There Will Be NO St Patrick’s Day Parade In Bristol This Year, But A Free Irish Music Festival Instead

Bristol’s St. Patrick’s Day parade promises to return even bigger and better for 2026, but there’s still plenty or Irish music and dancing to enjoy this year.

Charlie Case • February 11, 2025

St Patrick's Day parade in Queen Square, Bristol — Credit: W.E. Irish

You might be mistaken to think that St Patrick’s Day is most celebrated in Ireland. But it’s the Irish diaspora that has turned it into the huge holiday we all know it as today – with huge parades every year in places such as Boston, Birmingham and Buenos Aires. While Bristol has never held the biggest celebration of Irish culture, its St Patrick’s Day Parade has steadily become a cornerstone event in the city.

This is why it’s so sad to discover that there will be no Parade in Bristol this year. The volunteer-run event, organised by W.E. Irish, is only taking a break, however, and will focus on “delivering an even bigger and better event for 2026.” It doesn’t mean there will be no Irish celebrations in Bristol for St Patrick’s Day, however, as a Fleadh Cheoil (pronounced “FLAH-kyoh-uhl”) will take place on Sunday, March 16.

St Patrick's Day celebrations in the St Nicks, Bristol — Credit: W.E. Irish

Essentially an Irish music festival, W.E. Irish St. Patrick’s Fleadh Cheoil 2025 is taking place as both a free event at the Glass Arcade in St Nicholas Market, as well as a ticketed event at Revolution Bar around the corner. Both will honour the Irish diaspora’s contributions to the region with traditional music and dance.

Head down to the very first St. Patrick’s Fleadh Cheoil at the Glass Arcade in St Nicholas Market from midday to 7pm – and it’s completely free, with further details still to come. Running concurrently at Revolution Bar, an incredible line-up of live music and dance performances has already been announced for this indoor event, with tickets from £7.50.

W.E. Irish St. Patrick’s Fleadh Cheoil 2025 (Indoor) line-up:

Irish dancers at St Nicks — Credit: W.E. Irish

Banish Misfortune: “Flute player delivering the best of Irish music”
Horizon Dance Company: “Spectacular Irish dance performances”
Shanvaghera & Piskey Led: “Traditional Irish band with foot-tapping instrumentals”
O’Malley School of Irish Dance: Energetic Irish dance routines”
Stuart Dance: “More mesmerising Irish dance performances”
Tony Coll: “A singer bringing Irish tunes to life”
What the Folk: “A lively, eclectic group of musicians playing folky tunes”
The Publicans: “An original mix of Irish folk and English indie songs”

To learn more about St. Patrick’s Fleadh Cheoil at both venues head here.