The Irish community has always been huge in Birmingham. Many emigrated to the city to escape the famine in the 1800s, and again during the post-World War II boom. Some estimates even place Birmingham’s Irish community (those born in Ireland as well as second and third generation Irish) just under one-tenth of the population.
It’s this strong community that once made the St Patrick’s Day Parade the third-biggest in the world. But, once again, there will be no parade in Birmingham this year. But that hasn’t stopped the Irish from celebrating before, and won’t this time either.
Joining The Old Crown in having its own Irish cultural offering for St Patrick’s Day 2026, ‘Birmingham’s best Irish pub’ (according to The Telegraph), aka Nortons Digbeth, is hosting a week-long programme of cultural events, live music, food, drink and entertainment marking the occasion.
What’s happening at Nortons Digbeth for St Patrick’s Day?
Nortons Digbeth has announced its annual St Patrick’s programme, between March 11 and 18, 2026, to celebrate Ireland’s national holiday with a Brummie twist. The Irish Quarter bar will host a St Patrick’s Sunday special on March 15, headlined by acclaimed five-piece Irish folk rockers All Folk’d Up.
Thousands are anticipated to visit the popular ‘County Digbeth’ venue, which will also host seven of the city’s best Irish musicians—including The Father Teds, Heed, The Hurling Boys, and Ire-Ish, Jack Banting, LAMPA, and On The Sesh—alongside displays from Scanlon’s School of Irish Dance for over 14 hours.
“Irish culture is literally in our very DNA at Nortons,” Peter Connolly, owner of Nortons Digbeth, said. “We’re not just Irish for St Patrick’s Day. However, our national holiday gives us the best possible reason to really crank up the volume and showcase the fantastic music and cultural talent in the city all year round.
“Our motto “Slàinte Bab”, which is a portmanteau of the Irish for cheers and an affectionate Brummie term, highlights how important Birmingham and Irish culture are to us. St Patrick’s is also a time for us celebrate with our Irish friends, colleagues and businesses in Birmingham who are all doing great work in the city as well.”
If that wasn’t enough, historian Professor Carl Chinn MBE will open the week-long St Patrick’s programme at Nortons with the illustrated talk ‘Making Our Mark – The Irish in Victorian Birmingham’ on Wednesday, March 11. In the evening, he will explore the effects that Irish migrants had on the city in the 19th century.
Thursday, the St Patrick’s Green Tie Ball brings Irish businesses and the community together for traditional music, dancing and dining; Birmingham-Irish musicians Dan Roberts and Jack Banting appear live on stage on Friday; and Saturday hosts On The Sesh, Rosie O’Sullivan Band, The Hurling Boys, and Dan Roberts, and DJ sets from Kieran Corcoran.
Irish whiskey fans can be part of an exclusive masterclass exploring the history of ‘Uisce Beatha’ (Gaelic for ‘water of life’) on Monday, March 16. Then on St Patrick’s Day (Tuesday, March 17), Nortons present a full menu of Irish dining specialities along with music from Jack Banting, Heed, and The Father Teds. Irish folk musician Barry Kerr will close with an intimate performance on Wednesday, March 18.
To learn more about Nortons Digbeth and to book tickets for the full St Patrick’s Festival 2026 programme, head here.