The Emerald City
in March 2026
Parades, festivals, wild coastlines and a pint by the fire — Dublin in March is the most magical month to visit Ireland.
Dublin Turns Green
There is no better time to visit Dublin than March. The city shakes off the winter grey and erupts in colour, music and celebration. The streets fill with visitors from every corner of the globe — but beyond the famous parade, there is a depth of culture, history, food and natural beauty that rewards those who look a little closer.
Whether you want to join a 600,000-strong crowd for the world’s most famous parade, hike the sea cliffs of Howth in the crisp spring air, sip whiskey in a centuries-old distillery, or wander ancient monastic ruins in County Wicklow, March 2026 gives you all of this and more.
Below is your complete guide to the best events, day tours and unmissable attractions for anyone visiting Dublin this March.
St. Patrick’s Festival
The largest celebration of Irish culture and heritage in the world runs across four spectacular days in the heart of Dublin city.
- Dearly Beheaded – Dubh Linn Garden
- Northern Lights Cabaret
- Ember Éire
- Circus Fergus – Central Plaza
- Down to Clown Fire Show
- Dublin City Council Family Village
- DCC Treasure Hunt
- Sing Ireland – Central Plaza
- Belle Harmonics – Central Plaza
- Dearly Beheaded continues
- Spreacha na hOíche
- Children’s Willow Fish Workshop
- ABAIR: Storytelling @ Peacock Bar
- ABAIR: Stoite/Uprooted – Button Factory
- Northern Lights Cabaret
- The Seed – Strix Nebulosa, Wolfe Tone Park
- Ember Éire
- Down to Clown Fire Show
- The Grand Parade – Dublin City Centre
- Céilí Mór – Merrion Square West
- Grand Marshal: Vogue Williams
- Family celebrations citywide
🥁 The Grand Parade – 17th March
The centrepiece of the festival is the world-famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Tuesday
17th March through Dublin city centre. This year’s Grand Marshal is Vogue Williams.
Grandstand tickets are available now for premium viewing spots along the route.
The parade passes through the heart of the city — pick up a free parade map at
stpatricksfestival.ie to plan your perfect vantage point.
After the parade, don’t miss the Céilí Mór at Merrion Square West —
a joyful mass céilí dance open to all, with a live traditional music band.
🎟 Book Grandstand Tickets
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View Full Events Programme
More Festival Highlights
The St. Patrick’s Festival programme is packed with performances, art, music and family fun across the city. Here are some of the standout events.
Dearly Beheaded
A dramatic outdoor spectacle at Dubh Linn Garden and Fusiliers’ Arch, blending Irish mythology and contemporary visual art in a show that will stop you in your tracks.
Northern Lights Cabaret
A dazzling cabaret show spanning Central Plaza Dame St. and Wolfe Tone Park, bringing Scandinavian-inspired spectacle to the Irish festival scene.
Down to Clown Fire Show
Thrilling fire acts light up Central Plaza and South King Street over three evenings. A breathtaking free street spectacle that’s perfect for all ages.
ABAIR: Stoite / Uprooted
A powerful evening of Irish language storytelling and performance at the iconic Button Factory, celebrating the roots and reach of the Irish diaspora.
Sing Ireland
A joyful community singing event at Central Plaza Dame St. — voices from across Ireland and the world come together in celebration.
DCC Family Village
Dublin City Council’s Festival Family Village offers three days of family-focused fun including workshops, children’s entertainment and the Willow Fish Workshop on Sunday.
DCC Treasure Hunt
Also available in Irish as Tóraíocht Taisce — the Dublin City Council St. Patrick’s Festival Treasure Hunt returns for 2026, starting from the Civic Offices at Wood Quay.
Céilí Mór
End St. Patrick’s Day with Ireland’s grandest public céilí at Merrion Square. Bring the whole family and join the dancing — no experience required, just good spirits!
Unmissable Day Tours
Dublin is the perfect base for exploring Ireland. These handpicked day tours from Dublin 360 / DubTours let you see the best of the country and be back in the city by evening.
Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains & Glendalough
One of the best-value day tours from Dublin. Visit the medieval city of Kilkenny, wind through the wild Wicklow Mountains and explore the stunning 6th-century monastic site at Glendalough — a truly iconic Irish landscape.
