St. Patrick's Day 2025 in Scotland

Even though Scotland doesn't have a sizeable Irish community, the country can't stay out of the worldwide celebration dedicated to the Celtic culture. Locals wear green hats and drink gallons of Guinness with their pals throughout bars and pubs. You can experience the most vibrant festive atmosphere in the large cities, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.

Edinburgh (March 14–17, 2025 unconfirmed)

During St. Patrick's weekend, Edinburgh's Old Town goes green with funny hats and shamrocks. Merry folks gather in their favorite Irish venues for a loud bash. You can find some great St. Patrick's bashes throughout the city. Consider Paddy's Weekender at Pilgrim, which usually takes place on Friday-Sunday, or treat yourself to St. Patrick's special comedy show at Waverley Bar. Alternatively, opt for Edinburgh City FC Social Club for a holiday show.

Cowgate St. Patrick's Festival (March 15-17, 2025 unconfirmed)

A long-lasting favorite of St. Patrick's Day in Edinburgh has been the Cowgate St. Patrick's Festival, held across The Three Sisters, Espionage, Biddy Mulligans, and Cabaret Voltaire. The program traditionally features live entertainment and guarantees much fun. The events are ticketed and offer a riveting program of live Irish music, flowing beer, and spirits, as well as the great company of the locals. Tickets to the events generally vary around £8-25, while the pubs are usually open from 8 am until 3 am, with Cabaret Voltaire opening later, at around 7 pm.

Glasgow (March 15–16, 2025)

Glasgow City Center also runs themed events, like parades, pub crawls, or cruise parties, during the holiday weekend. You can enjoy live Irish music at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Sunday, March 16th. Ireland The Show (St Patrick's Special) promises mesmerizing performances of Irish music with a special feature of Karl Byrne. The concert is set to begin at 7:30 pm, while tickets cost £30.24.

Besides, Celtic Park in Glasgow East End hosts a special St. Patrick's Day event on Friday. An annual Family Day Fun festival with Irish music and dances usually takes place in Merchant Square on Saturday and spans from 12 to 5 pm. Lastly, the Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom and the Dockyard Social also throw themed live music parties during the festive weekend.

The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom is set to host Stiff Little Fingers on March 17th for their annual concert, with the tickets selling for £33.90. Dockyard Social celebrates St. Patrick's Day a day early on March 16th with a fun-filled program of specialty cocktails, beer, and exciting music. The event runs from noon until closing. Tickets cost £7 and are available for certain time slots. Children under 18 years old can enter for free. Anyways, the program differs yearly, with most events scheduled for March 17 or the closest dates.

Aberdeen (March 13–15, 2025)

If you happen to stay in Aberdeen around St. Patrick's Day, visit St. Patrick's Party with Pepperpot plus Special Guests held on March 15th at Leonardo Hotel and Conference Venue Aberdeen Airport. At £38, you've got a delectable dinner, festive entertainment, and live music by Pepperpot and the Celtic Dance Company. The menu features delicious roasted chicken with gravy, Bailey's cheesecake, and mouthwatering drinks. The doors open at 7 pm.

Besides, you can count on multiple pub crawls. Some of the most famous bars are located in the heart of the city. Drop by BrewDog Aberdeen, Malones Aberdeen, or BrewDog Castlegate. For a more official celebration, check out The Tivoli Theatre, which typically stages Irish-themed plays during the holiday time. On Thursday, March 13th, the venue hosts the Pride of Ireland show, which features Mike Denver and Dominic Kirwan. Tickets cost £33.75, with the show starting at 7:30 pm.