HAPPENING 17 March | Green outfits and Irish music! St. Patrick's Day is Ireland's national holiday and is characterized as one of the merriest and greenest days of the year.
In Rotterdam, the celebration is less about parades and more about packed pubs, live music, and a sea of green. If you want the short version, you have two good strategies: go big on the weekend before, or keep it classic on the Tuesday itself.
When is St. Patrick's Day?
Every March 17, more than 75 million people worldwide commemorate the life of St. Patricius, the patron saint of Ireland. More than 200 countries participate, everywhere with the same traditions. Thus, this national holiday is dominated by the colour green, typical Irish food and drink: lamb stew, fish & chips accompanied by a pint of Guinness beer and Irish music. For many in the Netherlands it's a fun opportunity to be Irish for a day: swap Dutch orange for Irish green and celebrate St. Patrick's day just like the Irish.
A holiday full of traditions
St. Patricius caused the Irish to be converted to Christianity in the fifth century, and at the same time, in the process, the three-leaf clover — a symbol of the holy trinity of the father, the son and the holy spirit — became a national symbol. Many Irish are divided between different parts of the world due to migration. St. Patrick's Day is therefore celebrated around the world today. Both people, cities, monuments, and even rivers turn green for this one day. A lot of Irish music is played, and Irish bands perform.
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Where to celebrate in Rotterdam
Rotterdam’s most clearly advertised St Patrick’s party right now is at Rotown, which is running a St. Patrick’s Day Party on Saturday 14 March 2026. Rotown lists doors from 23:00, entry from €5, and an 18+ door policy. Rotown also ties the night to Drunken Dolly, which regularly anchors St Patrick’s season gigs in the city.
The day itself
If you prefer celebrating on the day, that is Tuesday 17 March 2026. Expect smaller line ups, more locals, and a slightly more civilised pace in the city centre.
Paddy Murphy’s Irish Pub (city centre)
If you want the full Irish pub treatment, Paddy Murphy’s is still the obvious starting point. It is a live music venue and sports bar in the World Trade Centre area, and it publishes a rolling live music calendar on its own site.
Because specific St Patrick’s line-ups can change late, our advice is simple: check their live music page close to the date, then arrive earlier than you think you need to.
Locus Publicus (Kralingen)
If your idea of a good St Patrick’s is a serious beer list rather than a singalong, Locus Publicus remains a strong option, especially with its focus on speciality beers and its location near Oostplein. Their website lists their address and contact details.
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If you are willing to leave Rotterdam
Rotterdam does not have one giant outdoor St Patrick’s festival in the centre, but you are not stuck.
St Patrick’s Day The Hague (Grote Markt)
If you want the big crowd atmosphere, The Hague’s Grote Markt festival has a dedicated event page for Sunday 15 March 2026, and the organisers’ channels describe it as free entry.
Dordrecht and the wider region
- Café The Hide Away (Dordrecht)
- The Irish Pub (Vlaardingen)
- Finnegans (Rozenburg)
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Extra list: Where they serve Guinness
We're not always sure who serves Guinness and who doesn't, but the kind folks at Guinness sent us this list. In these pubs across South Holland, you can enjoy St Patrick’s Day the way it should be: full of Irish cheer and with a perfect pint of Guinness 🍀
- Den Haag: Rootz, Haagsche Kluisch, Three Sisters Pub, The Fiddler, Six Pence, Ned Kelly, O Casey's, Animo
- Naaldwijk: Rembrandt Pub
- Schiedam: Het Weeshuis
- Spijkenisse: Murray's
- Leiden: North End
- Delft: Three Sisters
- Rotterdam: Dutch Dukes
- Vlaardingen: The Irish Pub
Rijswijk: The White Horse - Alphen aan den Rijn: Hendrick's Pub
- Oud-Beijerland: Bistro 't Havenhuys
What do they traditionally drink?
Besides the colour green, Guinness is also inextricably linked to St. Patrick's Day. As such, both have a rich Irish history. This iconic dark beer is part of Ireland's symbols and culture. Through Irish pubs, the favourite meeting places of the Irish, the black stuff plays an important role in the social life of this country. Consequently, the Irish see Guinness as the embodiment of the holiday. While some 7.5 million pints of Guinness are drunk on any given day, as many as 13 million are drunk on St. Patrick's Day.
If stout is not your thing, many venues lean into Irish whiskey specials and a broader tap takeover vibe rather than strictly Guinness.
