Photo: Liam Murphy
St Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny has unveiled its programme for 2026, as organisers prepare for a vibrant celebration of Ireland’s national holiday.
The packed programme brings together more than 80 events celebrating Ireland’s rich heritage, folklore and contemporary culture. The line-up includes family and street entertainment, walking tours and workshops, historical talks, and festival favourites such as American marching bands, live music and pop-up performances.
At the centre of the festivities is Kilkenny’s Parade Plaza and vibrant festival market, open daily from 11 am to 8 pm throughout the celebration. It features nostalgic carnival rides, including the big wheel, helter-skelter, and a vintage carousel, along with local food and craft stallholders.
The highlight of the festival is the grand Parade on Tuesday, March 17th, presenting over 2,000 performers, dancers, stilt walkers, puppeteers and local community groups winding through Kilkenny’s medieval streets under the theme ‘Together – Le Chéile’.
The festival runs for four days, from 14 to 17 March 2026. Organisers expect 100,000 visitors and invite people from all over the county to join the celebrations.
Cllr. John Coonan, Mayor of Kilkenny City, says the festival still plays a key role in bringing visitors to Kilkenny. “St Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny, now a major date in the city’s calendar, offers a significant boost to visitor numbers and the local economy during the weekend. The real value, as any local person will tell you, is in bringing people together each year to celebrate our national holiday.
The 2026 programme highlights the festival’s ambition, offering plenty for families, communities, and visitors of all ages. It’s also a great chance to show Kilkenny’s heritage, creativity, and hospitality. I encourage everyone from the county and beyond to join the celebrations in March.”
Sister festivals present Irish legends in concert
Kilkenny’s St Patrick’s Festival runs alongside Kilkenny Tradfest, with more than 100 free performances on the Bulmer’s Music Trail by traditional music legends and emerging artists. As part of the 2026 programme, the sister festivals have announced a series of joint concerts, including performances by acclaimed Irish musicians Iarla Ó Lionáird, Cormac McCarthy and Aoife Ní Bhriain.
The trio will perform a distinctive blend of classical and jazz influences, rooted in Irish traditional music, at St Canice’s Cathedral on Friday, 13 March. While Jerry Fish, one of Ireland’s most distinctive and entertaining performers, will bring his acclaimed live show to the festival stage following the Parade on St Patrick’s Day. Visitors are encouraged to book early, as capacity is limited for some performances.
Now in its 14th year, the municipal event, funded by Kilkenny County Council and Failte Ireland, St Patrick’s Festival Kilkenny offers a mix of ticketed and free events across the festival weekend. The full programme is available from www.stpatricksfestivalkilkenny.com.
