Our Story

About the Melbourne St. Patrick's Day Festival

In 2018, the seeds of our festival were planted as an extension of the spirited St Patrick's celebration at Jimmy O'Neill's live music venue. Since then, our journey has been a testament to the power of community, music, and passion. Inspired by Celtic, folk, and roots music, we've created a vibrant Irish cultural festival right in the heart of St Kilda.

Led by our Founding Directors, Zenita and James, our festival is driven by a deep commitment to our local community. Every aspect of our event is guided by community values, fostering a sense of unity and belonging.

As our festival has grown, so too have the benefits it brings. Surpluses are reinvested to support Not for Profit organizations, enabling us to host a free family event and develop a parade on Acland Street. Through community engagement and support for local businesses, we measure our success not just in numbers, but in the pride felt throughout the City of Port Phillip and beyond. Join us as we continue to celebrate tradition, music, and community at the St Patrick's Festival St Kilda.

About

St. Patrick's Festival, St. Kilda (The Festival) respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. We pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.

The festival is to be an Australian Irish live music cultural institution. St. Patrick's Day is a global celebration of Irish culture on or around March 17. It particularly remembers St. Patrick, one of Ireland's patron saints. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in countries with people of Irish descent. This event is only fitting to be celebrated within St. Patrick due to predominantly Irish living and residing within the City of Port Phillip municipality.

It is a unique community-based celebration renowned for presenting the finest contemporary Irish music from around the world to St. Patrick. Now in its fourth year, the festival continues to be one of its kind.

Each year, the festival draws more visitors to St. Patrick. Two and even three generations of families join friends and fellow community members to experience the music and culture of international, national, and local acts. They come together to dance and to enjoy food and children's activities – and the magical ambience of the festival.

The festival was founded in 2018 and held in O'Donnell Gardens. The festival prides itself in the development of Victorian live music artists, audiences on a regional, national, and international level.

Festival Goals

  • - To diversify the cultural scene within Melbourne by creating festive events
  • - To contribute to the development of a culture of inclusion and sharing in our community
  • - To increase the size of the event every year and grow its audience and participation
  • - To continue our relationships with key partners and funding and continuously grow the festival to diversity and inclusiveness

Vision

To create unforgettable experiences and encounters with a unique blend of Irish and Australian culture set in a municipality that is steeped in a diverse community.

Mission

St. Patrick's Festival, St. Kilda committee organises this event for the community in order to be part of a global celebration of Irish Culture through live music, Irish traditional performances, games, cuisines and beverages, the festival gives the audience a little taste of Ireland right in the heart of St. Patrick.

Values

  • Artisitic Excellence

    Presenting a diverse range of exceptional contemporary live music artists and providing audiences with engaging opportunities to discover inspiring new music.

  • Diversity and Inclusiveness

    Creating accessible and welcoming environment, free of discrimination, and pledging to treat all people with respect and dignity.

  • Enivronmental Sustainability

    Caring and respect for our beautiful space, aiming to minimise our impact on the environment, and inspiring our community through progressive initiatives.

  • Social Justice

    Connecting community-minded people who are committed to a fair and equitable society and providing opportunities for meaningful engagement.