Sligo, Ireland – Sligo St. Patrick’s Festival is set to return this March with a vibrant programme of events, blending much-loved traditions with exciting new experiences for all ages. With the 2026 theme, “Legends Live Here”, the festival promises five days of celebration, culture and community spirit across Sligo town.

The Parade – March 17th

The centrepiece of the festival, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, returns on March 17th, following its traditional route through Sligo town. The parade will kick off at 12pm.

Family Fun & Cultural Highlights

• Sligo Rovers will be facing off against Shamrock Rovers on Friday 13 March in the Showgrounds. This is the one St. Patrick’s Festival event where wearing red is strongly encouraged over green!
• Music Generation Sligo will present a special showcase in a fully covered marquee at Queen Maeve’s Square on Monday 16 March, 6–8pm.This vibrant evening of live music will feature young musicians from across Music Generation Sligo programmes, including bands from the MGS Band Programme, a harp ensemble, youth and teen choirs (Sligo Youth Voices and Sligo Voice Collective), and 6th class students from Scoil Ursula, who take part in the Discovering and Performing Music primary school programme. The centrepiece of the event will be a special prequel performance offering audiences a first look at music developed through the Music Generation Sligo / Sligo Co Council Peace Plus project, Tuning into Social Inclusion, spearheaded by composer Stephen Doherty.
• After the parade on Tuesday 17 March from 2pm, families can enjoy the Shamrock Shuffle with Sligo legend Scruffy Duffy, featuring a kiddies’ disco and fun games.
• Sligo Abbey will open its historic doors for a special free family treasure hunt, complete with edible prizes, alongside a bespoke St. Patrick’s themed tour for history enthusiasts on Tuesday 17 March.
• The Avalon Centre will host a celebration of cultures from 2pm–4pm on Tuesday 17 March, with free entry for all.

Evening Entertainment & Trad Trail

As night falls, adults can enjoy live performances from Tumbling Paddies, One for the Road, and The Dublin City Ramblers in the Marquee in Queen Maeve Square.

A lively Trad Trail will run from Friday 13th to Tuesday 17th March, filling venues across town with traditional Irish music.

Free walking tours will take place on March 16th and 17th, with booking available via the official festival website.

A morning mountain hike hosted by North West Adventure Tours offers a unique start to your St. Patrick’s Day on March 17^th.

Accessibility for All

Through the Sligo NTE pilot, Accessoloo will operate in Queen Maeve Square from 12pm to 10:30pm on March 17th, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the celebrations. The fully accessible unit includes a lavatory, ceiling hoist, adult changing table, grab rails, and space for a disabled person and their companions or assistants.

Supporting Sligo’s Festival Spirit

The Sligo St. Patrick’s Festival is made possible through the funding and support of Sligo County Council, Sligo BID, Fáilte Ireland, and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. A special thanks is also given to the voluntary Festival committee.

January Hours..

Mon 5th – Closed

Tues 6th – Fri 9th – 4pm to 8pm

Sat 10th & Sun 11th – 10am to 7pm

Sessions start on the hour… We advise online booking but walk ups allowed if available

Colm Dawson brings his hilarious comedy magic show suitable for the whole family to the Hawk’s Well Theatre as part of the ‘So Funny’ Sligo Comedy Festival 2025.

Expect lots of interactive laughs and fun for all ages to brighten up your Saturday afternoon.

Join Jackula on a spooktacular quest to step out of his older brother’s shadow and become the world’s first fun vampire. Laugh as Jackula makes his pet ghost dance. Gasp as Jackula balances a stack of five glasses of water on his face. Smile as children help him perform spellbinding tricks. An inspirational tale of being true to oneself and following your dreams. Enjoy magic, juggling, and tricks that entertain the whole family.

After the show, everyone is invited to stay and perform a trick and receive a treat. A fang-tastic Halloween show.

Jackula is performed by Jeff Keough who has entertained at The White House, Leinster House, as well as his daughter’s Senior Infant Class. Jeff brings over 25 years of experience to the show, including touring with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey’s “Greatest Show on Earth”.

Check out Omniplex Sligo website for film screenings and times.

Opening Hours below:

Monday: 17.00-22:00
Tuesday: 15:00-22:00
Wednesday: 17:00 -22:00
Thursday: 17:00-22:00
Friday: 17:00 -23:00
Saturday: 12:00-23.00
Sunday: 12:00-23:00

Sligo Glow Walk is free, open to all ages, and dog-friendly. Dress to impress in your brightest, most glowing attire and bring your furry friends (on leashes!). Prizes will be given after the walk to Best Dressed Adult, Best Dressed U-16 and Best Dog. There will also be a limited supply of glow-in-the-dark goodies available before the walk, free of charge, to those who want to accessorise to the max! First come, first served!

Tickets are free – register your interest here to get the latest updates on the walk. You can also simply turn up on the evening and register onsite.

This event is grant-funded by Sligo BID Night-Time Economy Fund, in conjunction with Sligo County Council, Queen Maeve Square, Purple Flag, Project Ireland 2040, and Cities at Heart.

Please note, all u-16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult and all dogs/cat/assorted furry creatures must be leashed for the duration of the walk.

The Importance of Being Earnest – “a trivial comedy for serious people” according to its author, Oscar Wilde, is a riotous comedy last performed by Sligo Drama Circle in 1975.

The story deals with the double lives led by two bachelor friends, John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, as they tie themselves up in knots in the pursuit of the objects of their affections, Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. All happens under the eye of the formidable Lady Bracknell, with hilarious results. With a cast including Ann Marie Byrne, Gerry Ryan, Margaret Curley, Damien Quinn, Mícheál Kearney, Roy Mitchell, Orla McSharry and newcomer, Meadhbh Murtagh, this promises to be a visual and dramatic treat!

During the plays run, there will be an exhibition in our foyer, with 40 years of archived material from productions at Hawk’s Well Theatre in honour of Joe Meehan and his contribution to the theatre.

Mamógs (www.mamogs.ie) is a unique support network for new parents.