Everything you need to know about the St Patrick's Festival Parade
- The Irish Voice
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
1) What is the Glasgow St Patrick’s Festival Parade?
The Glasgow St Patrick’s Festival Parade is an annual celebration of Irish heritage, culture, and the contribution of the Irish community to Glasgow and Scotland. The parade brings together community groups, dancing schools, bands, dancers, charities, and families in a vibrant display of music and colour.
In 2025 we celebrated the communities All-Ireland Championship success in music and GAA.
The parade theme for 2026 is a ‘Celebration of Irish immigration to Scotland.'
For music in 2026 we are delighted to welcome two west Donegal traditional marching bands from Rann na Feirste (Ranafast) and Dobhar (Dore). The parade will also include Glasgow Irish bands St Roch’s and Buíon Ceoil Brother Walfrid alongside Comhaltas Branches Irish Minstrels CCÉ and St James the Great CCÉ.
2) When will the parade take place?
Date: Saturday March 14, 2026
Assemble: 10.45am
Parade Begins: 11.30am
Estimated finish time: 12.30pm at Merchant Square
Participants are asked to arrive in advance for assembly and steward instructions.
3) Where does the parade route run?
The parade will assemble at The McLennan Arch on Glasgow Green and proceed along
Saltmarket, Trongate, Glassford Street, Ingram Street, Queen Street, St Vincents Place, St Vincents Street, Renfield Street, Union Street, Argyle Street, Queen Street, Ingram Street, Candleriggs, Bell Street, finishing at Merchant Square Venue (Glasgow G1 1NY) where The Glasgow St Patrick’s festival activities will continue.
A detailed route map is available via official festival channels.
4) Who organises the event?
The event is organised by the Glasgow St Patrick’s Festival Parade Committee in partnership with Police Scotland, Glasgow City Council, and Irish community and cultural organisations.
5) Who can take part in the parade?
All are welcome to attend the route of the parade and bring their own decorations.
Formal participation in the parade is by invitation or registration request only.
We have structured our parade following assessment of how other St Patrick’s Festival Parades are organised in London, New York, Dublin and Manchester. This enables us to comply with license and insurance requirements.
For generations Irish cultural organisations, including our youth, have not had the opportunity to celebrate their Irish heritage, culture and year-round dedication to their sport, art, dance and music. This is their parade and the communities’ parade to celebrate that commitment and effort.
As such the parade includes Irish community organisations, cultural and sporting clubs, youth groups, traditional marching bands, dance schools, charities, social enterprises, and supportive businesses. Registration in advance is essential.
6) How do I request a group to participate?
Organisations should complete the request to participate form available here
7) Is there a cost to participate?
No
8) Can individuals march without a group?
No. Formal participation in the parade is led section by section by cultural and community organisations registered in advance who organise their content and stewarding.
We’ll publish a full list of participating sections in late February 2026.
It is the entire communities’ parade so everyone is welcome to attend the parade route and enjoy the music and festivities.
In addition, everyone is welcome to the St Patrick’s Festival Family Day in the Merchant Square from 12pm
Furthermore, local Irish businesses like Murphys Bar, Connolly’s Bar, Graces, The Tolbooth Bar and further into the traditional Gallowgate will have entertainment for everyone across the day.
9) What festival events accompany the parade?
Live Irish music, dance performances, food stalls, family activities, cultural exhibitions, and community gatherings.
10) Road closures
Temporary closures and diversions will be signposted by Glasgow City Council.
11) What items are not permitted?
Alcohol within the parade, unauthorised drones, fireworks, pyrotechnics or open flames.
12) What should participants bring?
Comfortable footwear, water, printed confirmation for group leaders, instruments and costumes agreed in advance.
13) How is the event stewarded?
Stewards manage assembly, route safety, dispersal in cooperation with Police Scotland and emergency services.
14) Weather policy
The parade proceeds in most conditions. Any cancellation will be communicated via official channels.
15) Public updates
Website and official social channels.
16) Spirit of the parade
A family-friendly, cross-community celebration promoting friendship between Glasgow, Ireland, and all cultures within the city.
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