Céilí, treasure hunt and 5K: The St. Patrick's Festival line-up

The theme for this year's St. Patrick's Festival 2017 celebrates who we are as a culturally diverse, complex and brave society, and has been aptly named Ireland You Are…

Taking place from March 16th – 19th, the festival will feature a world-class line-up of street-theatre, pageantry and performances that will create a carnival atmosphere for the whole family.

Here are the highlights you won't want to miss:

Thursday, 16th March

• Get your dancing shoes on and join the world’s largest outdoor céilí. Learn the steps, enjoy traditional live music and soak up the atmosphere on the streets of Dublin. Join host Dearbhla Lennon, Irish-dancing champion and expert caller Jerry O’Reilly; 4.30pm – 7.30pm Earlsfort Terrace
• The Festival will present a special open-air cinema screening of In America in the outdoor cinema; 7.30pm – 9.30pm Swords Castle

Friday, 17th March

• The 2017 Festival Parade will weave its way through the heart of the capital city in a flourish of colour and flair. Community groups and pageant companies from across Ireland will present the rich textures of Irish heritage through a variety of performances and street theatre
• Bands from around the country will also be joined by bands from America, France, Germany, Switzerland and the Bahamas and will deliver an incredible sound-scape for the spectacular procession
• Starting point: Parnell Square 12.00pm (noon)

Saturday, 18th March

• Explore Ireland’s capital and join 4,000 others navigating an exciting treasure hunt, visiting Dublin’s beautiful, historical and contemporary locations and solving clues that will challenge the best! Treasure Hunt 10.00am – 1.00pm City Hall Dame Street
• Spend an afternoon in the park and be entertained by the best of national and international street theatre, marching bands and pop-up choirs Street Theatre 12.00pm – 4.30pm St. Stephen’s Green
• Watch some of Ireland’s most renowned portrait artists in action as they expertly draw portraits of children to capture the faces of the future at this moment in time – “Ireland You Are 2017 Gallery”. The Ark, Eustace Street, Temple Bar 10.30am – 4.00pm
• An open-air cinema screening of 2016’s Golden Globe nominated hit Sing Street will be shown at Fingal County Council Civic offices, Grove Road, Blanchardstown 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Sunday, 19th March

• Enter a world of fantasy, sword fighting and monster making, where the Dublin UNESCO City of Literature’s Citywide read ‘Knights of the Borrowed Dark’ takes up residence at Merrion Square. Become a budding scientist in the Science Foundation Ireland specially dedicated Science Zone – see what cells are made of and make a kite. Festival Big Day Out Merrion Square 12.00pm – 6.00pm
• Lively, family-friendly 5K road race through the heart of Georgian Dublin; Road Race – 5km St. Stephen's Green (12.00pm noon)