A UK holiday countdown
St Patrick's Day is getting closer.
St Patrick's Day falls on 17th March. What began as a feast day for Ireland's patron saint has grown into a worldwide celebration of Irish heritage.
Dates for 2026 to 2028 are listed below
St Patrick's Day
The day began as a feast day for Saint Patrick and has grown into a celebration of Irish heritage for communities around the world.
About St Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick was born in Roman Britain, was taken to Ireland as a captive in his youth, and later returned as a Christian missionary in the fifth century. Legend says he used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity, which is why the plant is worn on the day. Parades, music and green clothing are common, and Chicago has dyed its river green since 1962.
When is St Patrick's Day?
Saint Patrick's Day is fixed on 17 March in every region shown, although the date can be moved when it falls during Holy Week.
| Calendar | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All calendars | Tuesday 17 March 2026 | Wednesday 17 March 2027 | Friday 17 March 2028 |
Planning around St Patrick's Day
Pubs, restaurants and city centres are packed around parade time, so reserve tables early and expect road closures in places such as Dublin, Belfast, London and New York. Work out shifts and childcare cover with the free shift planner, or browse every holiday countdown.
St Patrick's Day questions
How many days until St Patrick's Day?
The live counter at the top of this page shows the days, hours, minutes and seconds left until the next St Patrick's Day, using the time zone you choose. The dates for 2026 to 2028 are in the table above.
When is St Patrick's Day in 2027?
St Patrick's Day falls on Wednesday 17 March 2027 in the United Kingdom.
Is St Patrick's Day a public holiday in Northern Ireland?
Yes. St Patrick's Day is a bank holiday in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In Great Britain it is not a public holiday, though many communities hold parades and events.