It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, not Christmas! We’re excited for the return of St Patrick’s Day celebrations to Kilkenny, one of the busiest and most exciting times to visit. We welcome thousands of visitors to Kilkenny for this very special celebration of Irishness and love to share our beautiful city with tourists and locals alike. This year sees the return of the brilliant Tradfest to Kilkenny, a fantastic celebration of Irish music from one of its ancestral homes. Book your stay in Kilkenny today on our website for our best available rates for what is guaranteed to be the best party of the year!
St Patricks Festival Kilkenny 2024
We have four days of festival fun to look forward to over the St Patricks Festival this year. During the festival, the city and county come alive with a burst of green with craic agus ceol everywhere. Enjoy free events, workshops, and performances, and the main event – the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. There are more than 50 events with something for all ages and preferences this St Patricks Festival in Kilkenny and it’s a chance to show our Irish pride and celebrate our ancestry. There are a mixture of free and ticketed events for the festival which runs from 15th – 18th March 2024 with pre-festival events on 14th March.
St Patricks Festival Kilkenny Events
There are all sorts of exciting events to look forward to this St Patrick’s Festival in Kilkenny. Throughout the festival, you can enjoy the Big Wheel, Vintage Carousel, Helter Skelter, Daredevil Circus and the brilliant music trail. From 15th March, enjoy face painting, street entertainment and the popular festival market.
On 14th March expect to see marching bands, a farmers market, Clancy’s Kitchen Gig and a pop-up Gaeltacht, welcoming those with a cúpla focal or those who want to learn.
15th March is when it all kicks off. Enjoy a circus show, more marching bands from the US, a magic show, stilt walkers, drum workshops and the headlining band Hot House Flowers.
16th March is the day before the big day, but the fun doesn’t stop. Enjoy numerous bands and a music workshop in town, a bongo party, a circus show, walking tours, Ceilí Mór and a special evening event yet to be announced.
On the 17th we’re looking forward to pre-parade parties to get our moods up and our patriotism going! There are dancers, singers, musicians, poets, shows, magic, performance, theatre, and plenty of fun on the festival stage. The festival’s main event is the St Patrick’s Day Parade, a spectacle of fun and festivities for everyone to enjoy. This year Carrickshock and Kilkenny hurling legend Richie Power will lead the St. Patrick’s Day Parade through Kilkenny on March 17th as the Grand Marshall.
Coming to a close on 18th March, visitors can enjoy children’s shows, a circus and music workshops for all ages.
Tradfest Kilkenny 2024
Running alongside the St Patricks Festival from 15th – 18th March is the formidable Tradfest, a brilliant celebration of Irish traditional music. It’s the 11th year of the Tradfest and promises to be the best yet. Drawing on the hospitality of the people and venues in Kilkenny and our creative arts and music culture, it’s a truly unique event steeped in heritage.
Enjoy craic agus ceol every afternoon with plenty of fun and excitement on the streets, before grabbing a ticket to an evening event in one of the many pubs and venues taking part. Headliners include Hothouse Flowers, Shaskeen, Nell Ní Chróinín, Iarla Ó Lionáird and a free Music Trail throughout the city. Tickets and additional details about the Tradfest are available on the official website and we’d recommend booking soon to avoid disappointment on what promises to be the busiest weekend of the year.
Book hotel accommodation in Kilkenny for St Patricks Festival in Hoban Hotel and enjoy comfort and space, just outside of the madness of the festival. With so many happy celebrations going on until the wee small hours, it might be hard to get a good night’s sleep. Our hotel is located a short walk from the city, ideal for guests or families who want to get involved but enjoy a restful, quiet night. Book our best available rate exclusively on our website, guaranteed.
