St Patrick's Day in Lanzarote

St Patrick's Day is always a highlight here in Lanzarote, and each March the whole island seems to catch the spirit. In Puerto del Carmen, the celebrations spill out onto the streets, with the resort turning a vibrant shade of green for several days. There is live music on open-air stages, a lively parade along the seafront, and the unmistakable sound of laughter drifting from more than thirty Irish bars, each pouring plenty of Guinness. The atmosphere is something special, and even the mayor of Tias has said it rivals anything you might find in Dublin. While it is not a local tradition, it has found a real home here.

With so many Irish visitors and a close-knit Irish community living here year-round, it is no surprise that St Patrick's Day has become such a big part of life on the island. Over the years, the festival has grown into a true celebration that brings together Irish and Canarian friends, along with people from all over the world, to share music, laughter and good company. If you find yourself on Lanzarote in mid March, you are sure to be swept up in one of the most joyful and welcoming parties of the year.

St Patrick's Festival in Puerto del Carmen is a real highlight in our local calendar, and it is always free to enjoy. Organised with the help of the Tias Ayuntamiento and the island's Irish community, the celebrations usually begin on the Saturday before St Patrick's Day and continue right through to the 17th. Most of the main events are packed into two or three lively days. The heart of the festival is the open-air stage at Plaza del Varadero in the Old Town harbour, where you can listen to live music from midday until midnight on St Patrick's Day itself.

The festival always begins with a warm ceremony at Plaza del Varadero, where Irish and Canarian flags are exchanged as a sign of the close friendship between our communities. Traditional music and dance set the tone, and from there the entertainment flows almost non-stop. The main stage is busy with Irish musicians and performers throughout the afternoon and evening, building up to a headline act that fills the harbour square with energy and excitement. In recent years, we've welcomed Nathan Carter to the stage, whose lively mix of country, folk and pop has drawn crowds right along the waterfront.

Beach hurling on Playa Grande is a newer addition, and it is wonderful to see Ireland's oldest sport played out on our golden sands. These events add a real sense of community to the festival, and while there is no shortage of Guinness, it is the friendly atmosphere and shared experiences that make it so special.

St Patrick's Day in Puerto del Carmen is always marked by the much-loved parade, which usually sets off at 5pm on March 17. It winds its way from the New Town end of Avenida de las Playas, our main strip, right down to Plaza del Varadero in the Old Town harbour. The parade is a lively mix of colourful floats, marching groups, Irish dancers, musicians and local community groups, all dressed in every shade of green you can imagine. The Avenida fills with people, many stepping out from the bars and restaurants to join in the fun, and the whole event has a wonderfully joyful and friendly feel.

This is a family-friendly event that children especially love, thanks to the bright costumes, lively music and all the colour and excitement. Once the parade arrives in the Old Town, the celebrations carry on with live music on the main stage well into the evening. The seafront transforms into a real carnival, with the promenade bustling and every bar full of laughter and song. It is one of those special days when Puerto del Carmen feels more alive than ever, and you cannot help but get swept up in the good spirits, whether you have Irish roots or not.

Puerto del Carmen is well known for its lively Irish bar scene, with more than thirty welcoming spots dotted from the Old Town right through to Matagorda. On St Patrick's Day, the whole resort comes alive. Each bar creates its own festive atmosphere, with live music, green decorations and special drinks flowing from breakfast until long after midnight. The sense of celebration is truly infectious and draws visitors and locals alike into the heart of the fun.

Down in the Old Town harbour, you will find a whole row of Irish bars, each with its own charm. The boats gently bobbing in the water and the sound of music drifting across the harbour create a wonderful backdrop for the celebrations. Around Playa Grande and the New Town, there are even more Irish pubs, each offering their own take on the festivities with plenty of live entertainment. Paddy's Point is especially known for its marathon of live music on March 17, with different acts taking the stage throughout the day and into the night.

If you wander further along to Los Pocillos, you will find Sally Joan's and Fiddler's Green keeping the party spirit alive. Over in Matagorda, the celebrations continue in friendly bars like the Auld Triangle, The Good Old Days, Ned Kelly's, Peggy's Snug, Decky Dillon's and the Dubliner. No matter where you find yourself in Puerto del Carmen, there is always a warm welcome and a lively atmosphere waiting for you.

