Kilkenny brings fusion of Irish culture to four-day festival this March

Kilkenny is gearing up for one of the biggest weekends in the festival calendar, with 120 events set to take place across St  Patrick's Festival Kilkenny 2025, including two days of free live performances culminating in the grand Parade on Monday, March 17.

As we approach the March bank holiday weekend, visitors to the Marble City can expect a busy schedule of free and family-focused events on the four-day festival programme from March 14 to 17.

Two days of thrilling free performances are set to take place on the festival stage on Sunday, March 16, and Monday, March 17, featuring live music, dance and much more amid the buzz of the festival market. The incredible line-up starts early and continues after dark.
HISTORIC RE-ENACTMENTS TAKING PLACE IN KILKENNY THIS ST PATRICK'S FESTIVAL

Festival-goers can experience the excitement of a live American marching band performance beginning at Castle Park, with the sounds of brass, percussion, and woodwinds spilling onto the streets and Parade Plaza.

Highlights from Sunday's programme include progressive trad band Buíoch, a captivating performance from Lady Desart Choir, and a special fusion of percussion and Irish dance featuring the 2024 World Champion Irish Dancer, Kilkenny's Zahra Khodabacksh, alongside internationally-acclaimed drummer Jeremy Hickey (RSAG).

The revelry continues Monday, with St Patrick's Brass and Reed Band, the Kildare Irish Figure Dancers, and festival favourite The Hit Machine, a Celtic drumming ensemble, back for lively post-parade entertainment. The award-winning band Kíla, widely regarded as one of Ireland's most innovative and exciting bands, will close out the festivities with a live performance on St Patrick's Day.

The weekend culminates in a vibrant spectacle of 60 floats, and over 1,500 people bring pageantry, energy, and local stories to life in the St Patrick's Day Parade on March 17. Leading the celebrations are Rás na mBan winner and Irish Olympian Mia Griffin, and the new Junior Grand Marshal, singing sensation Enya Cox Dempsey. As always, festival devotee George Candler will MC, guiding visitors through the centrepieces of the St Patrick's Festival Kilkenny.

Festival chairperson and Mayor of Kilkenny Andrew McGuinness commented says Kilkenny is the place to be at this St Patrick's Festival.

"With an incredible music, dance, and entertainment programme, we welcome visitors from near and far to join us in celebrating Irish culture in the heart of our medieval city," he said. "Come along, soak up the atmosphere, and make unforgettable memories at St Patrick's Festival Kilkenny 2025."

In a mix of free and ticketed events, visitors can expect pop-up performances, two days of live concerts, and an explosive fireworks display at St Patrick's Festival Kilkenny.

For families, the towering big wheel offers the best view of the medieval city, vintage fairground, and all the activity on the Parade Plaza, including bodhrán workshops, face painting, children's theatre, an unforgettable fire show, and spectacular circus performances.

For more information, visit www.stpatricksfestivalkilkenny.com
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