Cliffs of Moher, Burren & Galway City
Ireland’s most spectacular natural wonder. Stand at the edge of the Cliffs of Moher with views across the Atlantic, explore the otherworldly Burren limestone landscape, and finish with time to explore the colourful streets of Galway.
Belfast City & Giant’s Causeway
Cross the border into Northern Ireland for a full day combining the vibrant city of Belfast with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Giant’s Causeway — 40,000 interlocking basalt columns on the Antrim coast.
The Original Wild Wicklow Day Tour
The award-winning Wild Wicklow tour takes you through Ireland’s “Garden County” — lush valleys, mountain passes, Georgian estates and the monastic wonderland of Glendalough. Stunning in any season, but magical in March.
Newgrange & Boyne Valley Day Tour
Journey back 5,000 years to Newgrange — a passage tomb older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Set in the lush Boyne Valley, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is extraordinary in the low winter light of March.
Wicklow, Glendalough & Powerscourt
Combine two of Wicklow’s crown jewels — the Glendalough monastic valley and the breathtaking formal gardens of Powerscourt Estate, one of the world’s great gardens, set beneath the Great Sugar Loaf mountain.
Top Dublin Attractions
When you’re not out touring the country or celebrating the festival, Dublin’s own streets are packed with world-class museums, distilleries, cathedrals and experiences.
Guinness Storehouse
Seven floors of brewing history culminating in the famous Gravity Bar with 360° views over Dublin. From €30. Book tickets →
Whiskey Distillery Tours
Choose from Jameson Bow St. (from €31), Teeling Distillery (from €20), Roe & Co (from €28), or the historic Pearse Lyons Distillery. Explore all →
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
The national cathedral of Ireland and one of Dublin’s most iconic landmarks. From €11.50 — especially atmospheric during the festival week. Book →
Christ Church Cathedral
Founded in 1030, this medieval cathedral sits in the heart of Viking Dublin. From €12. Don’t miss the crypt — the oldest surviving structure in the city.
EPIC — The Irish Emigration Museum
An award-winning interactive museum charting the global Irish diaspora through 20 immersive galleries. From €21. Book →
Musical Pub Crawl
Two professional musicians lead you through Temple Bar’s best pubs, playing live and explaining the history of Irish traditional music. From €26. Book →
Howth Cliff Walk
Just 30 minutes from the city by DART, the Howth Head cliff walk delivers dramatic coastal views, fresh sea air and great seafood. Perfect for a clear March day. Free to walk, guided hike tours from €41.
Little Museum of Dublin
Dublin’s beloved people’s museum, telling the story of the city through donated artefacts and gloriously entertaining guided tours. From €18. Book →
Dublin Zoo
One of Europe’s top zoos in the heart of Phoenix Park. From €22.40 — the parade floats always feature the Zoo’s animals, so look out for them on March 17th!
Dublin Bay Cruises
See Dublin from the water on a cruise from the city to Howth or Dún Laoghaire. From €23. March sea air is bracing but the light is extraordinary. Book →
Guided Donut Tour & Tasting
One of Dublin’s most fun foodie experiences — a guided walking tour of the city with stops at artisan donut spots. From €59.50, 2 hours. Book →
GhostBus Tour
March evenings call for a theatrical after-dark tour of Dublin’s darkest history aboard the famous GhostBus. From €35, 2 hours — great fun even for sceptics. Book →
Essential Tips for March
Book Early
Hotel and accommodation prices surge during festival week (14–17 March). Book as far in advance as possible — the city fills up fast for St. Patrick’s Festival.
Dress in Layers
March in Dublin means anything from bright spring sunshine to wind and rain — sometimes all in the same afternoon. Waterproof layers and comfortable walking shoes are essential.
Get the DART
The DART coastal rail line is the easiest way to reach Howth, Malahide, Dún Laoghaire and Bray from the city centre. A DoDublin Freedom Travel Pass covers bus and city transport.
Parade Grandstands
For the best parade experience, consider a grandstand ticket from stpatricksfestival.ie. They sell out quickly but offer reserved seating with great sightlines along the route.
Explore Beyond Temple Bar
Temple Bar is fun but pricey. The Liberties, Phibsboro, Portobello and Ranelagh are where Dubliners actually drink — and the pints are cheaper and the craic is better.
Free Things to Do
The National Botanic Gardens, most of the festival street performances, the Céilí Mór, the Parade itself, and a walk along the Grand Canal are all completely free.
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