St Patrick’s Day 2027: Dates, Meaning & Time Off Guide

Quick takeaways

• St Patrick’s Day is celebrated on Wednesday, 17th March 2027.
• It is a public holiday in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
• The day celebrates Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and is marked with parades, festivals, and community events.

St Patrick’s Day is one of the most widely recognised Irish celebrations around the world. 

Often associated with music, shamrocks, music, and a cheeky trip down to the pub, the event has a rich history and cultural significance that goes back many centuries.

In 2027, St Patrick’s Day falls on:

• Wednesday 17th March 2027

St Patrick’s Day is observed and celebrated the 17th March each year, regardless of which day of the week it falls, unlike may other bank holidays.

St Patrick’s Day is a bank holiday in:

• Northern Ireland
• The Republic of Ireland

If an employee is required to work, it will typically attract additional compensation, either in the form of extra pay or time off in lieu. It is important to confirm the individual’s contract to confirm this.

Unfortunately, for those in England, Scotland, and Wales, St Patrick’s Day is not a public holiday and is generally treated as a normal working day. Although it is not uncommon for workplaces to get into the festive spirit.

A brief history of St Patrick’s Day

St Patrick’s Day commemorates, you guessed it, Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain around the 5th century, Patrick was believe to have been kidnapped by Irish pirates and brought to Ireland as a slave before later escaping and returning as a Christian missionary.

His work in spreading Christianity throughout Ireland has made him one of the nation’s most important historical and religious figures.

Over the many centuries since, St Patrick’s Day has evolved into a broader celebration of Irish heritage, both in Ireland and around the world.

Did you know? St Patrick is also the patron saint of Nigeria, and although St Patrick’s Day is not a bank holiday there, many still celebrate it.

How people celebrate St Patrick’s Day

St Patrick’s Day is celebrated with festivals, parades, music, and community events throughout Ireland and beyond.

Popular traditions include:

• St Patrick’s Day parades, community festivals and events
• Wearing green clothing or shamrocks
• Traditional Irish music and dancing
• Spending time with family and friends

Cities including Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Galway, and Derry/Londonderry host major events.

Popular St Patrick’s Day events in 2027

Northern Ireland

• Belfast St Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival – Wednesday 17th March 2027
• Derry St Patrick’s Day Spring Carnival – Dates to be confirmed

Republic of Ireland

• Dublin St Patrick’s Festival – Typically held across several days surrounding 17th March
• Cork St Patrick’s Day Parade – Wednesday 17th March 2027
• Galway St Patrick’s Day Festival – Wednesday 17th March 2027

Event schedules are usually confirmed closer to the date, so keep an eye out for confirmations.

Although the day is not a bank holiday for England, Wales or Scotland, there are many celebrations throughout the UK, and the rest of the world.

Many cities throughout the UK have strong Irish communities. London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Glasgow and Edinburgh typically host St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

As many people throughout Ireland and the UK love celebrating St Patick’s Day, it is a day that sees differences in staffing availability, even in the regions where it is not a bank holiday.

To ensure your business is always adequately staffed, planning ahead is essential, and using a leave management system like Leave Dates can make it much easier for everyone.

Using Leave Dates, businesses can apply public holidays to specific regions, helping teams stay aligned while ensuring accurate leave balances and availability.

Leave limits can also be applied at the department or company level, so there is a finite number of slots available for the day off. Leave Limits can be set to automatically deny requests above the limit, or to allow admins to review them and manually approve or deny the request.

Final thought

St Patrick’s Day is a chance to honour Ireland’s history, culture, and communities, and one that brings people together around the world.

Whether you’re planning to attend a parade, spend time with family and friends, or simply make the most of the bank holiday, a little forward planning can help you get the most out of the day.

As for businesses, keeping on top of highly festive bank holidays, like St Patrick’s Day, and leave requests means everyone can enjoy without the staffing headaches.