St Patrick’s Day In Manchester 2024

The Irish and the Mancunians have a long relationship, dating back a couple of hundred years. It’s estimated a third of the labour force who worked on the Manchester Ship Canal came from Ireland and by the mid-1800s, over a tenth of the city was of Irish descent.

Therefore, it’s only right that on St Patrick’s Day, celebrations roar across the city. With over 200 Irish-themed events already announced in Manchester alone, your calendar will be full to the brim this March.

Immerse Yourself in the Parade

As Europe’s biggest Irish festival, the 12-hour St Patrick’s Day party is just the start of over 10 days of riveting festivity.

Manchester boasts numerous St. Patrick's Day parades, and all feature traditional Irish music, dancers, and elaborate floats. The primary parade starts at midday on the 10th of March its journey at the World Irish Heritage Centre, then heads down Cheetham Hill Road to the AO Arena, passing Manchester Fort, before turning around, and heading back.

Raise a Pint (or Two) at a Traditional Irish Pub

Manchester is brimming with authentic Irish pubs, each offering a warm welcome and a taste of Ireland on St. Patrick's Day.

Head to iconic spots like O’Sheas or O'Neill's for live music, traditional Irish fare, and of course, a perfectly poured Guinness. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere as locals and visitors alike come together to celebrate the day.

Mulligan’s is considered the best Guinness outside of Ireland according to The Guinness Guru, but it will cost you nearly £7 a pint. If you fancy splitting the G’ of a great pint at a better price, check out The Station in Didsbury or The Bowling Green in Chorlton.

Learn Some Irish Dancing

If you're feeling adventurous, you can learn some Irish dancing at a dance workshop or a Ceilidh.

A Ceilidh is a traditional social gathering which involves playing Gaelic folk music in a social hall, where a caller explains dance moves to the crowd which then follows suit. Of course, it can be tricky to keep up with the pace of experienced tap dancers, but it’s a great way to get into the spirit of the holiday and have some fun with your friends or family.

There's something for everyone in Manchester on St. Patrick's Day, you just have to find it. We’ve only just scratched the surface in this blog, but we hope that you can take away a couple of enjoyable ideas to pitch to your group chat. Put on your green, grab a pint, and get ready to celebrate… Sláinte!