UPDATE: 13 March 2020. London's St Patrick's Day Parade has been cancelled, as part of the measures to slow down coronavirus.
St Patrick's Day is around the corner — with London's main event taking place on Sunday 15 March, including a big parade and shenanigans in Trafalgar Square. Here's what you need to know.
When and where is London's St Patrick's Day parade?
Sunday 15 March, starting at 12pm with festivities winding up around 6pm. The parade begins at Hyde Park Corner, travelling through Piccadilly, St James's Street, Pall Mall, Cockspur Street and Whitehall, culminating in Trafalgar Square, where there's lots going on.
What's happening for the St Patrick's Day parade?
50,000 people usually line the 1.5 mile route from Piccadilly to Trafalgar Square to admire elaborate floats, marching bands, sports clubs and Irish dancing schools from across the UK, Ireland and the USA. Look out for the Giant St Patrick, a larger than life mechanical version of the saint. The parade's Grand Marshall is Dublin camogie player Laura Twomey. This year, there may be fewer people, owing to the coronavirus situation. At the time of writing, everything is going ahead.
What's happening in Trafalgar Square?
Festivities take place from 12pm here too. Performances and and music are hosted by Derry Girls' Siobhán McSweeney, in partnership with the London Irish Centre. Musician Imelda May is doing her thing, as is KILA — and you can flex your own lungs in the singalong finale.
By the main stage, there will be Irish food demos from International Chef of the Year 2019, Anna Haugh, a replica Irish cottage and traditional Irish cuisine. Young families can stay entertained with camogie games, medal making and face painting,
What's this year's theme?
Women in Sport is this year's theme — supporting the Federation of Irish Sports' 20x20 campaign. Its goal is to increase media coverage of women in sport, the participation of women in sport, and the attendance of women in sport — all by 20%, by the end of this year.
