden horseshoe are illustrated on a transparent background, evoking the festive spirit of the St Patrick’s Day Festival Waterford.

Real Tales from Leprechaun Believers

we had some craic’

Vibrant Atmosphere

Attending the St. Patrick’s Festival in Waterford was an unforgettable experience! The vibrant atmosphere, filled with music and laughter…

Megan Taylor
London

Diverse Events

I loved the diverse events, from the colourful parade to the engaging workshops. It was a perfect celebration of culture and joy!”

Mike Fairbanks
Derry

Full of Energy

The parade was vibrant and full of energy, especially the spectacular performance by the local dance troupe.

Trev & Lisa
USA

Local Culture

Watching the little ones explore the local culture and join in the festive fun with friends and family was a joy. We’re already counting down to next year!”

Joanne & Family
Leeds

Frequently Asked Questions

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

The city is easily accessible for families to enjoy the festivities. We are here to help, with any questions.

The festival runs for four fun-filled days, typically starting before St. Patrick's Day. 

Events and activities generally run throughout the day and into the evening.

  • Day 1 (Friday): Events usually kick off in the evening, with walking tours and ticketed performances starting around 6:30 pm and live music continuing late.
  • Day 2 & 3 (Saturday & Sunday): Daytime activities, workshops, and markets often start around 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Live music and street performances continue through the afternoon and into the evening.

Day 4 (Monday – St. Patrick's Day): The main St. Patrick's Day Parade starts at 1:00 pm sharp. Daytime workshops and the city fairground typically begin around 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

The full schedule detailing locations and specific times for each day can be found on the festival's dedicated Programme of Events page.

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