Where is the St Patrick’s Day 2019 parade in London? Start time, route and performances at Trafalgar Square

TENS of thousands of people will take to the streets of London today for the annual St Patrick’s Day weekend, now in its 17th year.

The city becomes a melting pot of green with countless events taking place across the city. Here’s all the important info…

First of all, when is St Patrick’s Day 2019?

Each year, St Patrick’s Day falls on March 17.

In Ireland, the day of celebration has been a public holiday since 1903 and the first parade was held in Waterford that year.

In the UK, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother would present bowls of shamrock flown over from Ireland to members of the Irish Guards in the British Army.

The tradition carries on today with the Irish Guards still wearing shamrocks flown over from Ireland.

When is the St Patrick’s Day parade in London and what’s the route?

While the festivities start on Friday, March 16, the parade takes place on Sunday, culminating in a performance in Trafalgar Square.

It begins in Hyde Park Corner at 12pm and goes through Haymarket before finishing at Trafalgar Square.

The procession will feature floats and marching bands, as well as groups of Irish dancers from all over Ireland and the UK.

It’s entirely free to attend and you don’t need a ticket.

What events and performances are there to enjoy?

This morning you can take part in Irish walking tours around Camden or a second this afternoon beginning at St Paul’s Cathedral.

And the St Patrick’s Day Festival held in Trafalgar Square from 12-6pm promises to be the “pinnacle event in London’s cultural calendar”, showcasing Irish performance and culture.

Alternatively, a St Patrick’s Family Fun & Concert event featuring Irish music is in full  swing at the London Irish Centre from midday.

Then tonight, an Irish Film Festival is being held at Regent Street Cinema from 6.30pm.

And a little later, the Four Men And A Dog concert will be held at the Irish Cultural Centre from 7.30pm.

The event includes five of Ireland’s most “exhilarating master musicians”, who will be performing Irish “trad” music along with rock, rap, gypsy, blues and even salsa.