Take a look in your closet to see if you have any green-colored outfits; the St. Patrick’s Day parade is back in town for its third edition, and this year promises an even bigger celebration.
The event expanded from just one day to three, with the highlight of the festivities taking place on March 21, featuring a parade of over 600 bagpipers and their bagpipes, starting at Praça do Comércio, continuing along Rua da Áurea, and ending at Praça do Rossio.
The biggest invasion of Irish culture
The 3rd edition of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place from March 20 to 22, but it is only on Saturday and Sunday that the streets of the capital will hear the raucous sound of bagpipes, in what will be the largest Irish “invasion” ever seen in Portugal.
The most anticipated moment will be on March 21 (Saturday), starting at 3:30 p.m., at Praça do Comércio, with a grand parade bringing more than 600 musicians to this part of the capital , divided into 13 bagpipe bands (nine Portuguese and four Spanish).
With so many bagpipes playing together, the energy and volume promise to be contagious, along a route designed to draw the audience watching from the avenue’s sidewalks all the way to downtown Lisbon, to Rossio, which will serve as the stage for a grand closing concert, as well as for other Celtic dance performances.
The privileged view from the Guinness bus
Since Guinness beer is inseparable from these celebrations, it will play a very important role in them, with the iconic panoramic double-decker bus leading this massive parade.
And you can try your luck and climb to the top of this bus to follow the parade with the best view; however, availability and confirmation must be arranged on-site, depending on the bus’s capacity.
What is St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most widely celebrated Irish national holidays worldwide, observed by over 70 million people.
Honors the patron saint of Ireland, and it is customary on this day to hold large celebrations in his honor, especially parades, where people dress in green.
It is also customary on this day to drink plenty of beer, particularly in Irish pubs scattered across virtually every continent.
Whether to hear the grandeur of hundreds of bagpipes in unison or simply to toast tradition, downtown Lisbon will be the place to be on the 21st.
Useful information:
Location: route from Praça do Comércio, along Rua da Áurea, and ending at Praça do Rossio
Dates: March 20 , 21, and 22 (parade on the 21st)
Tickets: free
