Sydney St Patrick's Day Festival

The Sydney St Patrick’s Day Festival is returning to The Rocks for a family-friendly, free event on Sunday, March 21st 2021. Kicking off at 11 am with a traditional smoking ceremony, festival-goers can enjoy some toe-tapping live music from some of Sydney’s best-known Irish acts, world-class Irish dance performances, taste some of the best Irish food Sydney has to offer and feel a little closer to home on our National Day all while overlooking the iconic Sydney Opera House.

While we are thrilled to be one of the few cities in the world able to enjoy a St Patrick’s Day celebration, due to current restrictions, we are unable to hold a parade and the area in First Fleet Park is over 18 only and restricted on a first-come basis. A Covid safe queuing system will be in operation.

Music Main Stage
11 am – Smoking Ceremony and Brendan Kerin
11.30 – 1 Strawberries & Cabbage
1.15 – 2.15 Celtic Tones
2.30 – 3.45 – Rebecca Harkin
4 – 5 The Bottlers
5 – 6 Green Jam

Tír na nÓg
We have a huge range of activities for the whole family to enjoy along the MCA Lawn and further along the Quay at Bligh & Barney Reserve. Clann, Cultur agus Damhsa is the order of the day at MCA with a pop up Gaeltacht, art & craft tent, face painter and Irish dance displays throughout the day. There’ll be giant Irish hats, Irish harps and green post boxes scattered around the lawn making for the perfect photo opportunity. Our Shamrock Wall will also be on display so be sure to check it out and find your name!

The Bligh & Barney Reserve will host GAA demonstrations throughout the day with some mini hurls on offer for your GAA fans. The whole area will be home to the very best of Irish food, craft and gift stalls.

Pop up Gaeltacht – MCA Lawn
All sessions are free and pre-registration is required
12.30 – Official Opening by Counsel Owen Feeney
12.45 – 1.30 Irish language session for 5-7 year olds https://bit.ly/2NQ2V1f
1.45 – 2.15 Irish language session for preschoolers/ 3-5 years https://bit.ly/3sFWiNS
2.30 – 3.15 Irish language session for older kids 8-12 years https://bit.ly/3b6Entz
3.30 – 5 Adults Irish language session

Irish Dance Performance Area – MCA Lawn
11 – 11.10 Ingleburn Pipe Band
11.30 – 11.45 – Spreagadh Na Rince
12 – 12.15 – Kennedy Dance School
12.50 – 1.05 Dwyer Whelan
1.30 – 1.40 – Irish Beats
2 – 2.15 Cox Academy
2.30 – 2.45 Jump ‘n Jig Preschool Program
3 – 3.15 Spreagadh Na Rince
3.30 – 3.45 Lenihan Academy
4 – 4.15 Rince Le Nor
4.30 – 4.50 Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers

Merchandise Stall
The SSPD merchandise stall is the perfect place to stock up on Irish gifts. We’ve got everything from t-shirts to coffee keep cups, umbrellas, soft toys, Irish flags, caps, pins and badges, water bottles, scarfs and much more.

Citizenship Ceremony – 1 pm
25 very lucky participants will gain their Australian citizenship on a memorable day overlooking the Sydney Opera House.

Generation Green 3.30 pm
The Generation Green project showcases the voices of the latest Irish-Australian generation to reach adulthood, helping us explore and celebrate the profound links between the two countries. Their stories are captured in an outdoor exhibition by First Fleet Park at Circular Quay from 11 to 22nd March and at a live discussion at 3.30 pm at the Festival. If you are interested in attending the event or joining this conversation, please email sydney@dfa.ie. Places are limited.
The Generation Green project is presented by the Consulate General of Ireland.

Irish Markets, Music and Dance
We will be enjoying a full weekend of celebrations with The Irish Markets running on both Saturday and Sunday from 10-5 pm and some of the best Irish music and dance to enjoy around The Rocks setting the tone for a wonderful weekend of celebrations.

After a challenging year, we look forward to welcoming you all to a Covid Safe 2021 Festival.