Things to Do in Sydney on St Patricks Day

Looking for the best things to do in Sydney on St Patricks Day? We’ve scoured the city to find most exciting events happening around town.

An estimated 12,600 Irish-born people moved from the Emerald Isle to Australia between April and December in 2024, according to NexVentur. And Sydney has one of the largest Irish-born populations in all of Australia. The city’s St Patrick’s Day events seem to be expanding each year, just like its Irish contingent. Although St Patrick’s Day officially falls on Monday March 17, 2025, celebrations will take place across the weekend, so you can sink a Guinness or two in honour of the patron saint.

St Patrick’s Day Festival

The little piece of green near Circular Quay will be transformed into a slice of the Emerald Isle for the weekend. You can expect to find two days of music, dance and Irish charm. Live bands will perform at First Fleet Park and Tallawoladah Lawn, in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art. From classic Irish tunes to contemporary Celtic rock, they will keep you dancing all day and into the evening.

Visiting with little leprechauns? Go to Bligh Barney Reserve and Cadmans Cottage along the Circular Quay foreshore for a day of family entertainment on Sunday March 16. At the dedicated children’s area, you’ll find arts and crafts activities, face painting, Irish language sessions, Irish dance performances and live entertainment, including a show from Olaf and Elsa on the main stage at 12pm, and the Performance Tent throughout the afternoon. ensuring an unforgettable experience for the entire family.

Where: First Fleet Park, The Rocks.
When: Saturday March 15, 6pm-10pm and Sunday March 16, 10am-6pm.
Price: Free to attend, other charges may apply.

*Join revellers at the St Patrick’s Day Festival over the weekend. Image courtesy of Property NSW.*

Free outdoor cinema

The Laneway Cinema is a firm favourite each summer, as the city’s only free outdoor cinema experience. For St Patrick’s Day, they will be hosting a special screening of the Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson classic, In Bruges. The hilarious black comedy-drama crime thriller sees hitman Ray and his partner await orders from their ruthless boss in Bruges, Belgium, after a job goes wrong.

Stock up on popcorn, Guinness and Jameson, raid your wardrobe for something green and settle in for an evening at the cinema.

Where: Corner of Atherden St and Playfair St, The Rocks
When: Thursday March 13, doors open at 5.30pm and the movie starts at 7pm.
Price: Free.

Dermot Kennedy presents MISNEACH

The critically acclaimed, multi-platinum Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy presents MISNEACH (pronounced mish-nyach, meaning ‘Courage’ in Gaelic), a brand-new music festival and celebration of Ireland’s rich musical heritage. Dermot will be joined by The Frames, Matt Corby, Kneecap, Meg Mac, Amble, Sorcha Richardson, The Scratch, Susan O’Neill, FYNCH and Cliffords.

Where: The Domain Sydney, Art Gallery Road.
When: Sunday March 16, 11.30am-10.50pm.
Price: $149.90-$179.90. Available here.

St Patrick’s Day Parade

Beginning at Martin Place, pipe bands, stilt-walkers, Irish dancers, children’s characters and 1,000 performers will march down Pitt Street to Circular Quay. It will end in First Fleet Park where it will open the day’s festivities for the final day of the St Patrick’s Day Festival. Viewing areas are available along Pitt St so arrive early to snag a front row spot to watch the sea of green pass.

Where: Pitt Street, Martin Place.
When: Sunday March 16 from 11am.
Price: Free.

Paul Mescal and Saoirse Ronan look-alike competition

At the tail end of last year, a number of look-alike competitions grabbed the headlines, including the Timothée Chalamet event in New York, which seemed to kick things off in October, followed by a Paul Mescal contest in Dublin and a Harry Styles competition in London a few weeks later.

The Irish Normal People and Gladiator II actor is set to get his second look-alike event a little further from home this time—paired with a contest for the girls. Two of Hollywood’s hottest young Irish talents, Mescal and Ronan are friends irl too. Those who capture Mescal’s brooding intensity or Ronan’s graceful presence and captivating gaze will be in with a chance to win a one-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney (valued at approx $765) plus $150 voucher to spend at Munich Brauhaus.

Where: First Fleet Park, The Rocks.
When: Sunday March 16; shortlist at 2.30pm, stage show at 3.30pm.
Price: Free to attend.

Bar hop through The Rocks

Some of Sydney—and Australia’s—oldest pubs can be found in The Rocks. The Mercantile may be closed for renovations but its annual street party remains; Australia’s self-proclaimed oldest Irish pub is taking over George Street on Sunday March 16, stop for live music from 11am (tickets $90). Also on George Street, you’ll find The Fortune of War which opened in 1830 and claims to be Sydney’s oldest pub, where they regularly host live music. They will also be serving special Irish-inspired food over the weekend. Or head to the Lord Nelson Brewery on Kent Street for an ale brewed on-site at the country’s oldest continually licensed pub brewery.

On Sunday March 16, Munich Brauhaus will swap the lederhosen for shamrocks and stout as it transforms into Dublin Brauhaus for one day only. You can enjoy all-day Irish dining such as an Irish breakfast, potato hash or bangers and mash. Doors open early at 9am, and it’s walk-ins only.