Birmingham St Patrick’s Day Parade 2024 returns to Digbeth with a new route - full details & times here

Thousands are preparing to paint the streets of Digbeth green, white and gold once more as Birmingham’s world famous St Patrick’s Day parade returns to its traditional home for the 50th year with a Myths and Legends theme.

It’s the first time in four years that the annual celebration has been held in the Irish Quarter since the last one was cancelled due to the pandemic in 2019. Last year a smaller event was held in Cannon Hill Park. 

Now 20 floats are preparing to join the parade along with 20 walking groups, County Associations, three pipe and drum bands, tractors - and the 'Peaky Blinders' (aka known as Dixie Brennan)! There will also be a tribute to Shane MacGowan from The Pogues at the free event along with the launch of Pairc Festival with Nathan Carter (you will need to buy tickets for that though).

Festivities will begin with a civic reception today (Friday, March 15) at the Council House, in partnership with the Irish Post, and will bring together local businesses, stakeholders, Embassy officials, and representatives from the Birmingham Irish community.

What time and whereabouts in Digbeth will the St Patrick’s Day 2024 Parade take place?

This year’s Birmingham St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on the day itself - Sunday, March 17. The celebrations will follow tradition and begin with mass at St Anne’s Church on Bradford Street at 10am.

With the tramlines now in place along Digbeth High Street the Parade route will be different to other years. The parade itself will begin at noon at the Camp Hill Island side of Bradford Street. It will continue up Bradford Street, past St Anne’s and the White Swan pub, until it reaches the end of Bradford Street at Rea Street near Digbeth Coach Station.

There will be a stop along the way at 12.45pm when a tribute to Shane MacGowan will be held and the crowds are invited to join in a rendition of The Pogues’ Dirty Old Town. The parade is expected to finish at 2pm.    

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What floats & walking groups are joining Birmingham's 50th St Patrick's Day?

As the Birmingham St Patrick's Parade steps into its 50th year, attendees are invited to celebrate this year's event as well as celebrate the enduring legacy and the vibrant future ahead. Spectators can enjoy a procession of floats from:

• Midland Vintage Scooters,
• The West Midlands Fire Service Float & Pipe Band,
• Vintage Tractors,
• GAA Clubs
• Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School and South and City College have generously donated a bus for participants that are unable to walk the route

  Spectators can also enjoy a number of walking groups from:

• The Birmingham Irish Heritage Group,
• West Midlands Peaky Blinder Group,
• Pat Benson Boxing Academy and
• The Birmingham Irish Association Ramblers group
• A number of local schools including Bishop Challoner Catholic College, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, SS John and Monica Catholic Primary School, St Alban's Catholic Primary School, St Anne's Catholic Primary School, St Bernard's Catholic Primary School, St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School, St Dunstan's Catholic Primary School, St Edward's Catholic Primary School, St Jude's Catholic Primary School, St Martin de Porres Catholic Primary School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School.

A cross-cultural celebration, the parade will also be joined by:

• Samba bands,
• The Chinese Community Centre and
• local Birmingham Irish dancing

The parade has also announced that it is working closely with West Midlands Police to ensure that the event is a safe, secure and enjoyable day for families. Officers will be on hand with information about the Project Servator scheme and will be happy to talk to the public about Project Servator and answer any questions they may have.

Can I help out at the St Patrick’s Day Parade 2024?

There’s loads of ways you can help out with the parade. Registration is openi for floats, walking groups and performers. You can register at www.stpatsparade.co.uk. Volunteers are also needed, specifically the team are looking for:

• Float section stewards
• Walking group stewards
• Chief parade stewards

You can also support the parade by making a donation. All the details for the fundraising is on this link here https://www.givey.com/stpatricks24letsmakeithappen

What else is happening in Digbeth for St Patrick’s Day?

There’s loads of entertainment around Digbeth on St Patrick’s Day with many of the pubs hosting live music and the launch of Pairc Festival at Luna Springs.

Pairc Festival is launching in style at Luna Springs at Digbeth Arena, Lower Trinity Street, B9 4AG on Sunday, March 17 from noon. Tickets cost £25 - you can buy one here: Pairc Festival launch at Birmingham St Patrick's Day Parade The lineup is:

• Nathan Carter,
• Ceol,
• Lampa,
• The Father Teds
• One for the Road
• Live DJ sets and
• Street food.

The Old Crown is hosting a full programme of events with The Old Library from Saturday, March 9 to Sunday, March 17. Please see below:

• Saturday 9th March - The Six Nations: Italy v Scotland & England v Ireland with LIVE MUSIC from Jonny Allen 🏉 - FREE entry
• Sunday 10th March - Mother’s Day & The Six Nations LIVE At The Old Crown: Wales v France  🏉
• Friday 15th March - Fleetwood Mac Tribute Night At The Old Crown + GOLD CUP DAY - FREE entry until 7pm, Fleetwood Mac tickets from £9
• Saturday 16th March - Six Nations + LIVE MUSIC from On The Sesh: Wales v Italy, Ireland v Scotland & France v England 🏉 - FREE entry
• Sunday 17th March - Parade Day on St. Patrick’s Day 2024 - Ash Sheehan, On The Sesh, Lampa & Jonny Allen - £5 garden tickets, free entry inside the pub

The Old Library 

• Wednesday 13th March - An Evening With Prof. Carl Chinn MBE - The Real Peaky Blinders: An Irish Connection? - an illustrated talk, final release tickets £15
• Thursday 14th March - 3 Bucks Left Comedy Night, tickets £10

Norton’s is hosting an ‘All Dayer’ from noon on Sunday, March 17. You can catch The Father Teds, LAMPA, One for the Road, Heed, Jack Banting, Keiran Corcoran and much more! Tickets cost £10 and you can buy them here https://nortons.bar/stpats/

Hennesseys is hosting live bands from noon on Sunday, March 17. Doors open from 10am an dits free entry before 1pm. Bands include On The Sexh, One for the Road, LAMPA, The New Ruffians and Bang On The Ear.

It’s also worth checking out the Spotted Dog on Warwick Street, Cleary’s on Moseley Street, The Fountain Inn on Cheapside, The Lamp Tavern on Barford Street, The Anchor on Bradford Street, The Bulls Head on Digbeth High Street and The White Swan on Bradford Street.

‘A special place in the hearts of many’

Maurice Malone, a spokesman for the Birmingham Irish Association said: "The Birmingham St. Patrick's Parade is a huge calendar event which holds a special place in the hearts of many. The Birmingham Irish Association look forward to relaunching the Parade, and are thrilled that it will fall on St Patrick’s Day itself.

"It's an honour to carry forward the legacy of the Birmingham St. Patrick's Parade. This year, as we delve into 'Irish Myths and Legends,' we celebrate not only the stories of our past but also the collective spirit and future of our community. 

"We're incredibly thankful for the support from local businesses and organisations like Tourism Ireland, Dandara, Corbally Group, Armac Group, RMD Kwikform, Birmingham City Council and The Clayton Hotel, whose contributions have been crucial in supporting the return of the parade."

St Patrick's Day Festival Facebook page posted: "To be returning to Digbeth, the spiritual home of the Irish, after fours years without a parade is a special feeling. We know Birmingham is ready to paint Digbeth green again! We can't wait to see you all there."