London is hardly short of Irish bars, restaurants and entertainment; next weekend will serve as the perfect excuse to get all of your favourite people together for a good time! There simply could not be a better excuse to throw a party than the arrival of St Patrick’s Day… “To be sure”. It’s the biggest day for the Irish and given their global charm and large expat community, it’s celebrated all over the world!
Time to join us in shaking away last week’s snowstorms by welcoming this greenest of green springs, and putting on your St Patrick’s Day party hat. Luckily, for you, we are here to help you channel your inner Irish. However, first of all, a little history behind this fabulous Celtic extravaganza…
St Patrick’s Day is a global celebration of Irish culture and falls on or around March 17th every year. For 1500 years, thousands of us have been coming together and embracing the historical importance of this famous Irish saint. This religious, cultural and poignant holiday is celebrated in many countries and cities around the world. In Chicago, the traditional dyeing of the Chicago River has marked Saint Patrick’s Day festivities in Illinois for years…
…and the green theme doesn’t stop there…
Heading out?
It seems like only yesterday that we were perusing the Visit London website, searching for ideas to bring in the Chinese New Year. However, March brings new celebrations and London is the perfect place to celebrate St Patrick’s Day 2018. There is an abundance of festive events and activities to attend and get involved in over the course of next weekend. Check out Visit London’s hand-picked selection of these exciting, fun and interactive events which will run from the 16th – 18th March. We have listed some of our favourites!
Fancy some live music?
Being an events entertainment company, we have an eye for spotting the latest live performances happening all over London. We are very excited to hear that on the 18th March, Trafalgar Square will be awash with sensational St Patrick’s Day performances by popular Irish singers, speakers and special guests. Get there early to grab a spot as this event is free and very, very popular.
A day out with the kids?
There is plenty going on to keep them occupied and entertained. Activities, workshops, and child-friendly entertainment acts are everywhere this weekend and a family zone on Pall Mall East is being set-up so as kids can engage with an array of free and creative experiences. Entertainment in the form of stilt-walkers, magicians, storytelling and interactive games will run from 12pm-6pm on Saturday and Sunday. Head over to Heart of London’s website for more info!
Did I hear parade?
Who doesn’t love a parade? Colourful and vibrant floats whizzing by, inventive and sensational costumes swishing their way down the streets of London? It’s time to jump off the sofa and be a part of the action! Be amazed by the marching bands, traditional Irish dancing, and show-stopping pageantry will be gracing our streets during these charming festivities. This famous 1.5-mile procession will begin in Piccadilly at 12 pm so don’t miss it! Head to Whitehall, The Ritz or Trafalgar Square if you miss the start!
The Irish Film Festival is definitely worth checking out!
Whether you’re an absolute film buff or you just fancy a little Irish culture and entertainment in one sitting, London.gov.uk strongly recommends you check it out – ‘Irish Film London will deliver a celebration of Irish Film and Animation again this March, with film screenings, workshops and director’s Q&As at the Prince Charles Cinema and the London Film School, as part of the London St Patrick’s Day Festival.’
Staying in?
Let us not forget that St Patrick’s Day also celebrates traditional feasting! With so many tasty and tantalizing St Patrick’s Day dishes out there, choosing options can seem quite overwhelming. However, worry no further, these BBC Good Food recipes will make things a lot easier for you with their selection of gastronomic St Patrick’s Day party ideas!
Our favourite has to be their take on the wonderful creation that is Irish soda bread. Whatever party you are hosting, you should always aim to impress and wow your guests in some way, so how about this incredibly luxurious and decadent Guinness Chocolate Cake by Nigella Lawson – perfect for the theme, too!
We suggest you lovingly bake it for your St Patrick’s Day party and enjoy a slice over a Sunday brunch the morning after, whilst reminiscing about your sensational evening.
Still searching for that pot of gold? Why not head over to Country Living’s St Patrick’s Day 2018 quotes that will be sure to bring you some of that famous Irish luck! We thought we would leave you with a few of our favourites...
'The heart of an Irishman is nothing but his imagination.'
- George Bernard Shaw
'Luck is believing you’re lucky.'
- Tennessee Williams
‘A good friend is like a four leaf clover, hard to find and lucky to have.’
- Irish proverb
