Celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Luton

St Patrick might be the patron saint of Ireland and not Bedfordshire, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate! The Luton Irish Forum have once again teamed up with the Culture Trust to produce 2020’s St Patrick Festival, with the musical performances taking place at the Hat Factory in Luton.

The festival, which takes place every year, helps Luton’s Irish community celebrate their history and this year’s event will feature some of the best new music coming out of Ireland. Taking place from the 14^th to 17^th March, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy music, food and fun around Luton.

This year’s line up kicks off on 14^th March with a performance of An Ordinary Man performed by Gerry Farrell of Beezneez Theatre Company, Co Leitrim at the Luton Library Theatre.

This is followed by a range of live music from traditional and new Irish performers. A Parade will take place on Sunday, 15^th March starting from the Luton Irish Forum head quarters at midday. The Parade will once again represent the counties of Ireland and entertainment will be provided by the Emerald Pipe Band, ukulele players and steel drummers. An Irish market, Irish dancing and traditional Irish food and drink will also be part of the celebration.

Originally, the Luton Irish Forum was founded in the 1990s to safeguard the needs of Irish residents in Luton, these days it is an organisation that promotes health and well being across the community with a range of activities and events as well as welfare support. Their St Patrick’s Festival is held around the weekend nearest to the 17^th March every year since 2000. The festival is an opportunity to showcase talent from both sides of the Irish sea with music, song, dance and drama being performed at various entertainment venues around Luton. In recent years, the event attracts thousands of visitors and has become one of the leading events in Luton’s calendar.

Find out more about this year’s event here.