St Patrick's Day Celebrations for London

London will turn green on Sunday 12th March, when tens of thousands turn out for the capital's celebrations to mark St Patrick's Day.

London Mayor Ken Livingston is backing this year's festivities which is being organised in partnership with Tourism Ireland, with Guinness also on board as a sponsor for the first time. More than 4,000 musicians, dancers and Irish community representatives will take part in the parade through central London, which this year features Circus Bizarre, a special piece of street theatre by Irish Street Theatre company Macteo that was a highlight at last years Dublin parade.

In Trafalgar Square there will be Hothouse Flowers, Altan, Gemma Hayes, The Chalets, Tara Blaise and very special guest Brian Kennedy.

Covent Garden – Bap Kennedy, Declan O'Rourke, Claire Sproule, The Men They Couldn't Hang and Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann – plus Irish Speciality Food Market.

Leicester Square – Outdoor Ceili, music workshops, Celtic kids zone and crafts exhibition, courtesy of the Crafts Council of Ireland.

This is a free event during the day.  The approx time for the Parade from Hyde Park Corner to Trafalgar Square is between 12pm - 3pm.  Festival ends at 6pm.  Approx on stage time for Brian is 2.40 - 3.20pm  Other events are also taking place in the capital throughout the week.  View www.london.gov.uk for more details.