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From Belfast to London, Canada to Australia, St Patrick’s Day is celebrated across the world on March 17th each year. And 2024 is no different – except for one fun detail – it falls on a Sunday! This means you can celebrate the whole weekend if you choose. And how do you celebrate St Patrick’s Day in London, you might ask? Well, we have some ideas to get you into the shamrock spirit.
St Patrick’s Day History
Before we get into the fun, it’s time for a little history lesson. Today, St Patrick’s Day is recognised as a general celebration of Irish culture. But its origins are far more structured and religious-based.
St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century. At age 16 he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave. After escaping, he eventually returned around 432 CE to convert the Irish to Christianity. Living a life of religious purpose, by the time St Patrick died on March 17, 461 he had established churches, monasteries, and schools. And was even rumoured to have driven the snakes out of Ireland (a widely known legend). In honour of him, Ireland celebrated his day of passing with religious services and feasts.
For centuries, St Patrick’s Day remained a strictly holy day, until Irish emigrants transformed the day into a secular holiday of all things Ireland. Cities around the world held large celebrations, parades, and parties, making it the spectacle we know today. A far cry from the morning mass services held in honour of the saint. You can now expect pubs, restaurants, sports teams and even retail stores to celebrate the day in some way.
St Patrick’s Day London Celebrations
That brings us to London. Now that you know when St Patrick’s Day is, and its origins, let’s talk London celebrations.
London has a long history of celebrating the day. And if you want to get amongst the people then head down to the Mayor of London’s annual St Patrick’s Day Festival. Taking place on Sunday 17th March from 12pm-6pm in Trafalgar Square, you can enjoy Irish arts, culture, food, music. Plus, the wonderful annual parade – which weaves from Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall, via St James’s Street, Pall Mall, and Cockspur Street. With more than 50,000 people expected to join in the parade, it’s an exciting mixture of Irish marching bands, dance troupes and pageantry.
If you are looking for something a little more relaxed, or a place to visit after the festivities, we suggest grabbing a pint of Guinness from any of London’s iconic Irish pubs. Or sit down for a delicious meal at an Irish-owned restaurant. There is no doubt the atmosphere will be electric and filled with that good Irish cheer.
Oh, and did we mention dressing up? We guarantee you won’t be the only one with a green shirt or shamrock sunglasses on. So, add a little luck to your outfit and get into the spirit.
Enjoy the Festivities with our Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
St Patrick’s Day is notoriously busy, and with the day falling on a Sunday in 2024, you can expect a little mayhem. Why not take the stress out of it by enjoying the sights and sounds of London from our Hop-On Hop-Off Bus? With stops across the whole city, you can effortlessly get involved in the fun without worrying about organising travel.
