St. Patrick's Day in Stockholm – parade and celebration

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | St Patrick's Day is also celebrated in Stockholm, with a parade, Irish music and plenty of green clothes. We have experienced the celebration in both 2016 and 2018 and appreciated the happy atmosphere in the middle of the city. Here we tell you about our visits and where you can find information about upcoming celebrations.

What is St. Patrick's Day?

St. Patrick's Day is Ireland's national holiday and is celebrated on March 17 in memory of the country's patron saint, Patrick. He was a missionary active in the 5th century and is associated with the spread of Christianity in Ireland.

According to a well-known legend, he also drove the snakes away from the island. It is a story rather than a historical fact, but snakes can therefore appear as a playful element in the celebration.

The holiday is celebrated far beyond Ireland. Irish people who have moved to other parts of the world have brought the traditions with them, and today the day is marked with parades, music and festivities in many countries.

Who arranges the parade in Stockholm?

The Stockholm parade is organized by Swedish-Irish Society. The association was founded in 1949 and works for friendship and cultural exchange between Sweden and Ireland.

The celebration is organized by volunteers, with support from the Irish Embassy, among others. It is usually held during the weekend closest to March 17, but dates, times and arrangements need to be checked for each year.

In 2026, the celebration was held on March 14 in Kungsträdgården, with a parade, music, performances and activities for different ages. For upcoming celebrations, you can find current information at Swedish-Irish Association.

Our first parade lady from 2016

The first time we ended up in the middle of the celebration was by chance. After a family lunch at Söder, we walked towards the Old Town and were greeted by music, green clothes and a festive atmosphere.

This year's parade went from Humlegården to the Old Town. At Kornhamnstorg there was a stage with performances, and among the participants we saw both bagpipers and Irish setters. Even the dogs had dressed up. A small dog in green got caught in the picture and became one of our fun memories from the day.

Recharging for the Ireland trip 2018

When we visited the celebration again in 2018, it was more planned. We were soon traveling to Ireland for a two-week motorhome tour, and the parade felt like the perfect recharge.

The gathering was in Kungsträdgården. When we got there, Irish music was playing and people were mingling in their green outfits. Hats, flags and dressed-up dogs added to the atmosphere.

We also got a picture of Peter with a participant dressed as St. Patrick. There were plenty of fun subjects for the camera!

Music and parade to the Old Town

After the gathering, the parade started moving towards the Old Town. It was really cold, but the sun was shining and the participants kept their spirits up.

The celebration ended with singing, music, dancing and a prize-giving ceremony for best costume on a small stage. People danced in the audience, and a long ”bucket snake” slithered past – perhaps waiting to be greeted by St. Patrick?

Afterwards we were craving a beer at an Irish pub. It turned out that quite a few others had thought the same thing, so we gave up on that idea. But the parade had still been a very enjoyable part of the day.

The pictures and description of the walk to the Old Town are from our visit in 2018. Upcoming celebrations may have different gathering places and routes.

Do you want to experience St. Patrick's Day in Stockholm?

Check this year's program with the organizer before you go. There you will find information about the meeting point, parade and possible stage performances.

Our own tip is to dress warmly. During our visits, the March chill was palpable, even when the sun was shining. And if you want to get in the right mood, something green is of course an easy way to contribute!

Curious about Ireland?

After the 2018 celebration, we took our motorhome tour of Ireland. The parade was the beginning of a greater acquaintance with the country, which we have since written about in several reports.

READ MORE: Travelling to Ireland - your guide to Ireland's best destinations

READ MORE: Facts about Ireland – 30 things you might not know