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Make the most of March by attending the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in continental Europe, the Munich St Patrick’s Parade!
The 26th annual St. Patrick’s Day will be celebrated on Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17, 2024 with a parade and a two-day open-air festival in the city centre. Find out all the fun details below!
The Largest St Patrick’s Day Celebration In Continental Europe
Munich’s St Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is pretty spectacular – it’s not just the largest St Patrick’s Day Parade in Germany, but also the largest in continental Europe!
The event began in 1996 as a small gathering of Irish expats (the Munich Irish Network) but has now grown to include an estimated 15,000 participants and spectators. After previous cancellations due to the pandemic, it will once again take place over the weekend in Munich this year.
Historically, St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) has been a celebration of Irish culture around the world. This year, St Patrick’s Day falls on a weekday, so celebrations will take place all weekend!
After previous cancellations due to the pandemic, it will once again take place over the weekend of March 16 and 17 this year in Munich.
Munich St. Patrick’s Parade And Festival 2024
The streets will be full of dancing, music and costumes as well as many Guinness drinkers! So make sure to grab your best green garb and join in on the fun in this year’s calendar. Here is the breakdown of the events to get you ready:
Pre-Parade-Party And Irish Night
Saturday’s open-air musical program on Odeonsplatz will feature tons of tasty street food. It will be followed by an Irish mass and then Irish music at St. Ludwig. Then at the Schlachthof, Irish Night begins at 8 p.m. with traditional folk songs, The Sundries, and the show dance group Rince Tir Na Nog. Tickets are available here.
When: Saturday March 16, 2024 // 12 to 5:30 p.m & 8 p.m onwards (at the Schlachthof)
Where: Odeonsplatz And Tavern at the Schlachthof
Munich St. Patrick’s Parade
St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Munich will be highlighted by the famously large parade on Sunday, which this year will be the actual St. Patrick’s Day!
This parade will start at noon on the Münchner Freiheit with 63 groups and 1000 participants, and it will last for about an hour. A 2.5-kilometer route follows Leopoldstrasse and Ludwigstrasse to Odeonsplatz where a open air festival will begin.
Start time: Sunday March 17, 2024 at 12 at Münchner Freiheit
Finish time: Sunday March 17, 2024 at 1 p.m at Odeonsplatz
After Parade Party
At the same time as the Parade begins, the festivities at Odeonsplatz also begin. You can start there or follow the parade down and enjoy an action-packed event with two separate stages of fantastic Irish music and dance performances (and of course plenty of drinks and laughs!).
Where: Odeonsplatz
When: From 1 p.m until around 6 p.m
Paddy’s Pop-Up Pub
Come check out Paddy’s Pup-Up Pub, presented by Killians! With free entry to live music, plenty to drink and eat, and karaoke, it promises to be a lively spot all weekend long. The pub is accessible through the back of town hall. Enjoy food and drink while listening to classic Irish music and melodies. Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!
Where: Odeonsplatz
When: Friday, March 15, 5 p.m to 2 a.m
Saturday, March 16, 11 a.m to 2 a.m
Sunday, March 17, 11 a.m to 1 a.m
For the full details on the performances, presentors and parade participants, check out stpatricksfestivalmunich on Instagram or The St. Patrick’s Day website!
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How can you say it’s the largest St. Patrick’s Day in Europe. The Dublin festival (the original) is way bigger, there’s no comparison
Hi there! You are entirely correct, thanks for notifying us of that typo (: we meant in mainland/continental Europe, but it seems we forgot to specify. We’ve adjusted so it’s all clear now!