St. Patrick's Day 2025

Anna Nova Galeon

17-03-2025

St. Patrick's Day 2025

Image by nodar77 via Envato Elements

A celebration of Irish heritage and culture

Every year on 17 March, people across the UK celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, honouring the patron saint of Ireland. While it is a public holiday in Ireland and Northern Ireland, it remains a widely observed cultural event in England, Scotland, and Wales.

St. Patrick’s Day in the UK is a time to embrace Irish heritage, from parades and traditional Irish music to lively pub gatherings and cultural exhibitions. But what makes this day so significant? Let’s explore its history, traditions, and how people across the UK celebrate.

Who was St. Patrick? The history behind the celebration

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, credited with spreading Christianity across the country in the 5th century.

He was born in Roman Britain, kidnapped by Irish raiders as a teenager, and later became a missionary.
According to legend, he used the shamrock to explain the Christian Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
The well-known myth of driving snakes out of Ireland symbolises the removal of pagan practices.
St. Patrick died on 17 March, around 461 AD, and this date became a day of religious observance and national pride for the Irish.

How St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in the UK

Though not a UK-wide public holiday, St. Patrick’s Day is widely celebrated across major cities, especially those with large Irish communities.

Major UK cities that celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Below are the cities that celebrate St. Patrick’s Day:

London

Hosts one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the world.
The annual Trafalgar Square festival features live music, Irish dancing, food markets, and storytelling sessions.

Birmingham

Home to one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades in Europe.
The city’s Irish Quarter becomes the hub for live entertainment and pub gatherings.

Manchester

Celebrates with a full Irish Festival featuring music, sport, and cultural events.

Liverpool

Known for its deep Irish heritage, Liverpool hosts parades, concerts, and community celebrations.

Glasgow

Scottish cities, particularly Glasgow, celebrate with Irish concerts, sporting events, and social gatherings.

Even smaller towns with Irish connections hold pub events, live music sessions, and community feasts.

Key St. Patrick’s Day traditions

Here are some of the most popular ways people mark the occasion:

Wearing green

Green is Ireland’s national colour, linked to its nickname, "The Emerald Isle". Wearing green is a long-standing tradition - some say it makes you invisible to leprechauns!

Traditional Irish music & dance

Traditional Irish music and step dancing are at the heart of celebrations, from lively jigs and reels to iconic folk songs. Many UK cities host Irish ceilidhs (social dances) and live band performances.

The pub culture & guinness

Guinness is the drink of choice, with millions of pints consumed worldwide on St. Patrick’s Day.
Irish pubs across the UK serve special St. Patrick’s Day drinks and meals, such as Irish stew, soda bread, and colcannon. Turning Landmarks Green

As part of Tourism Ireland’s "Global Greening" initiative, UK landmarks light up in green for the occasion. These include:

The London Eye
Trafalgar Square fountains
Edinburgh Castle
Manchester Town Hall

Irish food delights

Popular Irish dishes include:

Irish stew - A slow-cooked dish with lamb, potatoes, and vegetables.
Boxty - A crispy potato pancake.
Soda bread - A classic Irish bread, often served with butter or cheese.

London’s St. Patrick’s Day parade and events

The London St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the biggest in the UK, attracting over 50,000 visitors yearly. Highlights include:

Marching bands and Irish dancers
Community floats showcasing Irish heritage
A live festival in Trafalgar Square

This event is a family-friendly celebration, bringing people of all backgrounds together to enjoy Irish culture.

Why St. Patrick’s Day matters - More than just a party

While often associated with festivities and drinking, St. Patrick’s Day carries a deeper meaning:

Recognising Irish contributions to British society.
Strengthening UK-Ireland cultural ties.
Boosting tourism and local businesses through increased travel and hospitality revenue.

Conclusion

Whether you’re Irish or not, St. Patrick’s Day in the UK is a joyous occasion that brings people together. From parades and traditional music to cultural events and community gatherings, it’s a day to celebrate Irish heritage and enjoy the festive spirit.

At The Mandatory Training Group, we understand the importance of cultural awareness and community engagement. Through ComplyPlus™, our all-in-one training and compliance solution, we support organisations and professionals in fostering inclusive workplaces and enhancing staff development.

About the author

Anna Nova Galeon

Anna, our wordsmith extraordinaire, plays a pivotal role in quality assurance. She collaborates seamlessly with subject matter experts and marketers to meet stringent quality standards. Her linguistic precision and meticulous attention to detail elevate our content, ensuring prominence, clarity, and alignment with global quality benchmarks.