The centre of every St. Patrick’s Festival, the Kilkenny St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Tuesday March 17th at 1.30pm through the streets of Kilkenny. Putting Kilkenny centre stage the parade will weave through the medieval streets celebrating Irish culture, music, arts and our diverse local community with pageantry and creativity!
The 2026 Parade theme is Together – Le Chéile.
Whether it’s telling stories by the fire, playing camogie in the field or showing up for your community/neighbours, the world is better when we come together. You’re invited to come together in Kilkenny this St. Patrick’s Festival as we celebrate community, stories, culture, heritage and creativity.
Parade applications are now open and community groups, organisations, local businesses and performers are encouraged to get involved and be part of our community and animate and liven the streets of Kilkenny this St. Patrick’s Day. From celebrating our Irish heritage to bringing a stories and spectacle to the streets, show us what brings you together this St. Patrick’s Day! Complete this form to enter the 2026 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Kilkenny.
Before and after the Parade the streets of Kilkenny will be full of lively entertainment and activity with live music, food and crafts at the Festival Market, Street Entertainment, carnival rides and fun for all the family! Make a day of it, or better still make a couple days of it as the Festival runs from the 14th – 17th March 2026. Start planning your visit now. Come together in Kilkenny and bí linn!
Pre Parade Festivities:
Festival Funfair and Big Wheel, Kids Zone, Festival Market, Street Entertainment, St. Patrick’s Brass & Reed Band and pre-parade entertainment beside the new Grandstand on Bateman Quay.
St. Patrick’s Festival Parade 1:30pm route:
The Parade will begin on John St. with the start line around John’s Priory. It will then proceed over John’s Bridge (no spectators will be allowed to stand on the bridge), before taking a right on to Bateman Quay, around by Dunnes Stores. Then the Parade will head left up High St, continuing on to The Parade and finishing on The Castle Road.
Post Parade Festivities:
Festival Funfair and Big Wheel, Festival Market, The Hit Machine and Jerry Fish on The Festival Stage, Karbunkulis Latvian Dancers, Rhythm Riot, Hakuna Matata acrobats, and lots of street entertainment!
Kilkenny St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grandstand!
New for 2026, you have the chance to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in style in our newest Grandstand at Bateman Quay. Make it extra special by adding the option of a post Parade reception with the Mayor of Kilkenny! Tickets are limited. Book yours today!
St. Patrick’s Day – Accessibility
The Kilkenny St. Patrick’s Day Parade hosts a wheelchair viewing area and a relaxed parade space for those that need it. Pre-booking is required. You’ll find the full Access Guide to St. Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny here.
Cover photograph by Liam Murphy Pics and puppetry pageant piece by Bridget Ní Dhuinn