With so many choices, you are never far from a good time, and moving from one bar to the next is all part of the experience. Each place has its own personality and a group of regulars who are always ready for a chat. The laughter and lively conversation on St Patrick's Day here are as good as you will find anywhere, and it is easy to feel right at home.

Puerto del Carmen is where the heart of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations beats loudest, but here in Playa Blanca we certainly join in the fun. The Irish Anvil Bar is the place to be, especially on St Patrick’s Day, when the lively atmosphere, live music and big screens create a real sense of occasion. The Old Mill Irish Pub, right in the centre of town on Avenida Papagayo, also gets into the spirit with themed nights and plenty of entertainment. Both venues offer a warm welcome and a great spot to soak up the festivities.

Costa Teguise has its own friendly gathering spots for St Patrick’s Day. Hennessy’s, right on the seafront, is a favourite with sports fans and always serves a proper pint of Guinness. The Irish Bailey on the Paseo Maritimo is known for its homemade food and relaxed, welcoming feel, while Ireland’s Eye Bar and Bluebells Bar in the Pueblo Marinero add to the choice. The celebrations here and in Playa Blanca may be on a smaller scale than in Puerto del Carmen, but the sense of fun and community is every bit as strong.

If you are based in Playa Blanca or Costa Teguise and fancy experiencing the full festival atmosphere in Puerto del Carmen, it is easy to get there. Taxis usually cost between 12 and 25 euros, depending on your starting point, and there is a regular bus service linking the resorts. Just remember that taxis can be in high demand late on St Patrick’s night, so it is wise to book your return journey or arrange a pickup in advance.

St Patrick's Day is a truly special time here in Lanzarote, and you can feel the deep connection between the island and Ireland all around you. Each year, we welcome hundreds of thousands of Irish visitors, who arrive on direct flights from Dublin, Cork and Belfast. The island always feels a little livelier around St Patrick's Day, Easter and the summer months, as familiar Irish voices fill the promenades and local bars. Ireland has become one of Lanzarote's most important friends, and the celebrations reflect that warm relationship.

There is a thriving Irish community here, with many making their homes in and around Puerto del Carmen. Over the years, they have brought a real sense of Ireland to the island, not just through lively bars and restaurants, but also through community groups, sports clubs and local charities. The St Patrick's Day festival is very much a labour of love for these residents, and their involvement ensures the celebrations feel genuine and heartfelt, rather than just another event for tourists.

There is a natural bond between the Irish and Canarian communities, something you notice in the warmth of a welcome or the shared love of music and good company. Both peoples have deep roots in their islands, shaped by the sea, by stories and by a spirit of hospitality. The local authorities here have truly embraced St Patrick's Day, recognising not only its cultural importance but also the way it brings life and colour to Lanzarote in the quieter days of March.

If you are thinking of spending St Patrick's Day here in Lanzarote, a little forward planning will help you enjoy it to the full. Puerto del Carmen is the heart of the celebrations and accommodation tends to fill up quickly as March approaches, with many Irish visitors returning year after year. Booking your hotel or apartment well ahead is the best way to secure your spot and avoid any last-minute stress.

Wearing green is all part of the fun, and you will find that most people really embrace it. Shops and street stalls in Puerto del Carmen are well stocked with everything from green hats and scarves to face paint and shamrock trimmings in the days leading up to the festival. The more you join in, the more you will feel part of the lively, friendly atmosphere that makes St Patrick's Day here so special.

The main festivities take place outdoors at Plaza del Varadero, and everyone is welcome to join in – there is no need for tickets or reservations. As the day goes on, the main stage area becomes busier, so arriving in the early afternoon gives you a good chance of finding a comfortable spot for the evening's headline acts. The parade is always a highlight, setting off at 5pm, and some of the best views are along Avenida de las Playas in the Old Town, close to Playa Grande.

It is worth taking things at a gentle pace, as the celebrations begin early and carry on well into the night. The mix of sunshine, Guinness and good cheer can be a little deceptive, so do remember to drink water, enjoy some food and keep the sun cream handy – the Lanzarote sun can be surprisingly strong, even in March. The bars start to fill up from late morning and the atmosphere builds beautifully throughout the day, with the best music and the parade taking place later on.

If you are planning to drive, it is best to leave the car behind for the evening. The Spanish drink drive limit is lower than in the UK, and the local police do carry out roadside checks. Taxis are a popular choice on St Patrick's Night, but they can be in high demand after midnight, so it is a good idea to book ahead or arrange a pick-up time with your driver.