St Patrick's Day
17 March each year — Northern Ireland only
St Patrick's Day is observed on 17 March and is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland, celebrating the patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick, a 5th-century Romano-British Christian missionary, is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Belfast and other towns across Northern Ireland host St Patrick's Day parades with music, dance and cultural events. The holiday is celebrated by people of Irish descent around the world — particularly in the United States, Canada and Australia — though it is only an official public holiday in Northern Ireland (not in England, Scotland or Wales). When 17 March falls on a weekend, the bank holiday moves to the following Monday.
Upcoming Dates
| Year | Actual Date | Observed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday, 17 March 2026 |
Tuesday, 17 March 2026
17 March — St Patrick's Day, bank holiday in Northern Ireland only |
| 2027 | Wednesday, 17 March 2027 |
Wednesday, 17 March 2027
17 March — St Patrick's Day, bank holiday in Northern Ireland only |
| 2028 | Friday, 17 March 2028 |
Friday, 17 March 2028
17 March — St Patrick's Day, bank holiday in Northern Ireland only |
Legal Basis
When is it observed?
17 March each year — Northern Ireland only