Get ready for a vibrant display of Irish heritage, community spirit, and cultural diversity as Bray’s St. Patrick’s Festival and Parade returns for another spectacular celebration.

The festivities kick off on Thursday, March 14th and continue until Bank Holiday Monday, March 18th, 2024, the festival promises an unforgettable experience for locals and visitors alike.

Come and join the celebrations in the county Wicklow town as the event offers a diverse range of activities suitable for all ages and interests. You can witness the colourful and energetic Bray Parade, enjoy live music and dance performances, experience the exhilarating rides at Bird’s Euroshow Funfair, or immerse yourself in the whimsical world of puppet shows. For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, there are informative talks and even yoga available, and unique face painting designs to choose from. With so much to do, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

President of the Bray & District Chamber of Commerce, Kieran Ward, said “I am excited and looking forward to the up and coming St Patrick’s Festival and parade in March. The event is significant in highlighting Bray’s vibrant culture and strong sense of community, as well as a welcome boost to our local economy. The parade and various free family-filled fun, ensure there’s something enjoyable for everyone to experience.”

The St. Patrick’s Day Bray Parade will be a celebration of different cultures, communities, and organisations.

Why not gather along the parade route to witness the impressive 1,500 participants as they journey through the town in a truly spectacular fashion?

Again, this year there will be a quiet zone also at the junction of Quinsborough Road and Seymour Road.

There is also a new wheelchair-accessible viewing area adjacent to the viewing stand. Places are limited and are on a first come first serve basis.

The Parade Grand Marshall this year is Bray’s ‘Person of the Year’ Desie O’Toole. Desie who is a former bus driver, has raised more than €1 million for local charities such as Living Life, St. Catherine’s Special School, and The Wicklow Hospice, among others. He has actively participated in fundraising and community work for over three decades.

There will be road closures in place on Sunday, March 17th from 1 pm until after 3 pm to facilitate the Parade route. Roads affected include Main Street, Florence Road, Eglinton Road, Quinsboro Road, Seymour Road, Seapoint Road, Strand Road and surrounding junctions.

Cllr Melanie Corrigan, Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, said “As Cathaoirleach, I am thrilled to witness the enthusiasm and joy that the festival brings to Bray. It not only showcases the talents of our community but also reinforces the bonds that make Bray a truly vibrant and inclusive place to call home.

This year’s St. Patrick’s Festival has something for all the family. Take a look at the line-up:

From Thursday, March 14th until Bank Holiday Monday, March 18th 2024

• Get ready to enjoy a thrilling and exciting experience at Bird’s Euroshow Funfair. Don’t miss the grand opening on Thursday, March 14th at 3 pm and is open daily along Bray Seafront until Bank Holiday Monday, March 18th from 12 pm to 10 pm.
• At your leisure grab the family or a bunch of friends for an adventuresome day out with Family Treasure Hunt Experience. Access to the questionnaire here.
• Learn how to Irish dance with a virtual Céilí by Scoil Rince Fáinne. Watch here.
• Witness iconic landmarks across Bray, including the Town Hall, Civic Offices, and The Bandstand, light up in green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
• There’s some great toe-tapping live music throughout the town’s many venues. Full music listings can be found at bray.ie/events/.

Friday, March 15th 2024

• Join White Doodle for a St. Patrick’s Day themed mixed-media workshop from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. This event is perfect for kids aged 5 and up who want to draw, paint, print and make collages. All materials are provided, but please bring an old T-shirt or apron. Sign up for free here. Places are limited – booking is essential.
• Join Blány Henderson for a free 2-hour beginner’s dynamic yoga workshop from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm this spring. The event is for charity, with donations going to Women’s Aid. Sign up for free here. Places are limited – booking is essential. In association with Elaine Barry Physio.

Saturday, March 16th 2024

• Join Julie-Rose McCormick, a puppeteer, as she amazes young and old audiences with her lively puppet show of Leprechaun Tales at the Bandstand from 12 pm to 1 pm.
• Let the brilliant Suzie from White Doodle Face Art delight children with free face painting opposite the Bandstand from 1 pm to 3 pm.
• The Seafront Bandstand plays host to a spectacular Hip Hop dance-off with Studio X Dance Group from 1 pm to 2 pm
• Learn some Irish Dancing moves with Shauna McGauran and then experience the electrifying energy of Irish Dancing as performers from Scoil Rince Fáinne, McGrath Flood School of Irish Dancing and Shauna McGauran School of Irish Dance take the stage from 2 pm to 4 pm.
• At the Mermaid at 8 pm “On The Road Again” promises to be a fun evening of songs and stories as Fiachna Ó Braonáin of Hot House Flowers and Radio 1, Tom Dunne from Something Happens and Newstalk & Alan Connor from the Late Late Show band hit the road together for the very first time! See mermaidartscentre.ieto book.

St. Patrick’s Day – Sunday, March 17th 2024

• Get ready for a fun St. Patrick’s Day celebration with your family, filled with pony rides and nature-themed activities at Festina Lente from 10 am to 3 pm! Book at eventbrite.ie/e/st-patricks-day-family-fun-2024-tickets-801037152687.
• The festival’s main event, the St. Patrick’s Day Bray Parade will kick off at 2 pm from the Town Hall to the viewing stand at the northern part of the Seafront.
• At the Mermaid, Neil Delamere is back with a brand new show – Neil by Mouth at 8 pm. Catch the usual hilarious tall tales, razor-sharp observations and quick-witted improvisation for which this awfully funny Offaly man has become notorious. See mermaidartscentre.ie to book.

Bank holiday Monday, March 18th 2024

• Join the Boomerang Brass Band (UK) live at the clock tower in Enniskerry Village at 12:30 pm and again at 1:45 pm
• The Bray Vintage Car Club will be showcasing some of their members’ beautiful classic and vintage cars from 2 pm to 4 pm opposite the Bandstand.
• Find the snakes, and shamrocks around Bray and celebrate St. Patrick with a historical talk by Brian White of Bray Cualann Historical Society. The meeting point is the Town Hall on Bray Main Street at 3 pm. The talk is free with no registration required.
• Enjoy live performances from the Celtic Grace Band at The Bandstand at 2 pm followed by the Boomerang Brass Band (UK) at 3:45 pm.
• Don’t miss out on the mesmerising and unforgettable Fire Show, guaranteed to take your breath away with its stunning beauty at the Bandstand from 7 pm to 7:30 pm.

All information stated on this page and in the festival pocket guide is correct at the time of publication. All events are subject to change without notice and may be dependant on weather.

Festival Pocket Guide – (Click on the image to download) 

Having trouble accessing our festival Pocket Guide above? Download it here – Please consider the environment before printing! 

To take part in the festival competition to win a Funfair Family Golden Ticket, listen to the festival’s Homegrown Irish Music Spotify Playlist 2024, how to get to Bray and more visit bray.ie/stpatricksfestival.

Be sure to stay up to date with Bray’s St. Patrick’s Festival event news and updates by following bray.ie on X formerly known as Twitter, Facebook or on Instagram.