
The Brisbane Irish Festival is a long-standing annual event that promotes and celebrates the occasion of St Patrick’s Day, Irish culture and its contribution to the state of Queensland. The St Patrick’s Day Parade has been held amidst the streets of Brisbane city since 1989, flooding the inner-city district with a colourful convoy of more than 80 floats and displays representing Irish culture that provide free community-oriented entertainment for all ages.
2021 Brisbane Irish Festival Events
The below events will be going ahead in 2021 subject to current COVID-19 restrictions. We will update this section in the coming weeks.
March
6
6:00pm
Brisbane Irish Festival Charity Ball 2021 in aid of IASA
Victoria Park Golf Complex
Join the Irish Australian Support Association of Queensland for the Brisbane Irish Festival Charity Ball 2021 in aid of IASAQ.
The night will consist of a two course meal and a three hour drinks package with traditional Irish music by Sásta.
This is always a fantastic night on the Irish event calendar with all proceeds going to help fund the Association, so we can continue to assist the Irish and Irish Australian community. Please consider coming along to support a good cause whilst celebrating our unique culture.
March
10
12:30pm
Writing Women into the history of the Queensland Irish Association, 1898-2020: Challenges, Culture and Contributors
Commissariat Store Museum, 115 William Street,Brisbane

The presentation attempts a gender-oriented analysis of the Queensland Irish Association (QIA). This organisation, formed in Brisbane in 1898 by members of a disbanded ethnic military corps, the Queensland Irish Volunteers, was constituted as a male-only body with female relatives confined to ancillary, though not unimportant, roles. We explore male members’ attitudes towards gender and the masculine culture encoded in the Association’s symbols, processions, songs, oratory, and recreational activities.
Booking is essential. Due to COVID-19 and social distancing requirements, we are unable to offer the usual tea and sandwiches; you are welcome to bring your own drink with you. Thank you for understanding.
March
11
7:00pm
13
2:00pm
The Commitments Cinema Screening
Elizabeth Picture Theatre, Elizabeth Street
Come and see the The Commitments 30th-anniversary screenings. Presented in association with Elizabeth Picture Theatre on Elizabeth St, Brisbane.
The movie will be screened twice: Thursday 11 March at 7:00 pm and Saturday 13 March at 2:00pm. Tickets are $18 ($14.00 for members of the Five Star Club) and can be purchased by clicking the link below. Both screenings will take place at the Elizabeth Picture Theatre. The bar will be open afterwards with Guinness on tap so feel free to stay on & network. Please drink responsibly.
March
13 – 17
St. Patrick’s Day Long Weekend
Irish Murphy’s Brisbane, Cnr George & Elizabeth Street, Brisbane City 4000
The biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration is at Irish Murphy’s.
Kicking off on Saturday the 13th thru till the 17th, Irish Murphy’s have got an unmissable line up of the best in Irish entertainment, cover bands, giveaways and ice cold pints of Guinness. With appearances from; The Gathering, Qld Irish Assoc Pipe Band, Trad Station, Ramjet, Mark Butler Duo, Tales of Strangers, BERST, Tartan Shamrock, Woody Lives Here, Rob Fitchett and Locky.
*WIN $1000 venue tab EVERY HOUR between 4pm & 8pm 13th of March*
*T&C’s apply.
March
14
2:00pm
Queensland Irish Choir
Chermside and Kedron Community Church
The Queensland Irish Choir will return to Chermside for a two hour performance. Entry is $20. Due to Covid restrictions tickets can only be purchased online
The Chermside and Kedron Community Church is at the corner of Gympie Road & Rode Rd, Chermside.
March
16
6:30pm
St Patrick’s Eve Dinner
Pullman Brisbane Hotel
King George Square
Join Distinguished Guests, Queensland and Irish representatives to continue more than 123 years of celebrating Irish culture and heritage in Queensland.
Enjoy an evening with fine food, Guiness, beer, wine, soft drink, entertainment, guest speakers and Irish camaraderie.
March
16 & 17
Irish Lights
Brisbane city

On the evening of the 16 and 17 March the Story Bridge, Victoria Bridge and Reddacliff Place sculptures Donna Marcus: Steam 2006 will be lit Green for the 2021 Saint Patricks Day and Brisbane Irish Festival.
March
17
10:00am
St Patrick’s Day Mass
Cathedral of St Stephen
Elizabeth St, Brisbane City

St. Patrick’s Day Mass will be held on St. Patrick’s Day at the Cathedral of St Stephen on Elizabeth St, Brisbane city.
March
20
6:30pm
Murphy’s Pigs in Concert
Fortitude Music Hall,
Brisbane City

Beloved award-winning Brisbane Celtic-Rock ensemble, Murphy’s Pigs, are armed and ready to present their two-hour-plus show at the Fortitude Music Hall on Saturday, March 20, featuring a 16-piece outfit, comprising bagpipes, fiddle, whistles, drums, accordion, guitars, bouzouki, and their troupe of award-winning Celtic dancers, who have been entertaining and winning over Brisbane audiences for over 14 years. The show will also include very special guest, the “Angel Of Australia” and one of the most sought-after sopranos in the world, Brisbane’s own Mirusia. The Pigs really put the fun back in entertainment.

2021 St Patrick’s Day Parade
Dear Supporter
It is with a heavy heart that due to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee have decided not to proceed with our 2021 street parade until March 12, 2022. This decision has not been taken lightly especially following the cancellation of the 2020 parade on the eve of the event also due to COVID. We feel however it is the correct decision especially given the current uncertain environment.
As always, we will continue to support and promote all community events as part of Brisbane Irish Festival (March 6 – 17 March 21). Please stay tuned for events taking place throughout the week, confirmed events at time of writing are below.
We also plan on producing our parade program book which will be distributed electronically and throughout the city. If you would like to share a poem, story or event please contact us here or visit our Facebook page.
We look forward to producing a bigger and better parade in 2022 le cúnamh Dé and would encourage everyone to still celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in your own way and paint Brisbane green this March!
The 2021 Brisbane Irish Festival sponsors
We would like to thank our sponsors, Brisbane City Council, Queensland State Government, the Emigrant Support Program in the Dept. of Foreign Affairs & Trade (Irish Govt.), Irish Murphy’s, St. Joseph’s College – Gregory Terrace, St. Patrick’s College – Shorncliffe and all upcoming program advertisers for your support in 2021.