The Singapore River will be transformed into a sea of green once again as the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations return - and bigger than ever before.

This year, St. Patrick’s Day Street Festival will go on for three days instead of just one, and it will not just be the merrymakers in green - the OCBC Centre will be lit up with shamrocks for the entire weekend.

It joins some of the world’s most famous landmarks and sites that will go ‘green’ on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) under Ireland’s annual “global greening” initiative, including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil and the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx in Egypt.

His Excellency Joe Hayes, Ambassador of Ireland to Singapore, is the Festival’s honorary patron. Approximately 2,000 Irish nationals call Singapore home. This number is augmented by many thousands more who are of Irish descent, and by Singaporeans and others who have studied in Ireland.

Senior Minister of State for Education and Law Ms Indranee Rajah, and Irish Government Minister Brendan Howlin will be the guests of honour at March 17 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, jointly celebrated with World Down Syndrome Day.

This is the second year running that the St. Patrick’s Day Festival and the Parade form the backdrop for World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) celebrations organized by the Down Syndrome Association (Singapore). Its members, along with their families and friends, will march in the March 17 Parade. Its dancers and drummers will perform throughout the festival.



Throughout the weekend, the public will also be treated to performances by Irish bands, the Irish Inspirational Dancers troupe, an International Street Fair, street artists that including face-painters and balloonists, and Irish Walking Tours that trace the shared history between Ireland and Singapore. There will be Irish food and drink promotions, as well as a lucky draw, running at participating Boat Quay restaurants and bars on all three days.

The fun culminates in the much-anticipated St. Patrick’s Day Parade, beginning at 3pm on March 17. The parade will start at Old Parliament House and proceed along the Singapore River, before ending on Circular Road, where a massive post-party will take place. Prizes await the best dressed among Parade participants.