St Patrick's Day 2026: What's Happening In Kildare This Year

A run down of all the parades and street festivals taking place in Kildare on St. Patrick's Day

It's a busy day for Kildare this St. Patrick's Day, with an array of parades and street festivals taking place.

On this morning's Kildare Today, we visited the towns and villages marking the day with parades, including one town with a street festival.

Athy

This year's theme for Athy's parade is 'Community Spirt'. Organised by Athy Town Promoters, this year's parade highlights local pride, participation and togetherness.

It begins at 3pm, with Frank Taaffe as Grand Marshal.

The meeting point for the parade is Athy Industrial Estate, Kilkenny Road.

All walking groups to meet from 2.30pm, with vintage cars and bikes being asked to meet at 2pm.

Castledermot

Organised by Castledermot Vintage Club, the parade promises a fantastic display of vintage vehicles, local clubs and community groups, along with free family-friendly entertainment throughout the afternoon.

Registration on the day opens at 12pm.

The parade begins on Hamilton Road at 2pm.

Celbridge

This year's theme is 'Gulliver's Travels', marking the 300th anniversary of Jonathan Swift’s famous novel, closely linked to Celbridge.

Ohio State University Marching Band will be joining the parade.

The parade starts at 4pm, Church Road, Main Street and Maynooth Road, Celbridge.

Main Street will be closed from 1.30pm to facilitate the parade, and will reopen at 6pm.

Clane

Clane is celebrating it's 21st anniversary of hosting the St. Patrick's Day Parade, with this year's theme being 'Forty Shades of Green'.

There will be pre-parade entertainment from 2pm.

The parade begins at 3pm.

The Grand Marshal is Ted Murray.

No parking is allowed on the day, with road closures and diversions in place.

Kilcock

Kilcock's 2026 parade theme is 2026 theme is 'On Our Screens – from Soaps to Superheroes' inviting colourful costumes, creativity and fun for all ages.

The parade begins at 1.30pm from St Joseph’s Graveyard, Boycetown.

Leixlip

Leixlip's parade begins at 1pm, from Station Road to Louisa Bridge.

The Grand Marshal is Tony O'Sullivan.

One of the special vehicles featuring in the parade is a copy of Michael Collins' armour car - the Sliabh na mBan.

Maynooth

The town hosts its annual parade as part of Maynooth’s 850th anniversary celebrations.

The 2026 theme is 'Medieval Maynooth', inviting creativity inspired by the town’s rich heritage.

It starts at 11am, with an array of features.

There will be road closures from 10:30am to 12:30pm along Straffan Road and Main Street to allow the parade to take place safely.

Monasterevin

This year's theme is 'Recycling and Sustainability'.

Music and activities begin at 1pm at the Community Centre on St Patrick's Day, while the parade kicks off at 2pm on the main street. 

Newbridge

Starting at 11.45am, the theme is 'Volunteers and Business: The Heart of a Community'.

Newbridge’s annual celebration brings together voluntary groups, sports clubs, local businesses and families.

Naas

Naas is hosting a street festival to mark St. Patrick's Day 2026.

Féile Sráide Lá Fhéile Pádraig Nás na Ríogh, the annual Irish Language Saint Patrick’s Day Street Festival is organised by Cill Dara le Gaeilge, and is the largest Irish-speaking event.

It will take place on Naas Main Street from 2pm to 5pm, supported by Kildare County Council, through the Creative Ireland Éire Ildánach Programme.

You can listen to the full interview with the organisers and committee members here: